Whether you’re a big Christmas fan or not, we are here to let you know that Disney may have an impact on the decision. With the Florida “snow” and decorations like you wouldn’t believe, you’re guaranteed to be overloaded with a new outlook on it altogether. Christmas at Disney World really is a dream come true. Here you will find the ultimate guide to Christmas at Disney World which is now in full force. Therefore, the jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin spice are long gone. This guide will provide you with some tips and tricks for special Christmas activities as well as great videos. Read on for more.
Dreaming of a White Christmas at the Magic Kingdom
When we think of Disney World at Christmas time, our minds usually go straight to the Magic Kingdom. The overpowering presence of Cinderella’s Castle decked out in beautiful lights and stunning festive decor alone is enough to put you in the spirit for months to come. Not to mention the special parades, fireworks and even “snow” on Main Street. Magic Kingdom does everything but bring you some figgy pudding.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
On select nights in November and December, Magic Kingdom as we know it shuts down and becomes the host of the biggest Christmas party in the world. Well, in all of Disney World at least. This is a separate ticket event from regular park admission. Prices range from $99-$123 depending on when you go. However, if you’re an annual pass holder, you do get a slight discount.
This party includes special events, a parade, and nighttime firework show that do not happen on regular park days. We highly recommend viewing the parade and fireworks, as they’re sure to bring you good tidings and cheer.
You can also find special character meet and greets that you won’t find anywhere else, at any other time. The seven dwarves, Mickey and Minnie in their Christmas attire, and Santa Claus are all some of the most popular, but there are many others as well.
Two attractions have special Christmas overlays for the party. Both Space Mountain and the Teacups have lights and Christmas music incorporated. While these are subtle changes, they do add to the overall festive vibe of the party.
Included with your ticket admission, is unlimited cookies, hot chocolate, apple cider, and snowcones. Other holiday-inspired treats will be available, but we always recommend getting what you’ve already paid for.
The top attractions will be open and you will find that there are much shorter lines than on normal park days. However, we don’t recommend using all your time on the rides as you will miss out on the other special events.
Hours for this party go from 7 PM until 12 AM, but you are able to enter the Magic Kingdom at 4 PM. Be sure to take advantage of that extra three hours by riding some of the attractions at the top of your list. You are able to schedule fast passes during those three hours. View our article All You Need to Know About Disney FastPass+ to learn when to book FastPasses and which rides to prioritize.
Main Street
It’s hard to top the Christmas atmosphere and feeling you get when you step onto Main Street, USA. Disney goes all out on the festive decorations here. If this doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, I don’t know what will. While it doesn’t get very cold in Florida during the winter season, it still somehow “snows” on Main Street. It may be 85°, yet it still seems to make sense. That’s the magic of Disney.
Jingle Cruise
We’re huge Jungle Cruise fans, so we thought this definitely deserved a mention. If the attraction wasn’t already good enough, now Disney brings a Christmas overlay to it. It’s the same punny humor, but with a new holiday take on it. The boats have also been decorated by the skippers. The Jungle Cruise transforms into the Jingle Cruise in early November.
Holiday culture at Epcot
Epcot is a place for exploring new cultures, customs, and cuisines. This is highlighted even on a larger scale when it comes to the holiday season. If you are a traveller or just love trying new things, Epcot is a must-do when visiting Disney World at Christmas.
Festival of the Holidays
Included with your park admission, Festival of the Holidays celebrates the many different holidays all around the world. The festivities start in Mid-November and run all the way through the end of December.
Located throughout World Showcase in Epcot are 12 Holiday Kitchens that serve authentic food that’s inspired by the cultures throughout the world. Each kitchen will have their own holiday-themed cuisine that you’d find in that particular area of the world.
For the shoppers, there are 6 Holiday Markets located throughout World Showcase. You can also find special holiday merchandise in some of the larger stores like Mouse Gears and World Traveler.
There’s also some pretty neat entertainment going on in each country of World Showcase. You’ll find entertainment such as holiday storytellers and musical performances that tell about various cultural and religious traditions. There are also many opportunities to meet characters in many of the countries like Santa Claus and Mrs Claus in the American adventure.
The Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional is the must-do event when visiting Epcot during the holidays. Many people plan their vacation to Disney World around this particular event. It is a one-hour retelling of Christ and his birth that includes a massive choir, 50 piece orchestra, and a celebrity narrator.
Here’s the list of celebrity narrators along with their dates for the 2019 processional:
- Ming-Na Wen – 11/29-12/1
- Neil Patrick Harris – 12/2-12/5
- Whoopi Goldberg – 12/6-12/7
- Isabella Rossellini – 12/8-12/10
- Chita Rivera – 12/11-12/12
- Gary Sinise – 12/13-12/15
- Pat Sajak – 12/16-12/18
- Warwick Davis – 12/19-12/21
- Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/22-12/24
- Edward James Olmos – 12/25-12/26
- Marlee Matlin – 12/27-12/28
- Lisa Ling – 12/29-12/30
This event is located at the American Gardens and is performed from November 29-December 30. You don’t have to pay extra for this event as it is included with your regular park admission.
There are three performances each night, at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:15 PM. We recommend going to the second or third performance because there will be fewer people going to these and it will also be completely dark by then. With it being a candlelight processional, this will add to the overall experience.
You will still need to get in line pretty early though. We recommend getting in line at least one hour in advance of showtime. There are some special dining packages at Epcot restaurants that offer reserved seating for this event.
Here’s a taste of what you will get with the Candlelight Processional in this video by BigFatPanda
Fireworks
Epcot does offer up a special night-time firework show during the holiday season. These festive fireworks run from mid-November until December 30. You can find many viewing spots throughout World Showcase.
A Christmas scene that can only be found in Hollywood
If you’re looking for some great holiday entertainment, tasty festive treats, and just a chance to be immersed in the joy that Christmas brings, then Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s is the place to be when visiting Disney World at Christmas time. We will break down everything this park has to offer during the holidays.
Christmas Decorations
Hollywood Studios is at the top of the list when it comes to decorations in Disney World at Christmas time. Lights, trees, garland, and wreaths can be found throughout the park. Even Toy Story Land has jumped in on the Flurry of Fun with oversized Christmas items found all around Andy’s playground. We do feel that the best time to experience Christmas at Hollywood studios is at night time.
Holiday merchandise and special food items
Just like in the other parks, you’ll find special holiday merchandise and food items inside of Hollywood Studios.
Attractions with Christmas overlays
There are 2 attractions at Hollywood Studios that have Christmas overlays
- Frozen Sing-A-Long: This attraction will feature 2 new songs during the holiday season. There will also be a special guest appearance by someone or something without a skull, or bones.
- Alien Swirling Saucers: You’ll still be spinning with joy in this attraction, but with some added Christmas music, done alien-style.
Character meet and greets
There are some special characters you can meet throughout Hollywood Studios during Christmas. One of the most popular beings Santa Claus, who’s located at the back of Once Upon a Toy. Check the attraction times guide for other character meet and greet opportunities, as they’re always changing.
Sunset Seasons Greetings
This is an on-going projection show on the Tower of Terror that take it from the Twilight Zone straight to the North Pole. They have some very fun and creative ways of doing this. No show is the same, and you’ll even find some “snow” swirling around you.
Jingle Bell Jingle Bam!
You can conclude your night at Hollywood Studios with the night-time show Jingle Bell Jingle Bam. It combines projections on the Chinese Theater with lasers and pyro. Special dessert packages are available that offer reserved seating.
Holidays at the Animal Kingdom
Image credit to Jay Malone
Disney’s Animal Kingdom hasn’t always been the go-to place to celebrate the holidays while visiting Disney World at Christmas time. However, it seems like this year Disney has gone all out to ensure that Animal Kingdom isn’t the Scrooge of the parks. Christmas is the time for peace and goodwill, and there’s no doubt that Disney is gifting us those feels in this park.
Discovery Island
You’ll discover much of the Christmas spirit in this section of Animal Kingdom. During the day, you’ll find artisan hand-crafted puppets that are life-size. Animals like polar bears foxes and reindeer will all be on display.
At night, this area will take on a whole new vibe. Lanterns and rooftop illuminations will bring warmth throughout. Best of all, there will be a festive, winter-themed projection show that plays on the Tree of Life throughout the night.
DinoLand USA
If you’ve been to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and you’re like us, DinoLand USA isn’t typically a place where you spend much of your vacation time. The Christmas additions here may change this though.
The festive music, flurries of what seems to be real snow, and lights strung all around are definitely a bright addition here. Also, you’ll be able to meet Donald and his friends in their prehistoric get-up.
Africa
In Harambe, you’ll find African-inspired holiday decorations.
Pandora
Pandora wasn’t completely left out when it comes to Christmas decorations. You’ll find some subtle, but very detailed decor at Pongu Pongu.
