**December 2025 Check-In Thread**

[alleighboo]

I've been thinking about ADRs and I'm still almost a month out from the 60 days when I can actually make them I don't know about Christmas Eve/Day because we're not there at that time.

Personally I'm going to be looking for Chef's Table at Napa Rose, assuming they still have it, Blue Bayou, WOC Dessert Party and Trader Sam's for sure. Not sure what else yet.

I've done Carthay Circle and have very mixed feelings about it. Food was very good and the setting is lovely, but to me, it's alot of $$ for something that still has the ambience of a theme park restaurant because of the large numbers of young kids there. We went a few years ago since we happened to be in DL for our anniversary and thought that would be a good choice; unfortunately, many parents chose to let their kids run around as if they were still on Tom Sawyer Island and that kinda ruins what otherwise would have the feel of a nice, upscale restaurant. Many tables with crying, overly tired kids. One family had zero issues with letting their little boy crawl around under our table. There tends to be less of an issue with that kind of thing at Napa Rose in my experience. Last time we went, we sat in the bar area at Carthay. It's very small but you can still get some food there.

This is what I was looking for! I teach in an elementary school and I know we're in a Disney park...but lord I can't do the kids running wild in a sit-down restaurant

We are definitely trying to get Trader Sam's and then Din Tai Fung. I got a Trader Sam's last trip but my stepdaughter is underage and it was at 9 pm so we ended up canceling. Debating the WOC Dessert Party too. I love it and haven't seen the new show. These were great ideas!!

 

[LKing]

While I understand that the actions of others can spoil one's vacation, be careful about taking one person's experience and defining it as the norm. We're all here sharing our personal experiences. Take it as that - one's personal experience.

 

[KPeterso]

Booked 12/3-12/6 at VGC. Hoping I will be able to keep this reservation with the number I have had to cancel due to my mom's health. Hoping to see Candlelight Processional again this year.

 

[alleighboo]

While I understand that the actions of others can spoil one's vacation, be careful about taking one person's experience and defining it as the norm. We're all here sharing our personal experiences. Take it as that - one's personal experience.

Do you have a recommendation?

 

[BobaFettFan]

You all, the closer we get, the more I get the special feeling that December is going to be a great month for a Disney trip.


While my family has been able to nimbly avoid any serious calamity, what a year this has been. I'm glad that I get to come to this message board and put a little sparkle in my days leading up to the trip.


Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and opinions in a kind way. I wish the entire Internet did it like we do. It is an oasis of kindness.

Plane tickets - purchased.
Hotel - booked
Reservations... Soon!

I, for one, am ready to pounce on the Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian. My wife, 8yo son, and the in-laws all fly in at different times the first day. We are not going into the parks that day, so it'll be a big wave of pure Disney after going through downtown together and starting our adventure off right.

 

[LKing]

Do you have a recommendation?

What is your objective? To have a nicer dinner and avoid children?

 

[ClaraOswald]

What is your objective? To have a nicer dinner and avoid children?

Dang...if that's the objective, then I'd suggest avoiding a Disney restaurant all together. Orange County probably has a lot of upscale restaurants.

 

[alleighboo]

What is your objective? To have a nicer dinner and avoid children?

Nope! Here is my original post:

"Is it too early to be thinking ADRs? I'm trying to plan things out because I want to do something special on Christmas Eve/Day but the Storytellers brunch won't be offered those days. Any ideas for an alternative? Doesn't have to be Christmas-y...just something fun or special! My husband loves Blue Bayou for the ambiance and I was thinking Plaza Inn character breakfast? I think we'll still try to do Storytellers brunch on the 26th and that may be easier because we don't have a park day that day.

I'll take all suggestions! I was considering Carthay Circle as well since we've never been? What would or are you guys doing??"

I'm leaning more towards Plaza Inn on Christmas morning if its available. I love the characters and sitting in front of the castle and feel like that would give Christmasy vibes even if it's not holiday themed. Trying to decide between Carthay, Blue Bayou, or possibly Lamplight for Christmas Eve... I don't think we want or need to do any parade dining. Just any suggestions for something special or different to do during the holidays!

 

[cruisehopeful]

December 12-14 VDH

I'll probably have some nice men's XL button down shirts to give away. My husband lost a lot of weight and I would like them to go to a good home vs just tossing them in a donation bag .

