Wondering what special events may be happening during your visit to Disneyland Resort? Listed below are the major events and festivals taking place during the year.

On this page you'll also find any specials, deals and discounts available on entertainment, special activities and nightlife at Disneyland Resort, as well as how to save money on theme park tours.

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Special Events

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Easter

Disney does not offer an Easter parade or decorations in the parks. However, there is a buffet style Easter Brunch. The brunch is held at the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel.

For 2009, the cost is $83.02 for adults, $21.06 for kids (3-11), including tax and gratuity. Premium and Deluxe Annual Passholder discounts are available. Participants receive 4 hours of complimentary valet parking at the Disneyland Hotel.

Call (714) 781-DINE (3463) for information and reservations.

Disney's California Food and Wine Weekends

During Disney's Food and Wine Weekends at Disney's California Adventure, guests can sample "tastes" of various California food and wine specialties. You can enjoy FREE culinary demonstations from celebrity chefs, partake in beer, wine, and spirits tasting seminars with brewmasters and sommeliers, and participate in educational and lifestyle seminars.

There is also Festival-inspired dining at Wine Country Trattoria, Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Pacific Wharf Café, Farmer's Market, Award Wieners and Taste Pilots' Grill. Expertly paired wines and beer are available.

In addition, you can register for separately-ticketed cooking and wine tasting events. These Signature Events include celebrity chef dinners, winemaker dinners, cooking classes, and other events geared to please everyone from the novice to the gourmand.

In 2009, the California Food and Wine weekends will take place every day from April 24 to June 7 at Disney's California Adventure. Admission to the complimentary events is included in your Disney's California Adventure park admission.

Tickets for 2009 Signature Events went on sale February 24 at 10:00 am PST.

Mother's Day

A special buffet meal is available each Mother's Day at the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.

For 2009, the event features Cinderella and Princess Friends. Cost is $83.02 for adults, $21.06 for kids (3-11), including tax and gratuity. Premium and Deluxe Annual Passholder discounts are available. Participants receive 4 hours of complimentary valet parking at the Disneyland Hotel.

Call (714) 956-6413 for information and reservations.

July 4

Disneyland offers a special fireworks show every year on July 4. These festivities are included in regular park admission.

Disneyland Half Marathon

The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend has been affectionately dubbed “The Happiest Race on Earth.’’ Participants run, jog or walk a course unlike any other half-marathon on the West Coast. The 13.1-mile route takes runners through the two Disneyland Resort theme parks while colorful Disney characters and festive music inspire them along the way.

In 2009, the Half Marathon Weekend will be September 4-6.

For more information, including online registration, click here.

Disney’s HalloweenTime

Disney’s HalloweenTime will be offered at the Disneyland Resort in 2009 from September 25 through November 1.

This period of time offers a lively mix of Disney characters in seasonal costumes, whimsical décor, decked-out attractions, themed shows and tasty treats designed with the whole family in mind.

New for 2009: Space Mountain will have a Halloween overlay (the "Ghost Galaxy” overlay first introduced at Hong Kong Disneyland) and there will be a new Halloween-themed fireworks display.

The Sunshine Plaza in California Adventure is the site of “Candy Corn Acres,” where Mickey Mouse’s pal Goofy sets out to grow the West’s biggest and most unusual candy corn: candy corn coconuts, candy corn carrots and candy corn pumpkins, among other delicious produce offerings. The Plaza is overgrown with the “fruits” of Goofy’s labor.

During regular park hours at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, Disney’s HalloweenTime offers parents and children lots of not-so-scary fun. HalloweenTime experiences include special Halloween shows, meet-and-greets with Disneyland characters in their Halloween costumes and spooky-silly holiday themed decorations which guests begin to spot as soon as they reach the entrances to the parks.

Jack-o’-lantern creations resembling Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy adorn the top of the Main Entrance to Disneyland. Across the Esplanade, at the entrance to Disney’s California Adventure, guests see the iconic 11-foot-tall CALIFORNIA letters transformed into giant pieces of candy corn.

Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland is decked out for the Main Street Pumpkin Festival. Guests are greeted there by Miss Cobbler, Queen of the Pumpkin Festival, and Constable Jackie O’Leary. More than 300 jack-o’-lanterns peek out of shop windows, while festive orange and yellow bunting graces the quaint Victorian buildings. The whimsical 12-foot tall Mickey Mouse jack-o’-lantern, complete with pumpkin ears, returns to highlight Town Square, smiling at guests as they enter Main Street and giving them a playful wink when they depart.

The Central Plaza of Disneyland, near Sleeping Beauty Castle, is specially decorated with Disney character-inspired jack-o’-lanterns surrounding the famous “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Additionally, the Disney characters themselves get into the “spirit” of the occasion, wearing their favorite Halloween costumes, while meeting and greeting guests.

Favorite Disney villains, including Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians, the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Captain Hook from Peter Pan and others, roam both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure for HalloweenTime meet-and-greets with park guests.

Throughout the Disneyland Resort during Disney’s HalloweenTime, families can enjoy unique Halloween-themed food items and merchandise.

And no Halloween celebration at Disneyland would be complete without the return of Jack Skellington and his friends to transform the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square into the popular seasonal “Haunted Mansion Holiday.” Inspired by the innovative animated film Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas, “Haunted Mansion Holiday” depicts the holiday mayhem that occurs when Halloween and Christmas traditions collide.

Also offered is Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party, a separately ticketed night time event which gives kids and their families the opportunity to dress in their Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat throughout Disney’s California Adventure after it has closed to day guests. HalloweenTreat offers tricksters of all ages treat locations along with fun character encounters (including an all-new nightly cavalcade), interactive games, and spirited music with DJ Mickey. Older kids and parents will want to experience the heart-dropping Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and meet the hotel’s ghostly staff members who materialize only during the Halloween season.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

For the 2009 season, "Haunted Mansion Holiday" is expected to be offered September 25 through January 3.

The holiday-enhanced version of the attraction is a madcap celebration where the traditions of Halloween and Christmas collide. The ghoulish but well-meaning Jack Skellington from the film Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" comes to the Haunted Mansion to transform it with his skewed vision of the holidays.

Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure

Enjoy a special Halloween treat at this frightfully fun event, held after hours in Disney's California Adventure! This "spirited" evening party includes:

• Amazing attractions to get you spinning, looping and free-falling!

• Lively music to boogie your bones!

• Special treat stations where you can scare up some goodies!

• Creepy crafts and activities for some frightful fun!

• A nightly Character cavalcade.

• Plus, lots more spook-tacular entertainment for little boys and ghouls!

About Costumes:

All event attendees — including adults — may dress in their favorite Halloween costume and must follow these and other guidelines as determined solely by Disney:

• Costumes should be child-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive or violent.
• Guests may wear masks. However, masks must not obstuct vision and eyes must be visible at all times.
• Guests that dress like Disney Characters may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other guests.
• Costumes should not drag on the ground.
• Costumes should not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another guest.
• Costumes should not contain any weapons which resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
• Guests of all ages may only wear costumes to the Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party to which they have valid tickets.

During normal Park operating hours, costumes are only permitted for guests ages 9 and younger.

Guests that do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into the event unless their costume can be modified to meet the above standards.

2009 Event Dates:

• October October 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31 from 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm

2009 Event Times:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Friday and Halloween Night: 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

Ticket Prices:

• Advance purchase for the general public: $32 for October 9, 16, 23, 29. (No advance purchase price for other dates.) Tickets can be purchased at disneyland.com.

• Advance purchase for Disneyland Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Rewards Visa cardholders: $29 for October 2, 8, 15, 21, 22, 28. (No advance purchase price for other dates.) Tickets can be purchased on the Passholder web site or by calling (714) 781-4400.

• Day of event: $39 if purchased and used on these dates: October 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29;
  $42 if purchased and used on these dates: October 30 and 31.

Limit 8 tickets per guest, per event date. Each ticket is valid for admission to the event and parking for one vehicle (larger vehicles may require an additional fee) on the specified event date. Tickets are not valid for theme park admission prior to the hours of the event.

