Disneyland Resort Update for November 29 – December 4, 2021

Disneyland Resort Update for November 29 – December 4, 2021

News and Views

The most wonderful week of the year

When close friends and family ask me when the best time is to visit Disneyland during the holidays, I've always recommended the week after Thanksgiving. The majority of decorations are in place, the holiday parade and fireworks are on the schedule, but the peak holiday crowds are still a week or two away. This is also the only weekend to see the Candlelight Processional without a trip to Florida.

Sleeping Beauty Castle is decorated for the holidays. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The pandemic has changed all that, of course, and we really don't know what to expect from this coming week. We know there won't be fresh candy canes in the Candy Palace this week—that's been pushed back from the usual schedule—and COVID protocols may make it even more difficult to see Candlelight without an invitation.

We do know that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure reservations for both day guests and Magic Key holders are booked solid through the end of December, so it's clear that whatever restricted capacity the park is still observing has had an impact on travel plans. We don't expect this week this year to be as uncrowded as in past years, but any day you're at Disneyland is generally better than the alternative.

Sterling K. Brown to narrate Candlelight

Disneyland's Candlelight Processional takes place this Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5. Started by Walt Disney in 1958 as a community appreciation event, the show features a candlelight choir made up of cast members and community choir members, all accompanied by the Disneyland orchestra. Celebrity guest narrators read the Christmas story in between songs.

Disneyland rarely officially announces the celebrity narrator in advance, but this year, choir members learned that Emmy Award-winning actor Sterling K. Brown will take the podium both nights. Brown is perhaps best known from the television series This Is Us, but Disney fans may know him as N'Jobu from Black Panther, Mattias from Frozen II, and as the narrator of the Disney+ documentary One Day at Disney.

After trying a few times to make this a larger public offering with dining packages and reserved viewing, Disney now treats Candlelight as a private event that just happens to take place in the middle of an operating theme park. Invited guests include community and civic leaders, as well as media and Club 33 members, who watch the performance from a small seating area in Town Square.

It's very difficult for other visitors to get a perfect view of the show without devoting an entire day to saving a spot on Main Street, U.S.A., and we anticipate that it will be even more difficult this year due to the pandemic. Disney hasn't released any details about seating—nor do we expect them to—so the best we can do here is present our usual advice, and recommend that you arrive as early as possible to check for updates with the cast members on the street.

The Main Street Train Station is the stage for the annual Candlelight processional at Disneyland. MousePlanet file photo.

Event schedule

There are two performances each day. The following is our best estimate of the schedule for Saturday and Sunday based on information provided by cast members and on previous years. This information is unofficial, and subject to change:

• 4:45 p.m. – Seating of invited guests begins for the first performance.
• 5:20 p.m. – The first processional begins.
• 5:30 p.m. – The first ceremony begins at Town Square.
• 7:15 p.m. – Seating of invited guests begins for the second performance.
• 7:35 p.m. – The second processional begins.
• 7:45 p.m. – The second ceremony begins at Town Square.

Members of the Disney cast member choir fill the tree riser at center stage. MousePlanet file photo.

Standby viewing

You have some options if you want to view the ceremony. Standby viewing is very limited, and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Bench seating has been available near the Christmas tree on the west side of Town Square; standing room-only locations are near City Hall, the Opera House, and any open spaces behind the seating area in Town Square. Viewing areas for the 5:30 p.m. performance open at park opening (8 a.m. each day), but viewing areas on the east side of Main Street aren't available until after the 3:15 p.m. “A Christmas Fantasy” parade passes that location.

All guests must leave the viewing area after the first performance has concluded. The line for the 7:45 p.m. performance then forms at the south end of Main Street, as soon as the 5:20 p.m. processional has passed. Guests with disabilities may sit in any of these viewing areas. A special assistance viewing area will also be provided on the east side of the viewing area, outside of the Opera House.

The small seating area in Town Square is reserved for invited guests. MousePlanet file photo.

Enjoy the processional

If you don't want to devote the day to saving the perfect spot on Main Street, you can still enjoy the orocessional down Main Street, U.S.A. and hear the performers sing as they walk to the stage. Just grab an open spot along the curb on Main Street, between the new Holiday Shoppe and the Christmas tree. The first processional begins at 5:20 p.m., and the second at 7:35 p.m.

Operational effects

The performances on Saturday and Sunday affect numerous stores and attractions in the Town Square area. Based on last year's schedules, expect changes to the entertainment schedule, and attraction, food, and store closures to be in effect both days:

• A Christmas Fantasy Parade –  performances at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m.
• Main Street Vehicles – closed 12:30 p.m. to midnight
• Main Street Opera House – closed 3:00 to 10:00 p.m.
• Tomorrowland Theater – closed 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• The Mad Hatter on Main Street – closed 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
• The Disney Gallery – closed 4:45 to 9:00 p.m.
• Town Square popcorn and churro carts – closed all day
• Disneyland Railroad – closed during performances
• Jungle Cruise – closed during performances
• Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty Castle – performances at 7:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Traffic flow

Disneyland will again use the backstage passageways behind Main Street, U.S.A. If you don't need to be on Main Street between 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., take advantage of lighter crowds throughout the rest of the park.

Candy canes dates and details

Disneyland's handmade candy canes used to be one of those little Disney gems known to only a small group of fans. Social media helped spread the word, but it was a Food Network special that really made the oversized treats famous.

