People willing to stand in line for a ridiculous amount of time to buy a Christmas candy cane at Disneyland will have some good news this year: They can sign up for an automated mobile waitlist.
This will enable them to roam the park until they get a text saying it’s almost their appointment time — at which point they can head to one of only two sale locations and get their minty dose of holiday cheer.
This is likely to be highly popular, compared with driving and then waiting for untold minutes along with other candy cane fans, some of whom make the annual expedition to the park just to obtain the oversized (and, some would say, overpriced) canes.
Most recently, guests could wait in line to get wristbands to return later, but this system is designed to reduce waits in at least one of those lines. Now, people will be able to give their phone numbers to an assigned employee, and they will receive a text when they can return to get their canes. It’s likely that only the earliest arrivals will score a cane, since the park makes limited numbers.
The price of the canes has not yet been announced. Last year, they cost $15.99 each, or around a dollar an inch.
Why are people willing to stand in line to buy a candy cane? Well, Disneyland says it’s because they are hand-pulled at the candy shops, and only a limited number are made each day.
The most ardent fans dress up in holiday gear and bring the kids, making an early holiday outing of the experience.
The canes are available only at The Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen on Main Street, U.S.A. in DIsneyland, and at Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure.
Here’s this year’s sale schedule, provided by Disneyland:
• Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen, Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland. Dec. 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20 and 24.
• Trolley Treats, Buena Vista Street, Disney California Adventure. Dec. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 and 25.
You must buy your candy cane in person, and only one per person will be sold. You will still need a ticket and a reservation to get into the park. People can add their names and phone numbers to the mobile waitlist when it’s activated.