Celebrate the Holidays at Disney World
Walt's second park features seasonal spectacles for both the young, and young at heart.
By CARLY MILNE
The Disneyworld Resort is a special place to visit no matter what the time of year, but visiting during the holidays gives guests from all over the world the opportunity to take part in a special kind of Disney magic starting in late November and continuing through December. With ceremonial tree lightings, dazzling entertainment and even a sprinkling of snow, the Disneyworld Resort transforms itself from a warm family getaway into a holiday spectacular!
Disneyworld
To kick off the holiday season right, visit the spot where all the East-coast magic began: Disneyworld. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is returning for its 25th year, featuring holiday splendor, lively stage shows and holiday traditions that take place after the park closes at 7pm. This year's festivities will see an all new Castle Light Show that coats Cinderella’s iconic home in white lights, and comes complete with a lighting ceremony that sees the princess herself joined by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and all your other favorites. Naturally they'll be decked out in their holiday outfits, making for perfect holiday memories during character meet and greets.
But the light show doesn’t end there. "Holiday Wishes -- Celebrate the Spirit of the Season "is this year's holiday fireworks display, with a spectacular union of flash and flare choreographed to classic holiday music. It may not be a Silent Night, but it will be a beautiful one! And then there’s the thousands of lights that take part in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which showcases all the great things about the holidays. But the best part? A fresh snowfall blankets Main Street U.S.A. as a grand finale. And just in case you get cold, there’s complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.
Tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are $47.95 plus tax for ages 10/up and $40.95 plus tax for ages 3-9 (but with advance purchase, guests can save $7 per ticket for select dates). Call (407) W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/holidays to get your tickets today!
Epcot
Not to be outdone, Epcot takes the holiday theme to the hilt with their Holidays Around the World World Showcase! Have you ever met France's Pare Noel or Italy's La Befana? You can at Holidays Around The World, which features each country’s respective holiday traditions and legends, including Hanukah and Kwanzaa customs. But as the sun goes down, the festivities pick up when Mickey and friends host Mickey's Tree Lighting Treat in the World Showcase Plaza, featuring a memorable and beautiful tree-lighting complete with music and storytelling. Guests can watch The Lights of Winter, a synchronized light show that brightens up the World Showcase breezeway bridge, but that's just the precursor to the Big Kahuna. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is a laser, lights and fireworks blowout that really makes you feel like the holiday season is the most magical time of the year. It’s a sight to behold!
But Epcot’s holiday offerings wouldn't be complete without the classic Sparkling Candlelight Processional. The Candlelight Processional features an incredible musical performance featuring a mass choir and full orchestra singing all of your holiday favorites. Celebrity narrators even join in on the fun, helping to retell the story of Christmas (this season’s scheduled guests include John O'Hurley, Neil Patrick Harris, Gary Sinise and Marlee Matlin, among many others!) Though it’s included in the regular park price, families who want to make it a memory to last a lifetime have the option to book a Candlelight Processional dinner package at an extra charge. Seating is limited, so get there early!
MGM Studios
It probably comes as no surprise that the most dazzling of light displays makes its home at MGM Studios, the park that shows you a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood! The Spectacle of Dancing Lights take over the Streets of America backlot, featuring millions of holiday lights dancing to appropriately-themed music. How did this tradition come to be? When Arkansas family the Osbornes found their annual holiday light spectacular was taking over their home, Disney-MGM Studios transported the entire thing to the park in 1995... and it's only grown bigger and more spectacular since then! With three-dimensional and motion-based displays featuring flying angels and Santa Claus light designs, it's a holiday must. Couple that with the Hollywood Holy Day Parade featuring your favorite Disney characters in their holiday best, and you’re sure to have holiday memories to last a lifetime.
Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom might be all about safaris, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to do it up holiday style! Witness the Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade as a perfect example, as Mickey and friends celebrate the season with traditional holiday music featuring a world-beat twist. Meanwhile, Camp Minnie Mickey hosts character meet and greets among holiday carolers singing all the classics. Of course, the park is dressed up for the season, but it’s Santa Goofy's Holiday Village that drives the point home with Christmas trees, live entertainers and holiday photo opportunities. Make sure you pack extra batteries for your camera!
Downtown Disney
Last but not least, there's Downtown Disney -- the perfect spot for those last-minute gift decisions. With shopping options for every age and budget, this retail and restaurant district features stores like Once Upon a Toy (with goodies for the little ones), World of Disney (boasting enough Disney memorabilia and collectables for even the most discerning fan), and the Disney's Days of Christmas holiday shop (because you always need a tree ornament for a souvenir!) Of course, the entire area is decked out in holiday décor and lights, and those on the hunt for Santa won't be disappointed -- he holds court in the middle of it all, waiting to take wish lists from you and yours!
