The Most Magical Christmas Holiday Experiences for Your Disney Vacation

Plus What's Behind an Unprecedented Move at Walt Disney World

In the news this week, why Disney World has stopped selling Annual Passes and the most magical Disney holiday experiences for your next Disneyland vacation.

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Disney Stops Selling Walt Disney World Annual Passes

In an effort to manage attendance an create a better guest experience, as of November 22, Disney has suspended sales of all Walt Disney World annual passes, with the sole exception of the Disney Pixie Pass for Florida residents.

This unprecedented move was never seen before the implementation of the Park Pass reservations, and it is not a good trend.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts celebrates the best in visual, culinary, and performing arts – runs January 14 – February 21, 2022.
 
2022 will feature the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, with three performances each evening headlined by Broadway stars performing favorite songs from more than 25 years of award-winning DISNEY ON BROADWAY stage productions.
Here’s the full lineup of jaw-dropping talents performing at this year’s DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series:

• Arielle Jacobs (“Aladdin”) & Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)
• Kerry Butler (“Beauty and the Beast”) & Telly Leung (“Aladdin”)
• Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday,” “The Little Mermaid”) & Robert Creighton (“Frozen”)
• Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) & Dan DeLuca (“Newsies”)
• Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) & Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
• Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) & Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”)
• Feb. 21 – Special, extended finale performance featuring Brown, Strickland, Simmons & Scott

All shows will take place at America Gardens Theatre and are included with theme park admission.

Ahead of its refresh in 2022, Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort is sparkling for the holiday season.

From sweets, to sips and savory bites. Watch for:  

• Marceline’s Confectionery – Mickey Peppermint Marshmallow, a Mickey Santa Cupcake, a Snowflake Caramel Apple and much more!
• Salt & Straw – Savor a scoop or pint of festive new flavors that embrace warmth and spice, such as Peppermint Cocoa, Gingerbread Cookie Dough, Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache and more
• Sprinkles – Get in the spirit with all three holiday cupcakes: Christmas Cookie, Gingerbread and Chocolate Peppermint.

Enjoy evening entertainment from a capella carolers throughout the season featuring Holiday Harmony, The Moonrays and The Sugarplums who perform near the Downtown Disney District main stage, Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 26-Dec. 26, 2021, along with our main stage bands.

Now through December 14, 2021, join the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive supporting Toys for Tots and give back to those in need this holiday season. Donate a toy online at shopDisney.com, or donate a new, unwrapped toy in person at Downtown Disney District. Donation bins are located near World of Disney and Star Wars Trading Post. Disney’s tradition of supporting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots program dates back to Walt Disney, who personally supervised the creation of the Toys for Tots logo. Disney also was a founding sponsor of the program when it began in 1947. Today, the Disneyland Resort is proud to continue supporting this tradition.

The Holidays at the Hotels of Disneyland Resort

At Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, the lobby shines with a holiday tree adorned with an under-the-sea theme with blue, green and silver decorations and a garland glistening with shells and starfish. 

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel once again features its majestic, towering tree with ornaments inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement of early California.

A highlight at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is the gingerbread replica of the hotel. Standing 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide, the structure is created from more than 600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant and 1 pound of pixie dust ­– plus 25 hidden Mickeys. Nearby, pick up sweet treats such as Mickey Christmas cookies from the lobby’s holiday cart.

Santa Claus and Carolers: Santa will visit each Disneyland Resort hotel from Nov. 25 – Dec. 24, 2021, and hotel Guests are encouraged to share their wishes with St. Nick. Guests will also be delighted to hear the joyful sounds of handbell carolers at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Nov. 25, 2021 – Jan. 9, 2022, and holiday carolers strolling the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel Dec. 15 – 25, 2021.

Spa La La La La: At the new Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Guests of any of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels may treat themselves to a holiday season spa treatment, November 26, 2021 – January 3, 2022. The Candy Cane Lane Foot Treatment uses a refreshing peppermint cocoa foot soak, scrub and a minty massage to soothe and invigorate feet and legs. The Underneath the Tree Signature Massage uses customized massage techniques combined with the scent of fir, California lemon, wild mint and a touch of eucalyptus for pure relaxation.

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic