Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at Disneyland, Disney World, Disney Cruise Line & Aulani!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year Disney friends and there is no shortage of ways to celebrate no matter what Disney getaway your are on. From celebrating on a Very Merrytime Cruise to enjoying the Festival of the Holidays at Disney World, vacationers are spoiled for choice.
If you’re planning a last-minute destination Christmas for 2019 or are thinking ahead to 2020 here’s some of the seasonal Disney events you’ll want to look forward too!
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
As you might expect with Disney’s incredible Aulani Resort in Hawaii, special island-inspired holiday décor adorns the entire resort. Guests can watch Christmas carolers perform holiday songs in the Maka‘ala Lobby and Waikolohe Valley, and starting December 1, Disney characters will appear in their best holiday attire for pictures and jolly greetings.
Children will also have fun celebrating the season with Santa Goofy during Keiki Holiday Cookie Decorating at Aunty’s Beach House! On select nights,‘families can gather around for special Ohana Disney Movie Nights. where you can take a seat on the Hālāwai Lawn and watch family-friendly holiday flicks under the stars.
Walt Disney World
This is such an amazing year to make a holiday voyage to Walt Disney World! New offerings for this year include a brand new fireworks show “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Hosted by Minnie this delightful new show invites guests to come together and celebrate heartfelt moments of magic! This nighttime extravaganza is part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a special ticketed event that runs on select nights through December 22nd. The dates are asl follows:
- November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, and 24
- December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, and 22
Magic Kingdom:
Also during the Christmas party, Magic Kingdom park is transformed to a magical winter wonderland with dazzling decorations, holiday treats and so much more. During A Frozen Holiday Wish, Queen Elsa uses her magical ice powers to transform Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace! There’s also the fun and festive “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” and “MIckey’s Most Merriest Celebration” stage show. Four rides have been given a big dose of holiday magic and no matter your age you’ll be wowed when it snows on Main Street U.S.A!
Animal Kingdom:
This year the Animal Kingdom is hosting it’s biggest holiday season in the parks two-decade history! With festive new entertainment and holiday decor you can experience the majesty of nature with a big dose of seasonal magic! In the heart of the park, on Discovery Island, artisan-sculpted, life-sized animal puppets mingle with villagers and as day turns to night rooftop luminaries in animal shapes given the village a homey feel! At night visitors can also experience Tree of Life Awakenings where the tree will come to life in a series of wintry tales. Last but not least, Donald Duck and friends will be celebrating the holiday season over at Dinoland U.S.A.
Epcot
Celebrating holiday traditions from around the world is at the heart of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays which runs from November 29 – December 30, 2019. This event features holiday decor, entertainment, themed merchandise, incredible cuisine and so much more! Mr and Mrs Santa Claus will also be on hand to greet guests at the American pavilion and the Candlelight Processional will again be back to recount the story of the first Christmas and featuring celebrity narrators, a 50-piece orchestra, incredible choral performers and more!
Be sure to bring your appetites to sample amazing holiday dishes from around the world at the Holiday Kitchens found in the World Showcase. For families that feel like adventuring you can also purchase a map and sticker set to take part in Chip ‘n’ Dales Christmas Tree Scavenger Hunt where you search for ornaments for their tree!
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is certainly bringing the razzle-dazzle this holiday season! Be sure to head to the foot of Sunset Boulevard where the Hollywood Tower Hotel comes to life with festive projections, laser effects and falling snow! Next head over to Toy Story Land to see how Andy has decorated his backyard for the holidays! Santa and Goofy will also be on hand at various times throughout the season to meet with guests and A Frozen Sing-Along will feature a special holiday finale from Olaf!
As if that weren’t enough, you can end your night with the spectacular “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” projection and fireworks show! You’ll watch in wonder as buildings and rooftops come to life showcasing scenes from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Mickey’s Christmas Carol and more! The show features music, fireworks, special effects, state-of-the-art projects and more!
Disney Springs
This Holiday Season, Disney World’s retail, dining and entertainment district will feature an array of awesome seasonal offerings including toy soldier stilt walkers and Christmas carolers. You can stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail with 23 Disney-themed trees and help Stitch with his Holiday Gift Scavenger Hunt!
Resorts of Walt Disney World
The resorts across Walt Disney World will be decked out for the holidays! You’ll find everything from a life-sized holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Disney’s Beach Club Resort which boasts a life-sized edible carousel.
Disney Cruise Line
Celebrate the holidays on the high seas with a cruise aboard the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, or Disney Fantasy—all decked out with holiday cheer! Beginning in early November, Disney Cruise Line offers special Very Merrytime sailings that feature Christmas feasts, snow flurries and more! You can enjoy special events like “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic”, Christmas Carols led by Disney characters and “Santas Winter Wonderland Ball” featuring a special visit from Santa! You’ll be in awe at the three-deck tall Christmas tree and Broadway-style entertainment featuring classic holiday tunes! Anna and Elsa are even onboard to cause a flurry of Frozen fun!
Disneyland
Approximately 300 trees are brought each holiday season to make Disneyland theme park truly glisten. Add to this over 10,000 poinsettias and 10,000 cyclamens and it’s nothing short of a magical wintry paradise. And let’s not forget about the Disneyland Christmas Tree which stands an impressive 60 feet tall on Main Street U.S.A. The park also features special seasonal makeovers to some of your favorite attractions including “it’s a small world Holiday” “Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle” and of course the fan-favorite – “Haunted Mansion Holiday” inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Guests will also be able to check out Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the Disney Princesses in “A Christmas Fantasy Parade.” Be sure to be on the lookout for the marching toy soldiers! Anna, Elsa and Olaf will also be the stars of the nightly “Belive…In Holiday Magic” fireworks display which you’ll want to check out before heading over to Tomorrowland Terrace for the Disney Holiday Dance Party. Oh and bring those Disney gift cards to stock up on awesome merch like spirit jerseys, snowman ears and so much more!
Disney California Adventure
You know you’re in for something special when you see the 50 ft Christmas tree light up in Carthay Circle! This is also the place to celebrate the all-new “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” running twice daily and featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy and Clarabelle dressed in their Festival of Holidays attire! Speaking of Festival of Holidays, you’ll find craft stations for the little ones, seasonal goodies at the Festival Foods Marketplace and special Christmas entertainment throughout the day!
But that’s not all! The Three Caballeros also host the popular “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” celebration, featuring folklórico, samba dancers, and live musicians. Santa Claus is on hand to meet guests at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and Carls Land gets a whimsically wonderful holiday makeover! End your night on with the incredible “World of Color – Season of Light” which fuses cherished holiday music with memorable moments from Disney’s animated films. You’ll be blown away by the dazzling lights, brilliant lasers, and high-definition projections make this a must-see holiday show!
Disneyland’s Onsite Hotels
For visitors lucky enough to be staying at one of Disney’s three onsite hotels you’re in for a special treat! At Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel the whole property is adorned in blue, green and silver decor with nautical touches like shells and starfish garlands! The lobby of Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa also features a 7-foot gingerbread house which is designed to be a replica of the property!
So what are you waiting for? There’s still time to plan a Christmas 2019 Disney getaway or to start planning ahead for 2020! Getting started is easy! Simply fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels!
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