Enchanting Encounters: Spotting the Holiday Characters at Disneyland Resort!

Enchanting Encounters: Spotting the Holiday Characters at Disneyland Resort!

Disneyland Resort turns into a winter wonderland during the holidays, and honestly, it’s one of the most enchanting times to visit! The entire resort is absolutely glowing with twinkle lights and ornaments, but the real magic comes from seeing all your favorite Disney characters dressed in their festive finest. If you’re heading to “Holidays at the Disneyland Resort” or “Disney Festival of Holidays” between November 14, 2025, and January 7, 2026, here’s a sneak peek at who you can snag a photo with!

Related – 2025 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Foodie Guide Is Here!

The Main Man, Santa Claus!

You can’t have the holidays without the big guy! Santa Claus is stopping by the resort straight from the North Pole for photos and to hear your wishes, but only through December 24, 2025. Your best bet to catch him is at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure, which transforms into a jolly, festive playground. Starting November 27, he also adds a sprinkle of cheer to the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, talk about a busy itinerary!

Festive Fun at Disney California Adventure Park

California Adventure is a character hotspot! Over on Buena Vista Street, keep an eye out for Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Clarabelle Cow, all sporting retro-inspired wintry wear that perfectly matches the park’s vintage holiday vibes. Even Mater in Cars Land gets in on the fun, rocking a giant Santa hat, a photo-op you “auto” stop for!

If you wander to Grizzly Peak, you may find the adventurous trio of Carl, Russell, and Dug dressed up. And for some non-traditional holiday fun, Deadpool is back after his debut last year for “The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special” near Avengers Campus. This hilarious show is classic Deadpool, and rumor has it, Wolverine might even crash a few performances!

Disney Festival of Holidays Highlights!

The Disney Festival of Holidays brings a burst of cultural celebrations and lots of character appearances. Make sure to catch the daily, high-energy procession, Mickey’s Happy Holidays. You’ll groove to the Holiday Toy Drummers and spot classic friends like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, along with Pixar pals like Joy, Mr. & Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, Woody, Jessie, and Bo Peep!

For Encanto fans, you can celebrate a Fiesta de Navidad with Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season street performance on select days at Paradise Gardens Park.

And speaking of incredible cultural celebrations, at Carthay Circle on select evenings, you may encounter Miguel from Coco during “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!”

Don’t forget to stop by the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! celebration at Paradise Gardens Park, where you can meet Mirabel and see The Three Caballeros, Jose Carioca, Panchito, and Donald Duck, during their fun Street Party on weekends!

Holiday Cheer at Disneyland Park

Over at Disneyland, the classic characters on Main Street, U.S.A. are debuting newly designed, festive outfits that put a holiday spin on their already special 70th Celebration looks!

And of course, it wouldn’t be the holidays without the treasured “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025! Get ready for a procession of gingerbread, toy soldiers, and characters like Buzz, Woody, Jessie, the Frozen crew (Anna, Elsa, Olaf), and beloved Disney Princesses and Princes! You can also catch Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy, and Pluto at the Fantasyland Theatre through December 24 during the “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” experience.

Character Dining: The Ultimate Festive Meal

Want to guarantee some quality time with characters? Treat yourself to a holiday character meal! Advanced reservations are highly recommended because these fill up fast.

Storytellers Cafe (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa): From November 17 through January 6, enjoy Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch, where you can show up in your comfiest PJs!

For dinner, check out Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast and dine with Mickey Mouse, Scrooge McDuck, and more in outfits inspired by the classic story.

• Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel): Goofy and his pals will be rocking merry pastels, prints, and sparkly looks for a holiday breakfast, brunch, and dinner, also running from November 17 through January 6.

These meals are a fantastic way to meet multiple characters in their festive looks while enjoying an all-you-care-to-eat buffet!

Credit: Disney Parks

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