5 Reasons to Skip the Holidays at Disneyland

At first I was bummed. Like, really bummed. We planned the perfect day to ditch the world and visit Disneyland during the holiday season! Outfits were planned, snack were packed and then --boom!-- my son woke up the day of with the stomach flu!

Did I consider taking him to Disneyland that day anyway, despite his impressive vomit tenacity?  

Relax.

I'm a responsible human being. 

We stayed home and I cleaned up after my perfect, beautiful, angelic toddler all day long.

Not the day I was expecting to have. 

But then I got to thinking about it, who needs a Disneyland holiday trip anyway? In fact, more the I thought about it, the less appealing it seemed. The traffic? Pass. The crowds? Thanks, I'll pass. The money? We're done here.

So here's my top 5 reasons to skip Disneyland during the holidays. Not to toot my own horn, but I make a pretty compelling argument...

The Lights

Can't talk about Disneyland holidays without mentioning the tacky light displays throughout the parks. Like, I get it Disneyland, your attempt at a Clark Griswold worthy light display is mediocre at best. Do I need to pay $150 per ticket to see shabby lights blinding me all evening? No. In fact, perhaps Disneyland should pay me to get my eyes checked after suffering through this poorly lit torture display. 

In short, does Disneyland obviously need to step up their light game because Walt himself would be embarrassed of the low-end lights tarnishing his legacy? You bet.

Let's just say, I am not impressed.

Disney Santa

Leave it to Disney to jump on the Santa bandwagon. As if Disney doesn't own the rights to every other magical being that's ever existed, they have to go and convince Santa to hang out all season long in their parks too? Great. Kinda seems like a monopoly, Disney. 

And might I add, it most definitely is not better to meet Santa, the most magical person on earth, at Disneyland, the happiest place on earth. A mall Santa whose life choices are clearly reflected in the quality of beard he is sporting is good enough for my kids, thank you very much. 

I'll take my business elsewhere.

The Parades

Does anyone actually enjoy a parade? No? Not even a cricket? I thought so. Lining up all the awesomeness that is Disney for 30 minutes of Disney magic and Christmas magic is, well, too much magic! My magic-meter can only handle so much and this is pushing the boundaries. Plus, this kinda makes Disney seem a little desperate, am I right? Have a little decency, Disney. 

The Merch

So, you're telling me, after suffering through all the gag-worthy events above, Disney expects me to buy their merch and bring home a shoddy reminder of what I endured? Every time I see it I'll be reminded of the lights, the magic, the Santa... this is just not right, Disney. How do you sleep at night knowing that there's millions of people with your merch on their shelves, dreaming-- or should I say nightmaring-- of their most recent trip?

Shameful.

The Castle

I'm just going to say it. There is absolutely nothing special about this castle. I've seen, what, a zillion castles in my life and this one ranks near last. Even at Christmas time when it's decked out in sparkly, twinkly, Elsa-inspired ice. Ice? In California? Where, even in December, the weather is 72 degrees? No one is buying it, Disneyland. 

And just who exactly wants to be a princess anyway? I mean sure, every single 5 year old girl thinks they want to be a princess, but that castle looks pretty impossible to keep clean. My 5 year old would never come close to finishing that task.  And crying would definitely be involved....

In Conclusion

You should avoid Disneyland at all costs during the Holiday season mainly because if I can't go you shouldn't either!

So lock your doors, close your windows and bring the animals in the house. A very large, mischievous mouse is coming to get you. But don't fall for it. You're better than the warm fuzzy feeling you get when it snows all over Main St. USA at the end of the day. Stay Strong.

Photos courtesy of @amandainfantasyland @barbie__photographer  @disneymommingsohard and the Disney PR department.


Julianne Haness is a stay at home mom, artist and blogger based in the Los Angeles Suburbs. Follow her on Instagram for daily musings about mom life, Disney life and creative life.