The holidays have officially started at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!
With Magic Kingdom’s biggest Halloween event, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, currently happening, it means Christmas is right around the corner so let’s check out some of the fun you can experience if you visit during the upcoming holiday season!
Staying at the Disney resorts during the Christmas season is a must! Every resort has something special going on with their own themed decorations and special treats to celebrate.
Let’s dive into some of the celebrations at the parks.
Magic Kingdom:
November 8th starts the kick-off of the Christmas season at Magic Kingdom with the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is an after hours ticketed event which you can read more about here.
While the party needs a separate ticket, you can still soak in all the merry magic during the day through Christmas decorations and special park snacks.
To experience Magic Kingdom Christmas at night without the holiday party, head to the castle at 6:15 to catch the Frozen Holiday Surprise where Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff light up the castle.
Santa Clause is no stranger to Walt Disney World during the holidays! You’ll be able to take your photo with him and see him during the night time parade if you are attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Another spot to find him if you do not have a park ticket is to seek him out at Disney Springs.
Ride Layovers – Party goers and regular park guests can experience the Christmas layover for Jungle Cruise lovingly called Jingle Cruise. Special holiday props and new jokes are added to the ride during this time of year.
Hollywood Studios:
Hollywood Studios is a fan favorite park during the Christmas season! With it’s vintage decorations and the newly added Jollywood Nights, this park truly showcases in the nostalgia of the holidays.
Jollywood Nights is another separate ticketed event after hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can find more about the experiences here.
Outside of the party dates, Disney shows their night time projection, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM on the Chinese Theatre if you’re looking for night time entertainment.
Hollywood Studios is also known to have the most unique amount of exclusive holiday snacks so prepare those tummies for all the yummy treats.
Animal Kingdom:
Merry Menagerie welcomes you shortly after entering Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These winter animal puppets are sure to get everyone excited for the winter season.
Animal Kingdom is also a fantastic place to see Santa cruising along the river in a float.
Festival decorations fill the park as each land decorates in their own unique way.
Epcot:
Festival of the Holidays is the special festival for the season! Returning on November 29 through December 30, this festival is a must-do for foodies and learning about how other cultures celebrate the holidays.
Check out last year’s festival happenings here.
Along with the Festival of the Holiday food booths, you can also find the cookie stroll. Taste your way through all the holiday cookies on the back of your festival passport. After you have tried all the different kinds, receive a completer treat.
Candlelight is an evening show with different celebrity narrators sharing the Christmas story with traditional songs sang by a high school and cast member choir.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition is a scavenger hunt around the World Showcase. Pick up a map for $9.99 to get started. Once completed, you will receive a prize!
If you’ve already eaten your way through the holidays, you can hear their stories! Check out Santa and other storytellers sharing their stories in the countries throughout the World Showcase.
Layovers- Both Living with the Land and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind get a Christmas makeover just for the season!
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