Last updated on September 28th, 2026 at 07:54 am
How do you get one of Disneyland’s famous handmade candy canes? These oversized holiday treats are only made on select dates each year at Disneyland Resort, and quantities are extremely limited.
Disneyland has not announced the official 2026 candy cane dates or purchasing process yet. Those details typically arrive much closer to the holiday season, so I’ll update this guide as soon as Disney releases them.
In the meantime, I’ve included the complete 2025 schedule and process below so you know what this Disneyland holiday tradition usually looks like—and what you’ll want to be prepared for if getting a candy cane is on your Christmas wish list.
This article was originally published in 2017 and is updated annually for Disneyland candy cane season.
Disneyland Candy Canes 2026: Quick Guide
- 2026 Dates: Not announced yet. I’ll update this page as soon as Disneyland releases them.
- Where They’re Sold: Candy Palace at Disneyland Park and Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure.
- How Often: Candy canes are made only on select dates during the holiday season, not every day.
- 2025 Process: Disneyland used a wristband system rather than a virtual queue.
- Price: Expect approximately $25 for one oversized handmade candy cane based on recent years. Final 2026 pricing has not been announced.
- Best Advice: If getting a candy cane is important to you, arrive at the park gates before opening and follow Cast Member directions as soon as you enter.
Disneyland Candy Cane Dates 2026
Disneyland has not announced the official 2026 candy cane dates yet. Unlike most Disneyland holiday food, these handmade candy canes are made fresh and in extremely limited quantities on just a handful of dates during the season.
Dates are generally announced much closer to candy cane season, so don’t worry if you’re planning a December Disneyland trip and don’t see the schedule yet. I will update the chart below as soon as Disneyland releases the official 2026 dates.
If your Disneyland trip dates are flexible and getting a candy cane is a priority, bookmark this page and check back once the official schedule is released.
You can also use my Disneyland Holidays guide to plan the rest of your seasonal visit.
2025 Disneyland Candy Cane Dates
While we wait for 2026 dates, here’s exactly what Disneyland did last year. These are the 2025 dates for reference only, not predicted dates for 2026.
In 2025, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure essentially alternated candy cane production days from late November through Christmas Day.
In 2025, Disneyland Park distributed candy cane wristbands at Candy Palace, while Disney California Adventure used the same wristband process at Trolley Treats.
Where Can You Buy Disneyland Candy Canes?
Disneyland’s handmade candy canes have traditionally been made and sold at two locations:
- Candy Palace on Main Street, U.S.A. inside Disneyland Park.
- Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street inside Disney California Adventure.
You need valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the park you’re visiting that day. These candy canes are not something you can simply pick up in Downtown Disney or at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels.
How Much Are Disneyland Candy Canes?
Disneyland has not announced the 2026 candy cane price yet. In recent years these oversized, handmade treats have cost around $25 each.
Yes, that’s a sticky price point for a candy cane. But we’re talking about an approximately 18-inch hand-pulled candy cane produced in very limited quantities, and plenty of people don’t even flinch before lining up for one.
If spending around $25 on one peppermint stick isn’t your idea of holiday magic, I get it. I’ve covered plenty of other Disneyland holiday desserts and treats here.
But seriously, how do they get away with charging so much for a candy cane? It’s all in the limited quantities, handmade process, tradition and hype—and I expect nothing less.
How Do I Get a Disneyland Candy Cane?
Okay, so you’re up for the hype, you’re down to pay the cash—now how do you actually get a Disneyland candy cane?
The exact 2026 purchasing process has not been announced yet. Disneyland has changed the process over the years, including using mobile waitlists in some seasons and wristbands in others. That’s why I don’t recommend relying on instructions from an old TikTok or blog post when your trip arrives.
In 2025, Disneyland used a wristband system. Based on that process, here’s what getting a candy cane looked like:
How the 2025 Candy Cane Process Worked
- Arrive early. I recommend being at the Disneyland gates about 30 minutes before the published park opening time.
- Head toward the designated candy cane area after entering. At Disneyland this was Candy Palace; at California Adventure it was Trolley Treats.
- Follow Cast Member directions. Candy cane procedures and lines can change, so don’t assume the line starts exactly where it did during a previous visit.
- Get your wristband. In 2025, the wristband entitled you to return later that day for the opportunity to purchase one candy cane.
- Return at your assigned time. Don’t miss the return window. Unclaimed candy canes may eventually be offered to other guests, subject to availability.
My best advice: arrive early and be flexible. If Disney keeps a similar system for 2026, you’ll want to know where you’re heading as soon as you enter the park rather than trying to figure everything out after Rope Drop.
Read my Disneyland parking tips and Disneyland security tips so you’re not wasting valuable time before you even reach the park gates.
How Early Should I Arrive for a Disneyland Candy Cane?
