Best Holiday Disney Vacations
The holidays are synonymous for spending time with family and friends. One way families can spend time together over the holidays is to take a vacation. Vacations provide memories for years instead of gifts that are forgotten in days. Disney provides many options for the best holiday vacations.
Disney Cruise
A Disney cruise is a great way to spend the holiday season. It has all the magic of the parks but without the holiday crowds. The cruise offers seasonal activities not offered other times of year. Disney Cruise Line holiday cruises are called Very Merrytime Cruises.
Credit: Disney
Holiday activities on Very Merrytime Cruises include a lifesize gingerbread house, seasonal decor, meeting Santa Claus, a tree lighting ceremony, and Disney characters dressed in holiday decor.
Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is also decorated for the holidays. Many shore excursions in various ports also offer holiday themed activities.
One of the reasons Disney Cruise Line is my favorite holiday trip are the ships are less crowded than the parks. Although this is a popular time to sail, the crowds are significantly smaller than the parks.
Walt Disney World
The holiday season is an extremely popular time to visit Disney World. Disney World is simply magical during the most wonderful time of the year. All 25 resorts are decorated for the holidays with the unique theme of the resort even reflected on the ornaments on the tree. Several resorts also feature life-size gingerbread house displays.
Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot all have unique holiday offerings and all have beautiful decorations.
Epcot features the International Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional, two of my favorite events. Different celebrity narrators tell the Christmas story with a full choir and traditional hymns. Guests can learn about different holiday traditions across the world at World Showcase.
Photo: Disney
Magic Kingdom features the popular Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. A holiday parade, fireworks shows, holiday snacks and more are featured at the holiday party. The castle features holidays projections. Guests enjoy beautiful decor and seasonal snacks.
Animal Kingdom features puppets of artic animals that are delightful for children and adults alike. Santa Claus also floats down Discovery River and live musicians entertain guests with holiday cheer.
Hollywood Studios has a holiday overlay of the popular For the First Time in Forever Frozen singalong show. I actually prefer the holiday version to the traditional version of the show. Santa Claus is also seen on his motorcade throughout the day.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort also enjoys the holiday festivities in California. Both California Adventure and Disneyland along with the 3 Disney owned resorts are decked out in holiday cheer.
World of Color features a holiday update with the Season of Light show. Several California Adventure attractions feature a holiday overlay such as Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the World.
The Disney Festival of the Holidays offers guests a variety of snacks around the world. Guests can enjoy a Sip and Savor Pass to sample many selections.
Disneyland Park features the Christmas Fantasy Parade. The parade is a full-length parade that does not require an afterhours event ticket. All day guests can enjoy this parade. It’s a Small World receives a beautiful and extensive holiday overlay and light show.
Photo: Disney
Believe in Holiday Magic takes over the nightly fireworks and Sleeping’s Beauty’s castle receives a winter makeover. Perhaps the most popular of all ride overlays is the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Haunted Mansion receives a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay from Halloween season through January 8.
Adventures by Disney
Perhaps my biggest bucket list holiday trip is an Adventures by Disney River Cruise Christmas Market. Adventures by Disney offers land tours, river cruises, and expeditions throughout the year.
During the holiday season the Danube and Rhine River Cruise offer unique itineraries that include Christmas Markets. Christmas Markets are incredibly popular in Europe and attract a lot of visitors each year.
Credit: Disney
The Rhine River Cruise includes stops in Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The Danube River Cruise includes Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
Credit: Disney
River cruises are a great way to see Europe as Adventures by Disney plans every aspect of your trip. You have two tour guides, Adventure Guides, dedicated to your group.
Children are welcome and encouraged on these trips which include special activities just for children. Meals, airport transfers, sightseeing, and cultural activities are all included. How jealous would your friends be to learn you spent the Holidays touring the German Christmas Markets.
Taking a family vacation is the best way to spend time together during the holidays. Disney offers the best options for family trips.
Credit: Disney
Do you want more help planning your next Disney vacation? As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, my goal is to help you plan the Magic your way. I also create customized itineraries, book advanced dining, monitor for discounts for your vacation, and much much more! Also, did I mention that my services are FREE!!!! Contact me at SLoehrlein@MickeyTravels.com or follow me on Facebook @MickeyTravelsShannonLoehrlein
