It’s summertime, and it’s hot - really hot - across the country. So naturally, the heat has us dreaming of cooler temperatures, hot cocoa, fuzzy sweaters and … the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort. Seems crazy, right, but the holiday season kicks off on November 8th; that’s only 108 days from the writing of this blog! With party tickets already on sale, the window for Advance Dining Reservations having opened two months ago and FastPass+ selections to secure in fewer than two months, It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas in July! Today on the blog, we’re sharing our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort.
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 is a festive celebration at Magic Kingdom that features special appearances from hard-to-find characters like fan favorite 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 and stage production featuring Disney characters dressed in their most festive attire; Elsa from Frozen transforming Cinderella Castle into a dazzling ice monument; and a riveting holiday fireworks show.
Snow falls on Main Street at Magic Kingdom Park.
Admission to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires a separate ticket from park admission. Although the party starts at 7 p.m., guests can enter Magic Kingdom three hours prior, making it the perfect opportunity to visit the most popular of Walt Disney World’s parks with fewer crowds. The event runs on select dates from November 8 to December 22. Ticket prices start at $94 plus tax for children nine years of age and younger, and $99 plus tax for children 10 and older as well as adults.
Festival of the Holidays
There’s no hangover at Epcot after the park’s fall seasonal event, Food & Wine Festival! On November 29, 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 Mexico, Norway, Germany 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 those spunky 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.
Festive and fun topiaries found at Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays.
Epcot’s 2019 Festival of the Holidays runs until December 30 and can be experienced with park admission. Although it is not a separate ticketed event like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, 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 rousing Candlelight Processional. Every night during the Festival, a celebrity narrator retells the story of the birth of Jesus accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and rousing choir. Celebrities announced to date for the 2019 Candelight Processional include actor Gary Sinise, TV game show host Pat Sajak and the most popular narrator in Candlelight Processional history, Tony award-winning Neil Patrick Harris.
Neil Patrick Harris, surrounded by an orchestra and choir, performs at Epcot’s Candelight Processional.
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 show two hours before a 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 16 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.
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 stunning Christmas tree in Animal Kingdom Lodge’s lobby.
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.
Seasonal Temps
Any time of year is a good time to visit Walt Disney World. As we outlined above, the holiday season might be the perfect time to plan a trip. 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?