If getting one of these candy canes is a priority, I recommend lining up at the park gates about 45-30 minutes before the published opening time.
That’s actually my normal Disneyland recommendation during the holidays whether you’re chasing a candy cane or not. Being at the gates early gives you a much better start to the day and keeps you from arriving after the first rush of candy cane hopefuls.
I wouldn’t show up hours before park opening unless Disneyland specifically announces a procedure that makes that necessary. The system has become much more organized over the years.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Disneyland Candy Cane?
You may have seen headlines over the years about people waiting hours for Disneyland candy canes. Long waits certainly can happen, but the process has become much more organized than the old-fashioned stand-in-line-until-you-get-one method.
When I sent my friend to be my boots on the ground for this article, her experience was quick, simple and efficient. She spent no more time getting into the initial candy cane line than she might have spent stopping for a few photos after entering the park.
When she returned at her designated time to purchase the candy cane, only a small group of people were returning at the same time, which made the purchase process move quickly.
Your experience can vary based on the date, crowds and whatever process Disney uses that year, but the important thing is that you shouldn’t assume securing a candy cane means standing in one line all morning.
How Do I Keep My Disneyland Candy Cane From Breaking?
Once you’ve done all that work to get one, treat your candy cane like precious cargo. These oversized candy canes are delicate, and replacements shouldn’t be expected if yours breaks after purchase.
Your candy cane is typically protected for transport, but I still recommend using a Disneyland locker rather than carrying it around on rides all day.
If you’re flying home, think ahead about how you’re going to transport it before buying one. An 18-inch candy cane isn’t exactly the easiest Disneyland souvenir to toss into a backpack.
Why Are Disneyland Candy Canes So Popular?
What is the big deal about the Disneyland candy canes? I’ve been asking myself the same thing since I started covering Disneyland Resort in 2013.
Part of it is scarcity. Disneyland makes only a limited number, they’re available on select dates, and there’s a whole ritual involved in actually getting one.
But there’s also plenty of Disneyland history behind them.
Disneyland’s handmade candy cane tradition dates back to 1968. Candy makers mix, pull, roll and twist the candy by hand, creating the giant red-and-white striped candy canes that have become a holiday tradition for generations of Disneyland guests.
The finished candy canes are about 18 inches long, which certainly helps explain why these aren’t your average grocery-store candy cane.
Are Disneyland Candy Canes Good?
This one is obviously a matter of opinion—and I think that hefty price tag tends to factor into people’s verdict.
Fans swear by the traditional hand-pulled texture and peppermint flavor, while other people are perfectly happy admiring them from a distance and spending their holiday food budget somewhere else.
Here’s what my readers have to say about Disneyland candy canes.
One thing is certain: they’re beautiful works of edible art and one of those uniquely Disneyland holiday traditions that people love building into their trips.
Disneyland Candy Cane FAQ
When are Disneyland candy cane dates announced?
Disneyland usually releases candy cane dates much closer to the holiday season. The 2026 dates have not been announced yet, and I’ll update this guide as soon as they are available.
Does Disneyland make candy canes every day?
No. Disneyland’s handmade candy canes are produced only on select dates during the holiday season and quantities are limited.
Where are Disneyland candy canes sold?
Disneyland candy canes have traditionally been sold at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen inside Disneyland Park and Trolley Treats inside Disney California Adventure.
Do I need a park ticket to buy a Disneyland candy cane?
Yes. Both traditional candy cane locations are located inside the theme parks, so you’ll need valid admission and a park reservation for the park you’re visiting.
Can I mobile order a Disneyland candy cane?
These limited handmade candy canes have traditionally required a special purchasing process rather than regular mobile food ordering. Disneyland has not yet announced the 2026 process, so check this guide again before your trip.
How much is a Disneyland candy cane?
Disneyland has not announced 2026 pricing yet. Recent candy canes have cost around $25 each.
How big are Disneyland candy canes?
Disneyland’s famous handmade holiday candy canes are approximately 18 inches long.
Are Disneyland candy canes handmade?
Yes. Disneyland candy makers use a traditional process that includes mixing, hand-pulling, rolling and twisting the candy into its signature red-and-white striped shape.
Can I buy more than one Disneyland candy cane?
Disney limits purchases because quantities are extremely small. The exact purchase limit can change, so check the current year’s rules before relying on a previous season’s limit.
Plan Your Disneyland Holiday Trip
If chasing down a giant peppermint candy cane is only one part of your Christmas plans, start with my Disneyland Holidays guide for seasonal rides, entertainment, Santa, food and everything else happening around the resort.
And if the 2026 candy cane dates line up with your trip, come back here before you go. I’ll update this guide with the confirmed dates, price and purchasing procedure as soon as Disneyland announces them.
when are nuttles available during holiday season
Hi Alice, I don’t follow those as closely but I’ll see if I can find an answer! If you find it before me, I’d love to know as well.