Day of the Dead: Anaheim & Los Angeles, California - María Mendez

Top Experience

California Where you can visit a legendary mouse and celebrate Dia de Los Muertos

Anaheim and Los Angeles

As a city built on imagination, Anaheim is where all of your inner enthusiasts can have their day. It is home to the Disneyland Resort, a massive complex of family-friendly, Disney-themed rides, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Los Angeles is the center of the nation’s film and television industry. Near its iconic Hollywood sign, studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers offer behind-the-scenes tours. On Hollywood Boulevard, TCL Chinese Theatre displays celebrities’ hand- and footprints, the Walk of Fame honors thousands of luminaries and vendors sell maps to stars’ homes.

Both cities offer unique opportunities to participate in Day of the Dead festivities without having to travel south of the border.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary
Subject to availability.
Customized to your liking.

DAY 1 - October 30th, Anaheim: Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park

Flight to Anaheim's John Wayne Airport-Orange County (SNA) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Transportation to Anaheim hotel located within walking distance of the Disneyland Resorts entrance or on Disneyland property.
Car rental is an option.
2-day Park Hopper tickets – unlimited access to both parks which are festively decorated for Halloween and Day of the Dead.
Enjoy the parks at your leisure. Some of the activities include:

Celebrating in Disney California Adventure

Disney•Pixar’s Academy Award-winning hit film “Coco” is at the heart of Plaza de la Familia, a limited-time festivity at Paradise Gardens.

Families visiting Plaza de la Familia can share meaningful memories of loved ones at the interactive Memory Wall.
Enjoy the iconic Mexican Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) photo location
Take part in a new mask-making craft that depicts an alebrije (brightly colored sculpture of fantastical creatures – a spirit guide) from the film “Coco.”
The World of “Coco,” emotional Mariachi music performed on the bandstand and the delicious Mexican food menu at Paradise Gardens Grill.
Several times daily, the uplifting show A Musical Celebration of Coco brings together the Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia and the Grammy-award winning Mariachi Divas for a festive show of music and dance that tells the incredible story of young Miguel’s journey as seen in “Coco.” The show features a charming troupe of singers and authentic Folkloric dancers joined by Miguel, brought to life in a whimsical, hand-crafted style inspired by traditional Mexican folk art.
Be sure to also visit Cars Land, where an ofrenda (a remembrance altar) pays tribute to Doc Hudson (aka, the Fabulous Hudson Hornet).

Celebrating in Disneyland

Zócalo (town plaza) Park in Frontierland is decked out with an elaborate and colorful display in honor of Día de los Muertos.

At Zócalo Park you will find oversized sculptures, marigolds and paper banners known as papel picado, along with a traditional ofrenda (a remembrance altar) calaveras (sugar skulls), and an iconic figure of La Catrina (elegantly dressed female skeleton figure).

DAY 2 - October 31st, Anaheim: Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park

Continue enjoying the festivities and rides at both parks.
Participate in the Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party - Disney California Adventure Park presents a separately ticketed, after-hours event hosted by Oogie Boogie (from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas) and the Disney Villains. This event sells out fast and tickets must be purchased in advance.

DAY 3 - November 1st, Los Angeles: Olvera Street

Check out of your Anaheim hotel.
Transportation to Los Angeles hotel.
Car rental is an option.
Transportation / drive to Olvera Street, a California State Historic Landmark since 1953 for a full day of festivities starting at 10 am.

Olvera Street is packed with packed with restaurants, and casual cafes and dozens of vendors selling Mexican folk art, souvenirs, colorful piñatas, Mexican pottery, clothing, jewelry among many other items.

Olvera Street area sites to visit.

America Tropical Interpretive Center and see David Alfaro Siqueiros' (one of Mexico's great muralist/painter) 80x18 foot mural depicting a Mexican Indian crucified on a cross beneath an American eagle, with two sharpshooters aiming at the eagle from nearby...a political message about the exploitation of Mexican workers.
Avila Adobe is LA’s oldest house still standing in its original location. It's interior depicts the California lifestyle of the 1840s.
Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) presents the Southern California Italian American experience with an emphasis on Los Angeles, a story that is inextricably linked to the region itself and represents a unique chapter of the Italian American Diaspora.
The World of “Coco,” emotional Mariachi music performed on the bandstand and the delicious Mexican food menu at Paradise Gardens Grill.
Sepulveda House is a 22-room Victorian house built in 1887 in the Eastlake Victorian style. It represents the architectural and social transformation of Los Angeles from a city of purely Mexican traditions to a multicultural blend of Mexican and American cultures.
La Placita Church, one of the first three sites designated as Historic Cultural Monuments by the City of Los Angeles and has been designated as a California Historical Landmark.
Pico House was built as a luxury hotel from 1869 to 1870 by businessman Pío Pico, the last Mexican Governor of Alta California which was considered the most extravagant and lavish hotel in Southern California. The rear of the landmark Pico House was frequently seen in the CBS TV series, The Mentalist as the headquarters of the fictional California Bureau of Investigation.
Old Plaza Firehouse, oldest fire station in the city.

