Walt Disney World Holidays - Celebrating the Christmas Season With Magic
If you have plans to travel to Walt Disney World during the Christmas holiday season, congratulations! You will be visiting during one of the most magical times of the year, even for Disney. My family and I have been fortunate to celebrate a few Walt Disney World holidays in years past, so this article will discuss a few of our family's favorite things to see and do during the Disney Christmas season.
Let's start with the Magic Kingdom. You will find Cinderella's Castle decked out in breathtaking "icicle" lights each night. Be sure to get pictures: if you are like me and not great with taking night-time pictures, then get a few PhotoPass shots in front of the castle. Trust me you'll be glad you did!
Magic Kingdom also hosts Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on a number of nights in December, prior to Christmas. This is a separate ticket, so if you want to attend, you will need to purchase tickets separately from your park pass. One of the highlights is the Christmas parade, featuring the famous Wooden Soldiers. If you want to see the parade, but don't plan on going to the Party before Christmas, you will be able to see it daily, every afternoon, typically starting Christmas Day...no separate ticket needed! (Please note: The Walt Disney World Christmas Parade that you see on TV every year on Christmas morning is not a live event and is, in fact, taped weeks before. So do not go to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas morning expecting to see/be in the parade!)
In Epcot, the World Showcase provide the focal point for the beautiful decorations of the "Holidays Around the World". If visiting other countries and learning what it would be like to celebrate Christmas in another country sounds interesting to you, then this is the place to be. Each country showcases their favorite holiday traditions, and many even have special Holiday Storytellers that share some very interesting and fun customs. In fact, it is not unusual to find Father Christmas in England, Pere Noel in France, and St. Nicholas in Germany among others. It is a delightfully fun and educational way to learn about Christmas customs around the world.
The probable highlight of the Walt Disney World holidays in Epcot is the Candlelight Processional. This nightly presentation of the Christmas story features a celebrity guest narrator, along with a huge massed choir comprised of professional, college, and high school choirs from around the country. There are 3 showings each night, but be advised that the line for seats can start hours before each showing, which is free with park admission. The best way to be certain of getting a seat is to purchase a Candlelight Processional dinner package. If you would rather not do this, then my advice would be to have someone from your group wait in the stand-by line to insure your ability to get a seat. This performance is not-to-be-missed: dramatic and moving, it is our family's favorite Christmas event at Disney.
Disney's Hollywood Studios has their fair share of holiday entertainment with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, held nightly on the Streets of America. There are literally millions of lights in this display and it is truly an amazing one. The streets can get very crowded however, during this busy season, so to get the most of your visit here, go during the nightly Fantasmic show, or at the end of the evening, before the park closes. It is much more enjoyable when you are not elbow to elbow with people!
And if this is not enough, then hop on over to Animal Kingdom for Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade, featuring all of the characters in their holiday finest. In addition, Downtown Disney showcases the Festival of the Seasons, the perfect place to finish your holiday shopping. While there, visit Santa before Dec. 24, and say hi to Santa Goofy from Dec. 25 to Jan. 4. And be sure to also visit the Disney resorts to see their wonderful holiday decorations! Of special note is the Grand Floridian for the Gingerbread House, the Boardwalk for the Carousel, and the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge for the enormous trees. Whimsical and festive, these displays are a wonderful way to also get away from the crowds for a little.
With stunning decorations, festive atmosphere, and the usual brand of Disney magic, celebrating the Walt Disney World holidays are sure to provide a vacation that will be filled with wonderful family memories.
Let's start with the Magic Kingdom. You will find Cinderella's Castle decked out in breathtaking "icicle" lights each night. Be sure to get pictures: if you are like me and not great with taking night-time pictures, then get a few PhotoPass shots in front of the castle. Trust me you'll be glad you did!
Magic Kingdom also hosts Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on a number of nights in December, prior to Christmas. This is a separate ticket, so if you want to attend, you will need to purchase tickets separately from your park pass. One of the highlights is the Christmas parade, featuring the famous Wooden Soldiers. If you want to see the parade, but don't plan on going to the Party before Christmas, you will be able to see it daily, every afternoon, typically starting Christmas Day...no separate ticket needed! (Please note: The Walt Disney World Christmas Parade that you see on TV every year on Christmas morning is not a live event and is, in fact, taped weeks before. So do not go to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas morning expecting to see/be in the parade!)
In Epcot, the World Showcase provide the focal point for the beautiful decorations of the "Holidays Around the World". If visiting other countries and learning what it would be like to celebrate Christmas in another country sounds interesting to you, then this is the place to be. Each country showcases their favorite holiday traditions, and many even have special Holiday Storytellers that share some very interesting and fun customs. In fact, it is not unusual to find Father Christmas in England, Pere Noel in France, and St. Nicholas in Germany among others. It is a delightfully fun and educational way to learn about Christmas customs around the world.
The probable highlight of the Walt Disney World holidays in Epcot is the Candlelight Processional. This nightly presentation of the Christmas story features a celebrity guest narrator, along with a huge massed choir comprised of professional, college, and high school choirs from around the country. There are 3 showings each night, but be advised that the line for seats can start hours before each showing, which is free with park admission. The best way to be certain of getting a seat is to purchase a Candlelight Processional dinner package. If you would rather not do this, then my advice would be to have someone from your group wait in the stand-by line to insure your ability to get a seat. This performance is not-to-be-missed: dramatic and moving, it is our family's favorite Christmas event at Disney.
Disney's Hollywood Studios has their fair share of holiday entertainment with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, held nightly on the Streets of America. There are literally millions of lights in this display and it is truly an amazing one. The streets can get very crowded however, during this busy season, so to get the most of your visit here, go during the nightly Fantasmic show, or at the end of the evening, before the park closes. It is much more enjoyable when you are not elbow to elbow with people!
And if this is not enough, then hop on over to Animal Kingdom for Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade, featuring all of the characters in their holiday finest. In addition, Downtown Disney showcases the Festival of the Seasons, the perfect place to finish your holiday shopping. While there, visit Santa before Dec. 24, and say hi to Santa Goofy from Dec. 25 to Jan. 4. And be sure to also visit the Disney resorts to see their wonderful holiday decorations! Of special note is the Grand Floridian for the Gingerbread House, the Boardwalk for the Carousel, and the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge for the enormous trees. Whimsical and festive, these displays are a wonderful way to also get away from the crowds for a little.
With stunning decorations, festive atmosphere, and the usual brand of Disney magic, celebrating the Walt Disney World holidays are sure to provide a vacation that will be filled with wonderful family memories.
About the Author:
Nancy Bobby has been visiting Disney World (and doing it affordably) for over ten years, and has experienced 11 (and counting) family trips to Walt Disney World. To learn how to plan an affordable Disney family vacation, and to get a free Disney vacation planning guide, visit The Affordable Mouse.
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