Christmas Snow at Disneyland Resort!

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.Disneyland Resort this Christmas season, plus 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 own 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:

• Frozen—Live at the Hyperion at Disney California Adventure Park is a Broadway style show, free with your paid admission. Beyond being set in a cold Nordic environment, this production gives me chills every time, even without the snowfall and the end. Read my complete review on how to get great seats here to watch snow fall at Disneyland Resort.
• Grizzly Peak in California Adventure Park not showing in 2019-2021 season. snow 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. Fireworks were cancelled 2 of the nights I was there, but they still did a magical snowfall here with music and projections. Don’t rush home if they announce fireworks have been cancelled. 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” Holiday from November 9 to January 6, 2019. 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 Disney MaxPass 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 mid-September through the first week of January, but be sure to use Disney MaxPass 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. FASTPASS 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 FASTPASS and tends to run out earlier in the day, so be sure to book via Disney MaxPass by around noon.

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.

Frozen—Live at the Hyperon is another place you can experience the cold, harsh winter of Arendelle and see a magical snowfall. This is one of my favorite live shows at Disneyland Resort. The Broadway style musical runs a few times a day at Disney California Adventure Park and is free with your paid admission. Beyond being set in a cold Nordic environment, this production gives me chills every time. Read my complete review and how to get great seats here.

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 MaxPass. 

• 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 MaxPass.

Hot Cocoa and Snow Treats at Disneyland Resort

During a recent visit to Disneyland Resort as a media guest, I was self-assigned to try as many holiday treats as possible. And let me tell you what—the over 75 holiday treats offered this Christmas season!

 Of course I can’t try them all, but it didn’t stop me from trying. Here are some snowy and hot cocoa treats worth diving into at Disneyland Resort this year:

• Cinnamon hot cocoa at Carnation Café
• “Hot Cocoa” Marshmallow Macaron during Festival of Holidays
• Warm Peppermint Chocolate Float with Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream and Peppermint Crumbles at Festival of Holidays
• S’mores Frozen Chocolate Milk at Festival of Holidays
• Snowflake Cotton Candy
• Snowflake inspired candy apples, cookies and cake pops galore!

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.