The Most Wonderful Time of the Year at Walt Disney World – What’s Happening and What to Expect
IT’S FINALLY TIME! The best time of year is here at Walt Disney World, and I don’t know about you, but I am SO EXCITED!
As the resident Elf in the David’s office, I’m here to share all the exciting things happening around Walt Disney World this year and what to expect on your upcoming trip.
Magic Kingdom
At Magic Kingdom, you’ll feel the festive spirit most, in my opinion. With festive trimmings lining the main entrance and down Main St. USA, it feels like walking into the most whimsical winter wonderland. There’s also more festive decor throughout the park, and of course, you cannot forget about the magical transformation of Jingle Cruise!
On select evenings, the Holiday Magic really shines. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the merriest party at Walt Disney World, with loads of extra special events, entertainment, special character experiences, and more! This event is at the top of my Disney bucket list, because where else can you experience a Christmas parade with snow at Walt Disney World?!
Now, I will be honest; with all these amazing festive offerings at Walt Disney World, it is totally reasonable to expect higher crowds. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, in particular, is a ticketed event you need to purchase in advance. Sometimes, last-minute tickets aren’t guaranteed, so it’s important to plan accordingly if you want to attend. Still, you can expect a magical time at Magic Kingdom during the holidays, as the extra festive touches really shine through.
Animal Kingdom
Now, out of all the theme parks at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom may seem the most low-key, but don’t be fooled – there are still some extra special holiday festivities happening at the park that draw a crowd. Firstly, with the sun setting sooner, there is now a nighttime show for guests to enjoy, where the Tree of Life transforms as it shimmers and sparkles to a musical score in “Tree of Life: Awakenings (Holiday Edition)”. This is only offered during the winter months, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re visiting.
Along with the Tree of Life, you can expect festive decor throughout the parks, and you can even see Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost in their festive attire. Finally, if you have a chance, I highly recommend checking out the Merry Menagerie at Discovery Island during your visit. These artisan-sculpted puppets of Arctic animals roam, and it’s a special extra you can only see during the holiday season.
What to expect: Even without a Holiday Party or festival, these extras can still draw a crowd, so this park could be just as busy as any other park at Walt Disney World. Disney during the holidays is always busy, and Animal Kingdom is no different. While this park offers different experiences than the others, it still impresses and brings the magic in its own way.
EPCOT
Compared to the other three festivals offered at Epcot throughout the year, the International Festival of the Holidays is definitely a great experience to add to your holiday trip! From November 27th through December 30th, guests can experience a variety of holiday traditions from around the world, plus other seasonal experiences (be sure to check out Living with the Land!) and delicious bites from extra Holiday kitchens around the world.
If you’re hanging around EPCOT in the evening during this festival, you’ll also want to check out the Candlelight Processional – this is a show featuring a 50-piece orchestra, telling the stirring story of Christmas that is retold by a celebrity narrator. Depending on your stay, you could see a wide variety of different talents, including Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban, and even Jodi Benson – the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid! Also, don’t forget that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will have an exciting holiday remix, featuring 3 festive songs to jam out to as you venture across the galaxy!
As with Magic Kingdom, expect bigger crowds during this time, and wait times for festive experiences and rides will likely be higher too. For the Candlelight Processionals, I’d recommend being smart and early; depending on the celebrity you want to see, they may draw a crowd, and seats can fill up fast. Overall, the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot will be a great time that you’ll surely enjoy!
Hollywood Studios
Saving one of my favorite parks for last, Hollywood Studios is definitely a great place to celebrate the holidays. During the day, guests can celebrate the holidays with a festive overlay at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Starring the Muppets! With 4 new festive tracks by the world-famous Electric Mayhem featuring some special guests, it’ll be a new festive experience to enjoy. Plus, if you venture over to Toy Story Land, you’ll see Andy’s backyard has gotten a little holiday makeover, with larger-than-life seasonal decorations, festive songs on Alien Swirling Saucers, and the toys in festive garb!
And on select evenings, we cannot forget Disney Jollywood Nights! This glitzy and glamorous party happens on select nights from November 7, 2026 – January 5, 2027, and is an exciting way to celebrate the holidays! With exciting character appearances, event-exclusive entertainment featuring Jack Skellington, Miss Piggy, and Kermit the Frog, and themed decor around the park, Jollywood Nights is a great party if you want a different vibe than Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
As for what to expect, crowds will be high, as at other parks, especially since it has some of the more popular rides and attractions. With Holiday overlays for some, it’ll definitely draw more interest, so plan your Lightning Lanes accordingly. Hollywood Studios will definitely bring the nostalgia when it comes to Holiday feels, so if you’re looking for a more old-timey holiday, I think this park and Jollywood Nights will deliver.
After all this talk about the Holidays and extra-special activities, I’m incredibly excited to follow along with all the magic and spirit this season, and I hope you are too!
About Elyse Moore
Social Media Specialist, David’s Vacation Club Rentals
Elyse has been part of the team at David’s Vacation Club Rentals since 2021 and loves everything Walt Disney World and Disney. Having previously written a paper on the development of Disneyland in her undergrad, Elyse loves the history and learning about each DVC resort, and is always happy to help recommend the right resort for your ideal Disney vacation.
