Disneyland on Thanksgiving?

[robnadina]

Hey Guys
I have never been to Disneyland on Thanksgiving before. Being an AP, we tend to avoid holidays. This year, instead of our usual Big family get together, it looks like its just gonna be me, DH, DS & DD. So I was thinking, how is Disneyland on Thanksgiving? I am sure there is food aplenty, and I dont mind 45 min waits for rides (I do mind 60 min+ times). Plus, because life has been hectic, I havent had a chance to visit Radiator Springs
Any insights that will help me make up my mind would be appreciated
Thank you

[tinkwest]

I've actually never been there on Thanksgiving. I would assume there would be a lot of out of town visitors rather than locals, especially since all passes except Premium are blocked out. There are plenty of special food options if you want to eat your Thanksgiving meal on property and your AP dining discounts will apply even at the special one-day-only food choices such as the buffet at the DLH.

from the Disney Parks Blog:

... at the Disneyland Resort, there are more than a dozen turkey day specials. Here’s where to find everything from slow-roasted turkey to pumpkin pie.

The extravaganza is the buffet at the Disneyland Hotel, a classic harvest of roast turkey, prime rib, homemade stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, fresh cranberry-orange relish and smashed potatoes and gravy. Add to that fresh salads, artisan cheeses, smoked salmon, chilled shrimp, king crab legs and charcuterie. And that’s all before desserts such as pumpkin and pecan pies, tarts, desserts flights, cookies, cakes, macaroon pops, gourmet cupcakes, crêpes flambées and a chocolate fountain with sweets for dipping.

Cost is $71.99, $20.99 for the child’s buffet with kid-friendly tastes from homemade pizza, mac & cheese, chicken tenders, fresh corn, mini hotdogs and other favorites.

Also at the Disneyland Hotel, Steakhouse 55 is offering three courses for $46: roasted butternut squash soup with crème fraîche; slow-roasted turkey with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, dressing and Grand Marnier cranberry sauce; and pumpkin crème brûlée for dessert.

Goofy’s Kitchen will offer brunch ($33.99) and dinner ($38.99) with an abundance of goodies, from made-to-order omelets, eggs Benedict, roasted ham, huevos rancheros in the morning, and classic Thanksgiving for dinner – turkey, roasted New York strip, salmon with caper-butter sauce, mashed potatoes, brown sugar yams with marshmallows, sourdough stuffing, butternut squash soup and more. The special kids’ buffet is $17.99.

Skipping over to Disney’s PCH Grill buffet at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, there’s oven-roasted turkey breast with cranberry-orange relish, New York strip steak with horseradish cream, grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, apple-walnut stuffing, mashed potatoes and turkey giblet gravy, and bounteous salads and desserts. Cost is $31.99, $16.99 for the kids’ buffet.

Heading to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Napa Rose kicks it up with a four-course Wine Country Feast for Thanksgiving – $90, and a wine flight for an additional $45. Kids get a turkey dinner for $20.

Next door at Storytellers Café, you can choose a classic turkey dinner with brioche bread stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and turkey gravy and cranberry sauce for $22.99 ($11.99 for kids), or go for it at the buffet with turkey, New York strip loin, pan-seared salmon, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, grilled chicken, pork loin, candied yams, stuffing with sweet Italian sausage, mashed potatoes, golden beets and more. Plus, those pies and other desserts! The buffet is $30.99, $14.99 for the child’s buffet.

At Disney California Adventure park, you can get turkey and all the fixins’ at Ariel’s Grotto, Flo’s V8 Café, Wine Country Trattoria and Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, or a three-course dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant.

At Disneyland park, slow-roasted turkey accompanied by chefs’ favorite side dishes are on the menu at Café Orleans, French Market, Carnation Café, Plaza Inn, River Belle Terrace and Blue Bayou. And Jolly Holiday Bakery Café already has us thinking of delicious leftovers with a carved turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo.

To make reservations for table service dining, call the Disney Dine Line (714-781-DINE) or email dining reservation requests to [email protected].