**December 2025 Check-In Thread**

[BobaFettFan]

Arriving Dec 4, flying out Dec 10.

Staying at the Anaheim Desert inn and Suites.

Don't tell the kiddo! It's a surprise from Grandpa.

The thing I remember most is that hard to get ginger bread man.

Also last time was a cavalcade of getting in line and the ride breaking down so GLOVED FINGERS CROSSED!

 

[alleighboo]

I'll be there! We are staying at The Villas at the DLH (those cutie little pool ones) Dec. 23-29. Just me and my husband!

I booked these a year ago when the 2025 bookings opened. Then my husband suggested we do a trip to Japan and Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea instead. We did that trip the first two weeks of June and then decided since we still had our reservation for DL...it would be a shame to cancel it...right?? So we're taking our first Christmas time trip to Disney! We usually go during the summer or Halloween, so I'm excited to see the holiday decorations!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Didn't know they had gingerbread men! I assume these would be at places like Marcelline's?

Alleighboo, how was Disneyland Tokyo? I've heard that's one of the best DLs. Doing every DL is on my bucket list! I'm like you, we normally do summer and have done Halloween a few times (one of my daughter has an October birthday), but never Christmas. October has gotten so busy that we've had better luck going in summer. It will be interesting to see how December compares. How fun that you'll be there right at Christmas!

 

[LKing]

Didn't know they had gingerbread men! I assume these would be at places like Marcelline's?

Marcelines is no more. It is now the Wonderful World of Sweets.

The full body gingerbread cookies are sold at Jolly Holiday. There is a schedule and they sell out very quickly.

Here is a thread from last year about the various types of gingerbread cookies at DLR.

A

Thread 'gingerbread cookies'

Dec 4, 2024

hi

going to disneyland next week and would like to get one of the famous gingerbread cookies - i thought i read online that the receipe has changed with chocolate on the bottom of the cookies in disneyland and the originals only at grand californian - is this true? and easiest place to get them?

thanks for all the help

cindy

• adznyfan
• Replies: 40
• Forum: Disneyland (California)

• 

 

[BriannaRuth]

Wow, everything you could ever want to know about gingerbread at Disneyland on that thread!

 

[maleficent55]

Didn't know they had gingerbread men! I assume these would be at places like Marcelline's?

Alleighboo, how was Disneyland Tokyo? I've heard that's one of the best DLs. Doing every DL is on my bucket list! I'm like you, we normally do summer and have done Halloween a few times (one of my daughter has an October birthday), but never Christmas. October has gotten so busy that we've had better luck going in summer. It will be interesting to see how December compares. How fun that you'll be there right at Christmas!

They’re also at the treat cart in the lobby at the Grand Californian

 

[B3rlingirl]

Yes, finally Christmas time with my parents… kind of a remix of our last minute cancelled 2019 trip…
so first: running the Honolulu marathon and then on to DL… so I keep on joking we might need a scooter to share depending on how our legs feel after the marathon. (I might need to read up on scooters)

Right now we plan on taking the redeye to lax (I desperately hope united doesn’t move the flight around to much!) and do some shopping at the outlets of orange and then do Disneyland with 4 day park hopper and lightning lane (first time for me and the lightning lane pass) + a character breakfast on our departure day…(sleep is planned afterwards)
I am a bit worried about crowds the weekend before Christmas but it can’t be helped. I can’t move the dates of Christmas or the marathon so we’ll make the best out of it…

I at least plan on doing a somewhat relaxed approach to our park days, but I somehow guess it‘ll become rope drop to closing commando style day like it happened for our last trips, but I do want to take some time soaking in the atmosphere on Main Street…

It will be my last visit for the Holidays for quite some time I guess (I prefer warm summer nights over those freezing Winter evenings), so I’ll want to max out on the experience…
Reading about those gingerbread cookies in the linked thread I guess I‘ll need to sample them all! After all I miss most of Christmas-cookie-time in Germany, so I‘ll have to make up for it! I guess I should have started saving money a couple of months ago…

 

[alleighboo]

Didn't know they had gingerbread men! I assume these would be at places like Marcelline's?

