Disneyland for the Holidays, Peek At All That Holiday Spirit
Christmas tree and garland-lined Main Street, Disneyland
Three years ago, my partner and I visited Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA for their holiday festivities and had so much fun in Grinchmas and Harrypotter World - that we agreed we must return to another theme park to get in the Christmas spirit. And since many people are vaccinated, and the world is (fingers-crossed), in a better place than 2020 — we bit the bullet and bought two tickets to Disneyland, CA in December!
I bought my tickets in early November, when I was planning for the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush — as there are limited tickets. By early December, Disneyland was fully booked with reservations for December 2021! As of today, they still have a few remaining days in January 2022 available (currently holiday festivities continue until January 9th) — so plan accordingly.
After reading several planning blogs, we rented a one night hotel stay in SunCoast by Hilton. It was affordable, clean, comfortable with a fridge and microwave in room. I would 100% stay there again. Keep in mind, I am a practical person; so this price point was a little more than I typically spend. The reasons I stayed here was because: (1) hotel rate was cheaper even accounting for the additional $23- $25/night parking fee (note: most Anaheim hotels near Disney charge an overnight parking fee, so do your research!); and (2) I wanted a walking distance hotel from Disneyland to avoid being charged 2x for parking (one for hotel and one for Disneyland). This was an easy 15 minute walk from our hotel - so highly recommend if you want to skip the $30-$40 Disneyland parking fee and and want to fit in a few extra steps (yay for those step counts!)
Holiday Happenings in Disneyland
Main Street, Holiday Decorations. Crowds are lining up in preparation for an evening holiday parade
Ballerina on a holiday parade float
Favorite Holiday Food I Ate: Holi-Gray Stuff
Seasonal dessert item the Holi-Gray Stuff (from Rose Red Tavern) which is basically like an inside out red velvet cupcake on top of a red shortbread cookie! The gray stuff is actually a pudding like cream - very similar in texture to whip cream, and tastes like cookies n cream and oreos (engage childhood dreams!). On top of the red velvet ball, there was a sweeter jelly-like component so you get one swig of a fruity flavor!!
I personally loved this as I find traditional icing too heavy - and this airy gray whipped cream was more up my ally. During covid time, order it on your app. Once your order is ready the app notifies you, the guy at the door will let you enter. Go to your pick up window and tell them your order # and they will hand over your food. Do not make my mistake, where you try to enter the food hall without ordering! They will act like you are dumb and how could you even consider gasp!
I booked marked this copycat recipe so I can make my own version at home ;), yes if you have a sweet tooth and love childhood nostalgia - you will like this Gray Stuff.
Mickey Mouse inspired, snowflake candied apples with marshmallow ears - good enough to eat!
Holiday Disney Treats, from the Main Street candy store
Cookie pies with sprinkles and icing - the kid in me wanted to try this new form of a “cookie”
Additional Food Highlights: Chowder Bread Bowl
The Clam Chowder Bread Bowl from Harbour Galley filling, steaming hot, warm and hit the spot! I am not a huge bread fan - but when a bowl of creamy chowder comes out on a chilly SoCal December day, you don’t ask questions. I dipped the glutinous bread into the chowder and gobbled much of it down! My partner cleaned up after me too (he was jealous!). Between the both of us, were weren’t able to finish the bread as it was so hearty - but left feeling satisfied!
The Harbour Galley overlooks the Pirate-like ship docked there so you have water-front dining in a casual environment. Umbrellas and shade available to see respite from those warmer days.
Tuna Sandwich
This one came out looking like a Lobster role but do not be deceived! It is a classy tuna sandwich served on roll one! A side of pepper, pickle and clementine round out this meal! My partner seemed a bit hungry after this - so depends on how much you like to eat. He said he’s order it again; can’t complain!
Favorite “World” in Disneyland: Star Wars, Galaxy’s Edge
It’s the newest world so no surprise it's also my favorite. It’s a dystopian, barren world, complete with wires running everywhere, 90s tech detritus littered everywhere, and all objects take on the warm glow of dessert stand! Their main arcade area, transports you to another world with a breakfast focused food at Ronto’s Roasters, which already had a line by 11am! Lets not forget the huge Star Wars ship and faux landscape!! A Chewbacca cast member was playfully engaging with the crowd when we swung by. The pictures do not do this place justice! It feels like you’re on the movie set!
