It is hard to believe we are already half-way to the holidays, but Walt Disney World is here to remind us with a special way to celebrate! Details are finally here for planning your Very Merry Christmas in Magic Kingdom, Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, resort gingerbread displays, and more around Walt Disney World Resort!
The holiday season is one of my family’s favorite times to visit the parks. Everything is so much more magical when the parks and resorts are all dressed up for the holidays. We always HAVE to make sure that we check out everything the holiday season has to offer!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
As a separately ticketed and limited capacity after-hours event, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the MOST magical way to celebrate the holidays and see Magic Kingdom with exclusive experiences, lower crowds, and low attraction wait times!
For 2024, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place:
November 8, 11, 12,14,15,17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20
Ticket sales for guests of WDW resorts, Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green will begin on July 2, with tickets opening up to all other guests on July 10.
With a special performance on the castle stage, an amazingly cheerful holiday parade, exclusive fireworks and castle projections, and my favorite- COMPLIMENTARY cocoa and cookies, this is a must-do when visiting during the holidays.
HARDCORE PRO TIP: Magic Kingdom closes EARLY to guests without a party ticket. This often deters guests from spending their day at MK on party days, leading to slightly lower crowd levels even before the party. So, you could get A LOT done in MK with a park day and party ticket on these days!
RELAXING PRO TIP: With your party ticket, you can enter the park as early as 4pm, so oftentimes, my family will take a party day as a sleep-in and rest day and not have to use a regular park ticket!
Jollywood Nights
At Hollywood Studios, walk the red carpet and enjoy another limited capacity, after hours event amongst the Hollywood elite with rare characters, exclusive treats, and fabulous entertainment!
The dates for this event are:
November 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
December 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
Tickets go on sale the same dates at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (July 2 for resort guests and July 10 for all others).
You will definitely find me over at the Twilight Soiree in the Tower Courtyard or singing along with Jack at the What’s This Nightmare Before Christmas Singalong! I also can’t wait to find Jose and Panchito in Animation Courtyard for the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle!
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Celebrate the holidays around the world November 29-December 30!
Here is where you’ll definitely find me during the day. Why? Because the holiday kitchens around the park will be serving up seasonal delights from around the Globe.
Check out the holiday scavenger hunt in World Showcase while catching storytellers and entertainment showcasing each culture’s unique holiday traditions. PRO TIP- You’ll get your prizes for the scavenger hunt even if you don’t finish. With multiple prize options, get a map for each person in your party to get multiple prizes.
Of course EPCOT’s celebrations would not be complete without the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional with celebrity narrators, full orchestra, and mass choir. Keep an eye out later this year for announcements about this year’s narrators!
Gingerbread Displays and More to Experience Throughout WDW Resort
Every park and resort at WDW gets in on the holiday action with magical sights and experiences. Characters can be found at each park all decked out in their holiday attire.
Over at Animal Kingdom, the Merry Menagerie winter animal puppets will return again this year. Hollywood Studios will see the return of the Yuletide projection show on my favorite ride – Tower of Terror. Magic Kingdom welcomes Anna, Elsa, and Olaf once again in front of the castle for their Frozen Holiday Surprise Show.
Disney Springs can’t be missed either, with the Christmas Tree Stroll and magical snowfall. Even the great jolly bearded fella himself, Santa Claus, will be visiting Disney Springs, all four parks, and the water parks!
Another family favorite for us is to explore Disney World’s resort hotels to see each unique Christmas tree as well as the amazingly detailed gingerbread displays. A perfect activity for a non-park day. We also like to try every form of transportation on this journey!
Icing on the Cookie – PROMOS!
Starting on June 27 guests can book rooms at up to 30% off for stays most nights from Nov 24- Dec 25! You can also save on your resort room when you stay Sunday through Thursday nights between October 6 to November 21!
Doing 4 days or more in the parks? You can also upgrade to a park hopper ticket for free on non-discounted date-based tickets! Get in touch with your Smart Moms Travel Agent for more details, and to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your Walt Disney World vacation!
Your Smart Moms Travel agent is going to take great care of you, I know it! But if this article has you thinking you need to book your next trip, and you haven’t connected with a Smart Moms agent yet, I would be honored to make your experience extra magical. All you need to do is fill out this quick form here and I will get in touch soon to get you on your way!
