Although Halloween ended only two days ago and Thanksgiving is about three weeks away, it’s officially Christmas time at Walt Disney World Resort! In fact, Magic Kingdom has already transformed into a magical holiday wonderland after the last Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. But the Christmas spirit is not limited to Magic Kingdom; it can be found at all Disney theme parks and on-property resorts. The food. The music. The entertainment. The fantastical fireworks. There are many reasons that make Christmas at Walt Disney World the most wonderful time of year. Today on the blog, we’re sharing our top five reasons.
Resort Decor
Harmonizing with the theme of each hotel, the 25+ on-property resorts at Walt Disney World decorate for the holidays to immerse guests into the Christmas spirit. When we stayed at Coronado Springs Resort, the Christmas touches had a Southwestern flair, while Animal Kingdom Lodge’s decorations featured African touches. Both were gorgeous!
The Value and Moderate resorts feature a tree and small-scale pieces of decor, and the Deluxe resorts go all out for the holidays with large-scale Christmas trees and impressive decor dispersed throughout hotel public spaces. For example, Beach Club Resort is home to a life-size, edible carousel, and next door at Yacht Club Resort you’ll find a miniature holiday train.
One of our favorite things to do on a non-park day is resort hop along the Monorail to enjoy two of the best examples of Christmas decorations at the Contemporary Resort and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Both hotels celebrate the holidays with huge gingerbread decorations, special treats and festive fun all around. This year, Grand Floridian celebrates 20 years of its life-size gingerbread house which takes more than 560 hours to bake and decorate! It is a sight to behold (and it smells great too!).
The impressive Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Festival of the Holidays
There’s no hangover at Epcot after the Food & Wine Festival! On November 18, the park kicks off its annual Festival of the Holidays which celebrates the diverse traditions of the 11 countries highlighted in the World Showcase. The festival puts the spotlight on the cuisine, music and yuletide festivities found in Germany, Morocco, France, Italy and more. While you’re eating and drinking, your kiddos can have fun participating in Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree. After purchasing a map for $6.99 plus tax, your children help everyone’s favorite chipmunks in a scavenger hunt for ornaments to put on their Christmas tree. They’ll be on the lookout in the various World Showcase Pavilions; once an ornament is found, they’ll place a corresponding sticker on their map. After the hunt is complete, they’ll turn in their map for a special prize courtesy of Chip & Dale. Epcot’s 2018 Festival of the Holidays runs until December 30. Although it is not a separate ticketed event, there are extra charges to indulge in the savory and sweet treats, eats and drinks. Certain items may qualify as snack credit redemptions on the Disney Dining Plan.
Candlelight Processional
One of the most spectacular elements of Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays is the beloved Candlelight Processional. From November 22-December 30, a celebrity narrator retells the riveting story of the birth of Jesus accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and rousing choir. 2018 storytellers include: Tony Award-winning actress, dancer and singer, Chita Rivera; Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr.; dreamboat actor from LA Law, Blair Underwood; and the most popular narrator in Candlelight Processional history, Neil Patrick Harris. There is no additional cost to see the performance, and tickets are not required. Because there is limited seating in the theatre (located in the American Adventure Pavilion of the World Showcase), it is not unusual for guests to begin lining up for the entrance two hours before the scheduled performance. Of course, the more popular the celebrity narrator, the longer the line. One trick to secure seating is to purchase a breakfast, lunch or dinner Candlelight Processional Dining Package. Available at a number of Epcot restaurants, the dining package includes one appetizer, one entrée, one dessert and non-alcoholic beverage, or full buffet where applicable. Guests on the Disney Dining Plan will redeem two table-service credits per meal. Everyone who purchases a Candlelight Processional Dining Package will receive a voucher for reserved seating at one of the evening’s three shows. The time of your meal determines whether you receive a spot for the 5, 6:45 or 8:15 pm performances.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Nobody loves the holidays more than Mickey Mouse, and he’s got his own party to prove it! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs on select nights from November 8 - December 21 at Magic Kingdom Park. The festivities include special appearances from hard-to-find characters like Moana, the Seven Dwarfs, Scrooge McDuck and Jack Skellington dressed as Sandy Claws; joyful music and snow falling onto Main Street; complimentary seasonal treats like eggnog and cookies to fuel you until party close at midnight; access to attractions with traditionally long wait times like Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine and Space Mountain; a special parade featuring Disney characters dressed in their most festive attire; Elsa from Frozen transforming Cinderella Castle into a dazzling ice monument; and a riveting fireworks show, Holiday Wishes.
Meeting Jack Skellington, we mean Sandy Claws, during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Ticket prices start at $90/$95 per child/adult with the cost - and crowds - increasing as party dates approach Christmas. If you want to accentuate the exclusivity of the experience, you can add on one of two fireworks dessert parties on the Plaza Garden and at Tomorrowland Terrace. New this year, Tony’s Town Square will host a party within the party including reserved viewing of the Christmas parade and indulgent hors d’oeuvres and non- and alcoholic beverages.
Seasonal Temps
Any time of year is a good time to visit Walt Disney World. As we outlined above, Christmas time is the right time for us. The magic, merriment and mirth are heightened to unsurpassed levels. But what we really enjoy are the lower temperatures and humidity levels! With an average temperature of 73 degrees in December, it’s a pure delight to walk double digit miles without busting a sweat. You might even catch us wearing jeans and sweatshirts!
Do you agree that the holiday season is the most magical time of year at Walt Disney World?
Brrr. it’s cold outside. A chilly morning at Animal Kingdom Park - we’re actually wearing jackets!