Day of the Dead Festivities

Community Altars Outdoor Display at the Kiosko Plaza - Bring photos of your deceased loved ones.
DOD face painting - Each face painter has their own style and are individual operators.
Novenario Procession - Traditional Mayan Blessing/Soul Cleansing takes place before and after the procession featuring Grupo Tartalejos – an indigenous Aztec group leading the procession with incense and ceremonial blessing.
Aztec Dancers - “Living Muertos” – participants dress up as skeletons on November 1st & 2nd.
Procession leads to nightly ceremony in the Kiosko, where the loved ones of a merchant family or special community member is chosen to be honored.
Free sweet bread and champurrado are given to all in attendance
La Danza de la Muerte - Follow the journey of the souls from the moment of death to the Mictlan, the ancient mystical place of rest in the pre-Colombian Mexico. Music, dance, and stories to connect with our ancestors and celebrate life.

DAY 4 - November 2nd, Los Angeles: Hollywood Forever Día De Muertos Annual Festival

R/T transportation, hotel-venue-hotel.
Noon to midnight festivities.

Your VIP ticket entitles you to:

Private entrance to event.
Access to the VIP Oasis where there is a seating area, rest rooms, food vendors, face painting, tequila sampling and other amenities, away from the crowds.

Festivities on the general grounds include:

Dozens of food vendors and Day of the Dead themed items for sale.
Ceremonial Procession - From Main Entrance to Main Stage.
A variety of folkloric music, traditional dance and ritual performances throughout the day.
Altar Exhibits: Winners announced in the evening on the Main Stage.
Aztec Dances & Rituals: Aztec Stage on the Lake and also through the cemetery grounds.
Children's Plaza: Paint your own alebrije (brightly colored sculpture of fantastical creatures – a spirit guide), decorate a butterfly or calavera (skull) ceramic ornament, face painting.
Las Marionetas en Desfile / Parade of Marionettes
Costume Contest - Get your photo taken at the official Photo Booth
Photo Exhibitions
Art Installations

DAY 5 - November 3rd, Los Angeles: Downtown Los Angeles or Hollywood

Both locations are filled with amazing sites to visit. The following are a few suggestions.

Downtown Los Angeles

Last Bookstore, the largest independent bookstore in Southern California, is currently housed in what used to be an old bank building and includes a record shop, coffee bar and "Labyrinth" mezzanine level solely dedicated to $1 books. (453 South Spring Street Ground Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013)
Clifton’s Cafeteria, near The Last Bookstore, is a famous Los Angeles spot that has been around for over 50 years. This unique cafeteria has all sorts of absurd things for you to see, such as tigers that you can sit next to, a giant three-story tree, and all kinds of weird oddities around the restaurant. It just reopened a year or two ago, and it’s a great place to go with your family. (648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014)
Board Angels Flight from either Hill Street or Olive Street, which you may recognize from La La Land, the two tiered cars that traverse its rails offer a view of the Historic Core.
OUE Skyspace Observation Deck - Take the elevator up, and then step out onto the glass-walled terrace for incredible, three hundred and sixty-degree views of the city.
MOCA, a contemporary art museum in the heart of downtown LA
Grand Central Market, Downtown LA’s food court.
LA Live and the Grammy Museum, across from the Staple Center
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, see the tapestries created by artist John Nava, among other art works. (555 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012)

Hollywood Iconic Attractions

Hollywood Walk of Fame - comprises more than 2,600 fir-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded into the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Fine Street
Dolby Theatre - home of the Academy Awards
Hollywood & Highland - Some of the best views of the Hollywood sign
HOLLYWOOD ICONIC ATTRACTIONS
Forecourt of the Stars - See imprints of your favorite stars in the sidewalk in front of the historic TCL Chinese Theatre like Marilyn Monroe, George Clooney, Jimmy Durante’s and many more.
TCL Chinese Theatre - The most iconic movie palace in the world is right on Hollywood Boulevard next to the Dolby Theatre.
The historic El Capitan Theatre - Hollywood’s first Broadway Theatre Playhouse now owned by the Walt Disney Company
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Theatre - Emmy-nominated Jimmy Kimmel Live! films in a historic theatre across the street from Hollywood & Highland.
Hollywood Bowl - the premier destination for live music in Southern California, hosting everyone from Billie Holiday to The Beatles to the LA Phil under the iconic silhouette of its concentric-arched band shell.
And don't forget to look-up the many museums, theme parks and studio tours.