Walt Disney World at Christmas
Walt Disney World is truly a magical vacation destination and one of the best times of year to visit is during the Christmas Holiday Season. From mid-November through the end of the year, all four of the Disney parks are decorated full tilt and you are completely immersed in the holiday spirit as only Disney can do.
As you tour the four major theme parks you will experience special holiday touches from the park decorations, special events and even the costumes that the Disney characters are wearing. Each park is decorated with Christmas trees, holly, wreathes, and millions of holiday lights, while holiday music is played and you might even see “snow” on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom or in the backlot in Disney-MGM Studios.
The Magic Kingdom Park brings you holiday magic throughout the park. As you stroll down Main Street you will hear holiday music and see the shops decorated in their holiday best. During special events, like the Very Merry Christmas Party, “snow” can be found falling from the rooftops. The Magic Kingdom also hosts the Christmas Day Parade which is filmed in early December and airs on national television on Christmas Day.
Epcot brings the holidays to life with decorations throughout Future World and World Showcase. The countries of World Showcase share holiday traditions from their respective countries. For example, Santa and Mrs. Claus can be found in America, while storytelling by Papa Noel can be heard in Canada. A highlight of Epcot’s holiday celebrations is the Candlelight Processional, featuring a holiday concert and the retelling of story of Jesus’ birth. The Processional features a full orchestra, guest choir members and a celebrity narrator. The Processional is included with your park admission, but requires waiting on line, as seating is first come-first seated, with limited seating options. Even Epcot’s nightly performance of Illuminations includes a special holiday finale during this time of year.
Disney-MGM Studios shares in the holiday fun, and hosts the Osbourne Spectacle of Lights, a massive holiday light display showcasing millions and millions of holiday lights as they adorn the streets of the Studio backlot. They also celebrate with a “Hollywood Holly - Day” parade, filed with your favorite Disney characters
The Animal Kingdom Park gets into the holiday spirit with their lovely Christmas tree placed at the entrance to the park. The daily parade changes to a holiday theme during the Christmas season as Disney characters wear their holiday outfits in this “Jingle Jangle Parade”.
In addition to the parks you can find the magic of the holiday season in all the Disney resorts. Each resort from the value to the deluxe level, decorate for this festive time of year. From the floor-to-ceiling lobby Christmas trees in the Wilderness Lodge to the subtle, yet elegant decorations at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort, you will find holiday magic in the air. The deluxe resorts, such as the Contemporary, display giant chocolate creations such as carousels and working train sets. The Grand Floridian displays a full sized gingerbread house that houses a small shop that sells hot chocolate and cookies.
If shopping is your thing, visit Downtown Disney for their Festival of the Seasons, which runs from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Day. The shops are bustling with holiday treasures, with holiday decorations adorning the entire area. Santa can even be found for visits and photos.
Visiting Walt Disney World is an ideal vacation destination, for families, newlyweds, children and children of all ages. If you are able to visit during the holiday season, you will get to experience the parks as they pull out all the stops to showcase the Disney holiday spirit.
