Walking the streets of Disney World when Christmas magic has descended is my absolute favorite time to visit! I love the lights, the decorations, the stories, the treats, and special performances. My favorite place to celebrate the holidays is at Disney World!
When do the decorations go up?
Disney magic strikes again making it seem like the transformation from Halloween to Christmas happens overnight. At the beginning of November, right after the last Halloween party, the magic begins. The decorations stay up until the last week of December with some decorations still remaining until the beginning of January.
Magic Kingdom is the first park to receive the treatment due to the Christmas party with the other parks quickly following. All the resorts participate in the holiday fun. Some of the Deluxe resorts
If you are planning a trip the first week of November or the beginning of January you will see decorations in flux. Some will be there but not the full picture.
What are the crowds like at this time?
While you can have a wonderful time and celebrate the holidays at Disney World no matter how many people are there, some time definitely have lower crowds than others. As other times of year crowd levels depend on school breaks. Every year is different and Disney World has been working hard to offer incentives to guests to visit at the slower times. But, listed below is some of what you can expect with November- early January crowds.
Less Crowded periods:
- Around Novmeber 12th crowds die down a bit until the weekend before Thanksgiving
Moderately crowded periods:
- After the 1st weekend in November (the Wine and Dine Marathon) until Veteran’s Day weekend
- The Monday after Thanksgiving until toward the end of the 2nd week of December (historically this was a very slow time but events have been added to increase attendance)
Very crowded periods:
- Beginning of November during the Wine and Dine Marathon
- Veteran’s Day Weekend
- The weekend before Thanksgiving until the Monday after
- End of the 2nd week of December until 1st week of January when school is back in session. The days around Christmas until New Years Eve are the absolute most crowded of the year. Sometimes they have to close the park so go early.
2019 Holiday Season exceptions:
Since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just opened at the end of August expect the crowds to be more for the entire holiday season. The Rise of the Resistance experience will open December 5th so there will probably be a boost in attendance around this time.
One more thing:
Not all parks have the same boost in crowds during the season. Crowds during the Food and Wine Marathon will concentrate in Epcot. Some will spill over into the other parks.
Pop Warner events during the 1st week of December cause a huge influx in the value resorts. These competitors and their families will increase the park attendance but they also spend a lot of time at their competitions out of the parks.
Hollywood Studios will be very busy the entire season due to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
What’s the weather like?
November weather averages in the 70’s to low 80’s. December averages in the 70’s. Both months have relatively little rain. In our experience the temperatures in December have been a little all over the place. In one two week trip we had some lovely weather in the upper 70’s and then some cooler weather in the 60’s. So, it is a good idea to bring layers.
What makes celebrating the holidays at Disney World special?
At Epcot:
I would say that Epcot is my favorite park at Christmastime. I love to see how other countries celebrate.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
- Celebration of Holiday traditions and culture in the countries around the World with stories, decorations, and activities.
- Savor food around the world from the Holiday kitchens.
- Candlelight Processional–Experience the Christmas Story read by an actor (Neil Patrick Harris, Gary Sinise, Whoopie Goldberg, and more) accompanied by a 50 piece orchestra and full choir.
- Candlelight Processional Dining Package–Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at one of 16 restaurants and then guaranteed seating to the Candlelight Processional that night.
- Holiday Cookie Stroll–Purchase any 5 cookies from any of the official cookie stroll locations featured in your Festival Passport—and be sure to collect a matching stamp for each cookie purchased. Once you’ve collected 5 stamps, bring the stamped Passport to the designated redemption Holiday Kitchen to receive a complimentary cookie!
- Joyful! A Celebration of the Season– Experience the joy of Christmas and Kwanzaa in the uplifting Gospel, R&B, and holidays songs of the ‘Joyful!’ vocal ensemble.
- Chip ‘n Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree–Purchase a Map (from select Epcot stores) for a fun filled scavenger hunt. Help Chip ‘n Dale find Christmas ornaments for their tree. As you find them place stickers on your map. When you finish turn you map in to Disney Traders or World Traveler and exchange it for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip & Dale!
