Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
The Holiday Season is fast approaching, which means festive fun is coming to Disney World! Enjoy the merriest season of the year from November 12 - December 30ish, 2024! While holiday decor is often lingering after the New Year, most of the activities and entertainment options exclusive to the holiday season end on December 30th.
A Quick Overview
If you want a summary, this section is for you!
Where to Meet Santa:
Magic Kingdom: Storybook Circus
Epcot: Odyssey Pavilion
Hollywood Studios: It’s a Wonderful Shop
Animal Kingdom: Restaurantosaurus in Dinoland U.S.A.
Disney Springs: Santa’s Marketplace near Pin Traders (requires a virtual queue)
Where to see Gingerbread Displays:
Grand Floridian: Gingerbread House (Starting November 6th)
Contemporary Resort: Gingerbread Castle (Starting November 8th)
Animal Kingdom Lodge: Gingerbread Animal Displays (Starting November 24th)
BoardWalk Inn: Deli Gingerbread House (Starting November 12th)
Epcot: Gingerbread Spaceship Earth (Starting November 29th)
Beach Club: Holiday Gingerbread Carousel
Special Events:
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (ticketed event)
Jollywood Nights (ticketed event)
Keep reading to learn all about all the happenings this year to decide if you want to incorporate anything into your own Disney World vacation. If you have a sweet tooth, explore the festive food offerings throughout Disney property in this Walt Disney World Resort Holidays Foodie Guide!
Holidays in the Parks
There’s no place like Walt Disney World Resort for the holidays! Make your list, and check it twice as you explore some of the ways you can celebrate the special season this year. The best part, most offerings are already included with your theme park ticket admission! Only the holiday special events at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios require separate ticketed admission.
Magic Kingdom:
Main Street USA is the place to be for Holiday Magic with festive decorations and the smell of baked goods in the air. If you are lucky, you may catch some "snoap" on Main Street during a Very Merry Christmas Party - a separately ticketed event.
During regular visiting hours, join Olaf from Frozen at the castle stage for a “Frozen Holiday Surprise!” where friends from Arendelle ring in the season together and help transform Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystalized palace. You can also enjoy holiday overlays at attractions like the Jungle Cruise, which transforms into the Jingle Cruise during the holiday season. New this year, Storybook Circus will be getting into the Christmas Spirit where you will be able to meet Santa Clause in a winterland of fun!
EPCOT:
Here you can experience holidays around the globe at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays from November 29 - December 30, 2024! Throughout the World Showcase you can gather around as lively storytellers share legends and lore from around the world, enjoy JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season full of Gospel, R&B and holiday songs at CommuniCore Plaza, and visit with jolly old St. Nick at the Odyssey Pavilion for a festive photo! At night, my favorite attraction is the Glimmering Greenhouses in Living with the Land which comes aglow with dazzling lights!
Festival favorites you won't want to miss include the Holiday Kitchens, the Holiday Cookie Stroll and Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. Finally, you’ll want to catch a Candlelight Processional where you will hear the story of Christmas retold by a celebrity narrator and massed choir - accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets and the Voices of Liberty. There are dining packages available for the processional that guarantees admission to one of the 3 nightly shows.
Hollywood Studios:
Starting on November 12th, Disney’s Hollywood Studios transforms into a place where holiday magic meets all the nostalgic holiday feels! Enjoy the decor and festive holiday outfits on your favorite characters throughout the park or at Minnie's Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine for a character dining experience for lunch or dinner. Don't forget to swing by a showing of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Singalong Celebration” with a special festive finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman and songs of the season.
As night falls, make sure to experience the return of “Sunset Seasons Greetings,” where each evening, holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a “Toy Story” toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol!”. If you want even more festive fun, you can celebrate in style with a ticket to Jollywood Nights for even more evening entertainment.
Animal Kingdom:
Don't miss the Magical Menagerie at Animal Kingdom, starting November 12th, as Discovery Island comes to life with artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals—like penguins, reindeer, foxes and polar bears. Make sure to visit Minnie & Mickey in their Holiday attire at the Adventures Outpost and just before park closing you can watch the Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Addition to end the night.
With the closure of DinoLand U.S.A. in January 2025, make sure you take in the vibrant dinosaur-themed carnival infused with festive cheer. New this year, Santa is also heading to DinoLand U.S.A, specifically Restaurant-o-Saurus, where you can meet Mr. Claus from November 12 - December 24, 2024.
Holidays at Disney Springs
Shop, dine and play the most festive way as you discover magical merriment, dazzling décor and gift ideas galore at Disney Springs! Many restaurants debut menus with festive flavors and there is nightly entertainment including holiday tunes from DJs, live musical performances, and appearances by Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers and Snowflake Skaters. Each evening, you will be able to delight in a magical snowfall to add even more magic to your holiday shopping!
