Trip Report Christmastime and Thanksgiving at Disneyland 2022 (Completed)

Hello everyone, it's been awhile since I did a trip report. Actually it was August of 2022. I admit I've been lazy but I haven't been absent from the parks. My husband (Brad) and I have taken quite a few trips together to WDW. I've taken some solo WDW trips, gone to Disneyland twice (once solo and once on a girls trip) and I had intentions of doing trip reports but it never happened. Oh and on some of those trips I have been able to meet up with a few magicians have have some fun. Some magician meet ups were planned and some of you kindly spotted me in the park and said hello.

So anyway, I feel it is finally time to add to the fun trip reports on here with one of my own again. And if I start this as a pre-trip report, the rest will follow. I am a completist.

So when: I leave in a couple hours. So November 22-28

Where: Disneyland!!!

Hotel: Best Western Park Place Inn (right across the street from Disneyland and so much cheaper than a Disneyland hotel)

Leaving from: Minneapolis/St. Paul (I live in Wisconsin)

Flying into: SNA (John Wayne airport) NOT LAX because I'm not crazy.

Who: me (Amy) and my husband (Brad)

Who we have to leave behind: our beloved schnauzers Kapono (she's 11) and our new puppy (obtained in August) Baxter (named after our favorite Imagineer)

The plan for tonight: Check out Downtown Disney. Brad wants to buy a Magic Band + to do the Bounty Hunter game and maybe a beer for me at Ballast Point. Tomorrow is a Disneyland day with lunch at Cafe Orleans, drinks at Trader Sam's and Ogas. We were going to do the Main Street tour with a visit to Walt's Apartment but after hearing reviews about it I cancelled it. We have been in the apartment before.

Thanksgiving Day we will be at DCA and checking out Festival of the Holidays. On Friday will be our Holiday Tour and Fantasmic. Other fun stuff breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen, World of Color dessert party, all the holiday stuff, and Brad's first time at Avenger's Campus.

Hope you enjoy the report, I'll try to post a few things while there and add more once we have returned.

Oh and if anyone reading is in Disneyland at this time and sees us please say hello!!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day Four November 26

We bought our Sip and savor pass for the Festival of the Holidays food booth.

We decided to wander through the Redwood Challenge trail and we bumped into Dale. We thought about meeting Santa but decided not to.

I like the holiday sweaters on the bears by the Grizzly River Rapids attraction.

I don't like the Grizzly River Rapids attraction, because I hate getting wet on rides, but it sure is pretty. Someday when I stay at the Grand Californian I will go on this attraction again because I would be able to change my clothes quickly.

And I like the "popcorn" in the trees in the Grizzly Peak area by Soarin'.

We cashed in our first Sip and Savor tabs for a pork belly dish and a southern style mac and cheese with andouille sausage. Both were tasty but we agreed it wouldn't be a get again.

We wandered around and went into the Animation Building and saw a little cavalcade.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day Four November 26

Our wanderings included another round on Webslingers, me showing my spidey skills, and us meeting Iron Man.

We got more Festival of the Holidays food and watched both shows of Phat Cat Swinger again.

I got another round of a different beer flight and we got the queso fundido with Impossible Chorizo, and believe me if we didn't know it wasn't real meat we wouldn't have known.

We got the pork equites (no sure on the spelling) mac and cheese, this was really good (we got another helping later)

Brad got another humming bird cocktail and we shared the sliders. One was ham and the other was beef. We were both wary of the cranberry stuff on the ham sliders but it was really tasty.

Another round of the mac and cheese and the hot cocoa macaron.

The merch wasn't great for the Festival of the Holidays and I thought about getting this mug but in the end I didn't like its design that much.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day Four November 26

After Phat Cat's second set we hopped over to Disneyland and used a lightning lane for Haunted Mansion and watched the fireworks. After the fireworks we wanted a Mickey Gingerbread from the Jolly Holiday Bakery but they were sold out for the day. So we got a cake pop and we realized we were super tired so we headed back to the hotel.

We took the cake pop back to the hotel and ate it there. It was nice to have a bit of an early night.

