Photo Credit: Krista

[Updated December 4, 2017 –
Originally posted Nov. 2015]

Candy Canes are classic symbols of Christmas time – and there’s something extra special when the candy canes are made fresh. There are a handful of places in southern California where you can watch candy canes being prepared from scratch. One of these places is the Disneyland Resort – with select dates at Candy Palace and at Trolley Treats.

Each year, beginning on the day after Thanksgiving, Disneyland’s Candy Palace on Main Street, USA creates highly coveted candy canes on select dates. For many years, Disneyland was the only location to make the candy canes at the resort. A couple of years ago, Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street in Disney’s California Adventure added some dates when candy canes are made there also.

If you’re interested in getting a handmade candy cane for yourself, here is what you need to know:

First, look online at the official calendar for Disneyland Resort opening times. Arrive at the front gates at least 30 minutes prior to opening (actually 45 – 60 minutes) and be ready to walk (quickly) directly to the designated candy shop for a wristband. If you are fortunate to get a wristband, it will have a time written on it when you’ll return to purchase the candy cane (approximately $14.00 each). The finished candy canes are 13” tall and over a half inch in diameter. Each day, only a limited number of candy canes are made. While you are waiting for your return time, you can go eat some breakfast and/or ride some rides and return closer to the pick-up time. If the candy canes are being made, you can also watch them being made through the windows.

We’ve got our wristbands for candy canes! Disneyland 2012 | Photo Credits: Krista

The candy cane making process takes a couple of hours and the temperatures inside the candy kitchen can easily exceed 100° F. While the candy canes are being made, the candy makers cannot leave the kitchen or the candy canes will be ruined. If you have a chance to meet the candy cane makers, be sure to say hello and thank you.

According to the Disneyland Resort’s guidelines: wristbands are limited and available while supplies last. They are distributed accordingly at park opening. Limit one (1) wristband per guest. Each wristband entitles bearer to purchase one (1) candy cane at the designated location. Wristband must be shown at time of purchase. No discounts apply and there are no exchanges or refunds. (Information is subject to restrictions and can change without notice, including but not limited to release dates, prices, etc.)

Here are some pictures from candy cane making in 2014 and 2015:

It’s amazing to watch how the candy canes are made! | Photo Credits: Krista

This batch of candy canes is all done and ready to be wrapped. | Photo Credit: Krista

Meet the Candy Cane Candy Makers: Rob, Chris, and Brian. They have the magic touch for making perfectly yummy treats! | Photo Credits: Krista

The Candy Canes at Disneyland are a long-standing tradition. Rob*, one of the candy makers, has been creating delectable treats at Disneyland for over 40 years. Chris, another one of the candy makers, has been part of this candy making tradition for over 25 years. The popularity of the Disneyland candy canes increased after Guy Fieri aired “Guy’s Disney Holiday” in 2009 on the Food Network. Even if you aren’t able to get a wristband to purchase a freshly made candy cane, you are able to watch the candy making process through the windows.

Update Nov. 27, 2015:

Love Disneyland handmade candy canes! Krista & Lloyd, 2014 | Photo Credit: Disneyland PhotoPass Photographer

We got candy canes on Friday morning (Nov. 27th). Disneyland had “Extra Magic Morning” for resort hotel guests. The posted opening time was 8:00 a.m. and we were able to enter (with our hotel room key) at 7:00 a.m. In 2015, Candy Palace allowed people to get wristbands during the Extra Magic Morning time. Main Street, U.S.A. opened to the rest of the ticketed guests at about 7:30 a.m. with access to Main Street and thus, you were able to get a wristband then. We watched the candy canes being made from 7:10 until 7:40 a.m. and when we returned to the Candy Palace at about 8:45 a.m. all of the wristbands for the day had been handed out. Typically at least 2 batches of candy canes are made each day, sometimes 3 batches. On Nov. 27, 2015, the candy makers made 4 batches! Each batch of candy canes typically yields 30 – 40 candy canes. The cast members said it is usually a little bit less crowded/popular to get the candy canes from Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure. The candy canes were $13.95 each.

Have you gotten a Disneyland candy cane before? Will you be trying for one this year or maybe next year?

* Update Dec. 2017: It is with great sorrow that I have to update this post. Rob McHargue, legendary Disneyland candy maker and cast member, passed away recently. I had the pleasure of seeing him often at the Candy Palace and met him in Nov. 2015 after the batch of candy canes was finished. Rob was a kind and sweet man and the pride he demonstrated in creating confectionery masterpieces was magical.

Rob was with Disneyland for over 40 years and he was one of the top candy makers and chief confectionery consultant for the parks and Disneyland Resort. According to a post on the “Old Photos of Disneyland” Facebook group, whenever there was a feature on any television show that referred to the world famous sweets of Disneyland, we would usually see Rob and his rich knowledge of what goes in to making all the candy for us guests on a daily basis. He was a staple at Candy Palace on Main Street, but he was also responsible for helping start up Trolley Treats in California Adventure and was behind the creation of the beautiful Rock Candy Mountain that is on display in the window of the Buena Vista Street candy shop. Through the years, Rob helped create some of the candies we love. One example is the raspberry stack that has a white chocolate bottom, 3 raspberries in the middle, and another white chocolate on top. An internet search for “candy maker Rob McHargue” will yield many results of blog posts and videos featuring Rob’s appearances and his legacy.

My sincerest condolences to the McHargue family. Thank you for everything, Rob. Rest in Peace.

Thank you, Rob! It was a pleasure to meet you in 2015. RIP – You will be missed! (Dec. 2017) | Photo Credits: Krista & Lloyd

Part 1: Candy Canes at Disneyland (Nov. 27, 2015) from Krista on Vimeo.

Part 2: Candy Canes at Disneyland (Nov. 27, 2015) from Krista on Vimeo.

Part 3: Candy Canes at Disneyland (Nov. 27, 2015) from Krista on Vimeo.

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