The annual Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll features elaborately themed Christmas trees inspired by Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Super Hero favorites. You can grab a complimentary map and use your MagicBand+ at select locations for a special surprise. After discovering all the trees, stop by Once Upon a Toy to send a letter to the North Pole.
No visit is complete without stopping by Santa's Marketplace to meet the big guy himself! From November 8 - December 24, 2024, you can meet Santa near Disney’s Pin Traders. Once you’ve arrived at Disney Springs, use the MDE app to enter the virtual queue. There are specific times you can enter the queue throughout the day, including: 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 6 pm. (maximum party size of 10 people) Learn more here!
Gingerbread Displays
If you have not already seen the Gingerbread Displays at the Disney World Resorts, it is time to resort hop this Holiday Season! These displays are brought to life by the talented bakery teams and should not be missed! This year there are some new and returning creations to get you in the holiday spirit. Most displays will have limited-edition merchandise and holiday treats available for purchase too!
Epcot: Gingerbread Spaceship Earth (Starting November 29th)
Stop by CommuniCore Hall to see Spaceship Earth in gingerbread form. The 8-foot-tall gingerbread display took over 160 hours to create and will even light up and dance to music throughout the day! The sphere itself is made up of almost a thousand handcrafted gingerbread triangles to mirror the iconic attraction. There are 240 pounds of honey dough, 100 eggs, 100 ounces lebkuchen spice, 55 pounds dark chocolate, and 100 pounds royal icing. For a final Disney touch, there are 11 hidden Mickeys to represent the 11 countries of the World Showcase.
Animal Kingdom Lodge: Gingerbread Animal Displays (Starting November 24th)
Back for its fourth year, the Life-Size Baby Gingerbread Giraffe and Baby Zebra displays can be found in the Animal Kingdom Lodge's lobby. Swing by to see Ginger, the baby giraffe, and Debra, the baby zebra, as the life-sized displays stand nearly 7 feet tall with a combination of gingerbread, sugar dough, and modeling chocolate. After enjoying the display, make sure to grab a Gingeraffe Cookie to enjoy by the fire or while looking for animals in the savanna observation areas at the resort.
Grand Floridian: Gingerbread House (Starting November 6th)
It's the 25th year of the famous gingerbread House in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa! The gingerbread itself is baked with 1050 pounds of honey, 800 pounds of flour, and 600 pounds of confectioners’ sugar with decorations that include 700 pounds of chocolate and over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread! The team spent over 500 hours baking the gingerbread and 480 hours bringing all the dazzling details to life. To celebrate the 25 years of holiday tradition, there are 25 hidden Mickeys and a selection of character inspired trees. Stop by to see how many you can find!
There will be a limited-edition collection of 25th anniversary merchandise including a pin, ornament, cookie jar, magnet, tumbler, t-shirt, and more available for purchase. Did I mention that the house itself if a shop where you can purchase treats including:
Gingerbread Mickey
Gingerbread Shingle
Stollen Bread
Brownie Pop
Gingersnap Cookies
Gingerbread House Ornament
Gingerbread House
Gingerbread Cookie Bags imported from Germany
Gingerbread Loaf
Peppermint Bark
*Expect long lines if you want to visit the Gingerbread House treat shop, typically open daily from 9 am to 9 pm daily - check the app for times once it opens.
Beach Club: Holiday Gingerbread Carousel
For 24 years, the Beach Club resort lobby has been home to an incredible life-sized Holiday Carousel that actually spins! Each year the horses are decorated to a different theme, which will include characters from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol" this year. The Carousel is created with 432 pounds of honey, 200 pounds of icing, 100 pounds of eggs, and 2024 pieces of gingerbread. Keep an eye out for the 24 hidden gold Mickeys that celebrate 24 years of this holiday masterpiece.
There will be a limited-edition pin, cookie jar, and holiday ornament available along with holiday treats including:
Linzer Cookie
Spiced Orange and Cranberry Bundt Cake
Gingerbread Macarons
Hot Cocoa Brownie
Hannukah Sugar Cookie
Stollen
Gingerbread House
BoardWalk Inn: Deli Gingerbread House (Starting November 12th)
This miniature gingerbread is beautifully created with details that look just like the iconic BoardWalk itself, just in a smaller and sweet form. You will be able to purchase a limited-edition pin, cookie jar, and holiday ornament here to bring the gingerbread magic home with you!
While visiting, you can also enjoy festive treats including:
Holiday Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookie
Mickey Caramel Corn Cookie
Gingerbread Loaf
Gingerbread Shingle
Contemporary Resort: Gingerbread Castle (Starting November 8th)
Back for the 13th year, you will find the Gingerbread Castle Display on the 4th floor of the resort. The new overlay inspired by the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights stands over 17 feet tall and 25 feet wide. It’s made with 613 pounds of sugar, 1013 pounds of flour, 113 pounds of gingerbread spice, 51 pounds of chocolate, and over 4,000 castle gingerbread bricks!
