Holiday Highlights around Walt Disney World
- November 8 – December 31, 2024
A vacation to Walt Disney World is special no matter what time of the year you visit, but it is especially magical during the winter holiday season. All four theme parks, Disney Springs, and even the Resort hotels are dressed up in their holiday best with everything from specially-themed Christmas trees and huge garlands to some of the most beautiful Gingerbread displays you've ever seen.
Below, you'll find information on what's happening all across Walt Disney World during the holiday season!
Holiday Events around Walt Disney World:
Holiday Merchandise around the World
Holiday Dining around the World
Related Articles:
- The Holidays at Disney: Covering the Basics
- The Holidays at Disney: Planning Your Disney Parks Vacation During the Holiday Season
- The Holidays at Disney: How to Keep the Magic of the Holidays While on Vacation
- The Holidays at Disney: Managing Your Schedule With Flexibility
- Surviving the Christmas Week at Magic Kingdom
CHRISTMAS AT MAGIC KINGDOM
During the holidays, Magic Kingdom is home to 40 festively decorated trees, 147 wreaths and 590 garlands that measure a total of 5,188 feet! Most of the holiday decorations can be found on Main Street, U.S.A. and the Castle hub areas.
On evenings when Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is not being held, Cinderella Castle takes on a festive appearance with special projection effects, providing a colorful backdrop for guests’ photos. Throughout the evening, bursts of holiday magic will transform Cinderella Castle with a rotating series of designs, followed by a stunning transition in which the iconic Magic Kingdom Park landmark will illuminate the night.
New for 2024, waving at the Fab 50 Character sculpts with your MagicBand+ will result in different holiday reactions.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
What happens when you combine one 30,000 pound, 65-foot
tree, one 40-foot star, 5500 twinkling lights, 430 feet
of garland, 325 ornaments, 275 feet of strung popcorn,
400 flickering candles, 135 candy canes, 100 gingerbread cookies,
and the Disney Characters? Why, you have the perfect
recipe for Christmas at the Magic Kingdom!
The spectacular tree seems to touch the sky. With delightful
oversized toys displayed at it's base, it's an amazing
sight. What's that? Is there a hint of gingerbread and
cinnamon in the air? No detail is too small when Disney
magic is being made. More Info...
Frozen Holiday Surprise
Guests can join in celebrating with the “Frozen Holiday Surprise” as Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings decorate Cinderella Castle with festive touches. Appearing live on stage in their holiday looks, Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff each bring something unique to the gathering. Festivities culminate as Elsa adds sparkling finishing touches, transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace – a look that will remain throughout the evening.
Jingle Cruise takes over the Jungle Cruise
During the holiday season, the Jungle Cruise attraction has a new storyline, just for the holidays. The Skippers are homesick, so they've handmade decorations for the queue and boathouse using things that have been mailed to them from home (plus a few they've created themselves). There will be new jokes, new holiday-themed names for the boats and even a holiday-themed radio broadcast playing in the background.
The Jingle Cruise version of the classic attraction opens November 2nd and will remain throughout the holiday season.
See Santa Claus
At Magic Kingdom during Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, Santa Claus glides down Main Street, U.S.A., in his sleigh, led by prancing reindeer.
Special Holiday Food at Magic Kingdom
Here is the Foodie Guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
(Many items available during regular park hours!)
CHRISTMAS AT EPCOT
- Holiday Kitchens located throughout World Showcase offer tasty treats of the season during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, taking place from November 29th to December 30th, 2024.
- The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers a complimentary cookie as reward for completing the confectionary collection!
Candlelight Processional
There's nothing that's more inspirational than hearing the story of Christmas told by a celebrity narrator. This beautiful show evokes the true meaning of the holidays and is not to be missed.
Santa Claus
EPCOT guests can travel around the World Showcase to hear the stories of Christmas from Santas around the world. They can typically share their Christmas wishes with Santa himself and get a photo taken! More details will be shared for 2024 at a later time.
Living with the Land Glimmering Greenhouses
The seasonal Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses returns! Hop on a relaxing boat ride and soak in the decorated attraction while learning about foods produced in the greenhouses that play a part in the holiday celebrations around the resort.
ARTICLE: Good Golly, Glimmering Greenhouses! Living With The Land’s Holiday Overlay
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Witness a beautiful, high-energy tribute to Christmas with Gospel, R&B and holiday songs at “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season.”
Special Holiday Food at EPCOT
Here are the Holiday Kitchen menus for the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!
CHRISTMAS AT ANIMAL KINGDOM
Decorations around the park will showcase day-into-nighttime experiences. The park’s iconic Tree of Life also awakens each evening with a colorful tableau of wintry tales accompanied by a musical score.
Over in DinoLand U.S.A., make sure to take in one last vibrant dinosaur-themed carnival infused with festive cheer. New this year, Santa is heading to Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand, as he’s the guest of honor at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party on the patio. Plus, don’t miss the chance to meet Mr. Claus from November 12th to December 24th!
Merry Menagerie
In addition to meetings with favorite Disney characters and Santa himself, guests can interact with a Merry Menagerie of life-size, artisan-sculpted animal puppets daily on Discovery Island.
Special Holiday Food at Animal Kingdom
Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 6; mobile order available)
- Snack for Santa: Chocolate chip cake, edible cookie dough, milk mousse, chocolate chip cookie, buttercream, and Christmas sprinkles (New)
CHRISTMAS AT DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will enjoy a Flurry of Fun with holiday decor throughout the park. All the holiday decorations at Hollywood Studios have a retro style and are inspired by the 1950s. Tinsel town takes on a whole new meaning during the holidays. Echo Lake and the surrounding area is the merriest of places with extra-large ornaments (even some that float!), colorful garlands, and a giant 65-foot tall Christmas tree with a 25-foot base.
