Walt Disney World Resorts has been launching many special events as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration, and the Christmas holidays will be no exception. Plans were unveiled Monday to make the holiday season part of the World’s Most Magical Celebration.
Starting November 12, entertainment, special decor, and holiday treats will all be part of the holidays at the Florida resort. Disney offered a sneak peek of some of the activity, with full details to come soon.
Magic Kingdom Park
Much of the activity will occur in the Magic Kingdom Park, where decorations will line Main Street and special holiday projections will appear on Cinderella Castle each evening.
In addition, the Magic Kingdom will launch Disney Merriest After Hours on November 8. On select nights and with a special ticket, guests can roam the park from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., when there will be a fireworks show hosted by Minnie Mouse, snowfall on Main Street, holiday-themed attraction overlays, and holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn, and beverages included with admission.
And perhaps best of all, the limited number of guests during those 4 hours will have access to at least 20 attractions with much shorter lines.
Tickets for the after-hours event will go on sale in August, with guests of select Disney hotels getting early access to purchase.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Seasonal decor will be placed throughout the park, and festive Disney character flotillas will sail down Discovery River during the holiday season. There will be special events around the Tree of Life, the park’s centerpiece, and the Tree of Life Awakenings will take place almost every night.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel will twinkle with projection effects, turning it into a Frozen’s Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread house, a Toy Story hotel, and a village inspired by Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Other nights, the tower will transform into a Beacon of Magic.
Santa Claus will lead a nightly motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard, Minnie Mouse will host a meal at Hollywood and Vine, and Santa Goofy will show up. And all the characters will be wandering the streets in vintage-themed holiday decor.
Epcot
Epcot’s holiday celebration won’t launch until November 26, with the International Festival of the Holidays running for five weeks. There will be holiday-themed treats in kitchens around the parks, performances by Voices of Liberty, the Cookie Stroll, and more.
Disney Springs
The shopping and dining district will become a winter wonderland of sparkling lights, holiday decor, and more. There will be a nightly Christmas Tree Stroll featuring Disney-themed Christmas trees, and snow will magically fall on shoppers during the evenings.
The stores themselves will be stocked full of holiday ornaments and other seasonal offerings, while themed food and beverages will be offered throughout Disney Springs. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will become Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with a change in decor and menu items.
Disney Hotels
All of the Disney-owned hotels in the resort will be dressed up for the holidays with trees and other seasonal touches. Many will feature gingerbread displays, and their restaurants will have special holiday menus for both food and drink.
