07/12/2021
The Holiday Season Returns to the Walt Disney World Resort!
The holidays are a favorite time of year, and weâre so happy to be celebrating Halfway to the Holidays today! Because today itâs official â the merry season will begin Nov. 12 at Walt Disney World Resort during âThe Worldâs Most Magical Celebrationâ marking the resortâs 50th anniversary.
Festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, and holiday-themed merchandise will all be a part of this very special season at our theme parks, Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs.
Hereâs a sneak peek of some of the magical experiences you can expect this season at Walt Disney World Resort:
Magic Kingdom Park
Holidays are sure to be enchanting at Magic Kingdom Park, where quintessential decorations will return to Main Street, U.S.A. When the sun sets, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically with the castleâs transformation into a Beacon of Magic.* What a great way to celebrate the holidays and the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!
Now, talk about an early holiday gift⊠âDisney Very Merriest After Hours,â a new special-ticketed event, will debut Nov. 8 before all the rest of the festive fun. It will be available on select nights through Dec. 21. The four hours of festivities will delight guests with âMinnieâs Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,â Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and dĂ©cor, treats included and so much more! As with other Disney After Hours events, a limited number of tickets will be sold for this event. Itâs held after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times and access to more than 20 select attractions.
Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Disneyâs Hollywood Studios
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disneyâs Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle once again with projection effects, magically transforming into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by âMickeyâs Christmas Carol.â This holiday show will also alternate with the towerâs nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic.
Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard. Guests will also be able to enjoy âFor the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,â with its festive finale featuring everyoneâs favorite snowman, Olaf. Minnie Mouse is also returning to host her festive meal at Hollywood & Vine at Disneyâs Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be donning their holiday best â even Santa Goofy will be there! And throughout the season, vintage-themed holiday dĂ©cor will shine bright across the park.
Disneyâs Animal Kingdom Theme Park
It will be a wild holiday time at Disneyâs Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the return of seasonal dĂ©cor and festive Disney character flotillas sailing down Discovery River to the sounds of joyful songs of the season. The parkâs centerpiece â The Tree of Life â becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50th anniversary celebration. During the holiday season thereâs even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also take place most nights.
Disney Springs
You can happily discover whatever youâre after this holiday season at Disney Springs. The shopping, dining and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting dĂ©cor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees â some new and some inspired by âThe Worldâs Most Magical Celebration.â
A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center.
Here, Guests can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, including yourself. Discover holiday ornaments, matching family pajamas, festive Spirit Jerseys, and more â Guests should be sure to check their list twice so they donât forget any holiday must-haves! There will even be themed food and beverages; one of my favorite spots, Jock Lindseyâs Hangar Bar, will once again transform into Jock Lindseyâs Holiday Bar, with delightful dĂ©cor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Resort Hotels
Our Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. And a Guest favorite will return this year, as select gingerbread displays will once again be part of our holiday season! Also at select resorts, Guests will find restaurants offering holiday menus and specialty food and drink.
EPCOT
Where can Guests enjoy traditions from around the world, with inspiring music, tasty treats and family-friendly experiences? If you guessed EPCOT ⊠you are correct! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, from Nov. 26 â Dec. 30, with Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the Guest favorite Cookie Stroll and more!
Weâll have so much more Walt Disney World Resort holiday fun to share with you in the months to come. In the meantime, be sure to be on Santaâs nice list and stay tuned for all of our holiday news!
*Beacons of Magic will be available nightly at select theme parks.
