When do decorations come down at disneyland

Since you'll be arriving on New Year's Day, I think there is a good chance you'll still be able to see the holiday decorations in Magic Kingdom Park. I visited this past January and can tell you that on January 13, , Magic Kingdom Park was still fully decorated for the holidays.

When I visited again two days later, the decorations had disappeared without a trace. I also have an upcoming trip planned for early January -- here's hoping we both get a dose of holiday magic!

Please stop by planDisney again with any additional questions you may have. We are always happy to help. Anne Marie. Please Sign In to view your saved answers. I'm Anne Marie from Illinois.

I love escaping our long Midwest winters with some fun in the sun at beautiful Walt Disney World Resort! It seems our family of six is always on the go, and that is one reason why our Disney vacation memories are so special. We get the opportunity to have fun while spending precious time together.

I enjoy helping family and friends plan their Disney vacations, and I'd love to help you plan yours too! Learn More About Anne Marie. Related Video Mobile Order Dining. Your Dream Vacation Awaits! Visit Walt Disney World Resort to explore the magic. I want to attend when Disney World is decorated for Christmas holidays, but I not sure of start date. However, the closure is generally temporary; as more people exit, more are admitted in.

If you're hitting the parks on a super busy day like on Christmas Day itself at Magic Kingdom, which is notoriously the busiest day of the year , be sure to get there ahead of park opening so that you can be there for rope drop. According to our Crowd Calendar , Tuesday Dec. Rise of the Resistance the new ride in Galaxy's Edge is set to open Thursday, so crowds will pick up then. Excited to hit WDW from December th.

Only eating and pin trading and taking in the Holiday decorations. We have always done parks from gate drop to gate close- never visiting Disney springs I have two kids 11 and 13 who have recently become interested in pin trading. What are the non park spots where they should trade, activities non park related going on that is a must and non buffet restaurants that still have a Disney feel to it?

Especially for Christmas Eve Breakfast or Lunch. Disney Springs is a great place to trade pins, and will be where you can find the best non-buffet options to dine, as well. Specials will likely be announced a little closer to the holidays, and we'll update this post as soon as they're announced! Many of the resorts including Pop have a special meal for the day as well.

Where and when you could have the schedules for the Christmas party of We will go on November 21 and we are excited!!! We would like to take a good plan from home. You can find a complete list of dates in this post about the party itself or on the Crowd Calendar. Have fun! I am thinking of taking a quick trip Jan , I did the same time frame for We went Jan. All the holiday lights were still up and the temperature was amazing!

I was overthinking the packing and had lots of warm and cool clothes, but we only wore pants one day during that week. This year we are doing Dec. How were the crowds that first week of January?? Of course, no Christmas party, but do you feel you got a good Christmas experience? We've been all the holidays except Christmas, but thinking Jan might be best for us.

Thanks for the great information! I'd love to get to a Disney park but can't face the crowds! Thanks for hopping by! At this time, After Hours events have only been announced through summer. We'll keep our eyes and ears open! I will be at WDW Nov. What Christmas events will take place during those dates? Why doesn't Disney offer this event at the beginning of the Christmas season. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will be taking place during that time on select nights.

You can learn more about the event here. I'm traveling alone from Dec 23rd to Jan 3rd. Where is the the best place to be on 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st? Most of the holiday events happen daily, so we'd recommend checking out our Crowd Calendar to see the recommended park each day, as well as park hours and lists of any events going on.

Magic Kingdom often hits capacity early on Christmas Day, so if you can swing it, we'd recommend hitting another park that day. We will be on Disney from December WE have two boys one will be 2 and the other 1.

She we end Christmas day with the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom or Epcot? Although it's exciting, please have realistic expectations of crowds at this time of the year. That's a tough choice, but ultimately it's up to you! Magic Kingdom's fireworks show is one of our all-time favorites. On the other hand, Epcot's new nighttime spectacular, Epcot Forever which is replacing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in October , will be showing by then.

So, if you're seeking a more festive atmosphere on the day of Christmas, Epcot has a slightly better edge over the other and you can always hop over to Magic Kingdom the next night. But of course, you can't go wrong with either! We will be at Magic Kingdom on Christmas Eve this year!

