There’s something extra magical about Walt Disney World around the holidays. The minute the last guest leaves Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, a magical transformation begins, and Christmas décor begins to go up around Magic Kingdom. Over the next couple of weeks, the entire resort is transformed into a winter wonderland. I love visiting Disney World at Christmas. There’s so much to do! Here are just a few of my favorites:
Attend a Christmas Party
Disney goes all out with their festive holiday parties, now with two exclusive offerings: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and, new this year, Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can visit treat stations to sample a variety of delicious Christmas cookies and holiday beverages, from cider to hot chocolate to eggnog. Wrap up the evening with an exclusive parade and fireworks show. And, of course, enjoy the snow on Main Street USA!
Jollywood Nights made its debut this year. I was able to attend, and it was great fun! More geared toward adult audiences than Mickey’s party, this event offers a variety of party-exclusive treats, cocktails, music, and character meet and greets.
Visit Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays
The shortest of Epcot’s yearly festivals, the Festival of the Holidays (from November 24th to December 30th) boasts tasty food booths, live entertainment, and the famous Candlelight Processional, featuring celebrities from John Stamos to Neil Patrick Harris. Try an interactive activity, like the Holiday Cookie Stroll or Olaf’s Scavenger Hunt, to win a prize. Or enjoy a holiday overlay of Living With the Land, Glimmering Greenhouses!
Explore the Décor!
All four parks offer holiday décor unique to their own theming. At Animal Kingdom, you’ll see a tree decorated with animal masks or ornaments carved from gourds. Hollywood Studios boats vintage Christmas glam from silver garland to tinsel stars hanging from light poles.
Beyond the parks, don’t miss the gorgeous and unique decorations at the resorts across the property! Each resort is decorated uniquely to its theme. My favorites are the giant gingerbread creations at some of the deluxe resorts, the most famous being the massive gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian. Bakers started planning and working on this gingerbread house in JUNE, and the house itself contains over 10,000 individual pieces of gingerbread! Over at the Contemporary, check out the gingerbread version of It’s a Small World! It will make you smile (and get the song stuck in your head!).
Visit Disney Springs
Disney Springs has returned their Christmas Tree Stroll again this year, and I finally got to participate! Visit fourteen themed Christmas trees around the Springs. Place your tree stickers on the map correctly and win a prize! While at Disney Springs, pick up some of the 2024 holiday merchandise selections. Grab a holiday treat, such as the Olaf Bubble Sundae from Marketplace Snacks or a Christmas Tree Sundae from Swirls on the Water.
Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year, and this also rings true at Disney World. From extravagant decorations to delicious treats to exclusive activities, you will find a unique way to spend Christmas at Walt Disney World. These are just a few of my favorite things to do around the holidays at Disney, but there’s so much more! You’ll have to plan a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth and try them all!
Author: Ashley Hunt
Ashley co-founded The Midwest Mouse, a Disney Instagram account and blog she started with her husband, Braden. Ashley lives in Indiana with her husband and their two daughters. They are Walt Disney World annual pass holders and visit Disney parks as often as possible. They look forward to crossing more things off their Disney bucket list while continuing to share their adventures on their Instagram (@the_midwest_mouse) and website.
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