Christmas Time at Disneyland with Toddlers

Updated November 2023

Some general reminders about visiting Disneyland Resort during the holidays season. This year it runs November 10, 2023 – January 7, 2024. They still require valid tickets and valid park reservations to gain entry to the parks. They sell MagicBand+ which is completely optional. I highly recommend that you use the official Disneyland app for making food mobile orders, to check times and locations for characters and entertainment, check on wait times, and use Genie+ if you choose to buy it. Keep in mind that entertainment and rides are weather-dependent. Click here for the list of seasonal food at Disneyland Resort this holiday season of 2023.

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Things to Pack for your Toddler during the Holiday season at Disneyland

Holiday Season at Disneyland Park

Characters:

  • Santa Claus in Pooh Corner *his last day is December 24
  • Mickey and Friends in their holiday outfits along Main Street
  • Princesses at the Royal Hall (check for their hours on the app, you wait in a typically-hour-long line to see 2/3 princesses)
  • Other characters walk around the park randomly
  • Mickey and his friends are in Toontown – Mickey and Minnie in their houses, and their friends walking around

Entertainment (you can check Disneyland’s daily schedule here)

  • Christmas Fantasy parade – there are typically two shows (there are dining packages you can reserve that include reserved viewing spots). Your toddler can watch from the stroller if that’s easier too.
  • Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks – if your little one can stick around until 9:30, or if they sleep in the stroller and won’t mind the noise (there are usually dining packages available for reserved viewing spots)
  • Character Dining can be a fun experience (there aren’t special holiday ones, but it can be a fun experience for toddlers)

Special Holiday Rides

  • It’s a Small World is in its special holiday overlay
  • Haunted Mansion (dark, features ghosts and skeletons) is in its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay (I find it less creepy than the normal Haunted Mansion)

Holiday Season at California Adventure Park

Characters

  • Santa Claus at Redwood Creek *his last day is December 24
  • Elsa, Anna, and Olaf in the Animation Building (they rotate who is there, check hours on the app)
  • Catch various characters around Carthay Circle, including Mickey and his friends
  • Cars movie characters in CarsLand
  • Avengers characters in Avengers Campus
  • Pixar characters in Pixar Pier

Entertainment (check California Adventure’s daily schedule here)

  • Viva Navidad! Street Party by Paradise Gardens (they’re able to watch from the stroller for this show if that’s easier for you). They come out like a parade but then stop and dance around before going back the way they came.
  • World of Color: Season of Light night show, if your toddler can last until late at night. You can take your stroller with you to this show so they could also sleep in the stroller. (You can try to get into the virtual queue at noon, but there are also walk-up spots available, and dining packages or dessert parties can be reserved that include reserved viewing spots)
  • Disney Jr. Dance Party (check times on the app) has multiple shows throughout the day

Special Holiday Rides

  • Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl in CarsLand
  • Mater’s Jingle Jamboree in CarsLand
mickey mouse in the viva navidad street party at california adventure at disneyland with text disneyland at christmas with toddlers
We loved seeing Mickey in the Viva Navidad! Street Party during the holidays at California Adventure

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