14 Things You Need to Know If You’re Visiting Disneyland in November or December

This November and December 2024 at Disneyland, there are several exciting new offerings and returning favorites coming to the resort as part of the Holidays at Disneyland celebration!

Christmas at Disneyland is one of the most popular times of year to visit, and this year's celebration gives visitors plenty of time to enjoy the festivities from November 15, 2024 to January 6, 2025. From the return of the popular Disneyland Candy Canes to the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, there are plenty of reasons to plan a visit for the end of this year!

While there are certain things you can always expect during the Holidays at Disneyland, there are also circumstances unique to this year that you'll want to keep in mind for your trip. We'll take into account everything from the changes in Critter Country to where you can find Santa this year, how to access Haunted Mansion Holiday, the best times to visit, and more. Keep reading for everything you need to know if you are planning a visit this November or December!

1. Know When to Visit

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The holidays can be some of the most crowded times of the year at Disneyland, so there are certain dates you'll want to avoid if you have the flexibility to do so. If you can, we recommend visiting early on in the celebration before schools are out for the holiday season and avoiding peak times like Thanksgiving week and the last two weeks of December. The final week of December including Christmas and New Year's Eve will consistently be when you will see some of the biggest crowds of the year. Read more about the Disneyland dates to avoid if you hate crowds and see our Disneyland crowd calendar here.

If you can visit during the dates when Magic Key holders are blocked, this will help you avoid higher crowds. The first two weeks of December will typically be quieter as schools are still in session. We've found the surprisingly best weekend to visit during the celebration which you can read about here. We recommend visiting during these quieter times in November or December if you are able.

2. Tiana's Bayou Adventure Opening Will Impact Critter Country

The opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure (and the renaming of Critter Country to “Bayou Country”) aligns with the start of the holidays at Disneyland on November 15. Despite the cooler temperatures in the winter that may deter some from going on a water ride, Disneyland still expects there will be high demand for the ride and significant crowds in this area, as a spokesperson indicated when sharing why Santa is being relocated to a new spot in Disneyland this year (more on this below).

We do not yet know if Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disneyland will utilize a virtual queue like Disney World when it opens. We had originally discussed before the opening date for the ride at Disneyland was announced that there is a possibility that the winter months could be enough of a deterrent that a virtual queue could be avoided, but that remains to be seen.

Regardless, you can expect crowds to be higher in this area as two new Princess and the Frog shops will be opening along with the reimagined Hungry Bear Jamboree. We anticipate that the restaurant will open by the time Tiana's Bayou Adventure debuts for the rechristening of the land.

3. Know Where to Find Santa—New Spot in Disneyland

On a related note to the above, Santa will be appearing in a few different locations but not in his Critter Country spot this year due to the anticipated crowds in the area when Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens.

In the parks, you can find Santa at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure and at a new location in Disneyland Park, Fantasyland Theatre. You'll also find cookie decorating, craft making, storytelling, and atmospheric music at Fantasyland Theatre during the day.

You can also meet Santa at the three Disneyland Resort Hotels: the Pixar Place Hotel in the main lobby, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in the Great Hall, and the Disneyland Hotel in the main lobby.

4. Be Prepared to Get Up Early for Hand-Pulled Candy Canes!

Each year in December during the holiday season, there is a great deal of excitement surrounding Disneyland's hand-pulled candy canes. These beautifully made treats are 18 inches long and weigh 5 oz! Most places will now make candy canes by machine, but at Disneyland, they are made entirely by hand.

There are a limited number of these that are made per day, and Disneyland releases a distribution schedule with dates alternating between the two locations they are offered at: Candy Palace on Main Street U.S.A. and Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street.

If you're visiting when the candy canes are first released in December, you'll need to be prepared to get to the parks as early as possible at rope drop if you want to get one of these candy canes. Last year, Disneyland used a mobile waitlist system where you could add your name and number and receive a text with a time to return for the opportunity to purchase a candy cane. See our previous experience securing these popular handmade Disneyland candy canes!

