Walt Disney World Resort is always magical, but I don’t think it gets any better than at Christmastime. You walk down Main Street, U.S.A. and see Cinderella Castle wrapped in thousands of twinkling lights. You smell gingerbread and vanilla in the bakeries. Holiday music plays as you explore the resorts. It’s my favorite time of year! Here are 10 ways to celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort.
One important note before we begin: Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort typically runs from early November until the end of December. In fact, decorations don’t usually come down in Magic Kingdom until early January! So as you’re planning your holiday vacation, know that you have flexibility in your travel dates. There’s plenty of time to enjoy the Christmas fun!
Here’s what’s waiting for you on a Walt Disney World vacation:
1 – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
If you love Christmas, you have to get tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This special ticketed event is held at Magic Kingdom from early November up until the start of Christmas week each year. Here are just a few of the festive events waiting in store for you:
- Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Show
- Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
- A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
- Special Character Meet & Greets
You can find complimentary cookies, soft pretzels, and beverages (non-alcoholic) throughout the park. Plus, many of Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions remain open for the event (some with special holiday effects). If you can only experience one event during your Christmas Walt Disney World, this is it!
2 – Holiday Celebrations at Magic Kingdom
Main Street, U.S.A. at Christmastime is one of the most iconic scenes of a Disney Christmas. From the towering Christmas tree in Town Square to the dozens of Mickey-shaped wreaths to the frosted Cinderella Castle, it’s true Disney magic. Decorations also trickle into Fantasyland, Liberty Square, and other spots in the park.
Even if you’re not attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there are a few Christmas experiences you can find throughout the day. Jungle Cruise transforms into the “Jingle Cruise” for the season, with holiday lights and festive puns. Elsa lights up the castle nightly during the “A Frozen Holiday Wish” show. Santa meets guests at the Candy Cane Garden (after Thanksgiving).
If you’re visiting after Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ends for the season, you can experience the Christmas shows, parade, and fireworks during regular park hours. At any time during the holidays, you can find special souvenirs and treats located throughout the park.
3 – Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Epcot is known for its incredible festivals, and the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is another one you won’t want to miss. The 11 countries of the World Showcase share their holiday traditions with festive entertainment, family-friendly activities, and delicious dining. This event runs from late November (after Thanksgiving) until the end of December.
Holiday kitchens (a.k.a. kiosks) are scattered throughout the World Showcase and offer tasting-sized portions of holiday dishes. You can also find festive drinks, including alcoholic options.
Storytellers by the World Showcase pavilions share their native holiday traditions, ranging from Christmas to Lunar New Year. Musicians offer seasonal music, including the beloved Voices of Liberty performing as Dickens Carolers. You can also choose to participate in Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree or a Holiday Cookie Stroll.
4 – Candlelight Processional
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays also hosts one of the most beautiful events of Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort. At the Candlelight Processional, you’ll hear the story of the Nativity accompanied by a choir and a 50-piece orchestra. It’s a wonderfully moving celebration that will fill you with the joy of the season.
Celebrity narrators share the story of Christmas in the World Showcase of Epcot. Notable performers in the past include Gary Sinise, Neil Patrick Harris, Marlee Matlin, and Jodi Benson. The vocal performances are incredible, featuring classic songs such as O Come All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, and the Hallelujah Chorus.
This event first started at Disneyland Park in 1958 and has been a Disney Christmas tradition ever since!
5 – Holiday Celebrations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios hosts several events that will put you in the Christmas spirit. Sunset Seasons Greetings takes place nightly with a projection show that takes place on the facade of the Hollywood Tower Hotel (you may know it as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror). The show includes pieces from Toy Story, Prep & Landing, the Muppets, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, complete with snow on Sunset Boulevard.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! is an exciting holiday spectacular that takes place on the front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in the center of Hollywood Studios. Projections share the stories of Prep & Landing, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, and Pluto’s Christmas Tree with laser effects and fireworks.
