It’s snowing at Disneyland Resort this Christmas season. For all those Southern California natives looking for a magical “snowy landscape”, Disneyland is the place you want to be this Christmas season! Plus I’m sharing Disneyland Christmas photos to take during your visit.
There’s something about cooler temperatures and snow that makes it really feel like the Christmas season. There’s plenty of places around the country and in Canada that have these picture perfect, sparkling white Christmas snow. It’s enough to make SoCal peeps jealous. I mean, we can make the sand-snowmen but sometimes we want that glistening white snowfall too.
When you grow up in Southern California, snow is absolutely a novelty. My grandparents had a cabin up in the mountains and we’d make or drive up there every year to go sledding and basically freeze our fingers off.
While there’s not any sledding in actual snow going on at Disneyland (I mean, we’ve got Matterhorn Bobsledding), there’s plenty of “snowfall” and magic all around the resort this holiday season.
Where does it Snow at Disneyland Resort?
Actual “snow” fall, and I quote snow, because this is the magical type of snow that looks like snow, falls like snow, glistens like snow, and then magically disappears once it hits the ground. If you tried to catch it on your tongue it may be a little too fresh and clean if you catch my drift, but it won’t hurt you ;).
Snow falls at Disneyland Resort at the following times and locations:
- New 2023 Downtown Disney snowfall!
- Grizzly Peak in California Adventure Park not showing during 2023 season. s
now falls frequently throughout the evening and night. Take a stroll through this backcountry area and enjoy a nearly empty park with magical snow falling. Watch closely and you’ll see the snow fall at Disneyland Resort in this video, and what’s even more fun is listening to everyone’s reaction. - “it’s a small world” Holliday in Fantasyland during the finale of “Believe. . . in Holiday Magic” fireworks each night, weather permitting, see note on Main Street for details.
- Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park during the finale of “Believe. . . in Holiday Magic” fireworks each night, weather permitting. Even if fireworks are canceled, you can still expect magical snowfall here with music and projections. Don’t rush home if they announce fireworks have been canceled. On that same note, don’t wait to view fireworks until the last night of your vacation, give yourself as many opportunities to see this beautiful display as you can.
- Rivers of America in Disneyland Park during the finale of “Believe. . . in Holiday Magic” fireworks each night, weather permitting, see note on Main Street for details.
Don’t forget to grab your discount Disneyland tickets right here, just in time for the holidays.
Snow-filled Disneyland Attractions
“it’s a small world” gets a holiday makeover during the Christmas season at Disneyland Resort, Transforming into “it’s a small world” for the holidays. If you come to Disneyland regularly, you know it’s a small world is a great place to escape the heat and get in on that air-conditioned ride.
During the holiday season it’s still as cool as can be, but with magical snow sightings throughout the attraction, along with a fusion of the classic attraction song and holiday favorites. I like to ride this holiday overlay during the day, then get a Lightning Lane to ride the attraction at night because you don’t want to miss the magical lights on the façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday.
Haunted Mansion Holiday is another attraction made over for the holiday season. Inside the usual creepy Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square, you’ll see that Jack Skellington and his friends have decked the halls into a snowy winter wonderland with a side of spook. This attraction runs its holiday overlay clear from September through the first week of January, but be sure to use Disney Genie+ because the line is always indicative of how popular it’s become.
Matterhorn Bobsleds. You can find the snowcapped mountain in Fantasyland all year-round along with the famous Yeti, nicknamed Harold by his adoring fans. Genie+ and Single Rider are available on this attraction.
Soarin’ Around the World lets you glide over the snowy Swiss Alps, and other must-see locations throughout the world. This attraction is incredible and not for those who are scared of heights, I made that mistake once with my dad and will NEVER do that again. This attraction does have Genie+ as well.
Disneyland Snow at Parades & Shows
There’s so many places to experience snow at Disneyland Resort, you might even have a hard time keeping track of it all. But no worries—I am here to help! Enjoy the parade, watch a show and let the snow come to you this holiday season.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade has been around for quite some time at Disneyland Park. It runs two times a day, the earlier showing will be in daylight and warm sunshine (for all of us who can’t handle the cold temps of real snow), while the later show will be after sunset giving everything an extra magical flair.
Anna, Elsa and Olaf make an appearance, Santa Claus visits from the North Pole, and my favorite—the cute little dancing snowmen and snow-women are on hand to entertain. You can even get reserved viewing, along with a tasty meal, so you don’t need to worry about saving a seat along the parade route.
Disneyland Snow Photo Spots
Disneyland with the family? You definitely need to stop at these snow spots for a family photo. Remember, your photos are free with purchase of Disney Genie+.
- Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, decked out with snow and icicles and twinkling lights in the evening hours.
- Season’s Speedings at the snow car in front of Cars Land. Don’t miss this iconic spot.
- Want a family photo in a snow globe? Be sure to ask for a “magic shot” if you want something extra special from your PhotoPass photographer.
Disneyland snow spots make for great holiday greeting cards, and you can get everyone in the picture with unlimited Photo downloads with your Disney Genie+.
And of course, there’s snow-many snow inspired treats during the holiday season.
No matter how you look at it, snow is truly falling all around Disneyland Resort this holiday season. Did you catch the snow falling at Disneyland–continue the conversation with me in the comments.
Hey Jessica, soon we family are planning to visit Disneyland Resort this vacation and kids are super excited for the same. While exploring a bit more about this amazing place I came across your article. Thanks for sharing this amazing piece of information and will definitely help us to plan before the visit.
Have a wonderful time during your trip Claire.
I love the snow around the Disneyland Resort. My favorite is on Main Street after the Fireworks. My Wife, Heidi and I have seen the snow on Main Street, USA and by It’s a Small World, but have never seen it by the Rivers of America. Thank you, you have given me something to check out.
It’s awesome to have so many spots to see it snow at Disneyland and Main Street is certainly the top dog 🙂