2009 Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party tickets went on sale to Disneyland Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Rewards Visa cardholders on 5/15/09.

CHOC Walk

This annual charity walk at Disneyland is a fundraiser for Children's Hospital Orange County (CHOC). The walk passes through Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, followed by festivities in Downtown Disney. The 2009 event will be held on October 18. For details, click here.

Disneyland Celebrates the Holiday Season (Overview)

Each year Disneyland Resort undergoes a Christmas holiday transformation. For 2009 the holidays will most likely be celebrated from November 20, 2009 - January 3, 2010.

The decorations usually start going up during the week of Veteran's Day (November 11). By November 20 all of the decorations should be up and guests can enjoy a nightly holiday fireworks spectacular. During the holidays, "Believe" concludes with a magical snowfall down Main Street, U.S.A., Small World Mall and New Orleans Square.

Disneyland's annual holiday parade will probably also begin around November 20. This ever-popular procession depicts an enchanting collection of holiday scenes, music and a cast of Disney characters and performers in Yuletide vignettes.

Disney's California Adventure (DCA) celebrates the season with enhanced park-wide decorations and expanded entertainment offerings. Sunshine Plaza becomes "Santa's Beach Blast," where Disney characters playfully blend classic holiday images with the California beach lifestyle.

Thanksgiving

Disney does not offer a Thanksgiving parade or decorations in the parks. However, the Christmas decorations are in place by Thanksgiving weekend and the Christmas Holiday events begin no later than that weekend.

In addition, there are usually special buffet meals available on Thanksgiving. Information and reservations usually become available about 60 days in advance. I will post information here when it becomes available.

Call (714) 781-DINE (3463) for information and reservations.

Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional is an annual event on Main Street that includes a celebrity narrator presenting the Biblical Christmas story, plus a large choir and an orchestra performing traditional carols.

In 2009 the Candlelight Processional will be held December 5 and 6. If it is offered using the same schedule as previous years, there will be two performances each night, at 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm.

In previous years, preferred seating was available if you purchased a special dining package that required you to spend a designated amount at one of the resort restaurants on the night of the event, after which you were given your tickets to the Processional. This has been discontinued for 2009.

MouseSavers reader Laura C writes: "There is limited seating in the town square in front of the train station. Those seats are reserved for VIP's... However, there is plenty of room to stand and watch behind the seating. Still very enjoyable and didn't cost us an extra dime. Hint: If you get there early enough you can stand on the porch of guest services and see right over the heads of everyone - awesome spot."

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

In addition to the special parade, "snow" experience and fireworks at Disneyland, there are usually special buffet meals available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Information and reservations usually become available about 60 days in advance.

Call (714) 781-DINE (3463) for information and reservations.

New Year's Eve & New Year's Day

Disneyland stays open late on New Year's Eve and offers extra entertainment, usually including live performances, an extra parade and fireworks. These festivities are included in regular park admission.

Entertainment, Special Activities & Nightlife

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ESPN Zone

ESPN Zone, located in Downtown Disney, is a sports dining and entertainment location offering more than 150 monitors, including a high-definition big screen. The restaurant offers American grill food, plus there is more than 10,000 square feet of interactive games and attractions.

• Join the ESPN Zone MVP Club online for FREE and get these bonuses:
  
  
  • Priority seating
  • 40-point MVP game card for use in the Sports Arena, plus every time you recharge your MVP game card you will receive 25% bonus gameplay points
  • Three-month trial subscription to ESPN The Magazine
  • 60-day ESPN Insider trial
  • Email updates about special offers, discounts and upcoming events at ESPN Zone

BEFORE you sign up, be sure to read all of the redemption procedures in order to maximize the membership. You should not sign up more than 30 days in advance, for instance, because you will receive your "perks" by printing out an e-mail they will send you and presenting it at ESPN Zone. That e-mail is only good for 30 days.

• The 2010 Orange County, CA Entertainment Book contains a coupon that doubles your points when you purchase any game card in the Sport Arena for any amount. Expires 11/1/10.

• Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2010 includes a coupon for a 60 Bonus Points ($15 value) when you purchase a $20 game card at ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney, valid 1/1/10-12/31/10.

Movies in Downtown Disney

There is an AMC 12-plex movie theater, the AMC Downtown Disney 12, in Downtown Disney where you can take advantage of various AMC specials.

• You can sign up for the AMC Moviewatcher Club for free, and get points for each visit to an AMC theater. The points can be used for various benefits, including free concessions and tickets.

• The 2010 Orange County, CA Entertainment Book offers 12 coupons for AMC, each of which allows you to purchase admission for $7.50. Valid for Special Engagements. Expires 12/31/10.

Fantasmic! Premium Seating With Dessert

The wonderful Disneyland show Fantasmic! is included in your theme park admission and is shown every night in the summer, and on weekends during parts of the winter. In low season it may not be offered. You can stand with the crowds and watch it for no extra cost. But if you want to watch Fantasmic! with the best possible view and comfortable seating (and enjoy yummy desserts at the same time), you may want to consider booking Fantasmic! Premium Seating.

Fantasmic! Premium Seating includes a reserved seat in a private area near the Haunted Mansion. There are about 60 seats in the Premium Seating area. You will also enjoy a fabulous dessert and drinks such as water, coffee, soda and iced tea (plus hot chocolate in the winter). If you book Premium Seating for the first performance of Fantasmic! offered that evening, you will also be allowed to keep your seat for the fireworks.

This is strictly a luxury experience and very costly. Reserved seating for Fantasmic! is $59 per adult, $49 per child.

To get reserved seating for Fantasmic! you MUST call one month before the day you plan to attend. (It usually sells out within minutes.) Be on the phone to (714) 781-4400 at 8:00 am (PST). They will give you a confirmation number. On the day of your reservation, you will need to bring that confirmation number, the credit card used to purchase the tickets, and photo ID.

Electric Light Parade Premium Seating With Dessert

The Electric Light Parade is included in your theme park admission at Disney's California Adventure on select nights (especially summer and other peak seasons). In low season it may not be offered. You can stand with the crowds and watch it for no extra cost. But if you want to watch the parade with the best possible view and comfortable seating (and enjoy some wine and yummy desserts at the same time), you may want to consider booking Electric Light Parade Premium Seating.

Electric Light Parade Premium Seating includes a reserved seat in a private area near Wine Country Trattoria. You will also enjoy a fabulous dessert and a glass of wine per adult. Additional drinks such as water, coffee, soda and iced tea are also available.

This is strictly a luxury experience and very costly. Reserved seating for the Electric Light Parade is $59 per adult, $49 per child.

To get reserved seating for the Electric Light Parade it is recommended that you call (714) 781-4400 up to one month before the day you plan to attend. They will give you a confirmation number. On the day of your reservation, you will need to bring that confirmation number, the credit card used to purchase the tickets, and photo ID.

According to MouseSavers.com reader Bob M, it is sometimes possible to purchase the Electric Light Parade Premium Seating on the same day. He was able to secure seats for his party of four at the last minute in July 2008. Worth a try, particularly since the same package at Disneyland (for Fantasmic! viewing) is constantly sold out.

Theme Park Tours

From time to time, Disneyland offers special discounts to Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa cardholders and AAA members on various park tours. Reserve a tour up to 30 days in advance by calling (714) 781-4400, or stop by City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A.

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Welcome to Disneyland Tour

This two-and-a-half-hour journey is ideal for first-timers to the Disneyland Resort. It provides tips and suggestions to make the most of your visit, plus you'll learn fun facts and trivia. The tour includes both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Participants receive priority seating at a stage show or a parade and a reservation at one dining location for any day of your stay (selected locations). You'll also receive two FASTPASSes to use after the tour, and a sweet treat. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tour is limited to 20 people. Park admission is required.

Regular price for this tour is $25 per person (all ages).

		AAA members receive 20% off the regular price of this tour, with a valid AAA membership card. Disney Rewards Visa cardholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour. You must use a valid Disney Rewards Visa card to purchase the tour.

