The Holiday season at the Disneyland Resort creates a special kind of magic for all who attend. The main park typically attracts more visitors during the season, due to the Christmas staples like A Christmas Fantasy Parade and It’s A Small World Holiday. However, Disney California Adventure also pulls out all the stops for guests during this time.
From specialty food to attraction overlays and unique entertainment, DCA has an abundance of Holiday fun and cheer to enjoy. For those planning a visit to this park, we’ve got all the details and scheduling tips to help you make the most of any Holiday-filled day.
Arrive Early and Enjoy Breakfast on Buena Vista Street
Arriving early at any Disney park proves key in starting one’s day off right. In this case, arriving at the park early allows for shorter wait times for breakfast and a chance to enjoy the early morning ambiance in a more peaceful atmosphere.
Compared to Disneyland, DCA tends to be less crowded in the morning, especially when the park opens. For a Holiday-themed day, plan to arrive at least an hour before the official opening and head to Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Cafe (aka Starbucks) as soon as it opens.
Grab some breakfast and sit at an outdoor table or bench. From there, you can enjoy the atmosphere of Buena Vista Street, which includes garlands, baubles, lights, and a large Christmas tree reminiscent of the 1930s and 40s. You’ll also hear Christmas standards from the likes of Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, and Glenn Miller.
Get Popular Attractions Done in the Morning
After a relaxing breakfast, the best course of action would be to head to some of the most popular attractions, such as Soarin’, the Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, WEB SLINGERS, Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: BREAKOUT, and Radiator Springs Racers. Choose your favorites and go land by land, ending with Cars Land.
This strategy avoids the rush of rope drop and the afternoon crowds. Ending in Cars Land gives guests a chance to experience the next Christmas-y rides on the agenda.
Cars Land Holiday Overlays
Cars Land features Luigi’s Rollicking Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, both with Christmas overlays that add even more whimsy to these already fun attractions.
On Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, your ride in a classic Italian roadster now includes Luigi singing classic holiday tunes as guests jolt and spin under festive lights. On Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, it’s a fantastic holiday hoedown as Mater sings Christmas songs as you twirl, whip around, and laugh to your heart’s content.
In addition to the ride overlays, the entire land is filled to the nines with holiday decor themed for the Cars films. The clever decorations will bring an automatic smile to your face.
The Story Time With Deadpool Holiday Special
After Cars Land, guests should head towards Avengers Campus for a hilarious, self-referential holiday treat with one of Marvel’s most popular and sarcastic characters- Deadpool. Fans of the character and anyone who enjoys holiday entertainment with an edge, albeit a slight one, will love The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special.
The show begins with Deadpool, dressed as Santa Claus, who arrives on a tiny unicorn, and promptly sits on the leather chair on his movable set. This set includes a faux fireplace and Christmas tree. He then proceeds to read his own version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” much to the audience’s delight. Depending on one’s schedule and timing will determine the showtime you’ll choose, but I suggest 10:25 am, 11:25 am, or 12:25 pm. There are also times at 1:55, 3:00, and 4:55 pm.
Mickey’s Happy Holidays Cavalcade
Although not a full parade, Mickey’s Happy Holidays Cavalcade has so much charm. This small and sweet troupe of characters walk and dance from Paradise Gardens to Hollywood Land, dressed in festive outfits. Characters include Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Clarabelle, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bo Peep, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, Chip, and Dale.
At only approximately three minutes long, it does not take long to enjoy, nor does it require waiting a long time before watching. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy before lunchtime with showtimes at 12:45 and 2:30. You can also check out the 4:30 show if you miss the earlier ones.
Festival of the Holidays
The Festival of the Holidays food festival offers booths and quick-service restaurants with small bites, specialty drinks, and sweet treats- ideal for lunch.
For those planning on visiting DCA on multiple days, I recommend the Sip and Savor pass, which offers six coupons to use at any participating location. Cost is $49, which is steep, but in the end, a good deal for those enjoying the Festival on multiple days.
Guests only planning on a single-day visit would not benefit from the Sip and Savor pass, and should choose a few food options for their afternoon meal, and possibly dinner.
Toy Soldier Drummers Show
One of DCA’s best slices of Holiday entertainment in recent years has been the Toy Soldier Drummers. With the fun costumes, Christmas song staples, and the tremendous talent of each drummer, the show delights to no end.
The show is approximately ten minutes with showtimes at 10:15 and 11:15 in the morning and 12:15, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 in the afternoon. They perform in the Paradise Gardens area between The Little Mermaid and the Obelisk statue. I recommend the 12:15, 2:00, or 3:00 pm showtimes and to wait around 10 to 15 minutes beforehand.