You’ll find yuletide decorations throughout the parks, especially in Toy Story Land, Echo Lake, and Sunset Boulevard. Be sure to visit Gertie the dinosaur with her festive Santa hat!
6 – Holiday Celebrations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The season comes alive at Animal Kingdom with displays of holiday celebrations from around the world. The Village of Harambe in Africa is decorated with African-inspired takes on Western traditions. In Anandapur in Asia you’ll find festive lights for Diwali. Even Pandora – The World of Avatar offers some creative takes on Christmas decor.
On Discovery Island, look for the Merry Managerie – a set of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets representing reindeer, polar bears, and foxes. Children will love interacting with them and learning more about cold-weather fauna. At night, the Tree of Life showcases projections that tell stories of nature’s interaction with winter.
Disney Characters also join in on the Christmas fun with holiday outfits at Adventurer’s Outpost, Discovery Island, and Donald’s Dino-Bash.
7 – Seasonal Tours
If you’d like to learn more about how Disney decorates for Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort, there are two seasonal tours available that will give you that extra dose of holiday magic.
Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy tour brings you behind-the-scenes to learn about the Holiday Services Designers who create the unique decorations throughout the parks and resorts. You’ll also visit the Floral Department to see the seasonal displays and meet a Disney Springs culinary artist who will help you create a seasonal treat of your own.
Disney’s Holiday D-Lights tour combines a behind-the-scenes tour with some of Disney’s most popular Christmas experiences. You’ll go backstage to learn how Disney brings the Christmas magic to life and meet the team responsible for decorating Cinderella Castle. You’ll even get to see the castle lighting show and head to Epcot for the evening’s Candlelight Processional, followed by the Epcot Forever fireworks.
8 – Holiday Celebrations at Disney Springs
Disney Springs is the shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort. Here is where you’ll find a nearly unlimited selection of holiday merchandise, perfect for anyone on your Christmas list. The World of Disney store offers an entire room filled with Disney-inspired Christmas items.
If you’re visiting Disney Springs over the holiday season, you must take a walk down the Christmas Tree Trail. This free experience showcases over 20 Christmas trees that are themed to different Disney movies. Here is also where you’ll find Santa’s Chalet, where Santa is waiting to greet guests.
Disney Springs is filled with restaurants and shops offering delicious holiday-inspired treats. For a fun tour of Disney Springs, sign up for Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt – it’ll take you around the highlights of the district on a family-friendly scavenger hunt.
9 – Holiday Celebrations at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel keeps you closer to the magic, with uniquely themed decorations at each resort. Towering Christmas trees, festive garlands, and classic music fill the lobbies and make you feel like you’re walking into a storybook.
The Disney Chefs create incredible gingerbread displays for several of the Disney Resort hotels. These include Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. If your timing is right, you just might see these gorgeous creations being built!
My personal favorite resorts to experience during Christmastime are Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. When staying at any Disney Resort hotel, you can even order special holiday in-room celebrations from Disney Floral & Gifts.
10 – Ultimate Disney Christmas Package
If you’re looking to wrap up your Christmastime activities into a single package, take a look at the Ultimate Disney Christmas Package. While it varies from year to year, it is typically offered for a select set of travel dates (e.g. December 21st – 25th) and may include some of the following experiences:
- Exclusive access to select lands in the Disney Parks
- Tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Exclusive viewing areas for evening shows or fireworks
- An Ultimate Disney Christmas gift delivered to your hotel room
Additionally, your package includes your room at a Disney Resort hotel and park tickets. If the dates of the package work with your schedule, this is a great way to experience the highlights of a Disney Christmas.
Plan Your Family’s Christmastime Vacation at Walt Disney World Resort
Would you like to experience Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort for yourself? I’d love to help! As a concierge vacation planner specializing in Disney destinations, my goal is to design the perfect itinerary for your family and make your trip seamless. My services are free when you book your Disney vacation through me.
Contact me via the magical blue button below to request more information on a Walt Disney World Resort vacation for your family!
“All around the Christmas tree there’ll be dreams coming true…” – Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