Guests reported that later in the month, they were able to get a candy cane with minimal wait and these were available further into the day. This is likely to do with the fact that all Magic Key pass holders are blocked out at the end of the month (this year, starting December 21). During this part of the month, it should be a much simpler, lower-stakes process to get a candy cane.

5. Haunted Mansion Is Accessible Via Virtual Queue Only

The popular ride overlay Haunted Mansion Holiday is currently accessible via virtual queue only as work continues on the ride's expanded queue experience. If you're planning on riding Haunted Mansion Holiday in November or December, make sure you know how to join the virtual queue through the Disneyland app. Each guest can request to enter this virtual queue once per day during regular park hours. No standby queue is currently offered.

There are two times you can request to join the virtual queue. One is at 7 am for guests who have a Disneyland Park reservation (either for a 1 Park Per Day ticket or a Park Hopper with Disneyland as their starting park). The other is at 12 pm (noon), and guests inside Disneyland Park or those inside Disney California Adventure with a Park Hopper ticket can request to join.

See the details and everything you need to know about joining Haunted Manion's virtual queue here. It's a pretty straightforward process, but make sure you do a little preparation and familiarize yourself with how to join the virtual queue before your trip.

6. Be Ready to Book Themed Character Dining

Disneyland has recently been expanding its seasonal character dining offerings, with themed experiences available at Goofy's Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe. This year, you can enjoy “Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays!” starting November 19 and Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Cafe. This second offering is brand new and will feature holiday-themed meals, seasonal decor, and characters in pajamas! These offerings are super cute and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. See our review of the holiday character dining at Goofy's Kitchen from last year here.

If you're planning on experiencing one of these seasonal character dining meals, we recommend booking early on to make sure you secure a reservation for your visit date and desired meal time. Keep in mind also that Disneyland implemented a stricter cancellation policy for Goofy's Kitchen Halloween that will likely carry over to the Christmas character dining experience as well—you need to cancel at least one day prior to your reservation to avoid a full price per person cancellation fee.

7. Know How to Navigate the Holiday Crowds

If you are only able to plan your visit during the most crowded parts of November and December, make sure you utilize a solid strategy for beating the crowds. You can still have a great experience even when the parks are more crowded if you have a plan for how to tackle your day.

Make sure you are diligent about arriving at the parks for rope drop to take advantage of the morning hours to get on popular rides. This is especially crucial during some of the most crowded times of the year like the holidays! See our Disneyland morning strategy and Disney California Adventure morning strategy for the best way to tackle the mornings.

Take breaks during the day if the crowds become overwhelming. It's especially important to take some time to rest if you're arriving at the parks early and planning on staying later into the evening. See our favorite secret spots at Disneyland you can check out!

Lastly, make sure you are taking full advantage of Disneyland Lightning Lane Multi Pass during the first part of the day in the morning and afternoon as this is when you will get the most value out of the service. When the parks are super crowded, Lightning Lane return times will be quickly pushed to later in the day. Make sure to avoid booking a Lightning Lane return time far out in your day that will prevent you from making more in the meantime.

If you find yourself with an inconvenient return time, keep refreshing the page to see if a better one comes up. We've had success with this method, but you need to be persistent. You can read more about how to get the Lightning Lane you want almost every time here.

8. Mobile Order Foods Early and Make Dining Reservations in Advance

On a related note, you'll want to do some planning ahead when it comes to dining during the busiest times of the holiday season. Make sure you make table-service dining reservations far in advance, especially for more popular experiences. If you find your desired table-service location has booked up, see our top tips for getting Disneyland dining reservations.

Throughout the parks, there will also be a variety of holiday-themed treats you can enjoy. Each year, Disneyland releases an extensive Christmas food guide with limited-time offerings. Many of these will be available at quick-service locations where mobile ordering is offered. Be sure to take advantage of mobile ordering when the parks are crowded, as it can save you a lot of time.