¡Viva! Navidad
Another one of DCA’s greatest Holiday offerings, ¡Viva! Navidad is brimming with color, splendor, and holiday music, celebrating multiple cultures from around the world. The authentic costumes, songs, and decor create a creative fiesta that’s lively and beautiful.
Though not a parade, ¡Viva! Navidad is more of a street party with mariachis, folklórico dancers, and Brazilian samba dancers. Mickey and Minnie dress in fiesta wares, while Donald, José, and Panchito (aka The Three Caballeros) serve as hosts to this energetic party.
Guests should find a spot to watch at least half an hour before showtimes. Unfortunately, ¡Viva! Navidad will only be on weekends, so if this is a must for you and your party, plan your trip accordingly. Showtimes are at 12:10, 1:10, 2:10, 3:45, 4:45, and 5:45. I recommend mid-afternoon 2:10, 3:45, or 4:45.
Visit Santa at Redwood Creek
A trip to DCA during the Holiday season must include a visit with Santa at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. The line can get lengthy, but waiting amongst the trees and woodsy decor makes for a pleasant and relaxing experience.
Each visit varies, of course, but guests can speak with Santa briefly and get multiple photos done. I recommend taking advantage of the Photo Pass photography with either a Photo Pass package or as part of the Lightning Lane Multi-pass. Guests can visit Santa from 9 am to 7 pm.
Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting
The Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street may be modest compared to Disneyland’s massive tree on Main Street. Still, smaller means no less charming or lovely. Indeed, DCA’s tree lighting at 4:50 pm harkens back to a kind of small-town, 1930s vibe.
Simple but beautiful, this lighting acts as the perfect bridge from the afternoon to the evening’s Holiday activities.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol Holiday Feast
For the visitors who’d like a special treat for their dinner options, and don’t mind a splurge, I recommend Mickey’s Christmas Carol Holiday Feast. It requires a slight detour out of the park, but only a short walk to Storyteller’s Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel.
The buffet-style meal includes festive-style food such as hand-carved turkey, honey-glazed ham, herb-roasted chicken, tomato bisque soup, cornbread muffins, cranberry sauce, and gingerbread cookies. Enjoy the Yuletide feast while Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Scrooge McDuck interact with guests, dressed as their characters from the classic cartoon Mickey’s Christmas Carol. The experience costs $60 per person, and reservations are highly recommended.
Meet Disney Pals on Buena Vista Street
For visitors who love meeting and getting photos with characters, look out for Mickey and his pals throughout the day on Buena Vista Street. Donned in holiday attire, the meet and greets give guests a dash of festive fun and unique photo opportunities.
The best times would be early morning, or in the evening, either after dinner, or before closing. Characters vary but include Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto at 9 am, 10, 11:25, 12:25pm, 1:20, 2:15, 4:00, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9, and 9:30.
Grab a Hot Beverage and Sweet Treat
After a busy day, I recommend grabbing a small dessert and a hot beverage from Fidler, Fifer, and Practical Cafe or one of the Food Festival booths.
Brews & Bites has a Cookies and Cream Hazelnut Hot Cocoa and an Irish Hot Cocoa Cocktail. Grandma’s Recipes has a Cookie Dough Yule Log, while Favorite Things has a Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron.
Other sweet treats and beverage options include specialty churros from various locations, Pumpkin Cheesecake Bread Pudding at Aunt Cass Cafe, Hot Blueberry Cider from Rita’s Turbine Blenders, and a Cinnamon Caramel Apple Bundt Cake from the Cappuccino Cart in San Fransokyo Square.
Enjoy Live Music and Holiday Ambiance
After grabbing something sweet for the night, one should reserve the rest of the evening for winding down, enjoying live music, and the overall holiday ambiance. Throughout the season, multiple musical acts perform throughout the park, each unique and representative of different styles, genres, and cultures.
Check the Disneyland app for which groups will be performing each day. Some guests can watch from the comfort of a table, while others will require standing, so choose based on your preference and comfort level.
Shopping on Buena Vista Street
Ending any Disney Parks day with a bit of shopping will always be a pleasant way to end a fun-filled visit. Stores will be somewhat crowded by day’s end, so be prepared. However, the Holiday merchandise is always worth checking out, especially if you want something to commemorate your trip.
Even if you don’t end up buying anything, perusing the stores on Buena Vista Street offers warmth from the cold, pretty decorative elements to enjoy in each shop, holiday music, and a relaxing atmosphere. It’s the perfect end for anyone’s DCA Holiday-themed day.