At Animal Kingdom:
Cross the bridge to Discovery Island and find yourself in the midst of a celebration of winter, hand-crafted by the eclectic community of artists who make the island their home.
In the evening the villages shimmer and shine with luminaries and bird lanterns. The Tree of Life comes alive with wintery tales and holiday music and sparkles throughout the night.
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.
Asia, Africa, and even Pandora dress up for the holidays with lights, music, costumes, decorations that reflect the land they represent. The residents of Anandapur celebrate Diwali, the holiday festival of lights in India. Various groups appearing throughout Harambe will delight your eyes and ears with performances of African holidays. The inhabitants of Pongu Pongu have their own way of celebrating the holidays that will surprise and delight.
At Hollywood Studios:
- Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!!— Featuring traditional holiday tunes and stories brought to you by Mickey, Minnie, Olaf and friends, state-of-the-art projections from Disney Animation classics, amazing laser effects, fireworks and even a little “snow,” this spectacular evening celebration builds to a festive finale that must be seen—and heard—to be believed! Enjoy the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! dessert party (extra cost) and watch the performance from preferred seating.
- Sunset Seasons Greetings–Every night the Hollywood Tower Hotel comes to holly-jolly life with colorful projections. Boasting new laser effects and projected falling “snow,” this exuberant celebration also includes stories, songs and holiday cheer brought to you by Disney pals like Mickey, Minnie and Olaf.
- Andy’s backyard gets a touch of holiday magic in Toy Story Land.
At Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Christmas at the Magic Kingdom is beautiful. Nothing will put you in the Christmas spirit like passing by the giant Christmas tree and walking down twinkling Main Street underneath the swagging holly vines and Mickey Mouse wreaths. But the extra special Christmas events are centered on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is an extra ticketed event that takes place 23 magical nights between Nov. 8 and December 22, 2019. What are the special activities?
- Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks–an all new fireworks show celebrating the magic of Christmas with medleys of beloved holiday songs and fireworks seen from all over the park. A dessert party is available for additional cost and provides yummy snacks/desserts and preferred viewing for fireworks.
- Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas–Join Tomorrowland friends for an Out-of-this-World celebration
- Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show
- A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show– Queen Elsa will magically transform Cinderella Castle with glistening ice.
- Specialty eats and holiday treats
- Club Tinsel–A mega-fun dance party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- Snow on Main Street
- Tomorrowland Speedway, Space Mountain, Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party join the festivities with some Christmas fun.
Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party
- Holiday food ( savory hors d’oeuvres including meats, cheeses and of course meatballs) and beverages (including beer and wine)
- Festive atmosphere with holiday hits and decor
- Entertainment by Tony himself!
- Reserved seating for 11PM Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- Festivities take place at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant from 9:30-12:30 (you get to stay after the party ends)
- Cost $99/person. Admission to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is also required.
At Disney Springs:
- Christmas Tree Trail–Holiday music, falling snow, and seasonally themed trees
- Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt–Embark on a very merry mission to find the items on Stitch’s lost list and earn a surprise even Santa would love.
- Holiday shopping for everyone on your list
- Don’t miss the Days Of Christmas store
- Joyful Entertainment
- Say “Hi” to Santa
Special Holiday tours
- Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy Tour–During this fun-filled 3 hour tour you will get a sneak peak at how the Disney elves transform the resort into the holiday wonderland. This tour costs $149. Theme park admission is not required nor included.
- Disney’s Holiday D-lights Tour–After a delicious BBQ dinner at the Whispering Canyon Cafe your “holiday hosts” will unwrap some of the secrets of holiday traditions at Magic Kingdom (the lighting of Cinderella’s Castle) and Epcot (the Candelight Processional) and ending with the Epcot Forever fireworks display. This 6 hour tour costs $289.
- Note: These tours are available on select dates during November and December. These tours are for ages 12 and up.
As you can see, Disney World is dripping with Holiday Magic in every corner. Even the resorts get a Christmas makeover. Head on over to some of the Deluxe resorts and feast your eyes on some amazing life size Gingerbread House displays as well as all the festive decorations. Enjoy the extra special magic as you celebrate the holidays at Disney World this year!!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
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