Christmas is the most magical time of year. So why not spend Christmas time at the most magical place on Earth, Walt Disney World? This past Christmas, I did just that. Disney World is an amazing place to spend the holidays, and there are plenty of reasons why. Here are some of the wonderfully fun things to do at Disney World during Christmas time!
Disclaimer: The events and shows at Disney World during Christmas time are subject to change from year to year. Make sure to check the Disney website or app for times and availability before your vacation.
Decorations
Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom
Disney never does anything halfway, and Christmas decorations are no exception. Christmas decor is put up starting right after Halloween, but the parks are pretty much completely decorated by Thanksgiving. You don’t have to go right at Christmas to enjoy the holiday cheer. In fact, the closer to Christmas you visit, the more crowded it will be.
Every hotel lobby and all 4 parks have a giant Christmas tree at the entrance decorated with ornaments that match the theme of the hotel or park.
Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree
Christmas tree in the lobby of Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Christmas Tree
Even some of the rides are changed slightly to match the Christmas theme. For example, Jungle Cruise in the Magic Kingdom becomes Jingle Cruise. The ride is pretty much the same but there are a lot of Christmas decorations, and some of the monkeys even wear Santa hats.
Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is decorated for Christmas too!
Christmas Day Parade
You can watch this special parade on TV on Christmas Day, but if you want to see it live, they actually film it a few weeks before Christmas. It’s usually filmed in late November or early December.
Festival of the Holidays
Every December at Epcot, Disney hosts the Festival of the Holidays. This festival includes holiday traditions from around the world featured in Epcot’s World Showcase. Naturally, all the countries have plenty of Christmas decorations.
American Adventure
Washington D.C. made of gingerbread inside the American Adventure
Epcot also hosts the Candlelight Processional every evening of December. In this processional, various celebrity guests read the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth. The reading is combined with a choir and orchestra performing Christmas songs. You can purchase a ticket for a seat to watch the show, or if you get there early enough, you can stand behind the seating and listen for free.
My favorite part of the Festival of the Holidays was undoubtedly the food. All of the countries have a special holiday kitchen set up with different holiday treats to try from each country.
My favorite holiday treat was found in the Italian holiday kitchen: Crespelle di Mele (apple fritters) and Collezione Barilla (pasta). Both were delicious, and I would’ve tried more holiday foods if I hadn’t been so stuffed!
Crespelle di Mele (top) and Collezione Barilla (bottom)
It’s important to note that the holiday menus change every year, so these foods might not be available. You can check the menus on your My Disney Experience app to see where you would most like to eat!
Jingle Bell Jingle Bam
Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosts a Christmas-themed firework show every night in December and some of November. This holiday spectacular includes building and rooftop projections from Disney Christmas movies, laser effects, fireworks all around you, and even some artificial snow!
Animal Kingdom Merry Menagerie
I can’t forget to mention the holiday fun at Animal Kingdom! There is a fair amount of Christmas decor in this park, but my favorite part is the life-size puppets of animals roaming the park. They call it the Merry Menagerie.
The puppets include reindeer, polar bears, penguins, wolves, and foxes, and they are so cute! The puppeteers do a great job of making the animals look lifelike.
Characters
A few of the characters at meet and greets have different Christmas outfits or accessories. Really cute for pictures!
Meeting Belle in her Enchanted Christmas dress
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
On various days in December, the Magic Kingdom closes early for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is an event that requires a separate ticket from your park ticket. It’s not cheap, but it’s a lot of fun! Check DisneyWorld.go.com for dates and prices.
There is a special nighttime parade called Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. You can even see Santa Claus at the end! Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Firework Show over the castle is also not to be missed!
Get some yummy Christmas treats to snack on with your admission. Another advantage of staying for the party is that most of the rides have very low wait times because the crowds have left. And don’t forget the snow that falls on Main Street for the end of your magical evening!
As you can see, Disney World is the perfect place for a Christmas vacation. With so much to see, do, and eat, you’re sure to have a magical holiday season!
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