Disneyland Mother’s Day Guide: Dining, Gifts, Photo Spots

Mother's Day takes place each year in May and Disneyland is a perfect day to celebrate the moms in your life. Disneyland acknowledges Mother's Day with free carnations for moms and themed treats and dining. You can expect slightly higher than usual crowds during Mother's Day at Disneyland especially if you are looking for a place to have brunch.

Dining reservations for popular brunch places, featured below in our guide, can sell out quickly so it's important to book your dining as soon as it becomes available.

Disneyland offers different items each year to celebrate Mother's Day in the theme park. Keep reading for the most current offerings and our best tips on how to enjoy Mother's Day at Disneyland.

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Mother's Day Brunches at the Disneyland Resort

For Mother's Day this year, a couple of restaurants at the resort will be offering a special meal to celebrate. Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will offer a Mother's Day Brunch or Dinner Buffet, and Plaza Inn will offer a Mother’s Day Brunch. Don't forget to reserve early because as with every special occasion at the Disneyland Resort, restaurants book up fast!

See the details for these two offerings below.

Storytellers Cafe Mother's Day Brunch or Dinner Buffet (Available May 12 only)

There are two Mother's Day meal options offered at Storytellers Cafe that will offer food and the opportunity to encounter Disney characters.

The Mother's Day Brunch Buffet will be an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet served from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm. The price for the Mother's Day Brunch Buffet is $60 per guest ages 10 and older and $32 per guest ages 3 to 9. Prices do not include tax and gratuities.

You'll be able to enjoy a variety of foods including:

• Prime rib roast with creamy horseradish and au jus
• Lemon and herb-baked turkey breast
• Banana Fosters French toast
• Honey-glazed ham
• Pork belly chilaquiles
• An array of breakfast options, both hot and cold
• Assorted sweets, including warm bread pudding with vanilla sauce

There will also be an all-you-care-to-enjoy Mother's Day Dinner Buffet served from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm. The dinner costs $85 per guest ages 10 and older and $35 per guest ages 3 to 9. Prices do not include tax and gratuities. The dinner will feature items including:

• Prime rib roast with creamy horseradish and au jus
• Lemon and herb-baked turkey breast
• Shrimp cocktail
• Harissa airline chicken with Basmati rice
• Quinoa-crusted salmon with stewed beluga lentils
• Roasted pork loin with peaches and mizuna
• An array of classic comfort foods, both hot and cold
• Assorted sweets, including warm bread pudding with vanilla sauce

Plaza Inn Mother's Day Brunch (Available May 10-12)

At this brunch hosted by Minnie Mouse and her friends, you'll start by getting a picture moment featuring Minnie and receive a special Mother's Day flower. Then, you'll be able to enjoy your meal and see a Disney character processional.

The Mother's Day Brunch Buffet will be served from 8:00 am to noon. Pricing is $79 per guest ages 10 and older and $39 per Guest ages 3 to 9. Prices do not include tax, gratuities, and theme park admission. The meal will be an all-you-care-t0-enjoy buffet featuring offerings including:

• Carving station: Roasted New York strip steak and slow-roasted turkey breast
• Fried chicken
• Made-to-order omelets
• French toast
• Assorted pastries and mini desserts
• A selection of specialty beverages

NOTE: The below Mother's Day brunch is not being offered this year, but we have kept the information below for reference in case it returns next year. 

Goofy’s Kitchen (Available May 14 only)

• Mini Danishes, Croissants, Cinnamon Rolls, and Muffins
• Vegan Baked Ziti
• Carving Station featuring Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Turkey Breast, and Rope Sausage

More Disneyland Mother's Day Brunch Spots

There's also some great restaurants to grab brunch at around the Disneyland resort that would be perfect for a Mother's Day celebration! Here are some of our favorites:

• Disneyland Princess Breakfast Adventures– The morning begins with a three course breakfast (with champagne options for adults!) in the fine dining option of Napa Rose. During breakfast Princesses such as Belle, Tiana, Ariel, Jasmine and others arrive to greet and make memories with families. After breakfast there's storytelling moments with the Princesses and take home souvenirs for guests. This is a premium character dining option with a price tag to match. If you're looking for character dining in a signature restaurant, this is a great fit. Moms that love Princesses would love this! This would be a special experience for mothers and daughters.
• Lamplight Lounge- The Lamplight Lounge is a Pixar themed restaurant on Pixar Pier with fabulous views of the ferris wheel and the theme park. There's indoor seating and an outdoor patio. On weekends Lamplight Lounge offers a fantastic brunch option with speciality food and drinks. This is one of my favorite brunch options in all of Disneyland! The airy patio would make for a nice Mother's Day brunch spot.
• Breakfast With Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn– The Plaza Inn serves a breakfast buffet including Mickey waffles, pancakes, omelette stations, breakfast potatoes, hashbrowns, sausage/bacon, and more. The Plaza Inn is beautiful and was decorated by Walt's wife Lillian making it a good choice for an elegant Disney brunch experience with all the feminine details for a lovely Mother's Day meal. This is also a character dining experience where you see the most variety of characters including Minnie Mouse, Eeyore, Captain Hook, Rafiki, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Chip n Dale, and Fairy Godmother.
• Carnation Cafe– I highly recommend the Carnation Cafe as one of the most nostalgic places to eat in Disneyland. The atmosphere of Main Street U.S.A. is prominent while you dine which makes for a memorable lunch experience. The patio is beautifully decorated and their breakfast and lunch options would both make a great place to enjoy Mother's Day.

