Credit: DisneyChristmas Day at Walt Disney World presents a unique dining challenge, as parks are open, crowds are significant, and many families want a festive meal without derailing their vacation. Guests often seek traditional turkey dinners, while others prefer unique options. Navigating Disney’s reservation system is crucial on this busy day.
Fortunately, Disney offers a wide variety of Christmas dining options across the parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs, from traditional feasts to character dining and prix fixe holiday menus. The challenge lies not in finding a place to eat, but in choosing from the many great options and securing reservations before they fill up.
Some restaurants feature holiday-themed meals year-round, while others offer exclusive menus for Christmas Day. Knowing the differences helps you prioritize your reservations. Remember that these reservations fill up quickly, so if you have a specific restaurant in mind, book early to avoid disappointment.
Magic Kingdom Christmas Dining
Liberty Tree Tavern serves its traditional holiday meal year-round for both lunch and dinner, making it a reliable option even if you’re planning last-minute.
The all-you-care-to-enjoy format allows guests to indulge in a variety of dishes, including pot roast, roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and stuffing. The meal concludes with Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake for dessert, which alone justifies the reservation for many guests.
If Liberty Tree Tavern is fully booked, The Diamond Horseshoe provides the same menu in an all-you-can-eat format. The only difference between the two restaurants is their theming, so you can expect an identical meal at either location. Having two venues offering the same holiday food enhances your chances of enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner at Magic Kingdom.
Plaza Restaurant takes a different approach by adding special holiday items to its regular menu. The holiday beef pot roast comes served in a puff pastry crust with mashed potatoes, beer-battered onion rings, and black garlic-truffle aioli. There’s also a holiday turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread crumbles, and cranberry barbecue sauce.
For dessert, a pistachio and cherry cheesecake is available, along with a holiday cosmopolitan for beverages. This option works well for groups where some members prefer holiday food while others opt for the regular menu.
EPCOT’s Christmas Offerings
Garden Grill offers a holiday-themed all-you-can-eat meal that includes salad, grilled beef, roasted chicken, macaroni and cheese, and more. The main attraction is the character dining experience, where guests can enjoy a festive lunch or dinner with Chip ‘n’ Dale, Mickey, and Pluto. For families with young children, this combination of a delightful meal and character interactions creates unforgettable Christmas memories.
The EPCOT Candlelight Processional Dining Package deserves special mention even though the included meals aren’t specifically holiday-themed. This package guarantees seating for the Candlelight Processional, which is arguably the most quintessential Christmas experience at Disney World.
The show features a celebrity narrator retelling the Christmas story accompanied by a live choir and orchestra. Multiple restaurants participate in the dining package, giving you options for cuisine while securing your spot at this spectacular holiday presentation.
Hollywood Studios Character Dining
Hollywood & Vine offers Minnie’s Holiday Dine for both breakfast and dinner, featuring a holiday-themed character buffet. The spread includes carved roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, vegetables, and more.
Guests dine with Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and other favorite Disney characters. This combination of character dining and traditional holiday food makes it especially popular with families. Reservations here are highly competitive, so we would recommend booking ahead of time.
Resort Hotel Restaurants
Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge serves a special prix fixe holiday meal for lunch and dinner on Christmas Day. This replaces the regular menu entirely, so guests should be aware that they won’t have access to standard menu items.
The three-course meal includes cornbread and a house salad as starters, a holiday skillet (or a plant-based skillet option), and dessert. The rustic lodge theming creates an appropriate atmosphere for a Christmas meal.
Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort offers a holiday brunch menu from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day, replacing the regular breakfast and lunch menus. Brunch items include smoked salmon flatbread, crab cake benedict, yule log, and more. This works well for guests who want a leisurely late morning meal that bridges breakfast and lunch.
Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a special “Celebrate the Season” dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, featuring select items from the regular dinner menu.
The Christmas menu features Spice-Glazed Prime Rib with Jeera Jollof and Saag Cassava Puree, Smoke Indian Curry Reduction, Sauté East African Greens, and Dates Relish. This represents a departure from traditional American Christmas fare, appealing to guests seeking something unique.
The restaurants at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort are celebrating the holiday season with special dishes across multiple venues.
- Amare offers a Pan-Seared Florida Snapper and Cabernet Braised Ossobuco.
- Il Mulino features French Pompano, “lasagna,” and slow-cooked lamb.
- Rosa Mexicano serves Snapper a la Valenciana.
- Todd English’s Bluezoo highlights Seared Black Cod.
Guests are encouraged to contact specific restaurants for complete Christmas Day menus and availability.
Many hotel quick-service restaurants also offer special options on December 25, providing convenient alternatives for guests who prefer to skip table service on Christmas Day.
Disney Springs Options
Raglan Road offers both its regular menu and a special holiday menu on Christmas Day. The complete Turkey Dinner features butter and herb-roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, duck fat roasties, honey-glazed carrots, bacon-braised Brussels sprouts, sausage meat stuffing, red wine jus, and cranberry sauce. Guests can choose to order à la carte from the regular menu or select the complete holiday feast.
In addition, Cookes of Dublin, which is Raglan Road’s quick-service location, provides holiday meals throughout Christmas Day. This includes unique options like the Thanksgiving Turkey Pie and a Cajun Turkey Sandwich, offering a faster, more casual dining experience for guests who prefer holiday food without committing to a full table-service meal.
Paddlefish serves its Boiling in a Winter Wonderland feast exclusively on Christmas Day. This holiday-inspired seafood feast features Key West Pink Shrimp, Cedar Key Little Neck Clams, PEI Mussels, cornbread, red potatoes, and sweet corn. For guests who prefer seafood over traditional turkey dinners, this represents an excellent alternative.
Wine Bar George offers special Holiday Entrees on December 25 alongside its regular Small Plates, Boards, and Dessert menus. Options include braised short ribs, Chilean sea bass, braised chicken breast, and more. The combination of holiday specials and regular menu items provides flexibility for groups with varying preferences.
Disney World restaurants will be bustling on Christmas Day. If you’d like to dine at a specific location, please make reservations as early as possible when your booking window opens. Having backup options identified helps if your first choice is unavailable. And remember that some of these holiday meals are available at multiple locations, increasing your chances of getting the Christmas dining experience you want.