Christmas at Walt Disney World : The Ultimate Holiday Guide

‘Twas the month before Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort, and a creature was stirring named Mickey Mouse! With magical touches and some holiday flair, he couldn’t help but wonder if he would see you there!

There is so much to see and do during the most magical season at the Most Magical Place on Earth during the holidays. We have gathered together some of our favorite holiday experiences throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. 

EPCOT

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Discover a festival like no other, featuring the joyous holiday traditions of the 11 World Showcase nations. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays surrounds you in the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season, as celebrated by cultures near and far.

Delight in stirring live musical productions. Savor seasonal food & beverage specialties at Holiday Kitchens. Indulge in the flavors of the season with scrumptious bites, decadent desserts and merry libations at this year’s festive winter celebration.

Candlelight Processional 

Each night, a celebrity narrator tells the biblical tale of a savior born to a virgin in Bethlehem. All the while, gorgeous choral pieces are woven into the production as an orchestra and choir provide and inspirational backdrop with songs of hope and joy.

This year, the following celebrity line-up will lend their talents to the performance:

• Ming-Na Wen November 29 through December 1
• Neil Patrick Harris December 2 through December 5
• Whoopi Goldberg  December 6 and 7
• Isabella Rossellini  December 8 through 10
• Chita Rivera  December 11 through 12
• Gary Sinise  December 13 through 15
• Pat Sajak  December 16 through 18
• Warwick Davis  December 19 through 21
• Steven Curtis Chapman  December 22 through 24
• Edward James Olmos  December 25 and 26
• Marlee Matlin  December 27 and 28
• Lisa Ling  December 29 and 30

Performances are at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM nightly from November 29 through December 30, 2019.

Holiday Cookie Stroll
Grab your Festival Passport and travel through the World Showcase to find the 5 official cookie stroll locations. Each stop will offer a delicious dessert for purchase and a stamp for your Festival Passport. Once you’ve collected 5 stamps, bring your Passport to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a complimentary Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie!

Official Cookie Stroll Locations

• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen at the Germany Pavilion Linzer Cookie
• American Holiday Table at the America Pavilion Gingerbread Cookie
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen at the Canada Pavilion Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
• Feast of the Three Kings near the Mexico Pavilion Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
• L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen between the Morocco and France Pavilions Black-and-White Cookie

Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Scavenger Hunt
Chip & Dale are on a scavenger hunt, collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree—and they need your help! To get started, simply purchase a map and stickers from select merchandise locations, including Pin Central, Disney Traders and World Traveler at International Gateway. As you travel around the World Showcase, be on the lookout for Chip & Dale as they gather ornaments from holiday decorations in each World Showcase pavilion.  Then, take your completed map to Disney Traders or World Traveler and exchange it for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip & Dale!

Holiday Storytellers
From Papa Noel to Father Christmas to villagers from around the world; throughout World Showcase, there are international storytellers who share holiday traditions and tales from their native country. Near the American Adventure, you will find representatives ready to tell you all about the celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Tree of Life
As day becomes night, the rooftop luminaries and bird lanterns all around Discovery Island bring a warm and festive glow to the entire village. At the center of everything, the Tree of Life awakens with a series of wintry tales, complemented by a familiar and heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score. Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life continues to shimmer and sparkle throughout the night, alive with the magic of nature and the spirit of the holidays.

Donald’s Dino-Bash!
Over in Dinoland, U.S.A., all the Disney character friends gathered for Donald’s Dino-Bash! get into the spirit with colorful holiday decorations in the style of Donald Duck and each of his pals, and at night, you’re invited to gather ‘round Truck-O-Saurus for the Holiday Hoopla Dance Party with Chip ‘n Dale and plenty of interactive fun and games.

Diwali
In Asia, the residents of Anandapur have decorated the theatre district in celebration of Diwali, the holiday festival of lights in India. Glowing flowers, lanterns and more illuminate the square between Anandapur Theater and the waterfront stage, home to authentic cultural performances.

