How was the first day of Disneyland's Holiday entertainment?

Saturday night I was in line for Small World when people were lining up for the 5:30 parade. This was the crowd 40 min before the parade.
I was right that the week after Hallowe'en Time was a great time to visit DL. Yeah, IASW was still closed and the Christmas entertainment hadn't started, but lines for rides and food were short.
 
DCA was alive when the sun started to set, the festive music the vibes it felt wonderful and beautiful.

DL was splendid as well, we started our day there. Crowds present but not overwhelming. The decor was festive and obviously people dressed in holiday attire made it more warming.

Small world holiday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Definitely recommend, don't miss it. We rode during the day, but I imagine at night would at that extra sentimental magic to the holidays.

The holiday parade was great! Again, we saw the 2:30pm but evening is a must for seasonal/ticket visitors.

It was very cold, but sunny still, that day, so that added to the ambiance of SoCal holiday bliss.
 
Has Disneyland also begun taking pre-orders for their famous giant candy canes yet? I'm curious to know because as soon as Disney launches their holiday entertainment the candy canes the guests seem to go wild and crazy over them every year. Also are they also selling DVDs of their Christmas parades and shows too? Because Disneyland used to sell tapes of parades as souvenirs for people to take home and enjoy
 

Has Disneyland also begun taking pre-orders for their famous giant candy canes yet? I'm curious to know because as soon as Disney launches their holiday entertainment the candy canes the guests seem to go wild and crazy over them every year. Also are they also selling DVDs of their Christmas parades and shows too? Because Disneyland used to sell tapes of parades as souvenirs for people to take home and enjoy
I’m pretty sure they don’t sell souvenir DVDs anymore. Everything is usually on YouTube.
 
Saturday night I was in line for Small World when people were lining up for the 5:30 parade. This was the crowd 40 min before the parade.

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And lockers were sold out by midday both Friday and Saturday. I have a feeling they were filled with popcorn buckets.

Hey - I am in that first picture! Sitting right in the front in the white Santa Mickey sweatshirt with my Pluto on my lap! Little girl next to me was pretty cute and sweet. I did wait a long time for the parade but it was awesome. And Mickey and Minnie were walking and not on their float.
 
Has Disneyland also begun taking pre-orders for their famous giant candy canes yet? I'm curious to know because as soon as Disney launches their holiday entertainment the candy canes the guests seem to go wild and crazy over them every year. Also are they also selling DVDs of their Christmas parades and shows too? Because Disneyland used to sell tapes of parades as souvenirs for people to take home and enjoy
Not sure there ever did "pre-orders" for the handmade candy canes. But there is a schedule of the days they are making them (at both DL & DCA). Guests have to stand in line to put on the list to return later in the day to pick them up.

I am bummed that it didn't work out for me. The days I am there they are making the candy canes in the opposite park to which we have reservations for.
 
I went Friday

Was there until the first Coco show at 5 PM

DeadPool and Encanto shows to me were both really great and top notch entertainment for what they are

The Parade is great, I think it had a few less floats per what I've read but still good if you can get a spot.

The Coco show is nice but didn't love it as much as the Encanto show but still worth it if you have free time in the parks.

DO not use any time on the Tree lighting in DCA, it was like a minute and no characters or anything.

The Mini DCA parade is cute but if your not at a spot where the characters stop and dance the show is less worth it but mostly looks like its easy to find a spot as it happening and just enjoy it.

I went to the Santa area, very cute and a great photo spot or two to get pictures.

Its insane we are going to go from like 20+ shows a day back to...just a handful in a month....lol
 
I did not ask the price for pics with Santa.
In our experience the Santa photos are just regular Photopass photos and are included with it. Our favorite place to meet Santa is Redwood Creek, but we’ll probably check out the new one this year too. We booked the Plaza Inn package for the parade next week. Can’t wait! I’m really hoping they still have the gingerbread house bucket by then.
 
Are there different Santas for the areas to get Santa photos for the kids in Disneyland or is it always the same Santa that's in the Fantasyland Theater? Also does Avengers Campus have the Marvel heroes dressed in holiday attire and is there holiday themed shows there besides the new Deadpool Christmas show? I would LOVE to see photos of the Marvel heroes in their holiday attire
 
How is this year's Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland? Are there any new floats in the parade this year and does Belle still teach The Beast how to ice skate in the parade as well? Because that was a wonderful float they had. Also Is Avengers Campus decorated for the holidays in DCA too?
 
If you google "Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade" you will find several YouTube videos of the parade.
 
How is this year's Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland? Are there any new floats in the parade this year and does Belle still teach The Beast how to ice skate in the parade as well? Because that was a wonderful float they had. Also Is Avengers Campus decorated for the holidays in DCA too?

I saw the Christmas Fantasy parade on the 15th. It was great as usual. I do not think there were any new floats this year. I have seen the parade many times over the years and never seen a float with Belle teaching Beast to ice skate. As a former ice skater, that would be one that I would have loved. Belle and Beast were walking after the princess float again this year.

As mentioned, you can go to You Tube and I am sure you can find a video (or a dozen of them) of the parade. And I did not go over to DCA on my last visit, so not sure about how Avengers Campus is decorated this year.
 




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