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Normally I try not to post about events at the Disney parks, especially for holidays, until right before they happen. We’re on the cusp of Halloween, so it seems silly to talk about a holiday that won’t come until a month after that. But sometimes I do have to mention events early, as tickets go on sale in advance. Writing about a Thanksgiving dinner open to the public at Disneyland might be timelier in late November, but by then all of the tickets will be sold and any interested parties will lose out.
According to the official Disney parks blog, reservation is now open for Turkey Day dinners at Disneyland. The main event is “A Disney Family Thanksgiving Feast.” It’s being served in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. on Thursday November 24, Thanksgiving Day.
The ballroom will be decked out in a harvest theme. Chip and Dale and other Disney friends will be waiting to take pictures and spend some time with you during the meal. The fancy buffet consists of roast turkey breast, prime rib, sweet potato souffle, smashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry orange relish, salads, artisan cheeses, smoked salmon, and shrimp. Of course there will be desserts as well, including pumpkin and pecan pies.
Now the food for this dinner is a little fancy, what with souffles instead of regular sweet potatoes and “smashed” potatoes instead of mashed (is there even a difference?), so Disneyland will be providing a separate buffet to appeal to kids’ palates. The fare for this buffet includes pizza, mac and cheese, and chicken.
Of course, this is a fancy Disney dinner on a holiday and as such it comes with a hefty price tag. Adult tickets are $71.99, kids aged 3-9 tickets are $20.99, and children under 3 get in for free. What’s also free is parking for four hours, but those who stay longer than that pay $6 per every additional hour.
Many of Disneyland’s other restaurants are holding special Thanksgiving feasts, and though the prices aren’t included in the blog post I’ll bet they’re expensive as well. Participating restaurants include Ariel’s Grotto, Wine Country, Blue Bayou, Steakhouse 55, Goofy’s Kitchen, Napa Rose, Disney’s PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel, Plaza Inn, and more.
Maybe I’m crazy or maybe I just don’t appreciate fine food, but I just can’t see spending that much for a Thanksgiving dinner. Sure, it’s always a decadent meal, that’s the point, but even going out for Thanksgiving normally wouldn’t cost that much.
But I don’t mind cooking for myself and I have plenty of family with which to spend Thanksgiving. Maybe others don’t, and a cheery meal at one of the Happiest Places on Earth makes for a great substitute. Maybe the whole family decided to get away for Thanksgiving to Disneyland, and it’s a bit hard to make a full turkey dinner in a hotel room. If you’re already on a vacation for the holiday, why not cap it off with a fancy Thanksgiving feast?
No matter the reason for your interest in the Disneyland Hotel’s Thanksgiving Day buffet, if you want to attend make reservations ASAP. You can do so by calling 714-781-DINE.
Related Articles:
The Gooiest Apple Awards at Disneyland
No Longer the Happiest Turkeys on Earth
Untraditional Turkey Day Destinations
Character Dining at Disneyland
Alternatives to Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival
*(This image by LeeBrimelow is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
