The calendar says November 2, but it’s already Christmas at most of the stores at Disneyland. Last week, we even heard Christmas music playing in World of Disney several days before Halloween! With the spooky season officially in the rearview mirror, we’re turning our attention squarely on the holidays.
We also have unfortunate news about more Disney layoffs, some interesting stats about last year’s theme park attendance, and details about the newly-opened Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree patio and upcoming Bountiful Valley Brews.
But before we get into all that, we have updated candy cane info, so if you’re hoping to snag one of Disneyland’s famous holiday treats, take note!
Candy Cane Update
Disneyland’s candy canes are legendary. Fans queue up early for a chance to take home a single hook-shaped sweet. But Disney made a mistake on the postcards they handed out to guests the week before last, and we and others widely shared the information so fans could start planning their acquisition of the beloved treats. The cards were eventually pulled, and we are happy to share the actual distribution dates for 2026. The Trolley Treats dates did not change, but Candy Palace had two incorrect dates. We’ve created two graphics to help you plan your visit.
Candy Palace & Candy Kitchen in Disneyland
- November 27 and 30
- December 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, and 25
Trolley Treats in California Adventure
- November 28 and 29
- December 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, and 24
Please note that candy canes are only available inside the theme parks, so you’ll need a ticket and reservation (no Downtown Disney or hotel locations will have them).
To learn everything there is to know about these famous holiday confections, read our guide here:
UPDATED: Disneyland Candy Cane Guide 2026 – When & Where to Find Them!
And now onto the news…
More Alarming Layoffs
The ongoing layoffs at Disney have finally struck the company’s heart: Disney Experiences.
It’s being reported that the theme parks division laid off between 100 and 200 people from the theme parks, cruise line, and Aulani in Hawaii. But it also included Walt Disney Imagineering. This latest round of layoffs is being attributed to an evaluation of “priorities, investments and project timelines,” but that explanation is notable because the experiences division accounted for more than 56% of the company’s total operating income in 2025.
In addition, Disney currently has an unprecedented number of experiences-related projects currently in the works, including the Avengers Campus expansion, new Coco-themed attraction, and Tomorrowland reimagination at Disneyland, along with Monstropolis, the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park, Villains Land, and Tropical Americas expansion in Orlando. In addition, the first-ever Lion King-themed land is in development at Disneyland Paris and an entire theme park is in development for Abu Dhabi.
And that’s not even including Disney Believe, which sets sail on her maiden voyage in 2027, Disney Imagination debuting in 2029, and the three additional new ships promised by 2031.
Disney has already cut hundreds of jobs and offered early retirement packages to older executives (an offer that conspicuously did not apply to the Experiences division). Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro claims reducing Disney’s workforce will make the company more nimble in the changing economic landscape, but if Disney is in the storytelling business, what could possibly be the benefit of laying off its primary storytellers?
It’s all reminding us more and more of the bad old Bob Chapek days. Josh had better start doing some razzle dazzle quickly because his reputation is fading fast.
RELATED READING:
- Blockbusters, Bombs & a Shrinking Payroll: Disney Asks Its Veteran Executives to Retire
- DISNEY NEWS: New CEO Josh D’Amaro Plans 1,000 Job Cuts
Theme Park Attendance News
According to the newly released 2025 Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Global Experience Index, attendance at the world’s 25 leading theme parks was essentially unchanged from 2024, with 245.4 million visits (down approximately 0.2%).
Disney Experiences retained the top spot for park operators, with attendance of 146,825,000, followed by Fantawild Group (which operates over 30 parks in Asia) at 85,016,000, and Universal Destinations & Experiences, which jumped to third with an attendance of 62,018,000, an increase of 5.4% over the previous year, which TEA attributes to the opening of Epic Universe on May 22, 2025. Merlin Entertainments placed 4th with 60,500,000, and Six Flags rounded out the top five with 47,388,000.
The three major California theme parks (Disneyland, California Adventure, and Universal Studios Hollywood) had a combined attendance of 35.5 million in 2025. The six Florida parks in the index (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios Florida, and Islands of Adventure) had a combined attendance of 67.5 million. Epic Universe was not included since it opened half-way through last year.