 

[StarlitNight05]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and opinions in a kind way. I wish the entire Internet did it like we do. It is an oasis of kindness

I don't have a December trip planned, but I still peruse the monthly threads in case there's something I can learn or answer. Just wanted to say that I agree with this so much! I love the DISboards. I go onto Disneyland Reddit every once in a while, but it always reminds me of why I prefer to come here! Some of those people can be a bit much to say the least

 

[BriannaRuth]

Just to add some context to my comment above about CC and kids -- every DL trip I've ever taken has been with my own kids. Started taking them when they were 4. I'd never expect to go to a Disney restaurant without young kids present, and they don't normally annoy me at DL. But CC definitely has a more upscale "grown up" vibe than most other restaurants in the park, and it's not cheap. So while we weren't expecting a kid-free zone, I did think that the parents might make more of an effort to have their kids be better behaved than they might at say, Red Rose Tavern. Kinda like you expect kids to be a little better behaved at a pricey upscale restaurant outside of Disneyland than you do an Olive Garden. That definitely wasn't the case.

My experience may have been affected by my expectations, and maybe it was even a one-off, I don't know because I haven't been back other than to have a drink and an appetizer at the bar -- but I do think if anyone is looking for a "special evening" type restaurant, they might want to be aware. Napa Rose would be my choice for a nicer dinner with better behaved kids. We've eaten there several times (both at the Chef's Counter and otherwise) without this kind of issue.

Edited to add: Ugh, evidently Napa Rose isn't reopening until 2026 now! So disappointing.

 

[BriannaRuth]

This is what I was looking for! I teach in an elementary school and I know we're in a Disney park...but lord I can't do the kids running wild in a sit-down restaurant

We are definitely trying to get Trader Sam's and then Din Tai Fung. I got a Trader Sam's last trip but my stepdaughter is underage and it was at 9 pm so we ended up canceling. Debating the WOC Dessert Party too. I love it and haven't seen the new show. These were great ideas!!

CC wasn't any worse than any other DL restaurant as far as kids running around, it's just that it also wasn't any better

Is your stepdaughter old enough that she might enjoy some time to herself in the parks in the evening? When my youngest was 18, I mentioned to her that we weren't doing Trader Sam's at night because she couldn't get in and she decided to take the opportunity to do the park on her own for a few hours. She'd been on her own often during the day, but not at night because I always like to be in the parks at night. She hung out in Star Wars Land and had such a good time on her own that ever since she's asked for a few hours to herself after dark! OTOH, she's 21 this year and is really looking forward to sitting at the bar at Trader Sam's with me after 9!

Anyway, given the 3 restaurants you listed, I'd personally go for Plaza Inn just because I'd really enjoy seeing the decorations on Christmas Eve. Although -- have you never done Blue Bayou? If you're looking for a reason to do BB and haven't done it before, you could always see decorations at Plaza Inn another night and do BB instead.

 

[LKing]

@BriannaRuth If you decide to go back, I would ask the hostess to be seated in an area with fewer kids. We've been seated in some rooms which were almost exclusively adults and other rooms (with larger booths/tables) that had more kids. The kids' behavior depends on the parents, not the restaurant so it is extremely variable.

@alleighboo sorry, I must have missed your original post. What are the ages of the children in your group? Below are my thoughts about some nicer restaurants. I mention indoor and outdoor dining because I don't know what the weather will be like at the end of December.

DL
Blue Bayou - Not really holiday festive, but festive in its own right
Cafe Orleans - Not holiday festive. Small amount of indoor dining. To me, it feels rushed. I've never had nice or pleasant service here.
River Belle Terrace - Probably not very holiday festive. Nice view of ROA if the weather is nice. A lot of outdoor dining.
Carnation Cafe - Not sure how festive this would be.
Jolly Holiday - I think this has a better view than Plaza Inn. It is more take out and less of a sit down meal. Outdoor dining
Plaza Inn - I think there are plants around a decent amount of the outdoor dining. Not sure how good the view would be of the castle and Main Street. Character meal would be fun. Limited indoor dining.

DCA
Carthay Circle Lounge - Mix of indoor and outdoor dining. I don't always like the menu but the service has always been a step up compared to other restaurants.
Carthay Circle Restaurant - All indoor dining. White linen tables, dressier feel. Even if there aren't decorations, I think this is a nicer experience. It is a long, slow meal. See my suggestion above if you want to stay away from young children.
Lamplight Lounge Boardwalk Dining - semi outdoor dining. Not all that festive
Lamplight Lounge - Unique Pixar theming. Food is good. Service has been hit and miss for me.
Magic Key Terrace (are you a MK holder?) - not festive but exclusive so feels nicer
Wine Country Trattoria - Table service restaurant. Outdoor dining. If you aren't doing the WOC dessert package, you can do the WOC dining package here.

Are you staying at one of the DLR hotels? They often have carolers, hot chocolate, and activities for families.

If you are looking for Santa, his last day is Dec 24. He is at the Fantasyland Theater in DL and in Redwood Creek in DCA. He is usually in the lobby of all three DLR hotels.

 

[BobaFettFan]

Rain tends to keep some of the locals aware, which can help with crowds.



Why is Downtown Disney bad during the show?

We arrive on the 7th and were planning to have dinner at DTD.

Sorry, I meant Main Street. Downtown unchanged.