By: Disney Destinations
November 18, 2024
Guests should grab a hot cocoa and put on their favorite festive attire because the holiday season is underway! Disney parks and resorts are celebrating with a plethora of joyous holiday offerings for the whole family. From holiday-themed attractions to enchanting entertainment, unique photo opportunities and fla-la-la-lavorful dining options, there’s no place like Disney for young kids and their families to create everlasting memories.
Let’s discover all the wondrous things only found at Disney parks that guests and their families can enjoy together during the holidays.
Disneyland Resort
Jump with joy because the holidays have kicked off at Disneyland Resort and there are so many things for little ones! Guests can catch the fun Monday through Friday right outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park with the new “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” at Disney California Adventure park! Kids and their families may sing along with Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and her friends as they celebrate the spirit of the holidays with an endearing musical presentation featuring beloved songs from the film.
In the evenings, “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure continues the holiday joy. Guests should grab their families for a heartwarming mix of stories and timeless songs brought to life by Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland, accompanied by graceful dancers, as they deliver bilingual performances in this new celebration of the holidays. This nighttime show ends with a special appearance by Miguel from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” joining the group for a beautiful rendition of “Silent Night.”
New this year, Santa and select Disney friends will make appearances and pose for photos at “Holiday Fun with Santa & Friends!” at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland, while Santa will stop for photos at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure through Dec. 24. From Nov. 28 through Dec. 24, Santa will also swing by Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel, so guests should make sure to drop by and meet the jolliest of them all. Families exploring Town Square Disneyland may also find Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends in all-new holiday outfits ready to strike a pose that’ll “sleigh” any holiday photo. And at Disney ¡Viva Navidad! in Disney California Adventure, kids may encounter Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” or The Three Caballeros.
Looking for attractions covered in holiday cheer? “it’s a small world” Holiday at Disneyland park is adorned with thousands of dazzling lights, ornaments and more as dolls representing the children of the world don festive attire and the iconic music we all love is enhanced with the caroling classics “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls.” Over at Disney California Adventure, the residents of Radiator Springs spared no parts for the holidays as Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree have undergone “tow-riffic” seasonal transformations to become Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
Starting Nov. 22, 2024 through Jan. 1, 2025, guests can hunt for special ornaments along the all-new Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail in the Downtown Disney District. Guests should make sure they stop by select shopping locations to purchase an activity map that’ll guide them in a fun, family-friendly pursuit for ornaments hidden on holiday trees. Redeem the map at World of Disney or Disney’s Pin Trader’s for a memorable holiday keepsake.*
Families can enjoy an extraordinary meal and meet Disney characters during special holiday dining experiences at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. This year from Nov. 19, 2024 through Jan. 1, 2025, Storytellers Cafe at Grand Californian will host the new Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party Breakfast and Brunch where guests can enjoy a delicious meal with some holiday-themed bites as Disney friends sport all-new cozy pajama fashions. Make sure to check the availability and book reservations in advance!
The character dining fun doesn’t end there because Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays is back at Disneyland Hotel from Nov. 19, 2024, through Jan. 2, 2025, and Goofy and his friends can’t wait to show guests their merry best, plus a special menu of seasonal flavors great for the whole family.
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is a must-visit family destination with a variety of kid-friendly experiences during the most wonderful time of the year! During the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth from Nov. 29 through Dec. 30, young children and adults alike can experience Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt and search for holiday “traditions” that Olaf has gathered – and lost – around World Showcase in EPCOT. Guests can stop by select shopping locations to purchase the map and stickers used during the journey. Once done, guests may redeem their map at Disney Traders, Creations Shop or World Traveler for a gift worth melting for!** After completing Olaf’s quest, guests can relax on Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses, a peaceful boat voyage through greenhouses full of twinkling lights that’ll make any child’s eyes sparkle.
Got little ones who absolutely love Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic film “Frozen”? Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests and their families can catch a showing of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” where iconic moments from the movie play on-screen. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf even join the fun to sing along to popular songs like “Let It Go,” with a special holiday finale included for the season!
After singing their hearts out, guests step into Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land and experience toy-sized holidays with the whole family. Not only can guests find eye-catching seasonal décor, but Pixar favorite “Toy Story” friends dressed up in their holiday best too!
Experience the magic of Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park as the Merry Menagerie puppeteers near the Tree of Life bring beautifully crafted wintry animal puppets, such as polar bears, foxes and more, to life. This enchanting setting is not only great for capturing memorable photos with loved ones, but the puppeteers may also engage with guests for an unforgettable experience! Speaking of photos, guests may also find Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their holiday wear at Adventurers Outpost.
Marvel as Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf from Disney Animation’s “Frozen” take the stage in their holiday best for a “Frozen Holiday Surprise” at Magic Kingdom Park. During this wonderous show, friends from Arendelle herald the season and transform Cinderella Castle into a glimmering crystallized palace. Guests also can’t forget about the transformation of Jungle Cruise to Jingle Cruise, complete with holiday décor and skippers that can’t wait to mistletoe around with festive jokes on the jolly journey. Or if guests are looking for an exclusive merry and bright experience, the separately ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party adds to the most wonderful time of year on select nights through Dec. 20.
