Disneyland's Holiday Magic
Disneyland's 70th Anniversary
Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland first took shape in the 1940s, inspired by watching his daughters ride a merry-go-round and his desire to create immersive, family-friendly entertainment beyond the studio backlot. By 1953, after acquiring 160 acres of orange groves in Anaheim and establishing WED Enterprises (now Imagineering), construction began in 1954 under Walt’s direct supervision, leading to the grand opening on July 17, 1955. Initially featuring five themed lands Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. The park revolutionized themed entertainment and expanded steadily with iconic additions like New Orleans Square (1966), Bear Country (1972), Mickey’s Toontown (1993), and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (2019). As part of the Disneyland Resort complex, Disney California Adventure also emerged on the original parking lot in 2001. Over seven decades, the park has welcomed over 757 million visitors and influenced theme parks worldwide. Now, in 2026, Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary with the “Celebrate Happy” campaign honoring this rich legacy with new attractions, returning parades, immersive décor, and the debut of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” to commemorate its enduring place as “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
“To all who come to this happy lace: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past—and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America—with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” Walt Disney July 17, 1955
Disneyland’s Holiday Magic on December 12th! 🏰✨
December at the Disneyland Resort is an absolute must-do, and if you’re visiting on December 12th, you’re in for a spectacular dose of holiday cheer! The parks are fully decked out for the season, bringing back cherished traditions and dazzling new elements to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Here is your festive guide to the magic you can experience!
Disneyland Park: A Classic Christmas Wonderland Disneyland Park is where the most iconic holiday transformations happen. December 12th is a prime day to catch all the classics!
Spectacular Entertainment
- “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular: End your night with a bang! This stunning fireworks display is set to classic holiday tunes, and the best part, It culminates in a beautiful, magical snowfall over Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” Holiday, and the Rivers of America. Check the schedule for the 9:30 PM showtime!
- A Christmas Fantasy Parade: Twice a day, you can catch this festive procession featuring marching toy soldiers, gingerbread cookies, and your favorite Disney characters joining Santa Claus himself! Look for showtimes at 3:00 PM and 5:15 PM.
- Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle: Witness the magnificent lighting of the castle as it transforms into a snow-capped, glittering spectacle, complete with icicles and wreaths.
Holiday Attraction Overlays
- “it’s a small world” Holiday: The classic ride gets a holiday makeover with seasonal songs, glittering decor, and international holiday celebrations represented in every room. At night, the facade also features dazzling projections!
- Haunted Mansion Holiday: Head to New Orleans Square to see the merging of Christmas and Halloween as Jack Skellington and the crew take over the mansion, inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Disney California Adventure Park: A Festival of Flavors Over at Disney California Adventure, the holiday spirit is celebrated with global traditions, food, and high-energy shows.
Disney Festival of Holidays the heart of the season here is the Disney Festival of Holidays! This event celebrates diverse cultural holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day.
- Festive Foods Marketplace: Indulge in a world of delicious seasonal food and beverages at various booths. You can purchase a Sip & Savor Pass to sample many of the unique, globally-inspired offerings!
- Live Entertainment: The park is filled with upbeat, live musical and dance performances that blend multicultural rhythms with Disney magic. Don’t miss the high-energy Mickey’s Happy Holidays cavalcade featuring the Holiday Toy Drummers!
- ¡Viva Navidad!: Head to Paradise Gardens Park for a vibrant cultural celebration honoring the spirit of Navidad with folk dancers, mariachis, and the Three Caballeros.
Radiator Springs Holiday:
Even Cars Land gets a full holiday tune-up! Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree both receive spirited seasonal transformations, complete with holiday songs and festive décor.
Top Tips for December 12th
- Check the App: Always confirm showtimes, especially for the fireworks and parades, on the official Disneyland app on the day of your visit, as they can sometimes change!
- Park Hopper Advantage: December 12th is a Friday, and Fantasmic is scheduled to return to the Rivers of America! If you have a Park Hopper, you can start your day with Festival of Holidays at DCA and hop over to Disneyland in the evening to catch the fireworks and Fantasmic. Fantasmic is scheduled for 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM.
- Meet Santa: Santa Claus is typically available for greetings at a location like the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park. It’s a fantastic photo opportunity!
December 12th promised a day filled with stunning decorations, heartwarming shows, and classic holiday fun across the entire Disneyland Resort and it did not miss. If you visit Disney and California Adventure in December, you will be visiting at a perfect time to experience the most wonderful season!