Whether it's the deceptively simple recipe (the canes made in-park contain no preservatives), or just the charm of watching candy makers cook, pull, and shape the canes in front of you, people will eschew the readily available premade canes and wait hours to get one fresh from the kitchen. Candy makers work in a (100-degree plus) hot, humid room to produce each batch, guarding against stray grains of sugar that can cause a batch to crystallize and be ruined.

A Disneyland candy maker bends warm candy around a wooden form to shape a candy cane. MousePlanet file photo.

Once cooled, the 18-inch canes are sheathed in plastic and wrapped in bubble wrap, to be sold to a crowd of eager customers who line up at park opening. In 2014, Disney expanded the offering to Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure and sold them as many as 22 days in the season—but this year the calendar has been whittled down to just 9 days for 2021:

• Disneyland Candy Palace – December 7, 9, 15, 21, 23
• Disney California Adventure Trolley Treats – December 8, 14, 16, 22

The Disney Parks Blog released the candy cane schedule last week, and also announced that the park will do away with wristbands this year, and instead use a mobile wait list system to manage sales of the treats. Park visitors will use their smartphone to join the wait list, and receive a message when it's their turn to return to the store and purchase their candy cane. This is similar to the process Disney has used to manage entry to popular stores during the pandemic, and even to Disney California Adventure itself when it first reopened as a shopping and dining venue.

Candy canes are limited to one per person, and no discounts apply.

Finished candy canes are left to cool before being packaged for sale. MousePlanet file photo.

Disneyland usually offers its first batch of candy canes the day after Thanksgiving each year, and the schedule is known well in advance. This year, Disney didn't even release the schedule until after Thanksgiving, well after theme park reservations for December were booked solid. If you were lucky enough to already have a theme park reservation for the right park on the right day, then you have a shot at getting a candy cane this year. If not, you're out of luck unless Disney happens to release a new batch of theme park reservations.

Black Friday savings end soon – Adults at Kids' Prices

Don't miss Get Away Today's Black Friday Sale, which is their most popular offer ever: Adults at Kids' Prices on all 3-Day and longer Disneyland Resort Tickets!

Best yet, you can save the most when you combine our tickets with any of their Extra Night Free Hotel deals when you book by December 1, 2021. Here are all the details you need to know: 

• Tickets are valid for travel through December 31, 2023. (theme park reservations are required and subject to availability)
• If you don't know when you're going, you'll just need to enter a general date to purchase your tickets. The date that you enter will be the date that Get Away Today sends your reminders to make theme park reservations. The date you entered is not tied to a theme park reservation and the dates you choose are flexible. You can also reschedule your theme park reservations if needed.
• These tickets can be purchased on Get Away Today’s Layaway Plan. This is the most flexible way to pay for your vacation, and you can get these amazing discounts for just $175 down at the time of booking. 
• Get Away Today’s tickets are the best! They're refundable, have no blackout dates (subject to theme park availability) and you can make theme park reservations 120 days in advance.
• Save the most when you package your tickets with a Get Away Today hotel! Look for Extra Night Free specials, reduced rates and other savings.

Take advantage of these extra low prices now by booking online via Get Away Today: 

New bookings only. Not valid with any other ticket offers. Tickets must be used by December 31, 2023.

This and That…

…“it's a small world” holiday remains closed, and Disney hasn't indicated when the attraction may open.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips for keeping the Disney magic going at home. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.

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Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Attraction, restaurants, and stores that are closed for refurbishment are noted below. All other closures should be presumed to be due to COVID protocols, and are subject to change at any time without notice as the state of California issues new guidance.

All information was current as of this article's publication date. MousePlanet does not edit past Updates; for the most up-to-date refurbishment calendar, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update, visit Disneyland.com or use the Disneyland smartphone application on your iOS or Android device.

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Resort Events

Check here to see if a large convention, competition, or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

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2021-2022

We also recommend checking the convention calendar at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau website. When looking at that site, remember to note both the number of people and the number of rooms resulting from each convention. A gathering of 25,000 people booking few room nights (indicating most will be driving in to the area for their meeting) can impact traffic around the resort much more than a crowd of 25,000 staying in area hotels. Of course, that second group is going to make finding a hotel room more difficult (and possibly more expensive), so it's best to book your own room as early as possible if you see that a big convention is in town during your trip.

Non-Disney Resort Events

Notable events at parks and attractions around Southern California. If you know of an event that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

Current Discounts and Promotions

Disneyland prices as of October 25, 2021.

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update. Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!

This first section is a list of discounts on ticket-only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line. Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.

Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside the gates stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Disneyland admission, and may result in denial of entry. It is also common for criminals to shoplift inactivated Disney theme park tickets from supermarkets to resell them. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today.

Ticket Prices and Promotions

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Additional Discounts

Did we miss an offer? If you know of an authorized discount on Disneyland Resort tickets, standing offers for Annual Passholders from non-Disney vendors, or other promotions which might interest our readers, please drop us a note!

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Everyone

Magic Key Holders

Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders

Southern California Residents

Disney Vacation Club Members

Service Members

Hotel & Travel Packages

If you can't see the categories, please let us know!

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

• DL – Disneyland
• DCA – Disney California Adventure

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website:

• MM – Magic Mornings for 3-plus day ticket holders and promotional “bonus” tickets. (Not currently offered)
• EMH – Extra Magic Hour for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests. (Not currently offered)

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

• F&W – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
• GN – Grad Nite.
• OBB – Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure

The Ticket Tier calendar is published on the Disneyland website for the next eight to 11 months.

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