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Holidays at Disneyland Resort: Characters, Santa, Deadpool

Holidays at Disneyland Resort signage at Disney California Adventure entrance with festive wreaths and Carthay Circle Theatre visible down Buena Vista Street
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4 min read

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort returns from November 14, 2025, through January 7, 2026, bringing seasonal décor, entertainment, and a robust slate of character appearances across both parks and hotels. Guests can expect new festive looks for classic characters, a full Disney Festival of Holidays lineup at Disney California Adventure, and Santa sightings around the resort through Christmas Eve.

Disney confirms that Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and friends will debut sparkling new holiday outfits in Disneyland Park as part of the resort's ongoing 70th celebration. Character sets will rotate throughout the season, with many greeting near Main Street, U.S.A., while Disney California Adventure leans into retro winter wear for its Buena Vista Street ensemble.

At Disney California Adventure, the Disney Festival of Holidays anchors the park experience again this year with multicultural live entertainment, specialty bites, and daily processions, running the same November 14 to January 7 window. Mickey's Happy Holidays continues as a street-side pop of music and character cameos with Disney and Pixar pals joining the holiday toy drummers.

Marvel fans get an extra seasonal wink. After debuting in 2024, "The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special" returns near Avengers Campus, with Wolverine appearing at select performances. This limited-time show adds a tongue-in-cheek counterpoint to the otherwise classic holiday mix, and it runs during the Holiday Time dates.

Santa Claus remains a central photo op across the resort through December 24, 2025. Expect him in park locations as well as at the three on-site hotels during the heart of the season, offering convenient options for families staying on property.

Character dining expands with seasonal overlays. At Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Storytellers Cafe hosts Daisy's Holiday Pajama Party at breakfast and brunch from November 17, 2025, through January 6, 2026. In the evenings, the venue transforms into Mickey's Christmas Carol Feast. Over at Disneyland Hotel, Goofy's Kitchen adds holiday breakfast, brunch, and dinner service with Goofy and friends. Availability is limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged.

For on-the-go planning, the official Disneyland mobile app is still the most reliable way to pinpoint character locations and times. In the app, the Characters tab filters the map to reveal who is greeting where, with schedules updated throughout the day. Because entertainment and sets can change without notice, checking the app on arrival and before moving between lands helps maximize photo time with your must-meet favorites.

Analysis

Crowd patterns shift during the holidays, especially on weekends and the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Festival of Holidays food marketplaces and Mickey's Happy Holidays draw pop-up clusters in Disney California Adventure, while parade viewing for A Christmas Fantasy in Disneyland Park fills curbs well in advance. Build a flexible photo plan: prioritize one or two "must-get" characters in the morning, set an alarm for Deadpool showtimes if those are posted in-park, and stack short, opportunistic meets in the afternoon when lines ebb after parades.

Dining strategy matters, too. Booking an early Storytellers Cafe seating can secure warm indoor character interactions before the parks peak, while an evening Mickey's Christmas Carol Feast gives families a sit-down reset without losing the holiday vibe. If you are chasing Santa photos, watch the app and hotel lobbies on weekday afternoons, and be mindful that Santa's final day across the resort is December 24.

Final thoughts

From new holiday outfits on Main Street to Festival of Holidays energy at Disney California Adventure, Holidays at Disneyland Resort offers a deep character slate and a few surprises. With dates set, Santa confirmed through December 24, and Deadpool back near Avengers Campus, the best plan is simple, check the app first, then move with the entertainment schedule to keep your camera working all day.

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