Hi there, Karen! Welcome to planDisney. I’m so excited to hear that you have an upcoming trip planned to The Happiest Place on Earth! There's no better way to start a day at the parks than with a character breakfast to put you in a jolly mood. I'd love to help you plan ahead so you won't be late for your very important date, just like the White Rabbit!
Dining reservations at the Disneyland Resort can be made up to 60 days in advance, and booking ahead is highly recommended to secure your preferred time. Planning early gives you the best selection of available reservations, especially for popular experiences like
character dining. With that being said, a little Disney magic does happen from time to time, and you may spot a reservation open up if another Guest cancels. My favorite tip is to book in advance whenever possible and keep checking back if your preferred time is not initially available.
No matter how you plan to get to the parks, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to arrive for your character breakfast. Mornings can be especially busy, so giving yourself extra time to walk to your dining location and go through security checkpoints is key. If you are driving and parking in a Disneyland Resort parking structure or the Toy Story Parking Area, you'll want to factor in additional time for parking, security checkpoints, transportation by tram or bus, and the walk to your restaurant. If you are parking a car, I recommend
purchasing your parking pass ahead of time as it does speed up the process when you get to the payment booth. A Cast Member will scan your pass on your Disneyland Mobile App or e-mail attachment and you're ready to go! Those early morning hours can be bustling as Guests head in for rope drop, but with a little extra wiggle room, everything will be Hakuna Matata!
Karen, your arrival date also coincides with the start of
Lunar New Year 2026 festivities! You'll have the opportunity to welcome the Year of the Horse with a Disney twist through vibrant celebrations honoring Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures. This limited-time festival offers so much to see, do, and taste. I’m especially looking forward to picking up a
Sip and Savor Pass on my next visit to sample the
delicious bites and drinks inspired by Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisine.
Thank you so much for visiting us with your question, Karen. I hope this helps as you continue planning your character breakfast and magical Disneyland vacation. Have a wonderful time, and if any more questions pop up along the way, please don’t hesitate to visit us again at planDisney!
With a Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,
Bev