Holidays at Walt Disney World

Posted: November 11, 2020 Holidays Parks Resorts

The holidays are my favorite time of the year! Comfort food, twinkling lights, and spending time with family makes me feel so happy, and when it comes to this season, nobody does it better than Disney!

The holidays are one of the most popular times to travel to Walt Disney World, and for a good reason! From themed attractions and beautiful light displays to delicious snacks and wonderful merchandise, Disney makes sure the festivities can be felt wherever you are.

Although this year may look a bit different in the parks and resorts, Disney has released exciting information for what we can expect to see when visiting this holiday season, and we’re here to share it with you!

*As it’s the start of the holiday season, these photos are from 2019; yet they’ll give us a glimpse to what Disney has envisioned for 2020.

Starting November 6th, 2020, and continuing through December 30th, 2020, visitors to Walt Disney World will be able to experience seasonal festivities throughout the parks and Disney Springs.

They have also confirmed that Santa Claus will be making pop-up appearances for guests to catch a glimpse of him!

As we have seen since the parks reopened, Character Cavalcades and Pop-Up Character Sightings have been the way guests have been able to see their favorite Disney pals. Continuing into the holiday season, festive floats, motorcades, and promenades will still be able to be spotted throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. However, throughout the Magic Kingdom, guests will be able to spot their favorite characters from the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade in the holiday-enhanced Character Cavalcades, including elves, reindeer, and the dancing gingerbread men!

As well, another Magic Kingdom favorite, the Main Street Philharmonic, will feature the infamous Toy Soldiers!

Cinderella Castle will also be joining the celebration. Once the sun has set, Cinderella Castle will receive its festive look from special projection effects, providing a fun and whimsical look to the park. While Disney has not shared what all of the projections will look like, they have shared that one of the projections will look like a fantastic Christmas sweater and another will be red, green, and gold ornaments all over the Castle. I think these will make for incredible photos, and I cannot wait to see how it looks!

While there are still more details to be released, Disney has shared two exciting dining options for guests to enjoy. Starting November 6th, 2020, Minnie Mouse invites guests to join her for a holiday gathering at Hollywood and Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be able to be seen in their best yuletide attire, and even Santa Goofy will be there! Although Hollywood and Vine are no longer offering a buffet, they are offering a delicious menu filled with some of their best dishes!

Later in the season, some of the fan favorites from the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will be offered to guests. Beginning November 27th, 2020, the Holiday Kitchens will return around the World Showcase to highlight holiday favorites from around the world! Disney has confirmed that the American Holiday Table, the Yukon Holiday Kitchen, and the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen will be three of the booths returning to EPCOT this holiday season. As well, the Holiday Cookie Stroll will be returning! Guests can grab a Passport and find the 5 official stroll locations to pick up their sweets from each stop. Make sure to keep an eye out for the official Holiday Cookie Stroll Cookie Jar available for purchase to hold all of your cookies!

Along with the Holiday Kitchens and Cookie Stroll, EPCOT will have some holiday entertainment offered in the park! Returning this year, music group JOYFUL! will be performing traditional holiday music. Also, visitors will be able to watch the Voices of Liberty perform their favorite carols and holiday songs on the America Gardens Theatre stage in a fun-filled concert for everyone to enjoy. At the Mexico Pavilion, Mariachi Cobre will be performing Las Posadas, a celebration of Mexican customs through song and dance!

Disney Springs will also be joining in the holiday fun!

Intricately-decorated Christmas trees will be on display all throughout Disney Springs, and people visiting at night will be surprised with a magical snowfall, adding holiday whimsy to their trip!

As well, once again, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will be turning into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, complete with favorite holiday menu items and festive decor.

The holiday fun does not stop once you return back to the resort!

Although Disney resorts will not be showcasing their gingerbread displays this year, they will be decked out for the holidays, including the iconic trees in the lobbies and other festive decors!