Park-by-Park
Disneyland’s attendance increased from 17,337,000 in 2024 to 17,406,000 in 2025, and California Adventure increased from 10,050,000 to 10,090,000 (both only +0.4%). On the flip side, Universal Studios Hollywood’s attendance decreased from 8,700,000 to 8,000,000 (-8%).
The picture is more interesting in Florida, where all six major theme parks lost attendance:
- Magic Kingdom from 17,836,000 to 17,800,000 (-0.2%)
- Epcot from 12,133,000 to 12,109,000 (-0.2%)
- Hollywood Studios from 10,333,000 to 10,312,000 (-0.2%)
- Universal Studios Florida from 9,500,000 to 9,300,000 (-2.1%)
- Islands of Adventure from 9,450,000 to 9,200,000 (-2.6%)
- Animal Kingdom from 8,800,000 to 8,782,000 (-0.2%)
What Does This Tell Us?
We’ve been saying that theme parks may have reached the maximum price guests are willing to pay, and even though global attendance only decreased by 0.2%, that’s still 500,000 fewer guests, which is not an insignificant number. In addition, with the current economic climate, we may see attendance numbers decline further when the 2026 index is published next year.
Will the parks reduce prices? Probably not. But it’s worth noting that Disneyland’s annual price hike was the smallest in years. Parks may also combat the attendance decrease by rolling out more seasonal offers and incentives to get people through the gates during slower times of year.
The Holidays are Coming to Town
As we mentioned at the top, holiday merch has arrived in full force.
There’s also a new minty holiday collection at Starbucks, including cute straw-topper blind boxes.
You can read our complete holiday merch guide here:
Disneyland Holiday 2026 Merchandise Guide: Starbucks, Gingerbread, and What’s New in Stores
Sneak Peek
Lucky guests who were in the park last week were able to watch the filming of musical performances for the Disney holiday special, which airs every year on Christmas Day.
A stage was set up in front of the castle for several performances by Grammy nominee Madison Beer last Monday.
This year, Disney will air two holiday specials, “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular” on November 30 at 8 p.m., and “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” on December 25 at 10 a.m. ET (that’s 5 a.m. PT so set your DVRs!)
More Decor
As the resort gets closer to the holiday season kickoff on November 13, festive decorations have arrived in Toontown.
And the castle’s turrets are now completely decked out in snow and spiral icicles.
By Sunday, garland had been added.
Holiday touches have also been installed at the Jungle Cruise…
… and New Orleans Square.
But the Haunted Mansion has been in holiday mode since August and Jack will continue to wreck the halls until January.
Hungry Bear Expanded Seating is Open!
We’ve been following the progress on the new patio seating area for Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, and it’s finally open! The shady patio not only offers covered seating, but also enhanced area theme and lovely river views.
The new area has a forest garden feel to it with rustic stone planters, wooden fences, and new bear-themed lanterns.
Keep an eye out for the details tucked around the patio. One cave belongs to Rufus, the Country Bear Jamboree stagehand who was famous for missing his cues because he was asleep on the job. There is no snoring coming from this one, at least not that we heard. The nearby beehive is another nod to the neighborhood, since beehives played a memorable part in Splash Mountain and still turn up in Pooh’s shop in Bayou Country, the land old-timers still call Bear Country.
This is the latest in a series of projects that have expanded seating options for diners across the resort, including Red’s Community Garden in Cars Land, a new covered area in Avengers Campus, and Edelweiss Lodge across from the Matterhorn.
Bountiful Valley Brews Opens Soon
We’ve been watching the construction for Bountiful Valley Brews, and we now know California Adventure’s new quick-service location will open this month with a menu of cocktails, mocktails, and select craft beers and micheladas, plus a sure-to-be favorite theme park snack…
Last week, we snapped photos of the final phase of construction, with the sign covered by a tarp.
Bountiful Valley Brews Menu:
- Pepperoni Pizza Egg Roll with pesto dipping sauce
- Pomegranate-Blueberry Refresher: Pomegranate & lime juices and blueberry foam topped with berries (non-alcoholic)
- Vodka Pomegranate-Blueberry Martini: Vodka with pomegranate and lime juices and blueberry foam
- Strawberry-Mango Margarita: Tequila with strawberry, mango, orange, and lime juices and a chile-lime rim
- Southern Whiskey Peach Tea: Whiskey with peach black tea garnished with a peach gummy ring
- Bountiful Valley Cocktail Flight – Vodka Pomegranate-Blueberry Martini, Strawberry-Mango Margarita, and Whiskey Peach Tea
Constructionland
After being behind construction walls for a short spell, the Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel has reopened with a new mobile pickup window. This addition will definitely improve traffic in the small coffee shop by eliminating the need for people to wait for mobile orders inside.
