The handmade candy cane schedule is now out!

[WonkaKid]

​

One of my favorite holiday traditions at DL is to watch CMs make hand-rolled candy canes. Here's the schedule for 2018 for both parks:​

Disneyland – Candy Palace on Main Street.
November: 23, 26, 28, 30
December: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24

Disney California Adventure – Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street
November: 24, 27, 29
December: 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25

 

[Malcon10t]

Just for clarification, the candy canes are $12.99.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

This is a fun tradition. We usually go each year to get our candy canes, and I'm with you, Rob. I love to watch them make it. I was recording them making it one year, and was able to talk to this gentleman who had been doing the job for 38 years (RIP).

 

[WonkaKid]

I was recording them making it one year, and was able to talk to this gentleman who had been doing the job for 38 years (RIP).

Yes! I believe he passed last year. I recall seeing a "Rob" made with candy canes at the Main Street candy store. That's my first name and I thought "Wow, what a piece of luck!" It was only later that I realized it was a tribute to the gentleman above.

EDIT: Just found the pic!

 

[pharmama]

I've never played the candy cane wristband game before but am in a good position to do so this year during the first week of December and might pick some up as gifts. Can someone explain how it works? How early do you have to be to get a wristband and when do you get the actual canes?

 

[figment_jii]

People will start lining up as soon as they let guests into the parks to get wristbands. Sometimes they go really quickly, other days they last a bit longer. I'd guess they'll usually run out in within the first 30 minutes of the day. Each wristband lets you buy one candy cane and it's one wristband per guest. Each wristband will have a time written on it. That's the starting time when you can pick-up and pay for your candy cane. They make the candy canes in batches, so that's why there are staggered times. There is also a cut-off time in the afternoon and any unclaimed candy canes will be sold on a first-come/first-serve basis. So let's say the time on your wristband says 11:00 am and the afternoon cutoff time is 4:00 pm (I'm making up these times), that means you can get your candy canes anytime between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.

 

[rentayenta]

Mine broke when taking it out of the box this year so I'll have to get a new one to hang on the tree.

 

[pharmama]

People will start lining up as soon as they let guests into the parks to get wristbands. Sometimes they go really quickly, other days they last a bit longer. I'd guess they'll usually run out in within the first 30 minutes of the day. Each wristband lets you buy one candy cane and it's one wristband per guest. Each wristband will have a time written on it. That's the starting time when you can pick-up and pay for your candy cane. They make the candy canes in batches, so that's why there are staggered times. There is also a cut-off time in the afternoon and any unclaimed candy canes will be sold on a first-come/first-serve basis. So let's say the time on your wristband says 11:00 am and the afternoon cutoff time is 4:00 pm (I'm making up these times), that means you can get your candy canes anytime between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Thanks for the info! Is there a "pre line up" outside the gates or just head straight for the candy shop in whichever park is doing them that day?

 

[lindyv321]

We will be there the first week and if the lines aren’t crazy we might snag one!

 

[WonkaKid]

Thanks for the info! Is there a "pre line up" outside the gates or just head straight for the candy shop in whichever park is doing them that day?

I believe it's straight to the line-up. That's what I've always seen. I don't eat sugar myself (I've been off it for more than 30 years, so I've never been actively involved). I derive enough satisfaction just from watching .

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thanks for the info! Is there a "pre line up" outside the gates or just head straight for the candy shop in whichever park is doing them that day?

You just walk to the store when the park opens. You'll see the line as soon as you hit Main Street.

There have been times when I was walking on Main Street early afternoon and they were passing out wristbands. I think it depends on the luck of the draw on the day you go.

I try to livestream once a year when they do this. I'll try and post on the day I do go.

 

[mfleeting]

First time we will actually be there for a day. We will definitely try to get one or two on the 23rd! Luckily we will have early entry and my husband wont mine waiting in line for one!

 

[Malcon10t]

First time we will actually be there for a day. We will definitely try to get one or two on the 23rd! Luckily we will have early entry and my husband wont mine waiting in line for one!

Usually, the parks the candy canes are in don't have EMH that day. For example, Friday the 23, EMH is in DCA and Candy Canes are in DL. On the 24th, EMH is in Disneyland, and candy canes are in DCA>...

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We got these to give as gifts one year. They went to a family overseas where Christmas isn't really celebrated like it is here. The expressions on the kids' faces when they saw their GIANT candy canes from DISNEYLAND AMERICA were great! (So for those who may not be into candy canes, remember that these can make really magical gifts!)

 

[sky13]

I'm there on several of those days (going the few days after Thanksgiving). Is it really worth joining the queues for the candy canes? I've been reading about this for the last few years and it seems fun, but it also seems like sacrificing a decent amount of prime park time (first thing in the morning!) to go and queue for it. Plus I'd be giving up part of EMH to join the queues...

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I'm there on several of those days (going the few days after Thanksgiving). Is it really worth joining the queues for the candy canes? I've been reading about this for the last few years and it seems fun, but it also seems like sacrificing a decent amount of prime park time (first thing in the morning!) to go and queue for it. Plus I'd be giving up part of EMH to join the queues...

It's a really fun thing to do and a holiday tradition for some families, but it isn't "worth it" for everyone. If you're not a candy cane fan or only want to see them made, but don't really want to buy one, it might be easier for you to stop by the candy window to watch during the morning, rather than lining up for a wristband. If EMH is your priority, go for it!

 

[sky13]

It's a really fun thing to do and a holiday tradition for some families, but it isn't "worth it" for everyone. If you're not a candy cane fan or only want to see them made, but don't really want to buy one, it might be easier for you to stop by the candy window to watch during the morning, rather than lining up for a wristband. If EMH is your priority, go for it!

Thanks - I guess I'll go for EMH over candy canes then! It's fun to see them made but I'm not sure I have available calories for a candy cane given all the other amazing Disneyland food I'm planning on eating!

 

[figment_jii]

I'm there on several of those days (going the few days after Thanksgiving). Is it really worth joining the queues for the candy canes? I've been reading about this for the last few years and it seems fun, but it also seems like sacrificing a decent amount of prime park time (first thing in the morning!) to go and queue for it. Plus I'd be giving up part of EMH to join the queues...

It also depends on how many people are in your party and how long the line is when you get there. A couple of years ago, I was in a middle sized group (six) and when we passed by the candy shop there was a line (maybe 25 long), but it was moving fast. One member of the party went ahead to get the FPs for Space, while the rest of stood in line to get the candy canes wristbands. We then went and rode Star Tours and then it was time for our Space FP. So we didn't really "lose" a lot of park time.

 

[millie0312]

I find it easier to snag a candy cane in DCA for some reason and that the lines move fast so unless you need to run to your first ride, you only waste maybe 10 mins. We didn’t see the appeal until we did it- now we’re hooked and get a couple every year. We usually don’t even eat them but they are fun decor, gifts, keepsakes, etc. worth it for my family and usually a quick process provided you are in line early, go right to get the wristband then off to rides

 

[mfleeting]

Usually, the parks the candy canes are in don't have EMH that day. For example, Friday the 23, EMH is in DCA and Candy Canes are in DL. On the 24th, EMH is in Disneyland, and candy canes are in DCA>...

For some reason I was remembering the EMH days wrong. But it also means we can all go to DCA and my husband can be in line at that time for Disneyland. I know the lines don’t form until after the park opens but he could have just hung out in that area but now that I realized I had my days wrong he can just stand in line really easy for Disneyland in general.