Visiting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during the holidays is one of the most magical experiences a family can have — twinkling lights, festive overlays, seasonal treats, and that extra sprinkle of Disney joy you can’t find any other time of year. But if you’re visiting with young children, the holidays can also feel overwhelming without the right plan. As magic key holders we visit the Disneyland Resort parks monthly and love sharing what works (and what doesn’t) as we travel to the Disney parks with our six-year-old daughter.
This guide is designed for parents visiting Disneyland during the holiday season who want to:
- Know what to expect with kids
- Avoid long lines and hanger meltdowns
- Still enjoy fun food and drinks for adults
- Use mobile order + fast casual dining to stay flexible
Whether you’re planning a November or December trip, this post will walk you through real holiday dining experiences, kid-friendly lands, and seasonal menus — including our visits on a weekend in late November and visiting again in early December.
🎄 Free Disneyland Holiday Planning Freebie for Parents
Planning Disneyland during the holidays doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — especially with kids in tow.
To make your day easier, I created a FREE Disney Day Trip Planner designed specifically for parents visiting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure with young children.
Inside the planner, you’ll find:
- A flexible printable one-day Disneyland itinerary that you can fill-in and create your own
- Space to plan meals + mobile orders
- Ride priority planning for kids
- Snack and break reminders
- A stress-free way to stay organized during busy holiday crowds
👉 Grab your FREE Disney Day Trip Planner here:
Disneyland Day Planner – The Sun Queen Diaries
This planner is perfect for holiday visits, first-time trips, and parents who want to enjoy the magic without the meltdown.
What to Expect at Disneyland During the Holidays With Kids
The holiday season at Disneyland typically runs from mid-November through early January, and while the parks are busier, they’re also incredibly well set up for families.
What Makes Holiday Disneyland Special
- Holiday ride overlays (like it’s a small world Holiday)
- Seasonal food and drink menus
- Christmas décor in nearly every land
- Festive character interactions
- Special holiday entertainment
In all the times that we’ve visited Disneyland throughout the year, it always seems like December is the time of the year where you will get to see so many more characters and interact with them. Parents should be prepared to take full advantage of any character opportunities. This is where I’d highly recommend getting a character autograph book for the younger travelers because it makes for such a fun experience.
What Parents Should Prepare For
- Higher crowd levels (especially weekends)
- Cooler mornings and evenings
- Longer wait times without a plan
- Kids needing more snack and rest breaks
That’s where mobile order, fast casual dining, and strategic food planning come in.
Read more on Disneyland holiday planning tips for families here: Planning Your Holiday Disneyland Visit – The Sun Queen Diaries
Why Food Planning Is Key When Visiting Disneyland With Young Kids
When kids are hungry, everything feels harder. During the holidays, food lines can get long fast — but Disneyland offers mobile ordering at many quick-service restaurants, allowing you to:
- Order ahead from your phone
- Choose a return pickup window
- Avoid standing in long queues
- Eat on your schedule
Bonus? You can plan adult treats without slowing down the day.
Disneyland: Café Daisy in Mickey’s Toontown
Why Mickey’s Toontown Is Perfect for Young Kids
Mickey’s Toontown is one of the best lands for families with young children — especially during the holidays.
- Open, playful layout
- Low-pressure rides
- Space to roam and explore
- Close proximity to character encounters
It’s also home to one of the most underrated fast casual dining spots for families.
Café Daisy: A Must-Stop Fast Casual Dining Spot
Café Daisy is the go-to quick-service restaurant in Mickey’s Toontown, and it checks every box for parents visiting Disneyland with kids.
Why Parents Love Café Daisy
- Fast casual dining
- Mobile order available
- Kid-friendly menu
- Comfortable seating nearby
- Easy stop between rides
Get your fill of comfort food at the go-to spot in Mickey’s Toontown for delicious eats and good company.
Café Daisy Menu Highlights for Kids
If you’re traveling with kids, this menu is a win.
Kids Meals Include:
- Kid-sized pizza
- Fun-sized corn dogs
- Mini mac and cheese
Each option is approachable, filling, and easy for little hands.
Café Daisy Menu Highlights for Adults
Parents don’t have to sacrifice flavor here.
Comfort Food Favorites:
- All-beef hot dogs
- Cheesy pizzas
- Wholesome garden wraps
These are perfect for a quick lunch without slowing down your park day.
Don’t Skip Dessert: Daisy’s Goody-Goody Donuts
No visit to Café Daisy is complete without dessert — especially during the holidays.
Daisy’s Goody-Goody Donuts (Holiday Treat)
- Spiced apple sugar donut — $6.79 (one of our favorite Disney snacks!)
- Soft, festive, and perfect for sharing
- Seasonal flavor that feels cozy and fun
This is an easy treat to split with kids or enjoy during a stroller break.
Holiday Drink for Adults: Peppermint S’mores Cold Brew
If you’re a coffee-loving parent, this is a must-try. You’ll want to be on the lookout for their year-round cold-brew coffee selection.
- Peppermint S’mores Cold Brew — $7.29
- Holiday flavors without being overly sweet
- Great mid-day pick-me-up and great spot to get some rest to recharge.