Tiki torch and patio work is still underway at Trader Sam’s and Tangaroa Terrace.
Downtown Disney
Work continues on the new security check-point on the east side of Downtown Disney. The old ticket booths in the Esplanade have been removed, although two survived and now serve as Accessibility Services. The security tents have shifted a few steps closer toward the parks to make room for the Harbor Boulevard bridge work. We’ve also learned that the new parking structure off Harbor Boulevard (part of the Eastern Gateway project) will open in January 2029… they built all of Disneyland in just one year in 1955, but it will take them at least two and a half years to build this garage. We aren’t throwing shade… that’s just how long it takes to get plans and permits approved by the City of Anaheim, inspections, change orders, and actual work done these days. Sad, but true.
Nearby, construction for Porto’s is ongoing, including work on the paved area which once served as the gateway to Downtown Disney. The old spiral and Italian Cypress trees are now a faint memory. That area is being paved right now and will be uncovered soon.
We’re also seeing a lot of action at the mid-district construction site for the new steakhouse and barbecue restaurants. The long dormant project is finally going vertical!
Still no visible progress on the new Bopo Go! Quick-service eatery, but work is going on behind the walls, and they’ve begun the hiring process.
Disneyland
The refreshed Mickey and friends meet and greet backdrop on the right side of Main Street has been uncovered. Before, the gate said, “Welcome Friends.” The new gate looks more like a theater curtain, and should make a better neutral backdrop for photos.
This is the same gate that leads you into the crowd overflow area when Main Street is packed with guests.
Here’s the old version of the gate…
… and here’s what it looks like now.
California Adventure
Steel is climbing on the Avengers Campus expansion, where the two new attractions are going in behind the construction walls. The work is easy to follow from inside the land, and the new steel is rapidly changing the skyline behind the Quinjet headquarters building.
Over in Paradise Gardens, the walls will be up for at least another year (or two) for the new Coco attraction.
And a nearby restroom expansion is also on the way.
And The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure remains wrapped in scaffolding for its refurbishment.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar
That was a lot of construction and refurbishment above. But let’s give you a quick rundown of what’s currently closed and what’s about to be. Both “it’s a small world” and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail have started their Christmas overlay installations. New this week is a one-day refurb for Space Mountain on November 10.
Currently Under Refurbishment
- Chiller at Paradise Park: July 26 – TBA
- Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace: September 8, 2026 – Late January 2027
- it’s a small world ~ Holiday Installation: October 30 – November 12
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail ~ Holiday Switch Over: November 1 – 12
Upcoming Refurbishment
- Space Mountain: November 10
This & That
Live @ Five
Dusty is joined by Suzanne Lee and pals this week as they visit new holiday details in New Orleans Square & Toontown, show you the new Hungry Bear seating, discuss the latest Disneyland news, and have a jolly good time strolling the park on the last MiceChat live before Halloween.
Hotel Shuttle Update
Starting today, theme park shuttles from Disney Good Neighbor Hotels and other nearby third-party hotels will drop off at the new ride-share area at the west end of Downtown Disney. The shuttles will be using Disneyland Drive and Magic Way, so we expect traffic patterns around the resort to shift a bit.
You can find information about some of the shuttle options here:
DISNEY TRANSPORT TROUBLES: Shuttle Shutdown & New Rules Snarl Guest Access
Haunted Mansion Holiday Collectible Cards 👻
Magic Key holders can celebrate the 25th anniversary of Haunted Mansion with collectible lenticular trading cards featuring iconic portraits from the attraction inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
A new card will materialize each Monday and will be available for pick up through November 21. When you pick up your first trading card, you’ll also receive a special frame. Limit one frame and one of each card per Magic Key Holder (while supplies last).
Lenticular trading cards are among our favorite Magic Key gifts, and the paper frame for the collection is pretty neat as well.
When and Where to Pick Up Your Cards:
- Card 1: October 26
- Card 2: November 2
- Card 3: November 9
- Card 4: November 16
Cards will be available during regular operating hours at Disneyana in Disneyland, Kingswell Shop in California Adventure, and WonderGround Gallery in Downtown Disney.
