Disneyland is one of my all-time favorite places to photograph. I don’t know how Disney could be any more charming but there is something really special there during the holidays. All the decorations, shows, fireworks and food make for endless photo opportunities. The holiday magic is at Disneyland now through January 6, 2013! Disneyland invited my family to spend the day at the parks and we were ecstatic! Here are my favorite Disneyland photo spots during the holidays.
1) Main Street, U.S.A. is the gateway to the park and you must get a photo in front of the beautiful, 60-foot-tall Christmas tree during this holiday season. So many families, couples and friends gathered around this grand tree to capture a memory!
2) What’s the most photographed spot in Disneyland? I’d have to say the Partners statue at the Hub of Disneyland. Stand back to get your family or friends with Walt and Mickey. Included is the Sleeping Beauty’s castle as a backdrop. A beautiful image to take home any time of the year.
3) The iconic Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle is the staple of photographs at Disney. Ask a fellow guest to take your families picture or have a PhotoPass photographer take one. Say cheese! The castle really shines at night and is stunning with it’s Winter decorations. My cell phone did a nice job at capturing her beauty.
4) Save your spot for the “A Christmas Fantasy Parade”. This is your time to take action shots of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and their Disney pals! We had an elevated view since we snagged spots at the The Main Street Train Station. I was able to step back and get some pictures of my daughter as she waved to Santa! Don’t miss out on shots of Minnie and Mickey ice skating!
5) “it’s a small world” is transformed into a wintery wonderland! The exterior has 300,000 glittering lights and many of the dolls are dressed in their holiday best! Photos galore! My iPhone did a fantastic job capturing images of the facade as well as the interior decor! I have sentimental attachment to this ride. My mom and I loved picking out the different nations represented on the ride and now I get to that with my daughter!
6) The Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Big Thunder Ranch, Frontierland is where you can get your photo with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick! Guests can have their photos taken by staff or you can take your own photos! I love that your not obligated to buy the photos. There’s also fun arts and crafts for the family. Photograph your kiddos decorating a gingerbread man or take some live photos of the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies performances.
7) Jack Skellington has taken over The Haunted Mansion! A concoction of Halloween and Christmas, Jack is celebrating the holidays in his ghoulish way! Try to get photos of Jack in the elevator and capture him at the end of the ride. He’s quick and it’s a challenge!
8) Disneyland is one of the few places where candy is still made the old fashioned way, by hand! Guests can watch candy makers create candy canes and other holiday treats. We went to Honey Spot located in Critter Country. We caught a candy maker creating Snowman Marshallow Wands! Three marshmallows on a stick, dipped in caramel and then white chocolate. The snowman wears a candy scarf with chocolate chip eyes and is topped off with a Mickey Mouse hat! Candy stores are the best place for photos. Take close-ups of the various treats or of the candy makers themselves. They’ll be happy to pose for your photo!
9) Shopping at the Emporium is dangerous! The store is packed with fantastic Disney merchandise. I snapped a few photos of the stuffed animals. My favorites are the black and white plush. I love Mickey Mouse as Jack Skellington Plush Doll and the Yoda Santa!
10) End your day by taking in the the holiday fireworks. “Believe…in Holiday Magic” is a show stopper! In Holiday Magic features a spectacular fireworks display. What a wonderful ending to your day. Plus guests are treated to snowfall! And who says it doesn’t snow in California. 😉
Tips! Make a photo book of your visit! This would make the perfect memento of your day(s). BUT, don’t forget to be in some of the pictures. Make sure to come from behind the camera so you can take part of the moment. I’m the family photographer and I’m hardly in any photos! I make it a point to have my husband take photos of me. Pictures are a wonderful keepsake but there’s nothing like experiencing the joy of Disney first hand.
Visit www.Disneyland.com for all the info you need to plan your visit!! – That’s IT Mom, Tee
View my gallery of photos!
* We did not receive monetary compensation for this review. Tee was invited to attend a Blogger event to learn about what Disneyland Resorts had in store for the holidays. This will in no way sway our opinion of the product or service.
The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ. All photos were taken by Tee Burgess, That’s IT Mommy
13 comments
Love all of your pictures! I wish I was able to visit Disneyland during this holiday season, it looks so festive! These pictures are getting me into the holiday spirit! Great tip on getting out from behind the camera! I need to do that more!
I’ve been to Disneyland a couple of times but from the photos it seems the holidays would be the best time if year to visit!! Just gorgeous!! The castle is beautiful year round but light up at the holidays really looks like an ice castle!! Just gorgeous!!
Amazing photos! Disney never ceases to amaze me.
going to disneyland at christmas time looks amazing!! i hope to get a chance to check it out!
WOW! I love how It’s A Small World looks all lit up for the holidays! The treats look so cute – I’m always amazed at how Disney can put their stamp on everything they do. It’s a magical place any time of year, but all decorated, it’s even better!
I love Disney year round but Christmas is my favorite, too! We were just there a couple of weeks ago and went on the transformed Haunted Mansion ride (into the Nightmare Before Christmas). Disney definitely goes all out for the holidays!
Sorry we didn’t meet at the blogger event – not sure how we missed that opportunity! Your pictures are wonderful.
Your girl looks adorable with the fists! Wish we were going this Holiday, love Disneyland in December!
This is beautiful! I would love to experience Disneyland during the holidays!
Love, love the idea of taking photos of the candy making. On top of it being so colorful, I always seem to get the most natural smiles from my kids when they are happily surrounded by sugar 🙂 Great pictures!
So great seeing you at the event!! Wish you lived closer so we could spend more time together!!
You had me at snowman marshmallow.
I love your pictures. For me, Christmas at Disneyland is the best time of the year. I cannot wait to take my kids and enjoy the holidays with them at Disneyland.