Holidays in Pandora
The ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora bring a little Christmastime fun to their alien home, with a display at Pongu Pongu of kitschy holiday décor, combining vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from materials indigenous to Pandora.

Hollywood Studios

Sunset Seasons Greetings
As night falls on Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an unforgettable scene starts to unfold for guests of all ages. Billboards suddenly begin to move into motion and tell a tale, courtesy of iconic characters sharing their love for the season. All the while, the Hollywood Tower Hotel magically transforms, bringing to life the characters’ stories. As the snow fall, look up and enjoy the show with appearances by Mickey, Minnie, Olaf, The Muppets and your favorite Toy Story pals.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
This larger than life nighttime spectacular fill up the night sky with the joy and excitement of the holidays. Watch in wonder as buildings and rooftops come to life—and be immersed in beloved scenes from Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Beauty and the Beast, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and more.   Featuring traditional holiday tunes and even a little “snow,” this spectacular evening celebration builds to a festive finale that must be seen—and heard—to be believed!

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
This Christmas season, get ready for a magical holiday gathering with your loved ones—and some familiar Disney faces. Joyful music fills the air, Disney characters don their most festive attire and and enchanting surprises lie around almost every turn! Take in magical stage shows such as Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, or take in the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Indulge in delicious treats and eats at Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party or enjoy Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party as enjoy the new fireworks spectacular. 

Castle Dream Lights
Each night at dusk, your favorite Frozen characters come to the castle stage to present  “A Frozen Holiday Wish” During this show, Queen Elsa will use her powers to transform the Castle into a glistening ice palace for the holidays, illuminating the castle with 200,000 shimmering white lights. This show is presented nightly, so you will be able to see the lighting whether or not you attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Disney Springs

Christmas Tree Trail
Stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and view custom-decorated holiday trees, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme featuring characters like Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, and more. 

Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt
Calling all super sleuths! Embark on a very merry mission to find the items on Stitch’s lost list and earn a surprise even Santa would love.

Pictures With Santa
Stop by Santa’s Chalet to drop off your wish list and snap a photo with Old Saint Nick!

RESORTS

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa –  Gingerbread House
Perhaps the most famous of the resort holiday displays is the Grand Floridian’s lifesize gingerbread house. Featuring hand-painted art, 600lbs of powdered sugar, 700lbs of chocolate and a whole lot of creativity, magic and pixie dust, this gingerbread house fills the lobby with a delicious holiday scent. Once you turn the corner, you will find that there are actually people inside the house selling gingerbread shingles, peppermint treats, hot chocolate and other holiday favorites.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort –  Gingerbread Display
Visit 4th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort to see a grand gingerbread castle display. Utilizing the style of Mary Blair, the display has been done in themes from Frozen and Cinderella in the past. A small treat station is available to purchase gingerbread, hot chocolate and other holiday merchandise. 

Disney’s Beach Club Resort –  Gingerbread Carousel
With a touch of magic and the wisk of sugar, butter and flour, Disney’s Beach Club Resort presents a gorgeous gingerbread carousel. As soon as you enter the doors of the resort, you can smell every scrumptious ingredient as you marvel at this moving piece of work. Be sure to look for hidden Mickeys inside the display

Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Perhaps the best magic is magic created by Walt Disney World Resort guests themselves! Throughout the loops of the Campsite, you will find hundreads of holiday displays created by the campers. With inflatables, twinkling lights and even walk-through exhibits, this nightly spectacle is something that is not to be missed. Add a little extra magic by booking a private horse-drawn sleigh ride through the loops or join a group for a coco drinking hay ride as you enjoy all of the beautiful displays. 

Resort Lobbies
No matter which resort you visit, you are such to find gorgeous holiday displays, trees and decorations. From African inspired trees at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, to forest friends at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. 

There is so much to see and do all around the Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays.  When you combine the spirit of the holidays with the magic of Disney, you are sure to have the merriest of times.  Are you ready to experience the magic and merriment? 

Be sure to contact your favorite Dream Designer travel agent, or request your free quote by clicking here.