Visiting Disney at Christmas is a magical experience that offers the perfect blend of holiday cheer and enchanting entertainment. The entire park is adorned with dazzling decorations, from twinkling lights to festive wreaths, creating an atmosphere of pure wonder and joy. Special holiday-themed parades, shows, and firework displays abound, bringing beloved Disney characters to life in a merry celebration. The iconic Cinderella Castle transforms into a breathtaking spectacle with a shimmering overlay of lights, casting a spellbinding glow over the park. Moreover, seasonal treats and delicacies are available throughout the park, providing a delightful culinary journey for visitors. Whether it’s taking a ride on the Jingle Cruise or meeting Santa Claus himself, Disney at Christmas offers a truly enchanting and unforgettable experience for the whole family. Take a look at my full breakdown below!
The Decorations
No one does decorations like Disney! Just like they do for Halloween, the Disney team goes all out for the Christmas season. It really gets you in the Christmas spirit and makes for a fantastic family photo backdrop!
The Treats
There are always new creative and delicious limited time treats dropping throughout the WDW properties. The holidays are no exception! If you consider yourself a foodie, you may want to check these out!
The Gingerbread Houses
The gingerbread houses the culinary team creates are stunning and so impressive to take in. Many visitors travel to the different resorts to check out these gigantic masterpieces, its a great idea for a day when you haven’t purchased park tickets. And its free!
Check out this awesome post by the Disney Parks Blog!
Character Costumes
If you like to collect different photos with the characters, now is a great time to jump in line and get those special shots! Some of your favorite pals like Mickey and Minnie and the Toy Story Gang will be decked out in their best Wintery attire!
Special Shows
Many of the park shows become holiday themed this time of year. Projections onto the tree of life, tower of terror, and the castle are a special holiday edition! Check out the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT as well!
A Twist on Rides
It isn’t often that Disney rides get a shake up once they are operational. During the holidays though, some classic rides are decorated for the Season!
You can check out Living with the Land’s “Glimmering Greenhouses” take a ride aboard the “Jingle Cruise”, and jam out on the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind “Holiday Remix”!
Souvenirs
Guests can discover unique treasures such as Mickey Mouse-shaped wreaths, glittering snow globes, and limited-edition collectibles, all adding a touch of Disney magic to their festive celebrations. Whether it’s a cozy holiday sweater or a cheerful plush toy, these limited edition special souvenirs allow guests to bring the joy of Disney’s yuletide festivities home with them. (Many can also be purchased online!)
Although it is a unique and fun trip to experience Walt Disney World at Christmas Time, your trip can be magical during any season if this time period can’t work for you! Crowds can be long, and prices high for hotels and park tickets during November/ December. Do what is best for you, and make some magical memories!