Holidays offer additional experiences around the parks. Here is what you can expect when you are celebrating holidays at Walt Disney World.
New Year’s Eve
The Magic Kingdom will put on an amazing fireworks presentation called Fantasy in the Sky on both December 30th and December 31st at 11:50 pm. There will also be additional entertainment and celebrations throughout the Magic Kingdom.
Epcot will add a special ending to IllumiNations that begins at 11:40 pm. There will be additional entertainment and celebrations throughout the park.
Hollywood Studios has been known to put on a fireworks celebration on New Years Eve too.
Easter
At the Magic Kingdom you will be able to meet the Easter Bunny and his misses for the 2 weeks leading up to Easter.
At Epcot, you can participate in the Egg-Stravaganza hunt. They have hidden multiple eggs featuring characters all around Epcot and you have to locate them using your special map. If you find all the eggs, you earn a prize!
Fourth of July
The Magic Kingdom has a special fireworks show called Celebrate America that will be shown on July 3rd and July 4th at 9 pm.
Epcot adds a special ending to Illuminations in honor of the 4th of July.
Hollywood Studios also has a special fireworks celebration in honor of the holiday.
Halloween
The Magic Kingdom is decked out in Halloween decorations. You can also purchase tickets to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party which features the Boo to You Parade, HalloWishes fireworks display and you can meet characters in their Halloween outfits. Rare characters also come out for the party. Party guests can dress up in their favorite costumes and Trick or Treat around the Magic Kingdom.
Thanksgiving
Many Table Service restaurants will have Thanksgiving meal offerings on the big day. I suggest you choose one and book it at 180 days in advance.
- Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom
- Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom (this is the one I would choose)
- Tony’s Town Square Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom
- Coral Reef in Epcot
- Garden Grill Dinner in Epcot
- Le Cellier in Epcot
- Rose and Crown in Epcot
- 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios (this would be my second choice)
- Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios
- Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios
- Tusker House in Animal Kingdom
- Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Cape May Cafe at Beach Club Resort
- Flying Fish Cafe at Boardwalk Resort
- Shutters at Old Port Royale in Caribbean Beach Resort
- Chef Mickey’s at Contemporary Resort
- California Grill at Contemporary Resort
- The Wave at Contemporary Resort
- Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness (my 3rd choice)
- Citricos at Grand Floridian Resort
- Grand Floridian Cafe at Grand Floridian Resort
- Narcoosee’s at Grand Floridian Resort
- Olivia’s Cafe at Old Key West Resort
- ‘Ohana at Polynesian Resort
- Kona Cafe at Polynesian Resort
- Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans Resort
- Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs Resort
- Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge Resort
- Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge Resort
- Captain’s Grille at Yacht Club
- Yachtsman Steakhouse at Yacht Club
- Crossroads at House of Blues in Disney Springs
- Ragland Road in Disney Springs
- And more that fluctuate from year to year
Christmas
For Christmas, most of the resorts are decorated with large Christmas trees. You can visit a life size Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian, a huge Gingerbread tree at the Contemporary and a Gingerbread Carousel at the Beach Club Resort.
The Magic Kingdom is decorated for Christmas. There is also a huge Christmas Tree right on Main Street. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are available for meet and greets. At night, there will be a special show as they light up Cinderella’s Castle and later in the evening you can enjoy Holiday Fireworks. During the week of Christmas, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will perform during the day instead of the Festival of Fantasy Parade. The Jungle Cruise is transformed into the Jingle Cruise.
You can also purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The party features the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Holiday Fireworks, Meet and Greets with characters in Holiday attire plus rare characters will be in attendance, complimentary cookies, apple slices and hot cocoa and there will be snow on Main Street, U.S.A..
Epcot has special Christmas foods available from the countries around the World Showcase. Holiday Storytellers are on hand to talk about the ways each country celebrate Christmas. Santa and Mrs. Claus can be found at the American Adventure Pavilion. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth features a Peace on Earth ending. The Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator along with a mass choir performance.
Animal Kingdom features a meet and greet with Santa Goofy. Mickey and Minnie will also be dressed in their Christmas attire.
Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios hosts a festive holiday dinner with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Santa Goofy.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.