It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is officially decorated for the 2023 holiday season! While there is always an official date that the season will begin, Magic Kingdom is the first to transform overnight right after the last Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. This year, there was an additional Halloween party on November 1st, to the Christmas wreaths on Main Street were put out one day later followed by the Christmas tree. I am so excited for this time of year! The parks and resorts are totally transformed with beautiful decorations, holiday music playing through the parks, fun-themed food and drinks to try, and tons of great entertainment.
Here are my favorite reasons to visit Walt Disney World during the Holiday Season:
Holiday Offerings at Magic Kingdom
Frozen Holiday Surprise: New this year, Cinderella’s Castle will have a new display during the holiday season. This show will take place during regular park hours as well as at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The 7-minute show will begin at 6:15 pm and again at 8:15 pm on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights. The celebration begins when Olaf and over 100 of his siblings add garlands, ornaments, wreaths, and more to Cinderella’s Castle. Then, Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff will appear on stage with Olaf in their holiday attire. Elsa will add the finishing touches with her ice magic, transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace. It is important to note that this new show is projection-based and will not use the LED lights used in years past.
Seasonal Decor: Find holiday decorations all along Main Street, U.S.A., and throughout the park. I love the Mickey pumpkins during the fall season, but the holiday decorations are my favorite!
Jingle Cruise: During the holiday season, the Jungle Cruise attraction has been transformed into a festive adventure. It is a must-ride during this time of year!
Holiday Offerings at Hollywood Studios
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: This show is so fun to watch. During the holiday season, there will be a holiday finale featuring Olaf.
Sunset Seasons Greetings: I love this show at the Hollywood Tower Hotel! This will happen nightly with holiday projections and changes projections with a different theme every few minutes. This takes place starting at sunset.
Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine: See Minnie Mouse and friends in their holiday-themed outfits and dine at this all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurant. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Toy Story Land Characters in Holiday Attire: Visit Toy Story Land and you’ll find some of your favorite Pixar characters in their holiday best.
Holiday Offerings at Animal Kingdom
Merry Menagerie: Watch Discovery Island come to life with sculpted puppets of arctic animals including penguins, reindeer, foxes, and polar bears.
Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition: Watch the Tree of Life shimmer and sparkle each night with a holiday theme. This begins at sunset.
Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurer’s Outpost: See Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their cute holiday outfits.
Seasonal Decor: You’ll find fun-themed holiday decor all throughout the park.
Holiday Offerings at Epcot
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: Beginning November 24th through December 30th, 2023, celebrate the holidays around the world at the Holiday Kitchens. Holiday Storytellers will share holiday traditions from around the world.
Candlelight Processional: Listen to the story of Christmas presented by a celebrity narrator along with an orchestra and choir. Select dates have select celebrity narrators. I highly suggest a Candlelight Processional dining package to ensure reserved seating because this event is very popular!
Meet Santa Claus at the Odyssey Pavilion: Meet Santa Claus from November 24th to December 24th, 2023.
Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses: I love how they theme Living With the Land with fun holiday lights! This happens from November 24th to December 30th, 2023.
Holiday Entertainment: Experience all holiday traditions including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year with the Holiday Storytellers. This happens from November 24th to December 30th, 2023.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park for select nights from November 9th to December 22nd, 2023.
Event Details:
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade: Get your spot about an hour to an hour and a half before the parade starts. This parade is VERY popular (it’s my favorite). I love to sit in front of Peco Bills in Frontierland. You get a great seat, It’s at the front of the parade so it will be done first and then you can quickly walk to ride Pirates of the Caribbean before heading to get a spot for the fireworks (if you watch the first parade)
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
Several ride attractions with holiday overlays
Enjoy cookies and cocoa available in select locations at no additional charge.
30+ PhotoPass areas (special event photos with Memory Maker!)
Jollywood Nights (New This Year)
Celebrate at this brand-new nighttime party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from November 11th to December 20th, 2023.
Event Details:
The separately ticketed event runs from 8:30 PM. to 12:30 AM, though you may enter the park as early as 7 PM with your event ticket. You do not need an additional park ticket or park pass reservation as long as you enter via the special event line starting at 7 PM. Be sure to pick up a special event map for all event times and entertainment locations when you enter the park.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM Nighttime Spectacular
Stage Show at Theater of the Stars: Hosted by Kermit & Miss Piggy
Sing-Along at Hyperion Theater
Holiday Fiesta en la Calle at Commissary Lane
Enjoy the Hollywood-themed jazz lounge with Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant and enjoy holiday music, craft cocktails and an exclusive food menu. Note: Food and drinks are available at an additional cost. (Capacity is limited so you’ll want to join the Mobile Walk-Up List via the My Disney Experience)
Another limited-capacity event includes Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club. Experience a live band, dancing, and cocktails (for an additional purchase) at The Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard.
Enjoy a DJ spinning holiday tunes near the front of the park as well as a throwback bash at Echo Lake.
Be sure to utilize your complimentary PhotoPass downloads with special MagicShots and two new photo experiences.
Jollywood Nights Character Greetings include: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends in Animation Courtyard (on a hot set with holiday props), Powerline Max and Phineas and Ferb at Echo Lake (with classic holiday decor), and Edna Mode and Frozone at Pixar Plaza
Confirmed Rides available: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance (virtual queue only), and Millennium Falcon
Resort Decorations
Disney Resort Hotels include seasonal decore all throughout the resort with large Christmas Trees and gingerbread displays in the lobbies at select resorts. The Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian Resort is my favorite!
You can also dine on gingerbread treats and choose from other delicious options from specialty menus at select restaurants in select resorts.
Disney Springs
Special Entertainment: Meet Santa Claus and enjoy holiday music with live musical performances and DJs. You’ll also see Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers and Snowflake Skaters.
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll: Find beautifully decorated Christmas trees all throughout the neighborhoods of Disney Springs.
Let It “SNOAP”: You’ll see it “snow” at Disney Springs Town Center at night.
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar: This restaurant offers fun holiday decor and a delicious holiday-inspired menu.
Ready to book your last-minute getaway to Walt Disney World to experience all of this? I would love to help you! Ready to plan your holiday vacation for 2024? All dates are available to book next year, so let’s start planning!
Love and Travel Dust,
Molly
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