Collectible Medallions
As penny press machines are pushed out in favor of collectible (and more expensive) medallions, a villainous new machine has appeared inside the Opera House (at the exit from the theater).
New holiday medallions have also taken the place of the Alice in Wonderland anniversary medallions in World of Disney.
One of the resort’s very few “penny” press machines remaining (now called pressed coin collectibles) is inside Pioneer Mercantile in Frontierland… at least for now.
We also spotted this one last week in California Adventure.
Disneyland License Plate Update
If you’ve been wondering about the status of California’s Disneyland license plates, it seems they’re one step closer to approval. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has completed its review of the application, but that’s just the beginning of the process. Sample license plates still need to be produced and approvals still need to be secured, before preorders can begin.
More than just showing drivers’ love for The Happiest Place on Earth, the Disneyland-themed license plate program will generate funding for children’s hospitals throughout California. The plate is a partnership between the Disneyland Resort, the California Children’s Hospital Association, and the California Health Facilities Financing Authority in the State Treasurer’s office, and the proceeds will benefit 13 children’s hospitals across the state.
When preorders do open, the plates will run $50 for a sequential plate and $103 for a personalized one, with renewals at $40 and $83. The program needs 7,500 preorders before the plates go into production, and interest is clearly there, since more than 44,000 people have already signed up for updates. The design has not been revealed yet.
If you haven’t already joined the Disneyland License Plate Interest List, you still can. When you sign up you’ll receive program updates and be notified when preorders become available.
MiceChat Gumball Rally
The world’s most cheerful endurance sport is back on February 6 and 7, 2027, and it is bigger than ever. For the first time, the MiceChat Gumball Rally stretches across two full days and both parks, sending teams of two to four racing to ride the most attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
There is a trophy waiting at the finish, bragging rights that last all year, and absolutely no shame in riding Casey Jr.
Do you have what it takes to ride the most attractions at the Disneyland Resort in just two days?
Rally your crew and start plotting your route – Gumball Rally Info and tickets HERE
Next MiceChat Adventure: Pacific Coast & Alaska Back-to-Back
Ready for a MiceChat trip to remember? In May 2027, we’re heading north aboard the Disney Wonder for two cruises that can be booked separately or combined into one rather spectacular back-to-back trip.
The first leg sails from San Diego to Vancouver May 6 – 10, 2027. Then, without changing ships, the Wonder heads into Alaska from May 10 – 17, visiting the Stikine Icecap, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan before returning to Vancouver.
Do one cruise or do both. Many of us are booking the same stateroom for the full 11-night journey, which means no packing up between sailings.
If you’ve never sailed Alaska, this is a very different Disney cruise experience. The scenery is the main attraction, with mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and historic port towns unfolding right outside the ship.
And traveling with MiceChat adds another layer to the trip. We’ll have our own group activities, plenty of familiar Disney fans to explore with, and a good chance that whoever ends up at your dinner table already understands why you have strong opinions about Pirates of the Caribbean.
Bookings for the MiceChat group are being handled by Teresa Cory at [email protected]. Booking through Teresa is required to receive the group rates and participate in the MiceChat activities.
Come sail to adventure with us!
MiceShots
Last week we bid a fond farewell to Halloween Time as the holiday season takes its place.
One minute the Mickey pumpkin on Main Street was winking at us…
And by Sunday he was gone…
The Dapper Dans will have switched back to their regular attire by today.
We caught one last showing of Halloween Screams.
And by later this week, most of the Halloween decor will fade into memory as garlands and Christmas trees rapidly take their place.
Follow MiceChat on social: MiceChat Facebook Page, MiceChat Facebook Group, MiceChat Instagram, MiceChat Threads, MiceChat X, MiceChat YouTube
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Let’s Hear From You!
What do you think about the 2025 attendance numbers? Do you think Disneyland will offer more deals to offset attendance dips or will ticket prices continue to rise? And how do you feel about the latest round of Disney layoffs hitting the Experiences division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Are you sad to see Halloween Time end or are you ready for Disneyland to become the Merriest Place on Earth?
Great update as always Samantha!
Every time Disney Imagineering fires some people, days later they are working for Universal Creative.