No matter what your holiday tradition, the Disneyworld Resort has you covered... and then some! So pack your bags and head to Orlando to create a one-of-a-kind holiday
For those interested in experiencing Disneyworld’s holiday magic, visit disneyworld.com or call (407) W-DISNEY for more information. Happy holidays!
Disneyworld
To kick off the holiday season right, visit the spot where all the East-coast magic began: Disneyworld. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is returning for its 25th year, featuring holiday splendor, lively stage shows and holiday traditions that take place after the park closes at 7pm. This year's festivities will see an all new Castle Light Show that coats Cinderella’s iconic home in white lights, and comes complete with a lighting ceremony that sees the princess herself joined by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and all your other favorites. Naturally they'll be decked out in their holiday outfits, making for perfect holiday memories during character meet and greets.
But the light show doesn’t end there. "Holiday Wishes -- Celebrate the Spirit of the Season "is this year's holiday fireworks display, with a spectacular union of flash and flare choreographed to classic holiday music. It may not be a Silent Night, but it will be a beautiful one! And then there’s the thousands of lights that take part in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which showcases all the great things about the holidays. But the best part? A fresh snowfall blankets Main Street U.S.A. as a grand finale. And just in case you get cold, there’s complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.
Tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are $47.95 plus tax for ages 10/up and $40.95 plus tax for ages 3-9 (but with advance purchase, guests can save $7 per ticket for select dates). Call (407) W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/holidays to get your tickets today!
Epcot
Not to be outdone, Epcot takes the holiday theme to the hilt with their Holidays Around the World World Showcase! Have you ever met France's Pare Noel or Italy's La Befana? You can at Holidays Around The World, which features each country’s respective holiday traditions and legends, including Hanukah and Kwanzaa customs. But as the sun goes down, the festivities pick up when Mickey and friends host Mickey's Tree Lighting Treat in the World Showcase Plaza, featuring a memorable and beautiful tree-lighting complete with music and storytelling. Guests can watch The Lights of Winter, a synchronized light show that brightens up the World Showcase breezeway bridge, but that's just the precursor to the Big Kahuna. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is a laser, lights and fireworks blowout that really makes you feel like the holiday season is the most magical time of the year. It’s a sight to behold!
But Epcot’s holiday offerings wouldn't be complete without the classic Sparkling Candlelight Processional. The Candlelight Processional features an incredible musical performance featuring a mass choir and full orchestra singing all of your holiday favorites. Celebrity narrators even join in on the fun, helping to retell the story of Christmas (this season’s scheduled guests include John O'Hurley, Neil Patrick Harris, Gary Sinise and Marlee Matlin, among many others!) Though it’s included in the regular park price, families who want to make it a memory to last a lifetime have the option to book a Candlelight Processional dinner package at an extra charge. Seating is limited, so get there early!
MGM Studios
It probably comes as no surprise that the most dazzling of light displays makes its home at MGM Studios, the park that shows you a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood! The Spectacle of Dancing Lights take over the Streets of America backlot, featuring millions of holiday lights dancing to appropriately-themed music. How did this tradition come to be? When Arkansas family the Osbornes found their annual holiday light spectacular was taking over their home, Disney-MGM Studios transported the entire thing to the park in 1995... and it's only grown bigger and more spectacular since then! With three-dimensional and motion-based displays featuring flying angels and Santa Claus light designs, it's a holiday must. Couple that with the Hollywood Holy Day Parade featuring your favorite Disney characters in their holiday best, and you’re sure to have holiday memories to last a lifetime.
Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom might be all about safaris, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to do it up holiday style! Witness the Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade as a perfect example, as Mickey and friends celebrate the season with traditional holiday music featuring a world-beat twist. Meanwhile, Camp Minnie Mickey hosts character meet and greets among holiday carolers singing all the classics. Of course, the park is dressed up for the season, but it’s Santa Goofy's Holiday Village that drives the point home with Christmas trees, live entertainers and holiday photo opportunities. Make sure you pack extra batteries for your camera!
Downtown Disney
Last but not least, there's Downtown Disney -- the perfect spot for those last-minute gift decisions. With shopping options for every age and budget, this retail and restaurant district features stores like Once Upon a Toy (with goodies for the little ones), World of Disney (boasting enough Disney memorabilia and collectables for even the most discerning fan), and the Disney's Days of Christmas holiday shop (because you always need a tree ornament for a souvenir!) Of course, the entire area is decked out in holiday décor and lights, and those on the hunt for Santa won't be disappointed -- he holds court in the middle of it all, waiting to take wish lists from you and yours!
No matter what your holiday tradition, the Disneyworld Resort has you covered... and then some! So pack your bags and head to Orlando to create a one-of-a-kind holiday
For those interested in experiencing Disneyworld’s holiday magic, visit disneyworld.com or call (407) W-DISNEY for more information. Happy holidays!