Jam out to the Holiday Spirit Band on one of their many performance spots and enjoy a hot pretzel. Keep an eye out for new festive acts throughout the park, including spirited holiday musicians and juggling elves!
A new hard-ticketed event – Disney Jollywood Nights – debuted in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2023 and is returning in 2024! It’s a holiday vibe like you’ve never felt before. Sights of sparkling décor, sounds of modern beats over classic holiday songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes. It’s nostalgic and it’s glitz and glam galore. LEARN MORE
The Echo Lake area of the park has some of the best holiday decorations – enjoy five minutes of the lovely atmosphere in the Disney Park Bench video below!
Sunset Seasons Greetings
This popular holiday experience features impressive laser effects to complement the spectacular projections of Mickey Mouse, Olaf and other beloved Disney characters sharing their favorite seasonal stories. A snowy Sunset Boulevard will twinkle with festive holiday decorations making the perfect setting for this wintry display. 21 palm trees along Sunset Boulevard will be illuminated with programmable, color-changing LED fixtures transforming the entire area. Walt Disney Animation Studios produced custom animation of Wayne and Lanny from ABC’s Disney Prep & Landing as well as Mickey and pals, exclusively for Sunset Seasons Greetings.
Holiday magic (i.e. 12 high-definition projectors) will transform the facade of the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season – Mickey and Minnie reminiscing about a hometown Christmas, characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films wondering which new toys are coming this holiday and more. This stunning experience runs continuously throughout the night.
Holiday magic will once again bring billboards on Sunset Blvd. to life and transform the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into a giant pile of wrapped Christmas gifts, a gingerbread house, the 'Hollywood Toy Hotel', and a frozen winter wonderland. A summer-loving snowman might even make an appearance to share his holiday wish. This stunning and heartwarming experience will run continuously throughout each evening.Minnie's Holiday Dine - Hollywood & Vine
Minnie Mouse will host a festive holiday dinner with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Santa Goofy! Hollywood & Vine will be all decked out with holiday decor, food, music, and activities. This holiday dining experience is available from November 8, 2024 to January 4, 2025.
Make reservations online here or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Holiday festivities continue at the Hyperion Theater as Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff will welcome Olaf to the very popular sing-along, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. The show will include all-new songs from Disney’s animated short Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Olaf will be delivering a special holiday finale in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along along with other experiences.
See Santa Claus
Guests can typically pose for a photo with Santa Claus - details for 2024 will be announced at a later date.
Special Holiday Food at Disney's Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 4; mobile order available)
- Linzer Cookie Mousse Torte: Layers of hazelnut cake, raspberry-blackcurrent mousse, raspberry jam, and sweet snow-dusted Linzer cookie (New)
Backlot Express (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 4; mobile order available)
- Gingerbread Cheesecake: Gingerbread cheesecake on a vanilla cookie topped with milk chocolate ganache, dulce de leche whipped cream, gingerbread chocolate décor, gold crispy pearls, and holiday sprinkles (New)
Dockside Diner (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 4)
- Red Velvet Holiday Milk Shake: Red Velvet Milk Shake swirled with Chocolate Sauce topped with Whipped Cream, Rainbow Sprinkles, and a Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie (New)
Rosie’s All-American Café
- Coquito Wreath Cupcake: Coquito custard-filled vanilla cupcake topped with coquito buttercream, chocolate bow, gold crispy pearls, and rainbow sprinkles (New)
The Trolley Car Café
- Winter Spice Mini Whoopie Pie: Spice cake filled with orange buttercream and cranberry-raspberry jam topped with a candied orange peel, cranberry, holiday sprinkles, sweet snow, and a plant-based chocolate tree (New) (Plant-based)
Woody’s Lunch Box (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 4; mobile order available)
- Hot Cocoa Lunch Box Tart: Chocolate fudge filling, hot chocolate-marshmallow fondant, and mini marshmallows
Outdoor Vending Locations
- Holiday Mickey Brownie: Chocolate brownie with holiday sprinkles
CHRISTMAS AT DISNEY SPRINGS
At Disney Springs, Christmas and holiday cheer can be found around every corner. The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth brings elaborately decorated Disney Christmas trees to the neighborhoods throughout Disney Springs. Each of the twinkling trees will be themed to personify beloved Disney characters, stories, and celebrations.
Special festive décor and live holiday performances will add an extra touch of wonder to holiday shopping. And in the evening, guests visiting Town Center will experience a magical snowfall, bringing the spirit of the North Pole to Central Florida.
For the perfect wrap-up to a holiday visit to Disney Springs, visit Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar; back by popular demand, this seasonal favorite brings yuletide touches alongside festive food and craft cocktails – there’s something on the menu for everyone! Click here for a list of special holiday food at Disney Springs.
CLICK HERE for more festive fun at Disney Springs!
Holiday Magic Shots Around the World
The PhotoPass photographers that can be found all across Walt Disney World have hidden surprises in their cameras - we call them Magic Shots and they can add just a bit of Pixie Dust to the photos you have taken. Some of the photographers will automatically add them, but don't count on it. We recommend asking each photographer because you never know what can happen and it's always fun to see the surprise when you view your photos for the first time.
Here are just a few examples of some of the Magic Shots that have been available in the past:
HOLIDAY MERCH AROUND THE WORLD
Fun and creative offerings will be available for purchase all across the Walt Disney World Resort for the holiday season and including new ear headbands, trading pins, plush toys, ornaments, and so much more!
Free Vacation Planning!
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