Celebrating the Holidays at Walt Disney World – Animal Kingdom

As soon as you reach the Animal Kingdom entrance, you see a huge Christmas tree decorated with what else? Animals! It’s simply beautiful, and in some ways, it resembles the one in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, though any similar ornaments are remarkably bigger.

Within the park itself, you won’t see much changed for the holidays, except for the parade and the Camp Minnie Mickey area. During their daily parade time, you will see essentially the same parade as you will see during the rest of the year, with a definite holiday twist. For example, the alligator that leads one of the floats is transformed to a reindeer of sorts. Minnie’s bathtub float emits delicious scents of hot chocolate to those who are watching the parade. It really puts everyone in the spirits of the holidays. Mickey’s Jingle Jangle Parade:

Then, over at Camp Minnie Mickey, you will still find your Disney pals for picture taking time. However, each gazebo area is decorated for the holidays with lights, garland and in some spots, a tree. The characters are each dressed for the holidays, making for some very festive looking pictures.

If you head over to the Winnie the Pooh and Friends picture taking location, you will see them wearing scarves and hats, no matter how warm it might be, reminding everyone that it is still the holiday season.

It’s a great time of year to visit the Animal Kingdom, because of the cooler temperatures. The added holiday cheer just makes it that much more enjoyable!

Rachel Basden