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.

(This page contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I gain a small commission if you buy items through my links. Find my disclaimer page here).

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

Jacket
Disney ear headbands or hats
Bubble wand
Snacks
Autograph book for the characters to sign
Refillable water bottles
Blanket for later at night/sitting on the curb/taking a nap
Wristbands with your phone number written on them
Diaper bag contents (click here to see everything I pack in our diaper bag including a change of clothes)
Portable battery charger so you can use the Disneyland app and take cute pictures all day long. Disneyland also has FuelRod stations where you can buy a small charger and exchange it for free for a fresh one as often as needed.
Noise-canceling headphones if they’re sensitive to noise, especially if you stay for the fireworks

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