Is Do they have a fireworks dessert party on Christmas Eve? We would love to do this! Thanks Dianne! Rebecca, as Dianne mentions, fireworks dessert parties are available for Christmas Eve, and specially themed dessert parties during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are available on select nights though not Christmas Eve.

Those dates haven't been released just yet to know for certain whether it will or won't be offered this year on Christmas Eve, but we've got our eyes and ears open! Leaning towards Disneyworld as there are 4 parks to explore but any idea on the crowds in early morning and late at night?

Is bus transportation efficient or will there be long waits? I will be travelling alone with a 2. Looking at Disney Century Pop or Arts of Animation due to the new skyliner option in addition to the buses.

That time of the year tends to be very busy at both parks the parks sometimes reach capacity. The bus system at Disney World is efficient, but you should expect a wait regardless and it may take a couple of buses coming by before you're able to board.

If transportation is the make or break for you, you have a couple of options. One would be springing for a Minnie Van or Uber if you find yourself with a long wait at Disney World.

Another would be to head to Disneyland and stay at a Good Neighbor hotel within walking distance there are many! Walking to your hotel at Disneyland also means to folding and unfolding a stroller as you get on and off of transportation, which is always a plus.

My family will be arriving in Disney on November Will there be any Christmas decorations up? No official dates have been released yet for the holidays, but decorations generally go up shortly after the last Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party which is Friday, November 1 this year , so we're estimating that Christmas decorations will be up around November 8th -- so odds are good!

You mentioned parking at beach club resort. Is the parking there free like at the Polynesian? I need and would greatly appreciate some planning help.

My husband has been trying for 4 years to make it out to Disney during the Christmas Holiday, and every year we manage to make it a little closer. We will be traveling with 3 adults, 1 six year old, and 2 toddlers 23 months, 16 months.

We are trying to figure out the must-see holiday attractions, parades, shows, etc. Are there any after tickets, half-day tickets, or discounted tickets that would allow us to partake in the Disney holiday festivities, without costing a whole lot? Sorry for the lengthy comment There is a ton of holiday fun happening at the parks between Christmas and New Year's, don't worry!

As for saving a couple bucks, hop on over to our discounted tickets for plenty of options to fit your budget :. We walked up and were in like for Santa at dolphin and swan tonight right at 8. We were told right when we got up to see Santa with my 6 and 8 year old that the family before us was last. They were so unbelievably rude. The lady that is helping out is extremely rude. There was not many people there tonight at 8.

They could have accommodated more families to see Santa. Or close the line next time!!! I hope all the Christmas decorations will be up. I haven't been since I was kid and this is my daughter and I first vacation. No worries, all of the Christmas decor and fun will be in full swing! We are going to Disney from dec. Do you think this is a good week for crowds?

I saw that the calendar suggests going to the parks without extra magic hours, but we already have dining reservations, and I planned for us to visit parks with the extra magic hours. Thank you so much! As long as you are staying on-site and taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours, that sounds like a great plan to us! Our Crowd Calendar predicts it won't be too busy. Hi there. If not, which would you recommend? Since Fantasmic is at 8 p. These shows totally just depend on your style, but we do recommend checking out the Christmas entertainment to celebrate the season!

Since it is the first day of Epcot's International Festival of the Holidays, it is likely to be a bit busier. Will all the decorations be up at all the parks and deluxe resorts? There is conflicting information on when stuff comes down. I am happy to read anything official but can't seem to get concrete answers. I'n not as worried about the special Christmas parades or rides, but the sole purpose of the trip is the decorations at Christmas.

Great question. The park decorations definitely stay up through mid-January, and we would predict the resort decorations to stay up at least through the first week. Will Anna and Elsa still light up the castle on non party nights? Yes, A Frozen Holiday Wish usually takes place nightly on non-party nights as well.

Both amazing shows! I know the parade will be during the day but what time is the Christmas stage show on the week between Christmas and New Years? We have heard about the Christmas parade and fireworks sticking around the week between Christmas and New Years, but aren't sure about the stage show. We invite the Frog Pond to chime in if they have answers! In looking at the park hours calendar, it appears that Holiday Wishes is the fireworks show nightly for the week between Christmas and New Year this year excepting Dec Has that been true in other years?

