Welcome back to another weekly roundup of Disney theme park news! This week, we’re full of holiday cheer, as the season kicks off tonight at Walt Disney World with the first after hours event. And things ramp up next week at Disneyland Resort.
We have lots of holiday news to cover, especially coming out of Disneyland Resort, so let’s waste no time and dive right in.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Begins at Magic Kingdom
Tonight marks the first night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for 2024! The after-hours event will take place on select evenings at Magic Kingdom in November and December.
Attendees can enjoy reduced wait times for rides and attractions, party-exclusive entertainment, and, of course, festive food and drinks!
READ MORE: DINING GUIDE TO MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Blizzard Beach Reopens at Disney World; Typhoon Lagoon Closes
In what has become a biannual tradition at Walt Disney World, the water parks have swapped places for which one is in operation again. Typhoon Lagoon has closed for its seasonal refurbishment, and Blizzard Beach has reopened this week.
That means that, if you have an early 2025 Disney World vacation, Blizzard Beach will be the water park available if you want to take advantage of the new offer for Disney World hotel guests. For vacations arriving on or after January 1, 2025, all guests whose names appear on a Disney World resort hotel reservation are eligible for complimentary water park admission on their arrival and check-in day.
READ MORE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT 2025 WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATIONS
Disneyland Resort Releases Its Foodie Guides For the Holidays and Festival of the Holidays
We’re just one week away from the official arrival of the holiday season at Disneyland Resort! Ahead of the kick off to the holidays, Disney released Foodie Guides for both the general holiday season at Disneyland as well as the Festival of the Holidays, also starting November 15 at Disney California Adventure.
In true Disneyland fashion, there are plenty of new food and beverage items to enjoy — over 100, to be exact!
Holiday Entertainment Offerings Announced For Disneyland Resort
If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort during the holiday season this year, you’ll definitely want to read up about the limited-time entertainment offerings happening at both of its parks! This week, we learned more about the daytime and nighttime happenings that will fill your visit with joy and cheer in addition to returning favorites like “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and “Believe…In Holiday Magic” nighttime spectacular.
New this year is “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season,” happening Mondays through Fridays outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park in Disney California Adventure. According to Disney, “Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and her friends rejoice in the spirit of the holidays, bringing everyone together during their very own Fiesta de Navidad celebration.”
Another Monday through Friday offering at Disney California Adventure this season is “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” This nighttime show can be found on Buena Vista Street and features Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland and an ensemble of dancers, in an “intimate, bilingual performances of beloved Christmas songs.”
The Festival of the Holidays will also feature a rotation of live bands and cultural performance groups along with the Holiday Toy Drummers who will also appear in “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” during the day outside Paradise Gardens Park. The Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party is also returning this holiday season, scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 16 through Jan. 5.
Over in Disneyland Park, families can enjoy character meet-and-greets (including Santa Claus!), craft making, sing-alongs of holiday classics and atmospheric music at the new Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends! at Fantasyland Theatre. These events will take place daily.
Speaking of Santa Claus, Disneyland announced this week all of the spots where you can find him and share your holiday wish list. He’ll be found at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure through December 24. Guests can meet Santa Goofy at this location from December 24 through January 6, 2025. You’ll also find Santa at all three Disneyland Resort hotels — Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel — from November 28 through December 24.
Disneyland Announces Handmade Candy Cane Distribution Schedule
One of the most beloved holiday traditions at Disneyland Resort are the handmade candy canes. These minty treats are hand-pulled by Disneyland confectioners and are available for sale on select days in November and December. These are very popular and sell out fast, so if you want one, make sure you are in the corresponding park at opening!
The candy cane distribution schedule was announced this week and is as follows:
- Disneyland (available at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen): 11/29, 12/1, 12/3, 12/8, 12/10, 12/15, 12/17, 12/22, 12/24
- Disney California Adventure (available at Trolley Treats): 11/30, 12/2, 12/4, 12/9, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18, 12/23, 12/25
