Welcome to the Most Magical Time of the Year; a time filled with Disney World Christmas decorations!
The holiday season at Disney World is a truly enchanting experience that transforms the already magical theme parks into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and heartwarming celebrations.
If you’re planning a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth during Christmas, you’re in for a treat like no other!
This post is all about the ultimate guide to all the Disney World Christmas events you need to know.
Disney World Christmas Events
1. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The iconic Walt Disney World Christmas party is returning to Magic Kingdom!
If you attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can expect:
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade – a 25-minute parade with every Disney character you can think of – and even Santa!
- Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks – an exclusive, Christmassy, fireworks show.
- Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration – a festive stage show with lots of Disney characters!
- Complimentary cookies & hot cocoa – Be aware that the cookies tasted pretty artificial (AKA like Play-Doh 😂) in 2022, but were much better in 2023!
- Meeting characters all ready for Christmas
- Shorter wait times for rides
- SNOW ❄️
- And more!
Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party cost $159-$209 + tax for kids aged 3-9.
Tickets for guests aged 10+ are $169-$219 + tax.
If you are an Annual Passholder or a Direct Disney Vacation Club Member, you will be eligible for a $10 discount per ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – on select nights only.
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2. Disney Jollywood Nights
For the first time, Disney Jollywood Nights are being held at Hollywood Studios.
This is Hollywood Studios’ version of a Disney Christmas party.
If you attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can expect:
- The dazzling return of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – a nighttime show with extraordinary projections, special effects and music at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
- A musical variety show with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy at Theater of the Stars – You can also expect to see some princesses (including Belle and Tiana).
- Exclusive snacks
- And more!
Tickets will cost between $159-$179 for this event.
Annual Passholders and Direct Disney Vacation Club members can save $10 per ticket. This discount is valid for every night of this festive event.
3. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Between November 29th – December 30th 2024, Epcot is holding its fourth festival of the year, the Festival of the Holidays.
During this festive event, you are invited to embark on a heartwarming journey around the world as you explore holiday traditions from different countries.
Strolling through the World Showcase pavilions, you can try delectable seasonal treats from various cultures.
But it’s not just about the food. There is also unforgettable live entertainment and performances that showcase diverse holiday customs from around the globe.
The Epcot Candlelight Processional is a breathtaking and profoundly moving holiday tradition in Epcot.
This beloved event combines the joyous spirit of Christmas with a beautiful retelling of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus.
Every night of this festival, a celebrity narrator (such as Josh Gad, Whoopi Goldberg and more) joins a mass choir and a full orchestra to recount the timeless tale of Christmas. The resonant voices of the choir, the orchestral melodies, and the heartfelt narration create a powerful and emotionally stirring performance that captivates audiences of all ages.
Attending this Epcot Festival and The Candlelight Processional is free. However, you can book the Candlelight Processional Dining Package, which includes a meal at a table-service restaurant.
The main advantage of this package is that it will reserve you a seat at the Candlelight Processional.
4. The gingerbread structures around Disney World Resorts
During the Disney World Christmas season, there are a plethora of unbelievable gingerbread displays at different Deluxe Resorts.
Here are the main displays that you shouldn’t miss:
The Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
This isn’t the kind of gingerbread house you decorate at home during the holidays. No, this is a LIFE-SIZED gingerbread house!
It’s so perfect that it will make you crave a sweet treat. Don’t worry, Disney World doesn’t miss an opportunity to capitalise off the holiday season 😂
So, you will find an impressive menu of festive snacks here too, which makes it all the sweeter.
The Gingerbread Carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
This is arguably cooler than the Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread House, as this spins like a regular carousel!
And, of course, you can purchase Christmassy treats here too.
The Gingerbread Castle at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The Gingerbread Castle is a much more modest display, but it is still very sweet (just like the treats sold here).
You can also find a Gingerbread Giraffe and Zebra at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and a Gingerbread Cabin at Wilderness Lodge, and a Gingerbread Boardwalk Deli at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn.
RELATED POST: Top 10 Places With The Most Festive Disney World Christmas Decorations
5. Visiting the Disney World Resorts to see the Christmas decorations
Resort hopping is always a fun activity – whether it’s the holiday season or not.
But, when it’s Christmas, it’s extra special and exciting, as you get to check out all the different Disney World Christmas trees and decorations.
All the decorations are different, as they fit in beautifully with the theme of each resort.
RELATED POST: How Long Does Disney World Keep Christmas Decorations Up? [in 2024]
Frequently Asked Questions about Disney World Christmas Events
When does the Christmas season start at Disney World?
The Christmas season usually kicks off in early November and runs through early January (though dates can vary for different events).
Do I need special tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
Yes, this is a separately ticketed event. This is also true for Disney Jollywood Nights.
Are there Christmas parades at Disney World?
Yes, Disney World has Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Do Disney resorts decorate for Christmas?
Yes, the resorts are also festively decorated. Not all resorts are decorated to the same standard (with resorts like Old Key West, Caribbean Beach and Riviera often being the least “decked-out”), but you’ll see at least some decorations at all resorts.
Ta Ta For Now
So, are you going to get your favourite Disney World Christmas outfit on and attend any of these events? I certainly am!
This post was all about the ultimate guide to the Disney World Christmas events you can’t miss this holiday season.
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