While it may be too late for this year, start thinking about planning a trip during the Christmas season next year. You don’t have to go on Christmas Day (in fact, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest week of the year) because the festivities start right around Thanksgiving. Walt Disney World absolutely comes alive during the holidays and here are my Top Ten reasons why you should experience the holidays there at least once.
10. Downtown Disney – throughout the holidays, the entire resort sparkles with Christmas decorations. While we love to shop for Christmas trinkets in Downtown Disney, Disney Parks Merchandise is also offering Hanukkah-inspired gifts. The area also hosts special entertainment during the holidays. One can find carolers, street performers and even a holiday DJ dance party. Of course no visit would be complete without a visit to Santa!
9. Decorations – All the parks and resorts are decorated for the holidays, adding a festive atmosphere to an already magical place. Holiday topiaries and themed gardens delight the imagination. This year Magic Kingdom decorators had to alter the garland that traditionally hung across Main Street because the floats in the new daytime parade are so tall!
10. Downtown Disney – throughout the holidays, the entire resort sparkles with Christmas decorations. While we love to shop for Christmas trinkets in Downtown Disney, Disney Parks Merchandise is also offering Hanukkah-inspired gifts. The area also hosts special entertainment during the holidays. One can find carolers, street performers and even a holiday DJ dance party. Of course no visit would be complete without a visit to Santa!
9. Decorations – All the parks and resorts are decorated for the holidays, adding a festive atmosphere to an already magical place. Holiday topiaries and themed gardens delight the imagination. This year Magic Kingdom decorators had to alter the garland that traditionally hung across Main Street because the floats in the new daytime parade are so tall!
8. Holiday treats – Throughout Walt Disney World you will find yummy treats created for the Christmas season. From the seasonal popcorn buckets (Mickey dressed as an elf!) to gingerbread cookies to hot applejack cider, special treats for the holidays can be found in every park.
7. Giant gingerbread houses – Every year a giant gingerbread house is erected in the lobby of the Grand Floridian. Joining in the gingerbread celebration, this year a “Frozen”-themed gingerbread house adorned the Contemporary lobby and a gingerbread carousel took center stage in the Beach Club lobby. Resort-hopping is a must during the holidays to see all the uniquely themed decorations.
6. Holiday entertainment -- "Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season" brings soulful Christmas music to Epcot. Live on stage several times throughout the day, this group of powerful singers and instrumentalists delights visitors with traditional Christmas music in their own inimitable style. And back by popular demand at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special will have you in stitches with their holiday-themed improv show.
7. Giant gingerbread houses – Every year a giant gingerbread house is erected in the lobby of the Grand Floridian. Joining in the gingerbread celebration, this year a “Frozen”-themed gingerbread house adorned the Contemporary lobby and a gingerbread carousel took center stage in the Beach Club lobby. Resort-hopping is a must during the holidays to see all the uniquely themed decorations.
6. Holiday entertainment -- "Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season" brings soulful Christmas music to Epcot. Live on stage several times throughout the day, this group of powerful singers and instrumentalists delights visitors with traditional Christmas music in their own inimitable style. And back by popular demand at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special will have you in stitches with their holiday-themed improv show.
5. Cinderella’s Castle absolutely shimmers every night
during the holidays.
Draped with 200,000 lights, the castle appears to be
covered in icicles. Since “Frozen” has become
the hit sensation that must touch nearly everything Disney
does these days, Elsa has been added to “magically transform
Cinderella Castle into a glittering ice palace during the
‘Castle Dream Lights’ and ‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ stage show.”
during the holidays.
Draped with 200,000 lights, the castle appears to be
covered in icicles. Since “Frozen” has become
the hit sensation that must touch nearly everything Disney
does these days, Elsa has been added to “magically transform
Cinderella Castle into a glittering ice palace during the
‘Castle Dream Lights’ and ‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ stage show.”
4. Holidays Around the World at Epcot – The countries around World Showcase offer their unique take on the holidays. From stories of Father Christmas dating back to 15th-century England to the colorful mariachis and dancers of Mexico or the Lion Dance of the Lunar New Year in China, each country presents its own time-honored traditions. They also feature seasonal food and beverage selections such as the Buche de Noel au Chocolate (chocolate Christmas log) in France, Gluhwein in Germany, sweet tamales in Mexico and so much more.
3. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – This is a special “hard ticket” event that takes place at Magic Kingdom from 7 p.m. to Midnight on select nights in November and December. The park closes early for people who haven’t purchased the Party ticket. Ticket prices range from $67-74 per adult and $62-69 per child, depending on the date. While this may seem pricey, you could skip using a regular park ticket on the day of the Party…do something else earlier in the day…sleep in, go out for lunch, shop, resort-hop…then go to Magic Kingdom when they start letting Party-goers in at 4:00. So what’s included for your special ticket? Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party boasts “live entertainment, spectacular fireworks and an oh-so-jolly holiday parade at this festive winter celebration.” There are also character meet & greets, free cookies, candy canes and hot cocoa at various locations throughout the park and…wait for it…it snows on Main Street! Make sure to nab your parade-viewing spot early!
3. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – This is a special “hard ticket” event that takes place at Magic Kingdom from 7 p.m. to Midnight on select nights in November and December. The park closes early for people who haven’t purchased the Party ticket. Ticket prices range from $67-74 per adult and $62-69 per child, depending on the date. While this may seem pricey, you could skip using a regular park ticket on the day of the Party…do something else earlier in the day…sleep in, go out for lunch, shop, resort-hop…then go to Magic Kingdom when they start letting Party-goers in at 4:00. So what’s included for your special ticket? Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party boasts “live entertainment, spectacular fireworks and an oh-so-jolly holiday parade at this festive winter celebration.” There are also character meet & greets, free cookies, candy canes and hot cocoa at various locations throughout the park and…wait for it…it snows on Main Street! Make sure to nab your parade-viewing spot early!
2. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – At Disney’s Hollywood Studios you will find the most incredible Christmas light display you’ve ever seen! Filling the Streets of America, millions of lights are strung throughout the area and every twenty minutes or so, the music starts and the lights come alive, synchronized to the music. It really is a ‘spectacle’ you have to see to believe! NOTE: This closed January 6, 2016 to make room for new attractions at Hollywood Studios.
1. Candlelight Processional at Epcot – This wonderful Christmas event is so popular that they perform three shows every night during the holiday season in the America Gardens Theatre. Each night the Bible story of Jesus’ birth is read by a celebrity narrator and, as they say on the Disney website, “All the while, gorgeous choral pieces are woven into the production as an orchestra and choir provide an inspirational backdrop with songs of hope and joy.” Some of the narrators change from year to year but some who’ve come back frequently include Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Edward James Olmos, Steven Curtis Chapman and Jodi Benson among others, each performing for two or three nights. If this doesn’t fill you with the Christmas spirit, nothing will!
1. Candlelight Processional at Epcot – This wonderful Christmas event is so popular that they perform three shows every night during the holiday season in the America Gardens Theatre. Each night the Bible story of Jesus’ birth is read by a celebrity narrator and, as they say on the Disney website, “All the while, gorgeous choral pieces are woven into the production as an orchestra and choir provide an inspirational backdrop with songs of hope and joy.” Some of the narrators change from year to year but some who’ve come back frequently include Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Edward James Olmos, Steven Curtis Chapman and Jodi Benson among others, each performing for two or three nights. If this doesn’t fill you with the Christmas spirit, nothing will!
Merry Christmas to you all ~ I wish you a New Year filled with health, joy and wondrous travels!
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