Holiday Season Happenings at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World has made the December holidays a Special Celebration throughout the parks and hotels. This is a grand time to visit and get in the HOLIDAY Spirit!

Each of the main theme parks and all the resorts have their own special way of decorating and celebrating the winter holidays, from Christmas to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

MAGIC KINGDOM

The Jingle (Jungle) Cruise – Adventureland – The Skippers have grown homesick for the holidays, so they’ve again added holiday cheer to the Jungle Cruise queue and boathouse with decorations that have been mailed to them from home (plus a few they’ve created themselves). The Skippers have also added a slew of new jokes to their tours that are the perfect way to get guests in the holiday spirit. Additionally, Jungle Cruise boats have been renamed with the holidays in mind, and if guests listen carefully, they may hear a holiday-themed radio broadcast playing in the background.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

A special ticket is required! It’s pure magic at the Magic Kingdom featuring a nighttime holiday parade, flurry of snow and seasonal entertainment. Highlights of the include: greetings by Santa Goofy on Main Street, U.S.A.; two showings of Once Upon a Christmastime Parade;  special fireworks; holiday cookies and cocoa; two holiday stage shows featuring many of the favorite Disney characters and “A Frozen Holiday Wish.” And it’s even been known to “snow” on Main Street, U.S.A.!

2019 Dates

• November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22 and 24
• December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 22

Tickets on sale now: DETAILS HERE!

“A Frozen Holiday Wish” features Anna and Elsa on the Castle Forecourt Stage. With special appearances by rugged mountain man Kristoff and lovable snowman Olaf, the show culminates in Queen Elsa using her incredible powers to present a gift to everyone in the kingdom, transforming Cinderella Castle into a glimmering ice palace for the holidays. “A Frozen Holiday Wish” will run once a night on non-Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights and twice a night during the Party. Click HERE for a video.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade celebrates the many festive moods of the holiday season, showcasing a series of holiday themes including a Friends and Family Christmastime Party, a sleigh ride through a Winter Wonderland, a romantic Fairy Tale Christmastime, a scrumptious display of Christmastime sweets, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus in a grand finale. And for longtime Disney Christmas parade fans: Soldiers, Snowflakes and dancing deer are all still in the parade. The parade features original music as well as both classic and current holiday tunes.

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is performed on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage. Mickey and his pals host some of their friends for an unforgettable Christmas soiree filled with medleys of delightful classic and contemporary holiday songs, and magical holiday projections on Cinderella Castle building to a sensational, snowy finale.

MORE DETAILS AT: MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS

Throughout World Showcase, each country shares its holiday heritage November 29 – December 30, 2019. Strolling around the promenade during the Holidays Around the World celebration may put you face-to-face with the good-hearted witch La Befana, known in Italy for filling children’s shoes with treats, or the Chinese Lion Dancers who bring good fortune and happiness. There are meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus in The American Adventure, plus other legendary icons who share messages of goodwill. The celebrations of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah can be found at the American Adventure.

The Candlelight Processional (November 29 – December 30, 2019): The poignant story of Christmas unfolds during this renowned event featuring celebrity narrators, a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra at America Gardens Theatre. Celebrity narrators include Pat Sajak, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, and more. To ensure a seat for this joyous favorite, Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will be available with meals at select Epcot restaurants, a special spot for fireworks viewing and guaranteed seating for the heartfelt Candlelight Processional. Bookings start on July 3, 2019. Call 407-WDW-DINE or book online with Disney HERE.

Holiday Kitchens: Starting in late November, holiday kitchens will be stationed around World Showcase in Epcot serving up holiday-themed food and drinks as sweet seasonal treats. 

Chip and Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree – Chip and Dale are collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree—and they need your help! To get started, simply purchase a map and sticker from select merchandise locations, including Pin Central, Disney Traders and World Traveler at International Gateway. As you travel around World Showcase, be on the lookout for Chip and Dale as they gather ornaments from holiday decorations in each World Showcase pavilion. Once you spot them, add the corresponding ornament sticker to your map. Then, take your completed map to Disney Traders and exchange it for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip and Dale! Maps are $6.99 plus tax, and are available while supplies last.

Entertainment Around World Showcase – each pavilion shares its holiday traditions.

The evening will be capped by Epcot Forever, the new Epcot spectacular featuring fireworks, laser and water.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Flurry of Fun returns early November 2019 and runs through early January 2020, with festive entertainment and exciting holiday touches around the park.

• Toy Story Land will feature special seasonal fun, such as holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers.
• Jingle Bell! Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular returns in November 2019.
• Sunset Seasons Greetings returns this year with impressive new laser effects and “snow.” Guests will witness spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Olaf and others – sharing their favorite seasonal stories as holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season.
• Guests can meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop in early November through Dec. 24. Santa Goofy will take his place on Dec. 25.

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

This year Animal Kingdom will be decorating its lands with new decor, a brand new holiday-themed Tree of Life Awakenings, and more. Find out about the holidays in the Animal Kingdom here:

• Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life Awakenings and Discovery Island to Feature New Holiday Decor and Events
• Take a Sneak Peek at the Creation of Holiday Decor for Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
• Preview: Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Version to Debut This Season

Animal Kingdom’s Tasting Sampler is returning this holiday season! Get your taste buds ready to eat around the Animal Kingdom from December 22, 2019 to January 4, 2020. Learn more about this year’s Tasting Sampler here.

DISNEY SPRINGS

Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail returns in 2019 to the Disney Springs Marketplace. The trail will be a winter wonderland complete with a gentle snowfall, toy soldiers, singers and plenty of photo opportunities.

AT THE RESORTS

Disney resort hotels are dressed up for the holidays, offering an ideal home-away-from-home during the season. Check each hotel for holiday dining offerings and special entertainment.

— Life-size edible creations will take shape at select resorts. A holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be home to The Bake Shop, where guests can pick up holiday treats, including gingerbread cookies. A life-size, edible spinning carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, while a holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

— The lobbies of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, will be home to massive Christmas trees.

— Holiday menus that celebrate the season can be found at restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. For holiday dining information and reservations, guests can call (407) WDW-DINE.

Be sure to check at your resort for specific times and activities.

Please email us your Holiday Tips and Comments!