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dlr dining 14; Family dining talking with the chef
  • On Jul 11, 2025
    Misty from ID Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We will be visiting Disneyland for Thanksgiving 2025. We were hoping to have a Thanksgiving character dinner. Where would be the best place for 7 year old boy and 12 year old girl to make Thanksgiving unforgettable?

    Hi Misty,

    Thanks for visiting planDisney with your question! One of my family’s holiday traditions used to be visiting Disneyland the day after Thanksgiving. It was always so fun to go from my mom’s fall decorations to the Christmas décor of Disneyland overnight. The Holidays begin at Disneyland on November 14, 2025, but just because Disneyland has decked the halls doesn’t mean the parks don’t take Thanksgiving Day seriously.

    Historically, some of the most popular Thanksgiving dinners across the Disneyland Resort have been buffet-style meals at places like Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel) and Storytellers Cafe (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel). Outside of Thanksgiving, I highly recommend both locations for a meal—they offer amazing character dining experiences. I love enjoying a great meal while interacting with Disney characters! My daughter and I have dined at both, and we've had a wonderful time. During your meal, a character will come to your table, stop for a chat, sign autograph books, and even pose for photos.

    There may also be some more upscale, table-service options available. If you think your kids would enjoy a fancier meal, consider Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. It’s an award-winning restaurant and is sure to offer a delicious holiday menu. I took my young daughter to Napa Rose for a special Valentine’s dinner, and it was so fun seeing her dressed up for the occasion. I can only imagine how lovely it would be to see older kids enjoy a similar experience.

    I recommend keeping an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for announcements about Thanksgiving meals. You're also likely to find Thanksgiving-themed food throughout the parks and possibly other special dining options. Remember, dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance, so be sure to mark your calendar! Since many of these are hotel dining options, they are open to everyone, not just hotel or park guests.

    I hope this helps with your planning, Misty! If you have more questions or need extra tips, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of my fellow planDisney panelists. We’re always here to sprinkle a little extra pixie dust on your vacation.

    Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and a merry Christmas in the parks!

    – Melinda
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Meet the Panelist: Melinda, California

Hello from sunny SoCal! I’m Melinda Grant, an educator and a lifelong Disney enthusiast. As a Southern California native, I grew up going to the parks with my family. My park days look a little different now that I am transitioning from being a “Childless Millennial” to a “Disney Mom.” You can find me with my toddler eating popcorn and singing loudly! I am looking forward to helping you plan a magical trip to my favorite place, Disneyland!   Learn More About Melinda

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Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort or Disney Cruise Line® vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their planDisney participation. The views expressed on plandisneypanel.com are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Disney Destinations, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Disney Destinations prior to posting.

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