Favorite Ride: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Spoilers! First, you get put into a holding room. Then, you are treated as a prisoner - the wall is sliced open, and you walk past a literal army of Stormtroopers - which leads you to an indoor/outdoor area. They line you up putting you in a color group. Once they open the doors, you enter your vehicle pod based on color. Then it’s like a multi dimensional car with shifting elevators, graphics, screens, and incredible realistic setting! It was literally the best ride I’ve ever been on! If this is a peak of what the future is, I cannot wait for more rides. Still thinking about it now.
Favorite Classic Ride: Peter Pan’s Flight
I will never get over how you board a unique ship, and literally take off and can see the little towns, streams, oceans below! Love how its tied to a tried and true Peter Pan narrative with its quirky characters. The miniature forms are so precious . All your childhood dreams of flying come true. Truly magically. I’d like to see if they ever create a modern day version of these rides - with new stories like Frozen!
Favorite Classic Ride, Runner Up: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Mr. Toad’s adventures first start with climbing aboard an old fashioned 1900s, two seater car! Then it takes you on hairpin turns where it looks like you will run into the wall but the door magically part and you’re transported to another world! It’s feels frenetic, like a chase scene - which is exactly what an old fashion car chase would be like! Great art, setting, pacing and story telling!
Itinerary
Our Itinerary for an early Wednesday in December at Disneyland was a follows (wanted to get in right when the doors opened):
6:00am - wake up call
6:30am - eat breakfast in-room, pack luggage, check out of hotel room
6:45am - start walking to the Disneyland park entrance (10-15 min walk) — left car at the hotel for convenience!
7:15am - waiting in line at security gate
7:30am - went thru security gate into the “staging area” of Disney where you can either turn to go to California Adventure or Disneyland. Walked to the Disneyland entrance and stood in a shorter line.
7:50am - they started scanning us in! They let us hang out on Main Street, where people started lining up for the Starbucks which opened a few minutes later. Other people merely waited towards the center of Main Street where it branches off. I recommend walking up and down Main Street, taking pictures of the holiday decorations before it gets too crowded!
8:00 am - PARK OPENS!! the cast members holding the rope then dropped them e.g. rope drop time and people are allowed to start exploring the park! I noticed the biggest lines on the Frontiersland side - which makes sense as the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride and world is on that side (and tends to have some of the longest lines in the park)
NOTE: We visited Tomorrowland. Most blogs recommend doing Fantasyland first as it’s a lot of small, short rides and you can cut down on total time spent in line. If we were to re-do it, I’d probably follow that strategy!
Was it worth it to be there right when the park opened?
For me it was, but looking back - I recommend spending more time wandering Main Street, or visiting the Downtown Disney Starbucks (at the time of publishing they open at 7a) so that you’re not aimlessly standing in line for 45 minutes! It’s more fun to explore their Downtown and Main Street areas, take photos! I can’t comment on the lines behind us - but it was super nice to enter a pretty empty park! The main focus is to get the rides done. Many of the food vendors, stores, and some attractions like the kayaking, boating, etc didn’t take part until peak park hours. So the #1 benefit is hitting up the rides, taking your time, and getting in those photo-worthy pics!! So yes and no! I would 100% do it again, but perhaps show up at the gate closer to 7:45a instead of 7a since I didn’t find it too crowded on a work day. :)
Summary
Overall, I loved my December Disneyland visit! It’s exactly what this SoCal residence needs to get in the holiday spirit. Highly recommend going on a work-day and beating the crowds. Our most productive hours in the park were before 11a! When lunchtime rolled around, the parks peak attendance hit and it became a bit of a challenging ordering food and timing it so it’d be ready when we were hungry or just finished the ride. However, their mobile app made it relatively painless once you get the hang of it!
A few years ago, we went to Universal Studio Hollywood for their annual Grinchmas Celebrations and arrived right when they opened as well. I’d say Universal was significantly less crowded then, and the rides are more geared for adults. So if you’re anti-kiddie rides, when Universal for you. Next year, I’ll probably go back to visiting Universal for the holidays because it is (1) more affordable; (2) less stressful with less crowds and less planning required; and (3) it got me in the holiday spirit as much as DIsney!
Planning on alternating which years we go to Disney vs Universal!