If you already have your heart set on certain foods, make sure to place your mobile order and secure a pickup time early on in the day. That way, you won't end up with a later arrival window than desired, as these tend to quickly be pushed later in the day for popular locations when the parks are busier. You always have the ability to move your arrival window back or cancel your order without penalty if something comes up.

9. There Is a New Christmas Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Disney!

This year, a new holiday activity debuts in Downtown Disney! Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail pursuit invites guests to search for special ornaments hidden throughout the district and will run from November 22, 2024 through January 1, 2025. This sounds similar in concept to the Disneyland Easter Egg-stravaganza and Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit during Halloween.

You can purchase an activity map at select shopping locations in Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Resort Hotels and redeem it for a collectible holiday keepsake at World of Disney or Disney’s Pin Traders. Be sure to check out this fun new holiday activity!

10. Extended Closure Planned For “it's a small world”

Make sure to ride “it's a small world” Holiday if you're in doubt this holiday season, as it will be under refurbishment for a longer time than usual both leading up to and after the holiday season. The closure will take place in two parts, as the ride will be closed for a couple of months leading up to the holiday season and then will close again after the holidays (expected to reopen in Spring of 2025). See details about all current and upcoming Disneyland ride closures here.

We always recommend riding this holiday overlay, but this is something to consider if you are on the fence about whether or not to skip it this year. We suggest grabbing a Lightning Lane reservation for this ride at nighttime so you can enjoy the facade all lit up!

11. Consider the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour

This year, the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour returns during Christmas at Disneyland. During the 2.5-hour walking tour, guests will hear stories about Walt and the Disney family, learn about holiday traditions from around the world, access reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy Parade, ride “it's a small world” Holiday, enjoy themed treats, and more. This is a fun experience to consider if the holidays are your favorite time of year at Disneyland! You can see all the guided tours at Disneyland here.

12. Be Prepared to Wait for Holiday Fireworks Castle Viewing

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One of the highlights of the holiday season is the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” show featuring fireworks, snowfall, and fun holiday music! The winter castle is lit up beautifully at night with over 80,000 twinkling lights. This view is especially magical during the holiday season, so castle viewing is something to consider for this show in particular!

If you have your heart set on enjoying castle viewing for this show, you'll need to devote some time to securing a spot. You'll want to be prepared to spend about 2 hours or more saving a spot. We recommend bringing a blanket to sit on to help mark your space in this more crowded viewing area! Be prepared that securing this viewing will take up a chunk of time if it is a priority for you.

13. Order From One Festival Marketplace and Pick Up At Another

The Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure is a highlight of the holiday season at the resort. You'll be able to enjoy special entertainment including the fun Disney ¡Viva Navidad! street party, Festive Food Marketplaces, and more. This is home to some of our favorite Disneyland Christmas foods.

If you're planning on enjoying the Marketplace foods, be sure to take advantage of a crucial time-saving tip: you can order from one marketplace and pick up at another. You don't need to go to each individual booth to order your foods, as you can order everything at one booth and then use your receipt to pick up your items from the other locations.

Look at the food guide to see what interests you, then find the shortest marketplace line and order your items all at once by purchasing them or redeeming coupons on your Sip and Savor Pass. Then, hold onto your receipt and use it to redeem all of your items at the various booths. You'll go straight to the pickup line and the Cast Member will mark off the food on your receipt to indicate it's been picked up. This is an easy, effective way to bypass long ordering lines and save time by ordering all of your items at once.

14. New Fireworks Dining Package Debuts in November

There will be a new dining package debuting this November for the Disneyland fireworks show! The dining package will be offered at Docking Bay 7 for the “Fire of the Rising Moons” viewing experience from Galaxy's Edge. The Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Nighttime Gathering will be offered on evenings with fireworks beginning in November. Disney has not yet shared the exact start date for the experience.

The Docking Bay 7 package will offer “select bites and sips” (with some fun themed items you can see a sneak peek of above) and viewing for the Fire of the Rising Moons fireworks experience under the spires.

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