All the Ways to Enjoy the Holiday Season in Disney World
The holiday season is upon us in Disney World! Decorations are going up, holiday parties start this week, and there is already a ton of festive merchandise.
Magic Kingdom’s Christmas Tree
Disney does SO much for the holidays that it’s hard to keep up with everything going on. But, we’re here to help — we’re going to break down everything happening around Disney World this holiday season!
Holidays at Disney World
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom does it up pretty big for the holidays! You can check out the decorations around the park, like those on Main Street, U.S.A. (including that giant Christmas tree) and over in Tomorrowland.
Magic Kingdom
Some rides even get a holiday makeover, like Jungle Cruise turning into Jingle Cruise. The decorations here are not to be missed!
Jingle Cruise
Something new happening at the park this year is the Frozen Holiday Surprise. This show will happen every night at 6:15PM in front of Cinderella Castle and feature Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies!
Cinderella Castle
The other big thing happening here is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is a separately ticketed event that happens on select nights once the park is closed to regular guests.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The party has exclusive food, merchandise, entertainment, ride overlays, characters, and more. You can get your tickets right now!
EPCOT
Over at EPCOT, the holiday season will be celebrated in a variety of ways, including with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! This festival begins on November 24th and goes through December 30th.
2020 Festival of the Holidays
The holiday kitchens will be serving up food from holiday celebrations around the world, decorations will cover the World Showcase pavilions, and you can witness the Candlelight Processional! This is the telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by an orchestra and choir.
Candlelight Processional 2022
You can also meet Santa Claus in the park! He’ll be at the Odyssey Pavilion during the festival in his snow-covered sleigh (but only through Christmas Eve!).
Photo: Disney
Living with the Land will get a special makeover for the holidays. Lights will be strung up throughout the attraction and festive touches will be added!
Living with the Land Holiday
Another fun part of the festival is the Holiday Storytellers. These performers will share their own holiday traditions from their home countries, telling guests about Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, and more!
Animal Kingdom
We’ve already seen the Christmas Tree and a bunch of decorations go up at Animal Kingdom, but there is more on the way. Beginning November 11th, the Merry Menagerie will be out in front of the Tree of Life on Discovery Island!
Photo: Disney
This offering includes artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals like reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins, and more. You can also see decorations for the Menagerie in this area!
Also taking place over here is Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition. The park’s icon will come to life each evening alongside festive music and projections!
Photo: Disney
Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be wearing their holiday attire in Animal Kingdom! You can meet them and pose for a photo at Adventurer’s Outpost.
Adventurer’s Outpost
Hollywood Studios
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will have a special holiday finale for the holiday season! It will feature our favorite talking snowman, Olaf.
Frozen Sing-Along
Once the sun goes down, turn your attention over to the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Here, you’ll see the park icon transformed with some fun holiday projections!
Photo: Disney
Looking for a festive character meal? Head on over to Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine!
Photo: Disney
You can meet Minnie Mouse and her friends in their holiday outfits while enjoying your meal. This is pretty popular, so make reservations in advance!
Hollywood & Vine
Over in Toy Story Land, you’ll find some of your favorite Pixar pals wearing their holiday best! Keep an eye out for Woody, Buzz, and more.
Woody!
Finally, the new Jollywood Nights event will be happening on select nights at Hollywood Studios after the park closes to regular guests. There will be a ton of exclusive food, entertainment, photo ops, and more.
Photo: Disney
Blizzard Beach Water Park
Blizzard Beach Water Park just reopened in Disney World, just in time for the holidays! The snowy theming alone could get you in the spirit, but that’s not all that will be happening over here.
You can expect “snow” to fall every single day in the water park!
Blizzard Beach
And, you can also meet Santa Claus in his holiday-themed beachwear.
Santa at Blizzard Beach 2022
Disney Springs
Disney Springs is celebrating the season as well! You can meet Santa Claus or enjoy other entertainment like live musical performances and DJs, along with Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers and Snowflake Skaters.
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll is also returning this year. You can check out a collection of elaborately decorated Christmas trees around the area!
Photo: Disney
It will be snowing in Disney Springs as well — you can find snowfall happening in the Town Center in the evenings.
Finally, head on over to Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar. This will be completely decorated and have special festive food and drink offerings!
Disney World Hotels
The Disney World hotels also get in on the holiday fun. You will be able to find giant Christmas trees, huge gingerbread displays, and more holiday activities throughout the Disney hotels.
Grand Floridian gingerbread house in progress
And, you already know that there will be a ton of treats to chow down on! You can check out what will be on the menus right here.
Stay tuned for more Disney World holiday news and updates!
