New Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at Disney World This Year

Can you believe that the holidays are ALREADY on their way to Walt Disney World? That’s right: we’ve already spotted Christmas merch and Christmas decor around the parks. And the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off on November 8 which is just over a week away!

Disney's Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree

Since the holidays are just around the corner, we thought we’d chat about all the NEW ways you can celebrate the holidays at Disney World this year.

This year, there are MORE ways than ever to celebrate the holidays at Disney World. And with new fireworks, attraction overlays, decor, and events, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that this year will be one for the ages.

New Decor in Animal Kingdom

In 2019, Disney is bringing unique and festive decor and entertainment to ALL of the lands in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Discovery Island will be filled with sparkling white decorcolorful animal-inspired luminaries, and wireframe bird-shaped lanterns that will glow at night. During the day, there will be life-size artisan-sculpted puppets of winter animals.

Animal Kingdom at Christmas ©Disney

Harambe in Africa will blend the inspiration and style of western traditions with the colors and textiles of authentic African celebrations.

Asia will be filled with glowing flowers and lanterns. According to Disney, these decorations have been put up by the residents of Anandapur in celebration of Diwali, which is the holiday festival of lights in India that took place this past Sunday.

Holidays at Animal Kingdom

Pandora is also joining in on the holiday fun. Here you will find a display of Pongu Pongu “kitschy holiday décor,” which was created by the ex-pats who live and work on the moon of Pandora.

The Tree of Life will also come to life with a holiday version of Tree of Life Awakenings — which you can read more about here.

Holiday Tree of Life Awakenings ©Disney

Read more about Animal Kindom’s NEW Christmas offerings here!

New Ride Overlays in Magic Kingdom

A few NEW ride overlays are coming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This year Tomorrowland Speedway will be decked out in thousands of lights and other holiday decor.

©Disney

Space Mountain will take riders on a festive journey into space with festive lights and merry songs! Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor will also get some holiday cheer thanks to its new holiday-themed show.

You can also twirl into holiday madness thanks to four fun combinations of Christmas songs and lighting on Disney World’s Mad Tea Party attraction.

Read all about the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here!

New Fireworks in Magic Kingdom

New fireworks are coming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year. You can now celebrate the joy of the holiday with Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show ©Disney

The show will include  holiday classics like “Joy to the World”, “Deck the Halls”, “Up on the House Top”, and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” Disney hopes the holiday music will stir up images of home and family, as well as seasonal fun before a finale Disney says you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about these new fireworks here!

Ring in the New Year in All-New Ways

This year guests can ring in the new year at Disney’s NEW Riviera Resort. (opening December 16) This year, Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera will host both a New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day celebration.

On New Year’s Eve, guests can celebrate in style with Mezzanotte at Topolino’s: An Italian Masquerade. This event will feature  European-inspired buffets, food stations, a la carte tapas, and more. At midnight on the rooftop terrace, event guests will be able to see the fireworks spectaculars from both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Read more about this event here.

Disney’s Riviera Resort Concept Art ©Disney

The next morning, you can celebrate 2020 at Topolino’s with the New Year’s Day Character Brunch. With a French-inspired brunch and a complimentary mimosa, this should be a fun way to raise a glass to the new year. Read all about it here!

Disney’s Todédo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood and the all-new Gran Destino Tower also invite guests to ring in 2020 with their Feliz Ano Nuevo event. This ticketed event will feature a savory menu inspired by traditional Spanish New Year’s cuisine.

Gran Destino Tower – Toledo

Click here to check out the Feliz Ano Nuevo New Year’s Eve event!

Guests can also celebrate the new year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! That’s right, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open until midnight on December 31, 2019. Here, guests can dine on holiday-themed food and beverages while they listen to a DJ-spin some beats throughout the park! There will even be a one-of-a-kind countdown to 2020 on the Tree of Life.

Tree of Life

Read all about this NEW offering here!

Looking for more New Year’s Eve offerings around Walt Disney World? Check out a few more here.

How will you ring in the New Year? Let us know in the comments below! 

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