We haven't heard official confirmation, but the Happily Ever After operating calendar implies that you are correct -- it will not be taking place the last week of the year.

Are there combo tickets that cover both Disney World and Disneyland since we'll be traveling coast to coast? With all those dates you will be there at both parks coast to coast, you may want to buy an annual pass. That would cover all the parks. Unfortunately, Disney does not offer any combo ticket options for both Disney World and Disneyland. The good news is, we sell discounted tickets to both! We are trying to decide between the week before Thanksgiving and one of the first two weeks of December for our 9 trip.

Other than the risk of hitting the Star Wars land opening, I am curious about Epcot holiday decorations. Will they all be up the week before Thanksgiving or is it safer to wait until the December weeks? We imagine all of Epcot's holiday decor will be on display in time for the first day of Festival of the Holidays on November Hope this helps! I arrive in Florida on the 1 of January. Will any of the decorations still be up or any of the events on? All rights reserved.

Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Destination optional. You should be receiving your first email soon! Thanks for being a part of the family. In order to save your favorite items, you'll need to create an account. Already have one? Sign in. Sign Up Log in 0. See All Ski Resorts.

Why Book With Us? We offer the best rates available. We've already researched the details most important to families. Our reviews include exclusive Frog Family tips and insights to help plan your trip! We have expert Customer Service agents to help with any questions. Check-In Required. Check-Out Required. Children Accessible Rooms. Search Hotels Add Multiple Rooms. Our Favorite Cities: Orlando.

Pick-up Location Required. Return Location Required. Pick-up Date Required. Return Date Required. Search Car Deals. The pick-up time is in the past, please select a time in the future. The return time is in the past, please select a time in the future.

The pick-up date is later than your return date, please update your pick-up or return date. The pick-up time is later than your return time, please update your pick-up or return time.

Visit Blog Home. Summary It's the most wonderful time of the year , aka the holidays at Walt Disney World! Comments Leave a Comment.

Sort: Newest to Oldest Oldest to Newest. Jul 12, at p. Hope Says FrogBlog Says Hi Hope! Hoppy planning! Mommy Frog Reply. Jun 22, at a. Tracey Richards Says Hi We aim to arrive 1st Jan so know decorations will still be up but will the characters still be dressed in Xmas costumes , will the castle projections still be going and will the cavalcades still be on after new year? Thanks Reply. Jun 22, at p. Nov 11, at p. Shawn M. Nov 10, at p. Nov 11, at a. Hi Sandra! Nov 19, at a.

Marcy Says Ohh we are so jealous, Marcy! Thank you so much for updating us! Enjoy : Hoppy planning! Nov 16, at p. Peg Says Nov 18, at a. Hi Peg, Yes! Nov 12, at p. Chelsea P.

Nov 13, at p. Hi Chelsea! Nov 10, at a. Kyle Says Thank you again for any advice!!! I already bought the princess dresses you suggested and they are beautiful!!

We like fancy food and the girls are pretty used to that and enjoy the spectacle. Those reservations fill up fast, though, so book it as soon as you see it. More on that and other dining at the hotels here:. I visit once a week and share trip reports on Facebook.

Feel free to ask again if you have any other questions! The times went fast!! I got your email, and you answered all of my questions for sure! We are planning a trip to Disneyland Nov 4 to 11 but we are flexible with our dates and could go a few days later Nov 8 to 15 would be the latest. What do you recommend based on crowds and Christmas decor etc. We are coming from Edmonton Alberta Canada and this is a once in a lifetime trip for us so we want to make it super special for our 4 kids!

We will buy a 5 day park hopper pass to enjoy the parks as much as we can. Thank you for your help. Really just depends on how much holiday you want to see. The latter option will allow you to see more attractions, as two of the holiday ones will be closed for your first date option. I think you should go with the second.

Thank you very much for your help. But if you think the crowds will be ok then maybe we should come the later option so that we see more Christmas fun. Which holiday attractions will be closed for the first option? We also saw that their is some kind of Avengers super hero half marathon at Disney from Nov 10 to We were worried that might bring in big crowds too. Thanks for all the great info! Do you think the decorations will be up before the 10th?

