Bringing Disney Holiday Magic to Your Home
Year after year, Disney World is packed with holiday tourists. Some people only visit Disney around November and December. Why?
Well, Disney World is a festive sight to behold. Elaborate light displays and trees that rival skyscrapers can be found in every park.
Hotel lobbies are festooned in garland. Christmas-themed desserts pop up on menus. Best of all, there are parties, events, and concerts that only happen around this time of the year.
We understand the hype. On the other hand, there are downsides to yuletide visits.
Credit: Disney
Crowds can be crazy. Prices are higher. And lastly, many people just don’t want to add traveling stress on top of normal holiday stress.
If you can’t get to Disney this holiday season or just prefer to celebrate at home, here are some tips to bring the magic of a Disneyfied celebration to your doorstep.
Credit: Matt Stroshane, photographer
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Disney
No matter what time of year it is, Disney has great home holiday décor. The Disney’s Days of Christmas store in Disney Springs and the Magic Kingdom’s Ye Old Christmas Shoppe are open all year and are stocked with joyful purchases.
Holiday/Disney-themed tree skirts, music boxes, kitchen accessories, and more Christmas ornaments than you can count will make wonderful souvenirs. Even if Christmas is months away, these items will be delightful reminders of your magical trip.
If Orlando is too far, shopdisney.com has a robust selection. Also, Disney isn’t the only retailer with great Christmas finds.
You can buy this adorable Mickey-shaped wreath from Amazon or decide between several Disney-themed indoor/outdoor decorations from Lowes.
It’s not difficult to find Disney holiday treasures, but it is difficult to pick and choose. Either way, your holiday decorating can transport your home to Main Street U.S.A.
Give Your Cookies a Magical Twist
The holidays are the perfect excuse to bake enough cookies for a small country. Whether you stick to classic favorites or experiment in the kitchen, every household has sweets.
If you’d like to add Disney flair to your treats, copy the parks. Make things Mickey-shaped!
Credit: Disney
It might be hard to do this for some treats (like cobblers), but most hand-held goodies can be molded.
When making Mickey-shaped cookies, brownies, or (naturally) rice Krispie treats, we’d recommend this heftier Mickey-shaped steel mold over your run-of-the-mill cookie cutter.
Credit: Disney
I mean, don’t Mickey-shaped things just taste better anyway?
Tune into the Parade
Move over Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Christmas Parade (filmed from both Disney World and Disneyland) is truly the must-watch event of the season.
Photo: Disney
Streaming on both ABC and Hulu, watching the parade is a Christmas Day tradition for thousands of families. Not only are there star-studded celebrity performances, but these specials are a wonderful way to see the parks in full holiday glory.
Bring more magic into Christmas morning and settle in to watch this on the 25th. It may inspire a trip or simply, help hold you over till the next one.
Photo: Disney
Don Christmas Apparel
If you’ve ever been to the parks at Christmastime, you’ve seen many guests passionate about Disney Christmas fashion. (This is especially true at MVMCP!)
Christmas-themed Minnie ears, t-shirts, jewelry, and even designer purses can be purchased.
Photo: Disney
If you can’t make it to the parks to shop, have no fear! There are wonderful finds all over the internet and at home.
For example, this Minnie Mouse-themed shirt from Amazon screams festive and this Mickey Santa hat from Five Below is very reasonable.
Photo: Disney
Disney and Christmas just belong together. Designing a fashionable outfit won’t require a fairy godmother.
Binge Christmas Specials
Sitting down to watch beloved movies is one of the best holiday activities. It’s a great time to bond with family, stay cozy at home, and save money.
Just picture it. You can put on your pajamas early, use the fireplace, and sip cocoa for hours. It’s a perfect evening.
Photo: Disney +
Fortunately, streaming services have made this easier than ever. (Does anyone else remember setting up VCRs to tape TV specials?)
For Disney+ subscribers, here are some of our favorites:
The Santa Clause (1994)
The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
A Very Pooh Year (2002)
Godmothered (2021)
The Santa Clauses (2022)
The Guardian of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
Photo: Disney+
Even if you aren’t skipping down Main Street U.S.A. this holiday season, we hope these tips bring you closer to Disney’s brand of Christmas magic.
Disney World may be magical, but don’t forget. The love and memories you create at home are too.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at MickeyBlog!
Photo: Disney
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Feature Photo: Disney
