Do you want to go to Disneyland in December? It is definitely a magical time to visit! Check out these tips and tricks below to help you plan your trip.
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I love visiting Disneyland during the Christmas season. It really helps make it the most wonderful time of the year!
Although it is very magical, there tends to be larger crowds during the holidays. But have no fear! I’m here to help you know all about what to expect at Disneyland in December!
Tips for Disneyland in December
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My first tip would definitely be to use Disney MaxPass and check out these park hopper tips to help you get the most bang for your buck in December.
You will also want to check out how to go to Disneyland on a budget!
What are Crowd Sizes like at Disneyland in December?
Crowds are generally pretty manageable at the beginning of the month, but as the Christmas holiday approaches, crowds will definitely increase.
To battle the crowds, find out what rides have the FASTPASS option and be ready to utilize them the traditional way or use these tips with Disney MaxPass.
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Which Rides at Disneyland Have FASTPASSES?
Disneyland Park
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Fantasmic!
- Haunted Mansion
- Haunted Mansion Holiday
- Indiana Jones™ Adventure
- “it’s a small world”
- “it’s a small world” Holiday
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Disney California Adventure Park
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark
- Incredicoaster
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- World of Color
If you’re wondering about crowd levels at Disneyland during other months of the year, you can find a crowd calendar for each month here.
Special Events at Disneyland in December
From November 8 – January 6, you can experience Festive Holidays & Christmas Celebration at the Disneyland Resort!
Disney California Adventure
At Disney California Adventure the Festival of Holidays will immerse you in the sights, sounds, and flavors of different cultural traditions and activities!
You can also head over to Cars Land to ride Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl.
Disneyland Park
The magic continues over at Disneyland Park, with special Christmas touches like:
- A Christmas Fantasy Parade
- “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks
- “it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting
- Haunted Mansion Holiday
- “it’s a small world” Holiday
- Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle
Read all about Christmas at Disneyland HERE
What is the Weather Like at Disneyland in December
The average high temperatures at Disneyland in December are in the mid 60s to low 70s and lows are in the upper 60s.
Most days will be sunny or partly cloudy with a few scattered rain storms here and there. Sounds great to me!
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But, as you probably know, the weather has a mind of its own and can be unpredictable.
It can change at any time, so make sure to check the current weather forecast before you leave, so you will know what to expect.
What to Pack for Disneyland in December
Get this cute The Nightmare Before Christmas mini backpack from Loungefly HERE
Do you need to know what to pack when going to Disneyland in December? Well, I’ve got you covered!
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Check out my list below as well as some options that you can purchase ahead of time to be prepared for your Disneyland vacation!
Also, make sure to read my post on what you should have in your Disney Park Bag and how you can use Amazon to save money at Disney!
Pack Rain Ponchos
Although it doesn’t rain much in December at Disneyland, I always take disposable ponchos with me.
My kids and I are not big fans of getting wet on rides. Splash Mountain and Grizzly River Run happen to be a couple of my favorite rides, so wearing a poncho while riding, allows us to still enjoy them!
How cute are these Darth Vader ponchos? Check them out HERE on Amazon!
It is so much easier to carry around a couple of ponchos than it is to bring a spare set of clothes for my kids when the get wet.
Pack Sun Protection
You might not think that you need sunscreen in December, but I’m here to tell you that although it is winter, the California sun can still be brutal. Make sure that you are ready for the UV rays by packing some sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
Get these Minnie Mouse inspired sunglasses HERE
Also, make sure your kids are protected too. Nothing ruins a magical vacation like a sunburn!
What to Wear at Disneyland in December
First of all, if you’re going to Disneyland in December, the Christmas season will be in full swing. You will definitely need some cute Disney-themed Christmas apparel.
I love this Christmas Mickey Mouse T-Shirt for Men, Women, and Kids! You can check it out here.
The mornings and evenings at Disneyland will get a chilly in December, especially if you take advantage of Magic Mornings.
I recommend wearing a short-sleeved shirt during the day, but bring a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt to wear when it cools down.
Here’s a Mickey Santa Sweatshirt that would be perfect for Disneyland in December!
Make sure that whatever jacket you choose, it is light enough that you can keep it in a backpack or tied around your waist.
Where to Find Adorable Disney-Themed Apparel
Before I go on a Disney vacation, I like to check out Jane for adorable and affordable Disney vacation t-shirts.
I have found so many cute Disney-themed accessories and cute shirts for only $13.99!
Just head to Jane.com and type “character” or “vacation” into the search bar and all of the cute Disney stuff should show up!
The deals change daily, so make sure to check back often and follow @mommymouseclubhouse on Instagram to keep up on all the cute merchandise!
I’ve also had really good luck taking advantage of sales from the Disney Store!
If you can catch a sale, you can save so much money over what you would pay for the same items at the parks.
Click the shopDisney button below to see what is on sale right now!
Disneyland Park Hours in December
Here are the typical hours for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in December.
As always, these hours are subject to change so check Disneyland’s website for current information.
Disneyland Park
- Opens at 8:00 am
- Closes at 11:00 pm
Disney California Adventure Park
- Opens at 8:00 am
- Closes at 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm
Ride Closures in December
I love that Disneyland takes pride in their parks and attractions.
Because of this, there are usually a few rides at both parks that are closed for refurbishment at different times throughout the year.
You can stay up to date with ride closures by checking Disneyland.com.
Disneyland seems to update their list of refurbishments one or two months ahead of time, so check back for December closures in October or November.
Disneyland Ticket Savings
There aren’t a lot of Disneyland ticket discounts out there, but they can be found if you know where to look.
Get Discount Disneyland Tickets Here
Make sure that if you buy Disney tickets from a third party, that they an authorized ticket seller.
I buy my tickets and book my hotel rooms with Get Away Today. Their prices are always a few dollars cheaper than Disneyland’s gate prices and you can now purchase tickets from them that include Disney MaxPass!
Get Away Today is almost always offering some kind of special on tickets and/or hotel vacation packages.
Currently you can get an Extra Day FREE at Disneyland!
Use the promo code: MommyMouse to get an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California vacation package. (Hotel and 2 ticket minimum purchase to qualify for the discount.)
There are so many things to think about when you are planning your trip. Hopefully these tips will help you plan a magical Disneyland vacation!
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