The holidays at the Disneyland Resort kicked off in festive fashion last week with the unveiling of the iconic, 60-foot tall Christmas tree in Disneyland's Town Square, holiday parades, Santa Claus sightings, and favorite characters dressed in their seasonal wear. While I love visiting “it's a small world holiday” just as much as the next guest, my number one on the holidays at the Disneyland Resort list is all about the goodles—cookies, hot chocolate, and candy canes everywhere!
So, I put on my investigative Santa hat (and appetite) and joined the throngs of eager guests determined to kick-off the holidays at the resort. Inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, I found so much more than the cookies and candy canes that it's a bit of a challenge to narrow the list. A second chapter may need to be written. So, as briefly as I can convey, here is my shortened list of the ten tastiest treats at Disneyland Resort this season starting with said cookies.
Cookies
Disney cookies are always a must for me; I'm partial to the gingerbread myself. This year's gingerbread man and shortbread snowman are available at several locations including Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland. Also listed on the Disneyland website are the Mickey snowman cookie decorating kits available at Sonoma Terrace in Disney California Adventure. I did stop in to inquire and was informed the kits were not available yet.
Pastries
In Disneyland, candy cane Mickey Mouse beignets return to the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. Guests can choose from three-pieces or six-pieces but really, who orders only three Mickey Mouse beignets?
You can almost smell the mouth-watering aroma of these donut delights as soon as you enter the park. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
Not to be outdone, Disney California Adventure's holiday pastries will definitely satisfy any sweet tooth. Schmoozies in Hollywood Land rolls out a yule log donut—a chocolate glazed, croissant donut filled with a pecan praline cream. At the Cozy Cone Motel, the churro cone sells a red churro with a creme anglaise dipping sauce.
Sweet Sticks
These sugary treats are definitely Disneyland Resort staples that change slightly with each season. This year's festive favorites—holiday crispies, gourmet apples, cake pops, and marshmallow pops—all wear a decorative overlay for guests to enjoy. You can find these bakery bests in Disneyland at Candy Palace and Pooh Corner. They are also available at Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure, and Marceline's Confectionary in Downtown Disney District.
Gingerbread man Mickey is on this year's holiday crispy treat and gourmet apple. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
Crushed candy canes and chocolate are a perfect pair for the marshmallow pop. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
Beverages
If sipping a peppermint mocha or draining a decadent hot chocolate is always a Disneyland Resort must for you, then the options are plentiful in addition to the Starbucks offerings throughout the resort.
Jolly Holiday Bakery and Cafe boasts a travel mug filled with a choice of beverage. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
If you're craving something cooler, Schmoozies has two new menu items this season—a pumpkin pie smoothie and a frozen hot chocolate.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is serious business at Disneyland Resort any time of year, and especially during the holiday season.
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Disneyland is ready to treat guests with dipped cones covered in festive sprinkles and candy canes, and with the seasonal peppermint ice cream. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
In Disney California Adventure, the selections are even better and being the ice cream afficionado that I am, it was challenging to choose just one. My favorite frozen concoction is always Clarabelle's Hand Scooped Ice Cream dipped bars, and even more so during the holidays with the crushed candy cane topping option. Schmoozies lists a Santa mitten macaron ice cream sandwich filled with mint chocolate chip and for the soft ice cream fans, Paradise Pier Ice Cream Company has a new chocolate mint swirl cone. Coze Cone Motel also offers crushed candy canes on your purchase as an option.
I went with the ice cream king of Disney California Adventure—Ghirardelli's Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. My present to myself was the peppermint bark sundae. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
Food Carts
Every year guests excitedly anticipate the release of the seasonal popcorn buckets and the holiday stein. The Pluto popcorn bucket is available in Disneyland only at this time, but the ornamental stein can be located throughout both parks.
This year's Pluto bucket is already in high demand. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
Stop in at one of the fruit carts to purchase a stein filled with grapes, a pineapple spear, or an available drink of your choice. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
Also throughout the parks, are the familiar sights of the cotton candy carts serving seasonal flavors of the spun sugar. Disney California serves up an apple pie and a candy cane variety this year.
Take-Home Treats
For those friends and family members on your holiday gift list, Disneyland Resort has you covered. Packaged hot chocolate, candy-covered pretzels, holiday crispies, and tinned goodies are pre-packaged and ready for your return ride home.
Take-home treats and gifts are found at Candy Palace in Disneyland and Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
Sourdough Bread
The Boudin Bakery's sourdough loaves are another great grab-and-go souvenir. The loaves are available at the bread cart just outside Boudin Bakery at Disney California Adventure's Pacific Wharf.
The snowman, candy cane, and Christmas tree holiday loaves make up this year's holiday trio options. Photo by Lisa Stiglic.
If you visit the location the week of Thanksgiving, check for the special turkey-shaped sourdough loaf.
Festival of Holidays
The Festival of Holidays returns once again to Disney California Adventure. Without going into too much detail, as that would be an additional article (and more food to eat), the event includes the Festive Foods Marketplace kiosks placed along the main parade route of the the park. The variety of foods includes decadent desserts and yuletide beverages. I highly recommend the cookie butter and jelly cheesecake at the Holiday Duets kiosk—new this year. For a more detailed list of sweet and savory selections, visit MousePlanet's weekly update.
Candy Canes
The most sought-after holiday goody year-after-year is the hand-made candy cane, soon-to-be available starting November 24 at Disneyland Park. Both Candy Palace on Main Street and Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street will release the candy canes through a wristband system which will be available at store opening. The release dates are as follows: Candy Palace in Disneyland—November 24 and 29, then on December 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, and 24. At Disney California Adventure's Trolley Treats look for the candy starting November 25 then November 28. December's dates are 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21 and on Christmas. Dates are subject to change. For further information, contact the Disneyland Candy Cane hotline at 714-781-0112.
The food and yuletide excitement is plentiful every season, and guests seem to find hidden edible presents throughout the resort many of us may have missed. I hope you enjoy your Disneyland Resort visits and when you find something delightfully delectable, make sure to share it with the rest of us. Maybe I will write a part two followed by a Disneyland Resort healthy eating and exercise plan. Happy holidays!