Alleighboo, how was Disneyland Tokyo? I've heard that's one of the best DLs. Doing every DL is on my bucket list! I'm like you, we normally do summer and have done Halloween a few times (one of my daughter has an October birthday), but never Christmas. October has gotten so busy that we've had better luck going in summer. It will be interesting to see how December compares. How fun that you'll be there right at Christmas!

It was amazing! We did 7 days in Tokyo and then did 4 at Disney. I highly recommend the vacation package when you go. It's a little pricier but still soooo much cheaper than the parks here. Tokyo Disneyland reminded me of Disneyland but on a WDW scale. And DisneySea is just completely different from any of the other parks. 100% recommend going!

I'm an October birthday girl too and my favorite holiday is Halloween so I love going during the fall, despite the crowds. My husband is the Christmas guy so I'm excited to actually be there for Christmas. I'm preparing for big crowds and just taking it slow!

 

[LKing]

Reading about those gingerbread cookies in the linked thread I guess I‘ll need to sample them all!

@Lisa24jks shared a good summary of where the different varieties were found last year.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/gingerbread-cookies.3958350/post-65877584.

 

[zenus1970]

They’re also at the treat cart in the lobby at the Grand Californian

We love to get one and a hot chocolate. Then we find a cozy place to sit and enjoy the piano player or the carolers!!!

 

[Kimberlylyn]

Hello Wonderful Disney Fans
We are in the beginning stages of our plans for a New Years stay 30th-6th staying at Pixar. Been to WDW many times, 1st time DL goers.
Just DH and myself ( older couple young at heart)

 

[LindaR]

DD and I going again 9-12 December. Staying at Grand Californian. Next year back to WDW.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I at least plan on doing a somewhat relaxed approach to our park days, but I somehow guess it‘ll become rope drop to closing commando style day like it happened for our last trips, but I do want to take some time soaking in the atmosphere on Main Street…

It will be my last visit for the Holidays for quite some time I guess (I prefer warm summer nights over those freezing Winter evenings), so I’ll want to max out on the experience…

I always think I'll take some time to relax and soak in the atmosphere (we always do 5 days in the park), but I never really do. Last year I did one of the tours, which was disappointing, but other than that, I have a hard time thinking well, maybe one more ride! So good luck!

So you've been at DL during December before? Was it actually cold?

I see you're from Germany and have been to DL Paris. What's your opinion of it? I've always wanted to go and still hope to someday, but I've heard it's not as good as some of the other parks.

 

[BriannaRuth]

It was amazing! We did 7 days in Tokyo and then did 4 at Disney. I highly recommend the vacation package when you go. It's a little pricier but still soooo much cheaper than the parks here. Tokyo Disneyland reminded me of Disneyland but on a WDW scale. And DisneySea is just completely different from any of the other parks. 100% recommend going!

I'm an October birthday girl too and my favorite holiday is Halloween so I love going during the fall, despite the crowds. My husband is the Christmas guy so I'm excited to actually be there for Christmas. I'm preparing for big crowds and just taking it slow!

That sounds awesome -- I'd forgotten about DisneySea! I know it's owned and operated by another company and Disney just licenses the intellectual property to them; I guess that's true for DL Tokyo as well. Did you think that had any effect on how "Disney" they felt? Is English widely spoken by the CMs, in the restaurants, etc?

 

[alleighboo]

That sounds awesome -- I'd forgotten about DisneySea! I know it's owned and operated by another company and Disney just licenses the intellectual property to them; I guess that's true for DL Tokyo as well. Did you think that had any effect on how "Disney" they felt? Is English widely spoken by the CMs, in the restaurants, etc?