Pro tip: Mobile order this during your return window so you’re not juggling drinks while wrangling kids. One person in your party will want to look for a patio table while the other picks up the food or drink order.
Disney California Adventure: Paradise Grill During ¡Viva Navidad!
If Disneyland is classic holiday magic, Disney California Adventure (DCA) brings the seasonal flavors.
Paradise Grill: Fast Casual Dining at DCA
Located near Paradise Gardens Park, Paradise Grill becomes a holiday highlight during Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, which runs through early January.
Why Paradise Grill Works for Families
- Fast casual dining
- Mobile order available
- Seasonal menu
- Nearby entertainment and open seating
It’s an ideal lunch or early dinner spot when kids need a reset.
Paradise Grill Holiday Menu Highlights
Adult Menu Favorites
This menu is flavorful, filling, and perfect for parents who want something beyond typical theme park food.
- Tacos Dorados de Camarón (Shrimp Tacos) — $14.49
Crispy, flavorful, and satisfying without being heavy. - Al Pastor Torta — $15.49
Savory pork, bold flavors, and hearty enough to share. - Achiote Half Chicken
Great option for splitting with another adult or older child. - Esquites Loaded Chips
Ideal for sharing as a family snack.
Kids Meal Option
Paradise Grill offers a simple option that works well for picky eaters.
- Kids Quesadilla with Cutie Applesauce — $8.99
Familiar, filling, and easy to eat. This one here is always a hit with our six-year-old.
Holiday Drinks & Desserts for Adults
Berry Pomegranate Paloma
- Berry Pomegranate Paloma — $17.75
- Refreshing, festive, and perfect for a holiday treat
- Ideal for sipping while kids enjoy nearby entertainment
Holiday Desserts
- Buñuelos Biónico
- Chocolate Cake Flan
These desserts are great for sharing and add a festive finish to your meal.
Tips for Visiting Disneyland & DCA During the Holidays With Kids
1. Use Mobile Order Whenever Possible
Mobile ordering saves time, energy, and sanity — especially during peak holiday crowds.
2. Plan Food Around Ride Breaks
Schedule meals after rides like:
- it’s a small world Holiday
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Cars Land strolls at sunset
3. Share Adult Treats
Splitting specialty desserts keeps costs down and avoids sugar overload. One of our favorite things to do is to grab a sweet treat on our way out. Trolley Treats has some of the best shareable desserts and treats you can imagine! From cookies to cake pops and cupcakes, there is so much to choose from! Just take a peek at the holiday options they have below! Perfect for taking back to the hotel or as a sweet treat for the ride back home.
4. Dress in Layers
Holiday mornings are cool, afternoons warm up, and evenings get chilly. If you don’t bring layers, you’ll end up buying some Disney merch to keep you warm.
5. Build in Downtime
Food breaks double as rest time — a must with young kids. When you plan your time and day, you should know that you’ve done all your planning up front and enjoy every second of rest time or meal times to take the Disney magic in.
6. Plan and Budget for Disney Park Purchases
One of my favorite things to talk about is budget-friendly tips for parents that are planning to visit Disney parks. And these tips don’t only apply to parents and families, they can go a long way for adults with no kids too!
Here are some facts. You will find some of the cutest Disney Holiday merch all throughout the parks. Most parents travelling to Disney already know that it makes for an expensive trip when you’re planning for meals, snacks and treats. My biggest tip here is that you should go in with an idea of what and how much you want to get or spend per family member. Including kids can make this a fun and budget-friendly experience. If you’ve ever stopped World of Color at Downtown Disney you’ll know that it can get overwhelming, fast! I
If you go in with a plan, say for example your child really wants a set of Disney ears – ask them about their character or color that they have in mind. That really helps the parent have an idea of how much things will cost and it let’s parents set expectations for kids when the step inside the park or store to shop for merch. They know what they are allowed to purchase, they can definitely have fun window shopping, but no one goes crazy over budget. A helpful tip for parents, is building an incentive at the end of the trip like saying “I’m glad you really like this item, we can plan for this the next time we return to Disney”.
Even as a magic key holder myself, I make sure to practice this habit myself. I plan my purchases carefully and yes there are times when I purchase items at Box Lunch or Amazon so definitely look at those as other options and do what fits your lifestyle and budget best!
Is Disneyland Worth Visiting During the Holidays With Kids?
Absolutely — with the right plan.
The key to enjoying Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during the holidays with young children is balancing:
- Kid-friendly experiences
- Strategic food planning
- Mobile ordering
- A few indulgent adult treats
When you plan meals ahead of time, you spend less time waiting and more time soaking in the magic.
If you’re specifically planning to visit Disneyland Resort in December, you can read How to Plan Your December Trip to Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays – The Sun Queen Diaries
Final Thoughts
The holidays at Disneyland are busy — but they’re also unforgettable. With family-friendly dining like Café Daisy in Mickey’s Toontown and seasonal favorites at Paradise Grill in DCA, you can create a trip that works for both kids and adults.
A little planning goes a long way — and the memories are oh so worth it.
Happy Planning!
If you’re looking to follow along our Disney and Southern California travel and theme park adventures, subscribe below so you can stay up to date on the latest!
Leave a Reply