Mother's Day Foodie Guide

Throughout the parks, there will be various offerings in celebration of Mother's Day that will be available for a limited time! See the Disneyland food guide for 2024 that Disney has released below.

Disneyland Park

Plaza Inn (Available May 12 only) 

• Mother’s Day Brunch: Join in the celebration and drop “Inn” for brunch hosted by Minnie Mouse and her friends. Start with a memorable moment with Minnie Mouse and a special flower, picked just for mom.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa 

Grand Californian Great Hall Cart (Available May 3 through 13) 

• Mickey-shaped Mother’s Day Cookie
• Box of Assorted Cookies

Storytellers Cafe (Available May 12 only from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

• Mother’s Day Dinner Buffet: Indulge your mom with a glorious dinner buffet – and encounter some beloved Disney Characters!

Candy Locations Across Disneyland Resort

Available at Various Candy Locations Around Disneyland Resort Including Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen and Trolley Treats (Available May 5 through 12)  

• Tulip Cake Pop: Vanilla tulip-shaped cake pop dipped in purple-colored white chocolate, outlined in purple sanding sugar, and adorned with marshmallow leaves dipped in green-colored white chocolate (New) 
• Pink Minnie Caramel Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel, enrobed in milk chocolate, adorned with marshmallow ears, and dressed with pink sanding sugar and white M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies

Disney Gifts for Mother's Day

The Disneyland Resort has lots of gift shops. But finding the right one that offers unique gifts for mom may be challenging. Below are just a few of the stores that I, as a Disney-Mom, would love anything that was bought there. You can also check out our favorite Disneyland souvenirs.

The Disney Dress Shop – Going to Disneyland isn't enough for me! Dressing the part is what makes my experience there even better. The Dress Shop, located in Downtown Disney, offers beautiful themed dresses that honor classic attractions – Alice in Wonderland, It's a Small World, Snow White, and – my favorite – Haunted Mansion!

Disney Home – When I'm not at Disneyland, I like to remember all the magical memories my family and I create there. This brand-new store, located in Downtown Disney, offers a variety of gifts and housewares that any Disney-Mom would love! Get her a gift card so she can decorate your home Disney-style!

Pandora Jewelry – Enough said, right? Jewelry is great, but when it is Disney-themed, even better!

Crystal Arts – Located on Main Street and Cristal d'Orleans in New Orleans Square are hidden gems. Etch her name on a wine glass or frame (the possibilities are endless here) or buy her a cute crystal figurine.

Disney Floral & Gifts – Guests who stay at the Resort are in for a special treat! Leave all the work up to the Resort to deliver a fresh flower arrangement, a custom gift basket, or an in-room celebration package with decorations, gifts, and sweet treats!

You will also be greeted by free carnations as you enter Disneyland on Mother's Day which is a nice touch as you enter the parks.

Disneyland Mother's Day Photo Spots

Sometimes the best gifts for mothers are the family pictures she comes home with. Disney's Photopass photographers are located throughout both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and they are happy to take your picture. Of course they will snap pictures with your camera, but Disney does offer many options so you can purchase digital downloads.

Pretty much anywhere in Disneyland makes for perfect pictures. Here are just some of the places I love to snap pictures with my family:

Disneyland

Flower Mickey at Entrance – I love this spot, although it does get crowded. The seasonal flowers of Mickey paired with the Main Street Railroad as the backdrop is iconic Disneyland.

Main Street – Stand right in the middle of Main Street U.S.A to get the full ambiance of Disneyland in one picture!

The Partners Statue, rightly placed in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle, is another prime location to get a great photo! In the spring when the trees are in full bloom makes for a great picture to frame.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle – If you get in early enough you may be lucky enough to snap a shot in front of the castle (with no crowds)!

It's a Small World – Snap a moment in front of the classic attraction with its whimsical artistry.

Disney California Adventure 

Carthay Circle Fountain – Maybe I'm biased because my family and I love dining at the Carthay Circle Restaurant. I’ve snapped many pictures in front of the fountain with Carthay Circle as the backdrop. The fountain encircled by blooming trees makes for one fashionable picture.

Cars Land Billboard – Strike a pose next to the billboard that welcomes you into Radiator Springs. Usually, there is a cast member at this spot ready to snap you a perfect shot.

Pixar Pier Disney Mickey Wheel – By far the best time of day to get a good picture in front of the pier is at dusk. When the attractions light the sky against the setting sun makes for an unforgettable picture.

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Be sure to check out our other guides to planning a Disneyland vacation.

1. When to Visit Disneyland
2. Save Money on Discount Disneyland Tickets
3. Top 8 Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood
4. These Are the Healthiest Foods in Disneyland
5. Top 7 Best Hotels Near Disneyland
6. Can't Miss Disneyland Pixar Fest
7. Read about Disney World Mother's Day Here