 

[MinnieM123]

Wow! You both experienced so many fun activities on your vacation. Food looks really good, too. (i like how you got to see some of the remaining Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations, etc., and those rolled into the Christmas ones.)

Enjoying all your photos!

 

[MickeyCB]

I love all of your various Christmas/Disney duds!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day five November 27

It was our last full day so we started the day at Disneyland! Again we slowly made our way down Main Street and made it to the front of the rope. Today we got to watch some Disneyland Ducks enjoy their stroll before all the people invaded their land. We headed to Fantasyland and rode Alice, Snow White, Mr. Toad, and the Casey Jr Train (we got the back of the Caboose). Then we made our way to Big Thunder Mt. and went over to Pirates.

Here's a fun little Pirate queue story for you... often at Disneyland's Pirates there are two line to enter but today there was just one. The line was backed up outside and we were behind a family that decided to take a picture under the marquee. They family was taking a little bit of time but it wasn't irritating to us but to the people behind us I guess it was. The two of them darted around the family as they were taking a picture to go ahead of them and us in the line. The two people only got in front of the family and us, really no time saved and totally rude. The family apologized to us for taking so long with their pictures but we reassured them that it didn't bother us, they explained that they wanted to take a picture to send to the mom's dad, I guess he was in poor health and that was his favorite attraction. We continued in the line for Pirates outside and the two people that had cut past us and the family kept giving us & the family evil looks. Really?! Anyway, we got to the point where another option for two lines to go into the building are but only one side is open so the line cutters and the family go into that line just as we are cut off again! But this time it is a cast member opening the second line! So we got to sail completely to the front of the line leaving the line cutters still in about a 8-10 minute wait! As we passed the line cutters Brad waved to them and said bye, which was probably a little unnecessary but funny. We felt bad for leaving the family in the longer line but B and I thought it was funny that if the line cutting couple hadn't cut they would have been in our spot.

After our Pirate adventure we went to Jungle Cruise and put in a mobile order for the Mint Julep Bar for some beignets which were ready to be picked up. They are good but messy! These were the seasonal maple ones, they were good but didn't have a ton of maple taste to them.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Wow! You both experienced so many fun activities on your vacation. Food looks really good, too. (i like how you got to see some of the remaining Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations, etc., and those rolled into the Christmas ones.)

Enjoying all your photos!

Thank you, the holidays are my favorite time to go to the Disney parks, it is so festive.

I love all of your various Christmas/Disney duds!

Thanks, both of us have too much Christmas attire.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day five November 27

After beignets we used a lightning land for Haunted Mansion Holiday and then headed to Galaxy's Edge. We used the single rider lane for Smuggler's Run and ended up riding together as engineers. After that I sat and relaxed and Brad played the Bounty Hunter game some more. I ended up seeing some characters roaming around as I waited.

A blurry picture of Jack and Zero, hard to get a good one with my iphone.

Chewbacca and Rey hiding from the Stormtroopers

Time for lunch. We mobile ordered corn dogs from the Red Wagon, they were delicious!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day five November 27

A few pictures from our time in Galaxy's Edge

After our lunch of corn dogs and chips it was time for dessert. We mobile ordered make your own sundaes from the Gibson Girl. I picked both seasonal flavors: peppermint and brown sugar (with cinnamon I think?) and I got hot fudge, peanuts and whip cream. Brad got chocolate and toffee (I think) with hot fudge and peanuts. There wasn't anywhere to sit at the Gibson Girl but the porch (where the underwear store used to be) was open and we sat on the benches there and enjoyed our ice cream. Brad fell asleep for a bit after his ice cream and I just enjoyed the view.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day Five November 27

We rode a few of the Main Street vehicles and caught a Dapper Dan Show. We were able to get a top front seat on the Omnibus on our journey back to the castle for our Buzz lightning lane. Then we wandered past the subs to go on small world again.

The stage was set up for Disneyland's Candlelight Processional which would be held the next weekend.

