How Walt Disney World Transforms For the Holidays Overnight!
It’s truly amazing to watch Disney‘s Theme Parks transition from Halloween to Christmas. Here’s how Walt Disney World transforms for the holidays overnight!
Walt Disney World
Mickey Blog was in the Parks on Halloween, and bright and early the next morning after it changed into Christmas. While some would like to chalk it up to magic, in reality, it takes a lot of hard work to make it happen for Guests.
Photo: USA Today
Holiday Transformation
USA Today shares that the Parks take advantage of the whole year, to prepare for the epic event. Disney Holiday Services works to bring the magic to Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.
The preparations take place in the Holiday Services main warehouse, otherwise known as Santa’s workshop! It takes different amounts of time to transition the various Parks.
Photo: USA Today
EPCOT is finished in one night. Although much of Magic Kingdom transforms overnight, it actually takes two nights to complete the task, due to the removal of the Halloween decorations.
Animal Kingdom is done in phases because of the luminary package that goes in Discovery Island. After it’s put up, the rest is completed in one night.
Photo: USA Today
Hollywood Studios follows suit with Magic Kingdom, transforming in two nights. Floating ornaments get loaded into Echo Lake first, and then the tree goes in.
Interestingly, the team starts on Halloween night, and doesn’t actually finish until the week of Thanksgiving. To break it down in number form, it takes 18 working nights to decorate all of Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line, which includes an island!
Photo: USA Today
Each year, Christmas decorations are refurbished. That means 40,000 items are given attention to detail, annually.
Certain locations, such as Morocco in EPCOT, don’t receive decorations. Others, like Japan, get subtle nods to the holiday season.
Photo: USA Today
Check out USA Today for more behind-the-scenes information on the Park’s fascinating transition from Halloween to Christmas. It’s truly amazing how Walt Disney World transforms for the holidays overnight!