What part of the Disneyland Resort Holidays are you most excited to experience: the classic snow and fireworks, or the global food and festivities? Leve us a comment if you visited Disneyland Resort in December.
A Taste of Disneyland
Disneyland’s “Holidays at the Resort” – running from November 14, 2025 to January 7, 2026 is a festive culinary celebration filled with both nostalgic favorites and fresh seasonal flavors. Classic returning items include the Celebration Dinner Potato at Troubadour Tavern, Chicken Pot Pie Soup at Aunt Cass Café, and iconic Mickey-shaped Gingerbread Cookies available throughout the park. New delights debut this year, such as a Gingerbread Cranberry Cheesecake Trifle and Orange Cranberry Loaf at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Sticky Toffee Bundt Cake and S’mores Cheesecake, as well as a White Mocha Peppermint tree-shaped macaron. Savory offerings have also been revitalized with items like the Roast Beef and Cheddar Hoagie, Thanks mas Sandwich, Philly Cheese Potato at Refreshment Corner, and a Chili Cheese Corn Dog from Little Red Wagon. Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays brings even more variety, from global-inspired booths to holiday beverages, ensuring every guest can savor the spirit of the season. Here are a few we had on our trip in December.
Holiday Churros
At Disney California Adventure’s Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land, the seasonal Apple Pie Churro is a standout treat that layers festive flavors onto the park’s classic churro. Coated in graham-cracker sugar, each churro is gracefully stuffed with warm apple pie filling, then crowned with a swirl of whipped topping and a drizzle of caramel for an irresistible finish all for about $6.99. This nostalgic take on a beloved California snack uniquely captures cozy holiday comforts, blending the crisp sweetness of apple pie with Disney’s trademark whimsy served up from Cozy Cone 1, it’s quickly become a must-have treat for Cars Land visitors and well worth they hype.
Peppermint and Chocolate Churro
At Disneyland, the seasonal Peppermint Chocolate Churro is a holiday favorite that combines the park’s classic churro with festive flavors. This treat starts with a warm churro rolled in peppermint-infused sugar, then drizzled with rich chocolate sauce and sprinkled with crushed candy cane pieces for a perfect balance of sweet and minty crunch. Often served at select churro carts during the Holidays at the Resort celebration, it’s a visually striking snack with its red-and-white accents and decadent chocolate topping making it both Instagram worthy and irresistibly delicious for guests looking to savor the magic of the season. We found ours at the Churro cart in front of the Mark Twain Riverboat. It is a must have for the holidays.
Mickey Gingerbread Cookie
The Mickey Gingerbread Cookie sold near Soarin’ at Disney California Adventure is one of the park’s most beloved holiday treats. This oversized cookie is shaped like Mickey Mouse and baked with a rich blend of molasses, ginger, and warm spices, giving it that classic gingerbread aroma and flavor. It’s decorated with charming details like white icing accents and a cheerful smile, making it as photogenic as it is delicious. Guests often flock to the cart near Soarin’ Around the World during the Holidays at the Resort celebration to grab this seasonal favorite, which has become a must-have snack for Disney fans looking to savor a little extra holiday magic. Another one that lives up to the hype.The Mickey Gingerbread Cookie sold near Soarin’ at Disney California Adventure is one of the park’s most beloved holiday treats. This oversized cookie is shaped like Mickey Mouse and baked with a rich blend of molasses, ginger, and warm spices, giving it that classic gingerbread aroma and flavor. It’s decorated with charming details like white icing accents and a cheerful smile, making it as photogenic as it is delicious. Guests often flock to the cart near Soarin’ Around the World during the Holidays at the Resort celebration to grab this seasonal favorite, which has become a must-have snack for Disney fans looking to savor a little extra holiday magic. Another one that lives up to the hype.
Lattes done right
Disneyland Resort offers an enticing lineup of both hot and cold latte beverages to delight coffee lovers’ year-round and especially during the festive season. At The Coffee House in the Disneyland Hotel, you’ll find a holiday-inspired selection of hot and iced lattes, including Sugar Cookie, Chai Ginger, and Eggnog Latte, all available hot or iced. Over in Disney California Adventure, the Cappuccino Cart serves classic hot espresso-based drinks (cappuccinos, mochas, lattes, Americanos) alongside refreshing cold options like Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Cold Brew, Iced Lattes, and even the rotating seasonal specialties. The three Starbucks locations include Market House on Main Street, Buena Vista Street’s Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café, and Downtown Disney. I found the Sugar Cookie Latte so good, I had to have one each day. My wife found the Chai Gingerbread Lattes equally enjoyable.