The holiday magic at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is in full swing, making it the perfect time to experience its festive charm. From mid-November to early January, the theme parks and hotels are bathed in tens of thousands of twinkling lights. Sleeping Beauty Castle dazzles with shimmering icicles, and beloved characters don their holiday finery. Everything from the food to the fireworks and parades embraces the holiday spirit during this season, which runs from November 15, 2024, through January 6, 2025.
Let’s dive into some great deals and budget-friendly ways you can enjoy the enchantment of Disney during this festive time.
Theme Park Ticket Deals
Disney employs dynamic pricing for its theme park tickets and even for Lightning Lane fast passes that let you skip the lines, meaning that prices go up when demand is high, especially around the holidays. A Park Hopper ticket, allowing entry to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in a single day, can cost up to $281 during the peak period from December 21, 2024, to January 4, 2025.
Disneyland Discounts for Disney+ Subscribers
If you’re subscribed to Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, you’re in luck. You can snag discounted three-day, one-park-per-day tickets to Disneyland for $330, which is the equivalent cost for a two-day pass. This offer is valid through December 27, 2024, meaning each day averages out to $110—almost half the price of the priciest one-day tickets during this time.
Pro Tip: If a three-day visit is on your agenda, take advantage of Disneyland hotel deals. They’re offering a 15% discount, but you’ll need to book by December 9, 2024, for stays up until December 20, 2024.
Disneyland Discounts for Southern California Residents
Local fans living in eligible ZIP codes near Disneyland can buy three-day park tickets starting in January. These one-day, one-park tickets are priced at $199 and can be used between January 1, 2025, and May 15, 2025, giving you a chance to enjoy the festive programming through January 6 at a reduced price.
3 Free Disneyland Christmas Activities
- Explore the Giant Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
Even if you’re not an overnight guest, you can marvel at the holiday decor at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel without paying an entrance fee. Simply park in Downtown Disney and trek to this cozy lodge, where a magnificent Christmas tree awaits in the lobby. There’s also a festive cart selling unique park items, like gingerbread house-shaped popcorn buckets. Don’t miss the towering seven-foot gingerbread replica of the hotel, where you can search for 25 hidden Mickeys among the edible masterpiece.
- Experience Snowfall and Live Music at Downtown Disney
For an engaging scavenger hunt, grab a map for Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail, available for $10, and hunt for special ornaments scattered throughout Downtown Disney. Even if you don’t locate them all, you can still exchange your map for a small souvenir. For no cost, enjoy live performances and magical snowfall from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each evening. The snow falls approximately every half-hour to forty minutes at the west end of Downtown Disney.
- Catch Fireworks from Pixar Place Hotel
Perhaps the most iconic Disneyland holiday attraction is the fireworks show, delightfully synchronized with holiday music. For a cost-free viewing, head to the Pixar Place Hotel’s rooftop. On the third-floor deck, you’ll find a spot with speakers playing the accompanying soundtrack, offering a spectacular view without needing to be a guest.
Bonus: Dining with Disney Characters Outside the Theme Parks
If you’re weighing the parking cost for a stroll through Downtown Disney and the neighboring hotels, a character meal could be worth it. Reserve a table with Disney characters at either Goofy’s Kitchen located in the Disneyland Hotel or the Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. During your meal, characters in festive pajamas will visit your table for photos. Prices at Goofy’s Kitchen run $65 per adult for breakfast or lunch and $36 per child, with dinner priced at $75 for adults and $39 for kids—offering a memorable experience for young ones at a fraction of the park ticket cost.
How to Maximize Your Rewards
Taking advantage of these deals and freebies can help make your Disneyland holiday adventure both magical and financially savvy. Familiarize yourself with your reward systems and explore opportunities for cash back or points that can be redeemed on this enchanting journey.