A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps Tour

Experience Disneyland from its founder’s perspective. Highlights of the three-and-a-half hour tour include a sneak peek of the lobby of the legendary Club 33 restaurant in New Orleans Square, a trip on the Disneyland Railroad, a visit to Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room (the first attraction at Disneyland featuring Audio-Animatronics), a collectible trading pin, and a private lunch on Main Street, U.S.A.

The Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour is not recommended for young children. (Most kids and young teens would find it boring.) Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tour is limited to 15 people. Park admission is required.

Regular price for this tour is $59 per person (all ages).

		AAA members receive 20% off the regular price of this tour, with a valid AAA membership card. Disney Rewards Visa cardholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour. You must use a valid Disney Rewards Visa card to purchase the tour. Disneyland Annual Passholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour.

Discover the Magic Tour

During this three-hour tour, guests follow musical clues on a scavenger hunt to solve mysteries, hunt for hidden treasure, learn how to outsmart Disney villains and save the day by helping out everyone's pal, Mickey Mouse. The "Discover the Magic" tour breaks the mold of conventional tours where guests follow a guide who shares information. With this new experience, kids and their parents are put right in the action. The tour includes lunch and a special gift. You'll have quick visits with a couple of Disney characters along the way.

The Discover the Magic Tour is recommended for families with children ages 5-9. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tour is limited to 20 people. Park admission is required.

Regular price for the first two guests is $59 per person (two person minimum). Regular price for any additional guests in the same party is $49 per person.

		AAA members receive 20% off the regular price of this tour, with a valid AAA membership card. Disney Rewards Visa cardholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour. You must use a valid Disney Rewards Visa card to purchase the tour. Disneyland Annual Passholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour.

Cruizin' Disney's California Adventure Tour

This three-hour tour circles DCA on a Segway before the park opens to the public. You'll receive instruction on how to operate the Segway, complete an obstacle course, and then travel as a group around the park. Participants receive a collectible gift, souvenir photo and continental breakfast. Participants must weigh between 100 and 250 lbs and be at least 16 years old. Parent/guardian signature required for guests who are at least 16 but under 18. All participants are required to sign a liability waiver. Tour is limited to 12 people and requires a minimum of 2 people to operate. Park admission is required.

Regular price is $99 per person.

		AAA members receive 20% off the regular price of this tour, with a valid AAA membership card. Disneyland Annual Passholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour.

Happiest Haunts Tour

This seasonal Halloween-themed walking tour covers both parks, with rides on Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It ends with a reserved viewing area for the new Halloween Screams fireworks show. You'll also receive a souvenir keepsake and Halloween treat. Available for all ages, but guests must meet height requirements to experience the included attractions.

Regular price is $64 per person.

		AAA members receive 20% off the regular price of this tour, with a valid AAA membership card. Disney Rewards Visa cardholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour, when they pay with the card. Disneyland Deluxe & Premium Annual Passholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour.

Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour

This seasonal Holiday-themed tour includes information about Disneyland holiday traditions and decorations, VIP seating at the Christmas Fantasy Parade or the fireworks (depending on time of day you take the tour) and a sweet treat, plus a visit to Haunted Mansion Holiday and "it's a small world holiday".

Regular price is $59 per person.

		Disneyland Annual Passholders receive 20% off the regular price of this tour.

VIP Tour

Disneyland VIP Tours are private tours just for your group. You'll be led around by a Host or Hostess who will tailor the tour to your interests. They can usually assist you in experiencing the attractions with minimal waits (you don't skip the lines, but they know which rides will have the shortest lines at which times).

VIP Tour participants may ride the Lilly Belle (Disneyland Railroad's private train car), which is a privilege not available to the general public. As a part of booking the VIP Tour, you may have them set up priority seating for various shows and parades.

The cost is $125 per hour for up to 10 guests ($150/hr if booked less than 48 hours in advance) and there is a 6-hour minimum. There are no discounts on the VIP Tours.

You can arrange a VIP Tour by calling Disney Special Activities at (714) 300-7710. Unlike the other tours, VIP Tours can be booked months in advance.

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