Christmas Eve Dinner for a family of 4

[marivigi]

2 adults and 2 kids.

We will be arriving to LAX Xmas Eve morning, so Im guessing by the time we are able to make to Disneyland, it will be closed due to full capacity, so, with that in mind, what options would you think would be nice in Downtown Disney or Disney hotels for Xmas eve dinner?

Will most places have a special menu on that night?

Thanks!

 

[Malcon10t]

Most do not have a different menu. Storytellers is good as is Jazz Kitchen.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Storytellers is good as is Jazz Kitchen.

Those would be the two I pick between. We do Storytellers for Thanksgiving each year.

 

[marivigi]

Thank you so much

Im guessing I would need reservations fo either one on that night, right?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thank you so much

Im guessing I would need reservations fo either one on that night, right?

My philosophy with Disney dining reservations is if you're set on a specific time and place then best to just make the reservation and not be sorry. Holidays at the park reservations are often essential. I don't know how Christmas Eve is but Storyteller's reservations for Thanksgiving are usually all booked within a few days to a week after the booking window opens.

 

[Malcon10t]

From Dec 19-Jan 6th, any place you absolutely want to eat, make a reservation. Many restaurants during this time do not take walk ups. It is that busy. We are there every year from a few days before Christmas to a few days after New Years. We know if we really want to eat at a specific place, make a reservation. At 15 days out, it will start to get difficult to make them.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We will be arriving to LAX Xmas Eve morning, so Im guessing by the time we are able to make to Disneyland, it will be closed due to full capacity, so, with that in mind, what options would you think would be nice in Downtown Disney or Disney hotels for Xmas eve dinner?

Are you staying at one of the 3 Disney hotels? It could be rather inconvenient to pass through security at the Esplanade from an off-site hotel.

It is possible for DL close the entrance at some point on Xmas Eve (and any day through NYE), generally the closure is only temporary. DCA will be available.

 

[ParkHopper1]

would you think would be nice in Downtown Disney or Disney hotels for Xmas eve dinner?!

Napa Rose at the GCH or Steakhouse 55 at DLH would be your "nicest" options.

Reservations certainly will be needed for Christmas Eve

FYI, did Christmas last year...Christmas Eve was a zoo but Christmas morning was dead and a great time to go to the park...by mid day it is a zoo again and by Christmas night it is back to stupid busy...morela of the story, get up early Christmas Morning and enjoy the parks while you can!

 

[Malcon10t]

And as an additional warning, Dec 26 will be even busier than either of the prior two days.

 

[marivigi]

From Dec 19-Jan 6th, any place you absolutely want to eat, make a reservation. Many restaurants during this time do not take walk ups. It is that busy. We are there every year from a few days before Christmas to a few days after New Years. We know if we really want to eat at a specific place, make a reservation. At 15 days out, it will start to get difficult to make them.

That's good to know. We are used to the 180 day mark for WDW, but was under the impression that Disneyland was far more relaxed, so will definitely have my dining planned 2 months out and make reservations.
Thanks!

 

[marivigi]

Are you staying at one of the 3 Disney hotels? It could be rather inconvenient to pass through security at the Esplanade from an off-site hotel.

It is possible for DL close the entrance at some point on Xmas Eve (and any day through NYE), generally the closure is only temporary. DCA will be available.

We still dont know. I waitlisted our stay at VGC, but if we dont get it, then we will be offsite.

Do we need to go through bag check to visit one of the resorts or downtown Disney?

 

[marivigi]

Napa Rose at the GCH or Steakhouse 55 at DLH would be your "nicest" options.

Reservations certainly will be needed for Christmas Eve

FYI, did Christmas last year...Christmas Eve was a zoo but Christmas morning was dead and a great time to go to the park...by mid day it is a zoo again and by Christmas night it is back to stupid busy...morela of the story, get up early Christmas Morning and enjoy the parks while you can!

Well then, guess we will go to bed super early and try to make rope drop on Xmas morning!

 

[marivigi]

And as an additional warning, Dec 26 will be even busier than either of the prior two days.

bummer!

Thought the 26th would somehow be calmer

 

[Skyegirl1999]

bummer!

Thought the 26th would somehow be calmer

The first couple of hours the park is open will be ok pretty much every day, but overall, the 26th is likely to be the worst. A lot of people have family stuff for the actual holiday and then hit Disney the days after...

It is possible it will be *slightly* better this year since most Premium passes renewed at Signature rather than Signature Plus? But it seems the park is just increasingly crowded, period, so who knows?

 

[Malcon10t]

bummer!

Thought the 26th would somehow be calmer

Having done this particular week for 15+ years, it is the worst day. Why? Rose Bowl day. Both teams, their cheer groups, parents, fans, etc are also there. The teams are announced and it is quite busy. Christmas day really hasn't been too busy the last couple years.

 

[marivigi]

Having done this particular week for 15+ years, it is the worst day. Why? Rose Bowl day. Both teams, their cheer groups, parents, fans, etc are also there. The teams are announced and it is quite busy. Christmas day really hasn't been too busy the last couple years.

ohhhh

that explains it

Maybe if we stay at DCA that day it will be a bit better?