Maximizing the fun of your Disneyland candy cane experience

Look for the Candy Cane sign at Candy Palace or Trolley Treats!
Look for the Candy Cane sign at Candy Palace or Trolley Treats!

One of the most special food experiences that is entirely unique to Disneyland is the handmade candy cane. For almost 40 years, the holiday season has been a time when candy makers break out their huge copper pots and mix up this wonderful peppermint treat.

The line to get candy canes. I arrived 45-minutes before Disneyland opened.
The line to get candy canes. I arrived 45-minutes before Disneyland opened.

During the past several years, the popularity of the candy canes has grown to epic proportions. This is due in part to the Disneyland Christmas special with Guy Fieri on the Food Network in 2009. Nowadays, there are some things you should consider if you want to get one of these unique delights.

Huge copper pots are filled with a sugar and corn syrup mix
Huge copper pots are filled with a sugar and corn syrup mix

The following is a list of tips to fully enjoy your candy cane experience:

  1. These will be made at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (Candy Palace and Trolley Treats, respectively). So, be aware of the date so you go to the correct park!
  2. Arrive early! Get there at least 30-minutes before opening, if not sooner. Technically, guests aren’t allowed to gather before the parks open. However, no one really pays attention and cast members don’t care.  Take advantage of “Extra Magic Hours” if possible.
  3. Once inside the gates, walk briskly to either Candy Palace or Trolley Treats. Do not run! If you arrive that early, there really is no need to run since they limit how many candy canes each guest receives.
  4. After you get in line, be patient. Wristbands will be distribute before rope drop. Based on past experiences, a total of 120 wristbands will be given out with a limit of two per person (three batches of 40 candy canes are made each day).
  5. Get two tickets if possible. This way you could eat one that day and save another as a souvenir or gift.
  6. Try to arrive an hour before the time designated so you can witness first-hand your very own candy cane being made. Nothing like somebody creating a masterpiece just for you.
  7. Here is the most important step in my opinion: Eat your candy cane immediately! I cannot stress enough the difference between consuming the candy cane while it’s still warm versus when you leave it lying around for days. If you’re not going to eat it right away, then there’s really no point in arriving so early to stand in line. You might as well buy the mass produced ones they sell at the counter.
  8. Finally, if for some reason you cannot arrive at the time specified, be sure to get there before 4:00 pm. After that, your candy cane will likely be given out to someone else standing by.
Once the mixture is cool, it turns yellow then white.
Once the mixture is cool, it turns yellow then white.

If you miss out, don’t worry. Candy canes are made throughout the day. Enjoy the show! Disneyland Resort does sell the mass produced version at the counters of Candy Palace, Trolley Treats and even Pooh Corner in Critter Country.  It has the same ingredients.

The yellow blog gets pulled on a large hook to aerate.
The yellow blog gets pulled on a large hook to aerate.

Here are the 2015 dates and locations to get your handmade candy canes:

Candy Palace at Disneyland

  • Friday, November 27 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Tuesday, December 1 (park opens at 9:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 8-9:00 am
  • Friday, December 4 (park opens at 8:00 am)
  • Sunday, December 6 (park opens at 8:00 am)
  • Tuesday, December 8 (park opens at 9:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Friday, December 11 (park opens at 8:00 am)
  • Sunday, December 13 (park opens at 8:00 am)
  • Tuesday, December 15 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Friday, December 18 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Thursday, December 24 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
White and red are formed into a huge rectangular block
White and red are formed into a huge rectangular block

Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure

  • Saturday, November 28 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Monday, November 30 (park opens at 9:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 8-9:00 am
  • Saturday, December 5 (park opens at 8:00 am)
  • Monday, December 7 (park opens at 9:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 8-9:00 am
  • Wednesday, December 9 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Saturday, December 12 (park opens at 8:00 am)
  • Monday, December 14 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Wednesday, December 16 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Saturday, December 19 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
  • Friday, December 25 (park opens at 8:00 am)  *Extra Magic Hour 7-8:00 am
The rectangular block is rolled back and forth numerous times to create a long rope
The rectangular block is rolled back and forth numerous times to create a long rope

Did you also know that Disneyland’s Candy Kitchen has it’s own “Hotline?” Just call 714-781-0112 and you can find out further information about candy canes or any other treats being made throughout the year.

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Candy makers measure and cut each candy cane to the perfect length

If you’ve never gotten a handmade candy cane from Disneyland Resort, then you’re really missing out. It’s much more than consuming a sugary treat. In reality, it’s more about a fun time that people of all ages can enjoy and does not cost that much. Last year, the price of a candy cane was $12.95. Expensive to be sure, but not anywhere near the amount of other Disneyland experiences.

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A special wood block helps to create the hook in the candy cane

Have you every tried a handmade candy cane from Disneyland? Let us know your experiences in the comments!

This could be your candy cane!  :-)
This could be your candy cane! 🙂
Look at this beautiful lineup!
Look at this beautiful lineup!

This video of candy canes being made at Candy Palace is from the Disney Parks YouTube channel:

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