Other Christmas character meet and greets
There are some other character meet and greets outside of the ones in DinoLand USA. Animal Kingdom is where you’ll find Mickey and Minnie together in their Christmas attire, as well as Doug and Russell from the Pixar favorite, Up.
Here’s a video from Tim Tracker showing everything Christmas related at animal kingdom
Christmas in the resorts
As stated earlier, even though the weather is hot outside in Florida, the resorts make you feel like you’re in a Winter Wonderland in many ways. The resorts are decked out with amazingly lit trees and life-size gingerbread houses. These houses are also available to “buy,” in the form of an edible shingle or two.
Some gingerbread houses can be found at Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa opening Wednesday, November 13 and Disney’s Contemporary Resort which is celebrating 10 years this year. The Contemporary Resort house includes Cinderella, her prince, and the Fairy Godmother, in the fashion of the Small World dolls. How adorable is that?
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts feature Donald Duck and Daisy Duck themed horses decorated with chocolate, sugar and fondant in the form of a classic carousel.
For the first time this year, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is getting a gingerbread log cabin constructed in the lobby. Usually, hot chocolate is served, but Disney stepped it up this year and added a cabin of sugar, spice and all things nice.
The Christmas spirit at Disney Springs
The Christmas Tree Trail
When it comes to celebrating the holidays at Disney Springs, the Christmas Tree Trail most certainly takes the cake. Located right outside of Once Upon a Toy, this trail includes 23 beautiful, ornate trees. The detail in these Christmas trees is absolutely amazing, some of our favorites being the Disney Villains and Haunted Mansion tree.
Here’s the full list of all the trees that will be on display in 2019:
- Mickey & Minnie Mouse
- Aladdin
- Beauty & the Beast
- Mulan
- Frozen
- Sleeping Beauty
- Tangled
- Dumbo
- Walt Disney World Theme Parks
- The Princess & The Frog
- The Little Mermaid
- Snow White
- Pinocchio
- Toy Story
- Disney Villains
- Cinderella
- Robin Hood
- Star Wars
- Fantasia
- Peter Pan
- The Lion King
- Mary Poppins
- Haunted Mansion
The best part about the Christmas Tree Trail is that it’s totally free. This also includes special photo-ops throughout the trail, which includes an opportunity to meet Old St. Nick himself. Santa will have a spot set up with Memory Maker photographers set up to snap your photo. Lines tend to get a little long here, but you can choose to be alerted via text message when it’s your turn if you don’t want to wait in line.
Speciality treats and holiday beverages are available for purchase inside of the trail. One of our favorites is the frozen hot chocolate.
Holiday entertainment
There’s lots of entertainment happening all around Disney Springs during the holiday season. Christmas carolers, stiltwalkers, and Toy Soldiers are helping to bring the Christmas spirit here.
We also love that Disney brings in local school choirs to sing Christmas favorites. You’ll find them singing on the Dock Stage.
Festive Food and Beverage
Disney Springs is known for its great food and beverage options, and the Christmas season brings no exceptions. Whether you want to sit down and have a nice dinner or grab something on the go, there are tons of options for everyone. If you’re a sweet-lover like us, check out Mrs. Claus churro bites served with peppermint chocolate sauce. Theses can be purchased at Noel’s Kringle Cafe.
Merchandise Shopping
With more than 100 stores to choose from, we’re pretty sure you’ll be able to find a gift for everyone on your list. From countdown advent calenders to ornaments to spirit jerseys you know they are loaded with all the Christmas themed merch.
This year snacks seem to be a big theme everywhere you go. Claiming the “yummiest time of year.” You can get backpacks, coin purses and much more. World of Disney also has Disney Christmas snack pjs for the whole family. Who doesn’t want a pair for this years Christmas card photo?
When’s the best time to celebrate Christmas at Disney World
When it comes to visiting Disney World at Christmas, the earlier you can go is certainly the better. We recommend visiting from mid-November to mid-December. Weekdays are definitely less crowded. The busiest time tends to be the week that runs from Christmas Eve to New Years’s Day.
Bottom Line
Christmas at Disney World is no joke. From the holiday food to theming all around, we don’t know how you could leave being a Grinch. Holiday-themed rides, life-size gingerbread houses and Christmas carols galore. Let us know in the comments what you’ve enjoyed the most in the past.
Is this your first year attending at Christmas? What is one thing you can’t go without? Let’s keep the conversation going. We’re ready to share more of our personal experiences with you. Merry Christmas!!
