Disneyland Resort has set the calendar for its 2026 holiday character buffets, with seasonal dining beginning Nov. 16 and continuing through Jan. 3, 2027. Reservations for the holiday meals open Oct. 1, giving planners a six-week head start on the part of a Disneyland day that involves considerably more sitting down.
At the Disneyland Hotel, Goofy’s Kitchen will offer festive breakfast, brunch and dinner buffets throughout the holiday run. Disney describes the seasonal format as an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet with dishes inspired by the time of year, plus holiday décor and character appearances from Goofy and friends.
Goofy’s Kitchen Will Run Holiday Buffets From Breakfast Through Dinner
The holiday Goofy’s Kitchen experience also includes complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital downloads and a themed keepsake button. Disney’s current dining policy automatically adds an 18% gratuity to the pre-discounted check for all parties at Goofy’s Kitchen, regardless of party size. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Across the esplanade at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Storytellers Cafe will divide the day between two holiday programs. Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party takes over breakfast and brunch, pairing seasonally themed buffet offerings with Daisy Duck and Disney friends. Guests are even invited to arrive in holiday sleepwear, which is one way to remove the final barrier between breakfast buffet and Christmas morning.
Storytellers Cafe Splits the Holiday Between Daisy and Mickey
Dinner becomes Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast, with Mickey Mouse, Scrooge McDuck and other characters anchoring a holiday evening buffet. Disney describes Storytellers’ seasonal meals as all-you-care-to-enjoy, and the restaurant’s regular buffet framework already spans breakfast and brunch favorites as well as dinner salads, starters, entrées, carved meats and desserts.
The November launch follows Disneyland’s fall seasonal dining period, which runs through Oct. 31 at both restaurants. That creates a short reset between Halloween character meals and the holiday programs before the next round of themed serving stations begins.
For buffet-minded Disneyland visitors, the practical date is Oct. 1. The meals do not begin until Nov. 16, but the first competition is for the reservation.