View from the Omnibus

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day five November 27

A few more pictures from small world holiday, just in case you haven't noticed I'm a bit obsessed with it. After small world it was only about 30 minutes until the 3pm parade. We thought we would walk the route and see if we saw any decent spots, it was really packed and then we noticed near small world there is a little shop/kiosk called Le Petit Chalet and there was a large empty area in front of it. We asked a cast member if the area was available for parade viewing and it was. It was in the sun, but that was going to go behind trees soon but that is why it probably empty. It turned out to be a great viewing spot for the parade. So more parade pictures

Right after I took this picture of the end of the parade elves a couple of bird dive bombed them and their reaction was super funny.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day five November 27

After the parade we made our way over to the little theater by the castle for the Beauty and the Beast play, the little shows there are always well done and have a little humor. Next was a trip on the Matterhorn, then we looked at some of the art for sale in the Disneyanna shop (I regret not buying the Chip and Dale picture), and caught another Dapper Dan show.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day five November 27

Dinner this evening was at Rancho del Zolcalo, I really like the red chile cheese enchiladas. B got the taco trio he was excited for the cauliflower ones but he said those were a bit disappointing. Then we took ride on the train, checked out the holiday shop and caught the fireworks on Main Street.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day five November 27

We wrapped up the day with a ride on the carousel and some popcorn while relaxing on Main Street. We wanted a gingerbread Mickey but they were sold out.
We enjoyed one last walk down the Christmasy Main Street, we waved goodbye to Walt and headed back to the hotel to finish some packing.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day six November 28

Today was our travel day home but we still had a little Disney left. We had breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel. In order to get there on time we had to walk around on Katella all around DCA to get there. But we were there a bit early and checked out the hotel decorations. Once we got checked in for Goofy's Kitchen we got our picture taken with Dale! Goofy wasn't up yet I guess. The character interaction was great (except we never got to meet Minnie, she came through our section when we were at the buffet) and the food was good too with a lot of variety.

 

[Loco_driver]

I’m leaning towards another fall trip if we can find reasonable air fare. I enjoyed the low crowds and nice weather. We’re pretty booked up on travel through summer, and will likely do a December trip to WDW, although DLR is looking good for the holidays too!

Update - it’s DLR in December for us! I totally blame you for that!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Update - it’s DLR in December for us! I totally blame you for that!

You'll love it! Just don't get your heart set on chocolate peanut butter snacks.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day six November 28.
A few more pictures from Goofy's Kitchen

Before leaving the Disneyland hotel I took a few pictures around the hotel including the wallpaper in the bathroom. I think it is pretty awesome for wallpaper.

Next to Goofy's Kitchen is the now closed Steakhouse 55 which was awesome and there are still some decorations to be seen in the entry/lounge area.

I believe this is Jack Wrather (the original owner of the Disneyland Hotel) with Walt.

Then we headed through Downtown Disney to look in a few shops before heading to the airport.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Day Six November 28

An interesting tribute to animators in the World of Disney

A view of the Esplanade

Decorations in Downtown Disney

A view of the lobby of the Best Western Park Place Inn

Our flight left around 12:30pm, the drive to the John Wayne SNA airport was short, check in was fast and we had a non-eventful wait for the plane. I was goofing around with the camera and took this bad dorky picture.

He really isn't happy to be leaving, I think I was making faces at him as people walked past us while boarding.

A Disneyland gingerbread cookie snack, not as good as the full Mickey shaped ones but still good.

Back home we got the dogs from my sister's house, we were flew into Minneapolis at a decent hour so we went and got them that night. They were happy to be home.

Baxter "enjoyed" his new Disneyland Christmas shirts through the rest of the season.

We had a lot of fun during our Disneyland trip and it was fantastic to see it again for the Christmas season. B and I are really torn next year if we want to go to WDW or Disneyland for Thanksgiving. As for our next trip I'm toying with a Disneyland solo trip over Easter but our next trip to a Disney park together will be Disneyland Paris. My niece's graduation gift from us (well mostly me) is a trip wherever she wants and she has picked France. It will be fun to go back. Hope you enjoyed my report and thanks for following along!

 

[k8einwdw]

Great report, Amy! Makes me miss DLR at Christmastime!