The Christmas season at Disney World adds extra magic in the air. If you are visiting Disney World early November through early January, you can catch the holiday happenings. Read this Ultimate Christmas Guide containing 21 Holiday themed Things To Do At Disney World!
1. Admire The Decorations & Holiday Touches
Disney World knows how to decorate, with Wreaths (over 1,000), lights (totaling over 8 million across property) and more are found throughout property. Visit Toy Story Land for its own unique holiday décor, Echo Lake in Hollywood Studios also gets in on the fun with added decorations. Living with the Land at Epcot gets holiday touches in the greenhouse. The Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom gets a holiday overlay. Furthermore, stop for pictures on Main St USA is lined with beautiful wreaths and lights. These are just some of the incredible decorations and holiday touches found at Disney World during the Christmas Season.
2. See Gingerbread Displays
The Gingerbread Displays are a sight to see, not to mention they smell amazing. Disney Resorts know how to decorate for the holiday season as well, learn: 7 Must Visit Disney Resorts During The Christmas Season. These include the Gingerbread displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and more. Consider an afternoon of Resort Hopping to see the incredible Resort Holiday decorations and displays.
3. Festivals of the Holidays
Festival of the Holidays is included with your Epcot Admission and returns yearly in November through the Holiday season. This festival brings added entertainment to Epcot for guests to enjoy. On the Dining Plan? Use your snack credits at the festival food booths. The Candlelight Processional is also included, and is a beautiful retelling of the traditional Christmas Story.
4. Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail is a returning favorite for guests. View Tree designs such as Aladdin & The Lion King and many more, plus holiday music, falling snow, photo ops and holiday treats. Find entertainment + a DJ Dance party daily during the Christmas season.
Read: Complete 2019 Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail List
5. Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt
Participate in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt at Disney Springs. Pick up your Holiday Gift Hunt booklet at a participating location, containing a map, clues & stickers. Visit each listed site, find the hidden Stitch and mark your sticker. Hand in your completed map for a festive prize!
6. Meet & Greet With Santa
Christmas season is not complete until you have your photo with Santa. Santa meets with guests at Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom and Epcot in the parks (subject to change by year, check times guide your day of visit). Also, guests can meet Santa Claus at Disney Springs, check in and get a time to return. The meeting itself does not cost anything. If you have purchased Memory Maker the photos taken by the PhotoPass photographers are included.
7. Taste The Holiday Treats
Holiday treats can be found at various restaurants and gift shops throughout Disney World property. Find santa hats adorned on desserts, red & green frosting added to favorite snacks and more festive touches on food & drink. A favorite each year is popcorn in a festive (and refillable for a small fee) holiday popcorn bucket.
8. Browse Holiday Merchandise
Holiday merchandise includes housewares, Mickey ears, Spirit Jerseys and much more. Shop the holiday merchandise, sure to get you in the Holiday spirit.
9. Witness Nighttime Entertainment At Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios brings extra evening entertainment during the Christmas season. Watch Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, a fireworks spectacular with projections and snowfall. Also at Hollywood Studios is, Sunset Seasons Greetings, a projection show.
10. Take A Holiday Sleigh Ride
Dashing through the…Resort, guests can enjoy a Holiday Sleigh Ride at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Offered during the month of December each year. Guests enjoy a scenic 25-minute ride, with views of the decorated campsites and through the woods. Your sleigh will be decorated with lights, garland and bows. This is an extra cost of $84, which covers up to 4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 small children.
11. Notice All The Christmas Trees
In addition to jolly decorations, guests will find various decorated Christmas trees across Walt Disney World Resort. Stop for a picture in front of the 60′ tree on Main St USA at Magic Kingdom. During the Holiday season, Christmas Trees pop up all over Disney World property, perfect for a festive holiday photo.
12. Visit PhotoPass Studio (Free with Memory Maker Purchase)
PhotoPass Studio is located at Disney Springs. Stop by (no appointment needed) for a photo shoot, with various backgrounds to choose from. The holidays bring special Christmas themed backgrounds and more. All photos are included with your purchase of Memory Maker.
13. Attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Attend a holiday party at Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is offered select nights in November & December each year. This separate ticketed event gives guests the opportunity to ride select popular attractions with low wait times, meet Characters in Holiday apparel and more. Be sure to catch, A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show featuring Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf. Watch Queen Elsa will transform the castle into a frozen wonderland. See Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Snow fall on Main St USA, and enjoy complimentary Hot Cocoa & cookies.
Read: The Ultimate Guide: 16 Things To Do At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
14. Personalize A Christmas Ornament
Buy a Christmas Ornament from Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom or Days of Christmas at Disney Springs, and get it personalized. I love adding the year of visit!
15. Holiday Tours
Consider the Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy Tour at $99 per person and experience behind the scenes look at how the parks are transformed for the holidays. Disney’s Holiday D-Lights is a long tour at 6-hours long, cost is $279 per person. These tours are only offered select dates in November & December each year. Both give guests behind the scenes looks and expertise knowledge.
16. Visit Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
See a Chocolate Santa Display (2017) at The Swan (near Il Mulino New York Trattorianightly). Plus enjoy a nightly tree lighting in the lobby, carolers, cookie decorating and more. Plus, Santa & Mrs. Claus will appear on select nights through Christmas.
17. Play The Winter side of Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Outside of the entrance to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, find the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf. Back story – Santa built this location for his off-duty elves. Choose between 2 courses – Summer celebrating the warm Florida sun or the Winter course, celebrating the cold of the North Pole. If you are staying at a Disney World Resort look in your welcome book as often there are complimentary passes included.
18. Take A Christmas Card Photo
Find the perfect Christmas Card photo opportunity and pose for a photo, such as outside Days of Christmas at Disney Springs. Or in Magic Kingdom, sit in a sleigh found outside of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe where there is a full size sleigh guests may sit in.
19. Meet & Greet with Everyone’s Favorite Snowman
Meet & Greet with Olaf – everyone’s favorite snowman. Guests can meet Olaf in Hollywood Studios at the Celebrity Spotlight. Fans can also meet the sisters who created Olaf in the animated film Frozen, Anna & Elsa.
20. Holiday Cookie Stroll
Perhaps my favorite stroll all year, is the Holiday Cookie Stroll at Epcot. Complete during the International Festival of the Holidays. First, pick up your free passport and then visit participating locations to buy a cookie & get a stamp. For 2019, after 5 stamps, guests can get a complimentary cookie cutter!
21. See Cinderella’s Castle Transformed
During the holiday season, add seeing A Frozen Holiday Wish to your list of things to do. During this castle stage show, featuring Anna and Elsa, Queen Elsa transforms Cinderella’s Castle into a shimmering ice palace!
Thank you, Sara!
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.