Don’t forget to search for the 13 hidden Mickeys and the famous 5-legged goat.
You can purchase limited-edition pins, cookie jar, and holiday ornament here along with sweet treats that include:
Linzer Cookie
Caramel Apple Cake with Gingerbread Streusel
Chocolate Hazelnut Log
Pistachio Cranberry and Cherry Cake
Santa Peppermint Hot Chocolate Tart
House-made Christmas Tree Butter Cookie
Winter Berry Freeze (Alcoholic floater available)
Frozen Hot Cocoa (Alcoholic floater available)
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is one of Walt Disney World’s most magical seasonal events, celebrating holiday traditions from around the world. Each year, the World Showcase transforms into a winter wonderland filled with festive decorations, international holiday storytellers, seasonal food, and exciting entertainment. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning as a seasoned festival-goer, here’s what you can expect from this enchanting celebration.
1. Holiday Kitchens
One of the biggest draws of the festival is the global holiday food. EPCOT's Holiday Kitchens offer a selection of seasonal eats and drinks from around the world, each inspired by different cultures' winter festivities. You can savor everything from miniature turkey dinners to sweet desserts with a holiday twist, along with hot ciders, spiced cocktails, and festive mocktails. Make sure to grab a festival guide and take on the Holiday Cookie Stroll - purchase and get stamps for 5 specific cookies at the marketplaces to get a tasty prize.
2. Candlelight Processional
A hallmark of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional, a moving retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, a full orchestra, and a choir. It's a beautiful experience that attracts crowds every evening at each of the three shows. Narrators include popular celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jodi Benson. This is a free event, but it fills up quickly—arriving early or booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package can help ensure you get a good seat!
3. Holiday Storytellers and Traditions
Throughout the World Showcase, you can encounter holiday storytellers sharing seasonal customs and tales from their cultures. Each performance offers a unique glimpse into holiday celebrations around the world.You can even visit jolly old St. Nick at the Odyssey Pavilion and grab a christmas photo with the family..
4. Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Perfect for families with kids, Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt lets guests search for Olaf hidden around the World Showcase, holding items that represent holiday traditions. Once you find all of the hidden Olaf figures, you can redeem your scavenger hunt map for a special holiday prize. This interactive experience is a great way to engage the kids as the adults eat and drink their way around the world!
5. JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Joyful! is a spirited live musical performance that brings gospel, R&B, and holiday music together in a vibrant show celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa. At CommuniCore Plaza, the talented vocalists and musicians offer an uplifting experience filled with energetic renditions of holiday classics and inspiring contemporary songs. It’s a lively event that fills EPCOT with joy and holiday cheer.
Holiday Special Ticketed Events
While I have already mentioned the two specially ticketed events that happen during the Holiday Season, you can find more information below! PLEASE NOTE: it is important to know when these events are happening, even if you don't plan to attend. On party nights, Magic Kingdom and/or Hollywood Studios will close early and evening entertainment like fireworks will NOT take place. Please check the daily calendar - here - to make sure you are not planning to visit on a party night if you want to enjoy evening entertainment and do not have a party ticket.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Offered on select evenings November 8 - December 20, 2024, from 7 pm to midnight, this holiday event is perfect for all ages! On party nights, Magic Kingdom will close to regular visitors at 6 pm, but party guests can enter early at 4 pm using their party ticket for extra time in the park before festivities start at 7 pm. I recommend using this time to grab something to eat, enjoy your favorite rides, or get in line early for the most popular character meet and greets - some of which may open before 7 pm but are only accessible to party guests.
Throughout the evening you can grab cookies and select festive beverages - included in the cost of your ticket, snap photos with festive backgrounds or party exclusive Magic Shots with PhotoPass Photographers, and meet your favorite characters at dance parties or Meet & Greet locations throughout the park. You absolutely won't want to miss the party entertainment that includes Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade, Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, and Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration stage show.
Offered on select evenings November 9 - December 21, 2024, from 7:30 pm to 12:30 am, this holiday event is perfect for adults and families with older children! Some guests dress up for this event as you’re encouraged to don your holiday best and arrive fit for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood! You can get a head start on the festive fun as party guests will be admitted to Hollywood Studios as early as 6 pm.
Jollywood Nights feature 20 unique Character experiences, Fun photo ops, lower wait times on favorite attractions, a Pixar Disco mixer, and the new skating show Glisten! debuting this year. The fan favorite Holidays in Hollywood show hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy is back along with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along at the Hyperion Theater too. You absolutely won't want to miss the party exclusive Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! show on the façade of the park’s iconic Chinese Theater that includes fireworks, lasers, lights, projections and merry music!
Ready to add one of these special ticketed events to your trip? Let your Adventure Planner know!
If you still need to book your trip, head over to our planning form and let’s get started!