Hi Peter,
Welcome to planDisney! I am so excited that you will be spending the most magical time of the year at the happiest place on Earth. I am happy to help you with securing your desired reservations during your trip.
When planning your trip, you will only need to make dining reservations and reservations to build a lightsaber at
Savi's Workshop or to experience a transformation at the
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. You no longer need a reservation for
Oga’s Cantina or to build a droid at
Droid Depot. You can join a walk-up line, and you can walk into Droid Depot at your own convenience to build your new mechanical buddy.
Dining and experience reservations at the Disneyland Resort can typically be made 60 days in advance, and availability often opens as early as 6:00 AM (PST). You are a bit early to make reservations for December 22–25. As of right now, reservations are available through November 15. Building a lightsaber is a popular experience, and dining on the holidays is a hot ticket; make sure you set your alarm so you can snag your reservations.
If your dream reservation isn’t available, don’t panic! Guests often adjust their plans, and reservations may pop up closer to your visit, especially the day before. I recommend checking the app frequently. Additionally, some places offer same-day reservations on a limited basis (subject to availability). Arriving close to opening at participating restaurants can increase your chances of getting a last-minute spot.
Right now, Disneyland is in the thick of Halloween, but the
Disney Parks Blog recently released a sneak peek at the holiday season. I can’t wait to see more of the merchandise collection for the holidays. California Adventure will also be hosting the
Festival of Holidays, and I, for one, am excited to see what foods will be offered this year! You might also want to check out
Mickey’s Christmas Carol feast at
Storytellers Cafe. I made some reservations for me and my fellow panelists, and I can’t wait for this festive dinner. Your family might be interested in this festive dinner option, too!
I hope this information was helpful, Peter! If you have more questions or would like tips for your upcoming adventure, feel free to reach out to me or any of my fellow planDisney panelists. We're always here to add a little extra pixie dust to your vacation.
Have a magical vacation!
– Melinda