They both felt totally Disney! I feel like everyone is extra polite there anyway, it's peak Disney experience. We had no problem communicating in Tokyo. Almost everyone spoke some English or there were signs in English for us to point to. I was honestly a little surprised once we moved to Disney that almost no one spoke English. I know enough common phrases to get by, but it was pretty cool how "local" the parks felt because I assumed that it would be mostly tourists there! Everyone in the hotels spoke English, it was just in the parks that it was all Japanese. All the ride safety information and signs were English first and with Japanese subtitles. Everyone was super kind and helpful, just a lot of pointing on mine and my husband's part I've told everyone to not let the language barrier deter you from going. It was really easy, even with areas with limited English!

DisneySea is not super Disney in the way of Mickey everywhere but it's absolutely beautiful (despite both our days being pouring rain). Fantasy Springs is incredible and Journey to the Center of the Earth was my favorite ride. I'm also obsessed with Duffy and Friends. I'm adding our pics with Duffy and Shellie Mae because they're so cute!

 

[LKing]

I'm also obsessed with Duffy and Friends. I'm adding our pics with Duffy and Shellie Mae because they're so cute!

It is too bad that you won't be at Disneyland for the cavalcade with Duffy and ShellieMay (it ends next week).

Is it my imagination or is ShellieMay taller than Duffy in your pictures?

 

[Tink1987]

Hi everyone. We’ll be flying in December 4th to the 9th. Staying at DLH, it’s our 9th trip to DL and 7 of those have been for the holidays it’s our favorite time.

Still upset that PTN is not running but we may be fitting a sneaky springtime trip in to catch it too. We’ve seen WOC Season of Light so many times and whilst we love it, I’m happy to be seeing WOC Happiness too.

Looking forward to chatting with you all over the next few months

 

[BriannaRuth]

Hi everyone. We’ll be flying in December 4th to the 9th. Staying at DLH, it’s our 9th trip to DL and 7 of those have been for the holidays it’s our favorite time.

Wow, 7 holiday trips? Any advice for those of us who've never been in December? Favorite Christmas foods, etc.?

 

[Tink1987]

Wow, 7 holiday trips? Any advice for those of us who've never been in December? Favorite Christmas foods, etc.?

Get a parade spot early, much earlier then you think for a locals park. For the 6/6:30 parade time, especially on a weekend, people are on Main Street queuing by 3. It’s very much worth seeing it on Main Street.

The candy cane tradition is a cute thing to do and the candy canes are nice if that is your thing. The peppermint ice cream from Clarebelles/Gibson Girl is delicious.

The holiday cakes from Plaza Inn are lovely and very filling. If you are there for the Candlelight Processional weekend, try to go to DCA on the nights its on. Whilst it’s well organised, it can be a pain trying to get down/up Main Street.

If you get there at rope drop, you get on a lot rides quickly/walk on during the week. Even Peter Pan’s Floght etc we most locals don’t appear until mid morning/10:30 onwards I find.

For restaurants, we love Lamplight Lounge and Wine Country Trattoria. Carthay Circle is beautiful too (sorry, I haven’t scrolled up to see your travelling party/situation so not too sure what would be suitable for you/what you may like)

At Lamplight Lounge, even when they are closing, if you are sat at the bar/outside on the covered patio, they may ask if you would like to stay to watch WOC. Obviously it’s not a perfect view by any stretch but it’s a very cool POV if you’ve seen the show before. You aren’t allowed everytime, so not sure if it depends on your server etc.

The Holiday entertainment is just unmatched at DL (IMHO) don’t miss the Holiday Toy Drummers at DCA and watch as much of the storytellers as you can, check the guide for times. They are all wonderful and interactive. Nothing better than sitting with a drink watching a band etc.

Viva Navidad is wonderful too, great to see The Three Caballeros and the music/lighting/atmosphere is just amazing.

That’s all I can think of off the top of my head but please let me know if you have anything specific in mind too, want to see photos of something etc. The holidays at DL is my favorite subject

I’ve been to Tokyo too, please try and plan a trip there Best parks in the world, DisneySea is like nothing you’ve ever seen.