And will other holiday things food, rides, etc. Thanks so much! I am so excited! We will be there from December January 2! I have so many questions, but this is a great help to begin with! Even in that busiest time of year, do you think we can see everything we want to? You will see and do everything! Hey Casey! LOVE what you do and I thank you! Also how soon is santa available at the parks? Thank you for all you do! Thank you, Camille.

Or if you want print outs, the shops will do that for you. They may be able to add a date with a cute border. Check out the PhotoPass post here for more on that:. Santa typically arrives on opening day at each park, which is November 10 this year.

Our flight arrives at 3pm. Would it be possible to get into either park on New Years Day or will they have reached capacity? Or should we just wait until January 2nd to start our park days?

Thanks for this amazing site! Great question. There are just a few days each year that reach capacity. However, tiered pricing and people not renewing APs could change that this season. But, we might have a better idea of capacity as we get closer to your timing. Feel free to contact me again in case I can give you a better estimate. I love everything about your blog — you have so much helpful information! I planed a trip for January , Do you know if the Christmas music is still playing at that time?

Any inside info you have from the experience of being there that first week of January would be really really helpful! In , Holidays officially ended on January 6. Until then, Holiday is in full swing — music, decor, attraction overlays, etc…..

Hopefully you can better plan then. Usually happens early Fall. We just got back from our first Disneyland vacation as a family of 4. It was our 5 year old and 2 year olds very first time. Your tips helped our 2 days 1 park per day run so smoothly! I just want to thank you, again, for keeping this blog. Are there any rumors yet about when the Holiday season will start this year ?

We are considering a visit from Nov No timing mentioned yet. But the last two years included a start date of November Stay tuned for an update on this post as soon as I learn more! How do I get Santa to say Hi to us during the parade?

I know he can mention our names etc Thanks! First time visiting Disneyland park with my 2 yr old and i would like to see all the evening parades. Your site has been really useful by the way. They both start at 9pm. Would you be able to clear this scheduling up? I would love to see all four of them plus the Fantasy parade. Thanks in advance!

Good question, Calvin. Paint the Night and Fantasmic! Which day are you visiting? If I can only choose between Paint the night and Fantasmic, which would you suggest? Thanks again. How did you dress your daughters up for Christmas time at Disneyland? Then, stay where you are for the fireworks. So, I think you can do both. Regarding dressing princesses, put them in leggings and a long sleeve tshirt and then a simple play dress.

Then, put their princess dress over the play dress. Have them wear boots if possible. Bring a sweater, too. I often bring my daughter a light scarf, too. We know we are crazy and the crowds will be chaos! I wish we had booked an onsite hotel, but we are staying close. We have restaurant reservations for WOC and Fantasmic fastpasses. Mostly about Star Wars, Cars and soaking in the atmosphere and staying safe. Then return for dinner reservations and the evening entertainment. Then Day 2 I was thinking of having a hang at the hotel kind of morning and arrive for our lunch reservations, do the CA attractions and stay for WOC.

Bad idea? Do we need to arrive early and stay all day late and then do it all again the next day? Sounds like fun! I actually recommend arriving early, before park opening, and then taking a mid-day break.

So, keep that in mind for sure. I would like to know if anything is added to the Character Dining experience during Christmas. Do the prices stay the same? Are the all characters in Christmas clothing? We are thinking of doing a character dining Christmas morning so I just wondered if I should expect a little extra magic. We were at Disneyland Dec and had two character breakfasts. They also had an amazing Christmas tree set up inside the Plaza Inn! Thanks so much we are planning for Christmas and Surfs up was our 1 choice for our boys but not if they are not in their Christmas outfits.

We will plan on Plaza Inn. We are really looking forward to bringing our 4 year old this time! Last time we were there, they had reindeer at Big Thunder Ranch. Any word on whether they will be there before the ranch shuts down? We would so love to see them again! Also, had no idea about the candy canes! I plan on making that a priority as my little man will LOVE that! Thank you so much for this awesome site!

It has been hugely helpful in planning our trip. We are going at the beginning of December with a 2 month old and a 3 year old. I read all about the parades that you posted and we plan to sit near small world for the first paint the night parade. But can you offer advice about when to see the Christmas parade? We will be there on December 10 and December 12 and looking at the schedule, the Christmas parade is way earlier than paint the night. Any tips there? We are planning to see Fantasmic one night, and Paint the Night the other night.

When should we see the Christmas parade? And where should we sit? Christmas parades are happening twice a day now. The earlier one is typically lighter in crowds. Love your blog and all the useful information.

If you get a wristband for a candy cane, do they give you a specific time to come back or would you be able to get the candy cane immediately? Thank you. Love your blog; it is so helpful. I am planning a trip to Disneyland next year at around this time; do you suggest going the week before Thanksgiving?

Will the Christmas decorations and events be up by then? Do you think it might be crowded? Should we expect to see the holiday decor transitioning out of the park or is it cleared out overnight? Sorry, I meant gingerbread beignets, not pumpkin. I am at California Adventure today. They announced this morning that as of today, there are no more fast passes to meet Anna and Elsa. Your site has been invaluable and has made our trip so much better exclamation thank you!

Casey your website is amazing! Thanks so much for all this info. Using your 1 day plan for littles. Where would you fit in the christmas parade do you think? We are taking our girls 3 and 1 at the end of my husbands work trip. Going on 21 Nov from Australia.

Thanks again! The Christmas parade will be in the afternoon not sure of the time yet. This will proceed Paint the Night, the nighttime parade that is shown at dark. Thanks so much Casey! Is Disneyland Santa just totally lame? Not lame at all. But, I prefer the California Adventure version. What a wonderful and informative post! Thanks for the info! Im so excited. Now taking my 9 and 7 year old this December I am so excited. Love Aussies! Yall are some of my most passionate and dedicated planners.

Please let me know if I can help with anything. We always go in the summer so this will be the first time in December. What else should we look out for or do then. Definitely enjoy the three holiday rides. Take more of the park in and enjoy the shows like Aladdin that are going away. Missing my 90 degree so cal weather. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

LOG IN. Log into your account. Recover your password. Disneyland Daily. Wine Bar George in Disney Springs. In this article. Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation. Pumpkin Preparation. Hi, Lucy. Do you have any other good ideas? I am looking forward to your article in the future.

I will update the food section of this post with info on offerings as soon as Disney shares it. Enjoy your stay! Hope you have a great birthday. Hi, Judy. Let me know what other questions you have. Thanks Casey. We are so excited to spend time here over the Christmas season.

Hi, Deborah. I loved the package for Pixar Play Parade. All true! It will be up through the end of the day on the 6th. Definitely ask for birthday buttons. No problem! Dear Casey, Thanks for the tips!

Hope you get this in time! Hope to see you! Thank you again for all that you do! Love and Aloha from Hawaii! Also, follow Disneyland Today on Twitter for the best info on park closures and re-entry times. Happy New Year! Here you go, Sarah! Hi, Ana. I hope you love it! Aloha Casey! Hi, Erika. We are going this Christmas!!! Crazy about the candy canes! I try to be there opening day for candy canes.

Hi Casey: Love your work on the site!!! Hi, Rebeca. Please let me know if I can help with anything else. Hi, Monica. Let me know how I can help! Hi, Alica. Hi, Sheri. Paint the Night is slated to be at DCA when it returns, but we have no firm date on that yet. Do you know the candy cane dates for yet? Hi, Keila. Hard to tell about Fantasmic! I hope so! Hi, Larissa. The entertainment schedule varies. Does that make sense?

Yes…thank you for your help. We are excited! Hi, Rachel. Thanks Casey! Looking forward to the visit next week! Hi, there! So many lovely options. Hi Casey, I just booked a trip from January Casey, super thorough!

Very helpful. Hours are typically 9am to 11pm. Afternoon parades start around 4pm. Hi, Kelly. I hope you love SoCal as much as we have.

OK, check out the answers to your questions: We are moving to SoCal and will be heading to DLR with our families and a 3 year old, 1 year old, and 8 month old for Thanksgiving and Christmas days! Happy I could help!

Hi, Joan. Yay, Danielle! Makes me so happy. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I have never heard of this. Let me know if you make it happen! Hi Casey, First time visiting Disneyland park with my 2 yr old and i would like to see all the evening parades. Hey, there. Thank you for your suggestion Casey. Will definitely consider this for our disney itinerary. We will be there January will we miss the Christmas decorations? Hello Casey! Thanks very much! Decor will be up and the crowds are less than Christmas.