Holidays at Disneyland
by Joyce Kessel
I am honored to share my love of Disneyland with the DAPsMagic Family. I am an Arizona transplant originally from the midwest, but have been traveling to the Happiest Place on Earth since I was 4-years old. My husband Al and I LOVE the Disneyland Resort. Though I’ve been to the Park many times in my life, Al had never visited before 2007! Now, we’re BOTH huge fans and try to share what we’ve learned over the years with as many people as possible. In fact, since 2010, have shared our love and passion for Walt Disney’s Original Magic Kingdom with others through our podcast, Tales From The Mouse House.
My weekly blogs will focus on travel tips and advice on what to expect and plan for when traveling to Disneyland from outside of the Southern California area.
My first topic is “Holidays at Disneyland”. As many of us are aware, Holidays are popular at the Disneyland Resort and this is where traditions often begin and life-long memories are created.
Halloween-time at Disneyland, my favorite time of year, kicks off the traditional Holiday season at the Resort, but holiday magic is happening all year long. On September 12th, the resort is transformed into a family-friendly ‘Spooktacular’, magical place. In true Disney fashion, they go all out to ensure memories are created for each guest. Whether it be a stroll down Main Street, launching yourself through Space on Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, or creating crafts and meeting your favorite characters at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland, there’s something for everyone! Mickey’s Not-so-scary Halloween Party is one of the signature events of Halloween-time at Disneyland and is a separate ticket event.
Christmas time at Disneyland, my second favorite time of year to visit, is a winter wonderland full of festive experiences. Guest favorites are the Fireworks, falling snow and the transformation of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The festivities and celebrations extend into New Year’s with spectacular fireworks and Three King’s Day.
Visitors to the Disneyland Resort will enjoy holiday events on Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Independence Day. When visiting the Resort during any holiday, no matter how large or small, guests should plan ahead and check Park hours for special events that may lessen the time spent in the park. Holidays at the Disneyland are crazy-crowded as everyone wants to experience the Disney magic.
Here is my advice: Remember Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth and have fun and know that it may not be perfect but just go with it. Make sure each member of your party gets to do at least one of their must do. To avoid disappointment, create a budget, plan early, use fast passes, and remember holidays are considered peak season and prices will be more expensive. Ask friends or travel experts for advise to make the most of time at the Disneyland Resort.
So, there you have it. My first blog! There’s so much more to cover on each of the Holiday experiences at the Disneyland Resort, so as each of these Magical Celebrations gets closer, I’ll go into greater detail, so you can get the MOST out of YOUR Disneyland Experience!
