The holiday season arrives in full force each November at Disneyland Resort. Lots of operational changes will take place in the parks as Disney transitions from Halloween to the holidays, and guests staying at an official Disney hotel have access to even more special offerings.
At the three Disneyland Resort hotels, overnight guests can enjoy exclusive benefits and activities throughout November 2026. We have the full list of perks and the dates when they’re offered. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including new Disney Hanukkah merchandise and Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas schedule featuring its first Disney Christmas movie.
Story Time With Santa
Santa Claus is coming to Disneyland! In the theme parks, guests can meet Santa in a new spot inside Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park, or at Santa’s Holiday Visit! at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at Disney California Adventure. Both of those locations open on November 13.
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As for the Disneyland Resort hotels, guests can attend Story Time With Santa, a free offering taking place every day starting on November 26 and continuing through December 24, Christmas Eve. Here’s the schedule for Story Time With Santa:
- 3:15 PM at Pixar Place Hotel
- 5:00 PM at Disneyland Hotel
- 7:00 PM at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
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Disney Movie Nights
Two of Disneyland’s hotels will host outdoor movie nights in November.
Guests can enjoy 2017’s Coco on the 3rd Floor Pixar Play Lawn at Pixar Place Hotel on November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM. This is a great seasonal choice, timed with Día de Muertos on November 1.
Guests can watch 1997’s Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin on the Frontier Lawn at Disneyland Hotel on November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM. This direct-to-video movie is a pretty deep cut!
Family Craft Activity
Preceding movie nights, guests can take part in a festive craft for free. The craft plus the movie makes for a nice “night in” as opposed to braving the crowds of the theme parks’ nighttime spectaculars.
At Pixar Place Hotel, guests can find the craft on the 3rd Floor Pixar Play Lawn on November 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
At Disneyland Hotel, the craft will take place on the Frontier Lawn on November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Free Guided Tours
Disney offers free guided tours of Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. There is so much detail and passion built into these resorts, and guided tours are a great way to slow down and appreciate many things you may never have noticed before.
On the Disneyland Hotel tour, guests will learn about the hotel’s founders and the Disney artists who built Disneyland.
During the tour of the Grand Californian, guests will hear about the Arts and Crafts Movement and how it inspired the hotel’s design.
Both tours are free, but reservations are required. Guests staying at any Disneyland Resort hotel can visit or contact their hotel’s front desk to book a spot for either tour.
Cars Art Gallery
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of Pixar’s Cars. To celebrate, Pixar Place Hotel is showcasing behind-the-scenes artwork from the development of the movie.
Guests can see drawings, paintings, sculptures, and videos about the making of the film at The Art of Pixar Gallery all month long. The gallery is on the hotel’s second floor for guests to peruse at their leisure.
Make Your Own Washcloth Animal
Guests can learn how to create their own washcloth animal, just like the kind Disneyland housekeeping cast members sometimes make out of towels, during a free activity session.
Washcloth Animal-making will happen in the Discovery Den at Disneyland Hotel on November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2026. Washcloths are provided, and guests get to take home their animal as a free souvenir. No reservations are required. Disneyland’s activities webpage displays a contradiction for the start time, listing 9:00 AM in one place and 9:30 AM in the other. Confirm the correct time with the hotel when you arrive if you’re interested.
Drawing Class
Guests can participate in a free drawing class at The Sketch Pad Café at Pixar Place Hotel on November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2026, at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM.
This is a complimentary class, and all supplies are provided, making your creation a great free souvenir. Animation Academy inside Disney California Adventure continues to provide drawing classes daily.
Special Musical Appearance by Joe Gardner
Guests can see Joe Gardner, the piano teacher from Soul, at Pixar Place Hotel throughout November. Joe plays the piano live near the lobby staircase instead of taking part in a traditional character meet & greet with photos and autographs.
Consult the hotel activities calendar for Joe Gardner’s set times during your visit. You can also ask a cast member at the front desk.
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