The Top 10 Christmas Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss at Walt Disney World

Nowhere celebrates Christmas quite like the Disney Parks and Resorts. From the Walt Disney World Christmas decorations to admire, to tasty treats to enjoy, and more, Guests are sure to have the most magical Christmas vacation at Walt Disney World. As with all good things though, they don’t stick around forever. We’re just days away from the beginning of December, and whilst this time of year is truly special, it’s never quite long enough.

So what should you plan to experience in Walt Disney World before the Holiday season is out? Here are the top 10 things you don’t want to miss!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Doesn’t a festive evening in Magic Kingdom Park sound extra magical? A night at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party brings lots of fun, including favorite Disney characters dressed in festive outfits (including Santa Goofy), unlimited cookies and hot cocoa for all Guests to enjoy, and a chance to ride attractions round the Disney Park without long lines. But the real reasons why you’ll attend the Holiday event are to:

• see Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show light up the sky above Cinderella Castle
• watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade travel through Magic Kingdom and down Main Street USA
• enjoy Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show in front of Cinderella Castle

Disney Resort Decorations

Guests who don’t plan to visit each of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels during a Christmas Disney vacation really do miss out. Each of the Disney Resort hotels are decorated with giant Christmas trees and unique decorations that provide a sense of wonder and magic at this wonderful time of year. We especially love to admire the Christmas village and train display at Disney’s Yacht Club during the Holidays, and the incredible Christmas tree that takes center stage in the lobby at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Whether you plan to visit all of the Disney Resorts in one day, secure dining reservations in some of the hotel restaurants, or take a detour after leaving the Disney Parks, you’ll definitely be glad you stopped by.

Gingerbread Displays

The incredible gingerbread house and displays that form part of the Walt Disney World Resort hotel Christmas decorations are a must-see during the Holiday season. Gaze in awe at the detail that features on each gingerbread display, and be sure to stop by the serving counters to pick up some Holiday treats. The gingerbread displays can be found in the following locations:

• Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Gingerbread Carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Gingerbread giraffe and zebra at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Gingerbread BoardWalk Deli at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort
• Gingerbread Castle at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Gingerbread Monuments at American Adventure in EPCOT World Showcase

Holiday Overlays

We all love Disney attractions, but there’s something even more special when you get to experience them in a new and different way. The Christmas season brings several Holiday overlays to the Walt Disney World Resort that you most definitely don’t want to miss. Be sure to experience the Holiday overlays at the following attractions:

• Jingle Cruise in Magic Kingdom
• Living with the Land: Glimmering Greenhouses in EPCOT
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Christmas Rewind in EPCOT
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll

You don’t have to have a Disney Park ticket to enjoy the Christmas festivities that take place at Disney Springs. The Christmas Tree Stroll is perfect to enjoy throughout the day and extends throughout the shopping and dining district. If you plan on staying into the evening, be sure to stop by Town Center to enjoy a snoapfall and mingle with toy solider stilt walkers. If you have younger Guests in your party, then be sure to visit Santa Claus at Once Upon A Toy! too; he’s meeting Guests until Christmas Eve.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Having begun on November 25, and running through to December 30, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is your chance to find out about Christmas traditions from around the world. Stop by each Holiday Kitchen to sample festive dishes, enjoy Holiday stories that are being told around World Showcase, and witness a beautiful telling of the Christmas story at the Candlelight Processional. Each evening, a different celebrity narrator features in the Candlelight Processional; check to see who will star during your Disney vacation.

Sunset Season’s Greetings

Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a wonderful place to visit at Christmastime. The street is lined with tinsel stars and the Hollywood Tower Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for magical projections. Be sure to stop by a Disney PhotoPass Cast Member to get the perfect Holiday photo. Whilst visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, visit the Echo Lake ‘Flurry of Fun’ to see Santa Gertie, and catch Santa making his way down Hollywood Boulevard in the Santa Claus Motorcade. Toy Story Land is even decked out in Holiday decorations that you won’t want to miss, when in the Disney Park.

Merry Menagerie

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park becomes a magical place to visit during the Christmas season. Guests can interact with artisan-sculpted puppets in the Merry Managerie on Discovery Island, accompanied by live musicians who mingle with Guests and the Merry Menagerie critters.

During the evening, admire the Discovery Island Luminaries that provide yuletide light and a sense of wonder to the buildings throughout the land. You won’t want to miss the Tree of Life Holiday Awakenings too, that tell winter tales to Holiday-inspired musical scores. It’s the perfect way to end an evening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Festive Bites and Sips

There are plenty of festive treats to enjoy around the Walt Disney World Resort during the Holiday season. But if you were looking for three places to visit, then we have you covered.

First stop is Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar in Disney Springs, that is transformed for the Holiday Season. Indulge on seasonal bites and sips, surrounded by festive decor.

Next stop is just up the street from Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar – Gideon’s Bakehouse. You don’t want to miss out on the festive cookies and cake slices that are available in the run up to Christmas, including: Kris Kringle’s Cookie; Cookie Vom Krampus; Kris Kringle Cake; and Cake Vom Krampus.

The final dining location to visit is Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie’s Holiday Dine provides the perfect combination of great food and Disney friends dressed in Holiday attire. 

Holiday Sleigh Ride

Looking for something a little different to experience during your Disney vacation? Then you won’t want to miss the Holiday Sleigh Ride at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Guests board their sleigh and enjoy a 25-minutes ride around Fort Wilderness. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the Christmas lights that Guests use to decorate their campsites with, for the Holidays.

You don’t want to miss out on all of the Holiday fun at the Walt Disney World Resort. Make sure to find time in your plans to experience it all.