Last update Oct. 24, 2024
Disney World is known for being one of the most magical places on Earth, and at Walt Disney World, Christmas time is handled with the same magic. In a matter of days, or in some cases hours, parks and resorts transform into winter wonderlands, fit for royalty.
If you and your Disney posse are holiday experts, you may already know about the 70 foot tall Christmas tree on Main Street USA, or the Santa hat on the Dino in Hollywood Studios. But, as with anything Disney, a Walt Disney World Christmas is shrouded in more than a few Disney World secrets. Here, we’re unveiling a little of the magic of the holidays. It’s not a spoiler exactly, but more a way to help you recognize and appreciate more of the special surprises that Disney World brings to this special time of year.
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Transforming Magic Kingdom for Christmas- Does It Really Happen Overnight?
During the transition between holidays, the Magic Kingdom seems to transform overnight. From Halloween night to November 1st, pumpkins turn into wreaths as quickly as the Fairy Godmother turned a pumpkin into Cinderella’s carriage.
However, Magic Kingdom is the only Walt Disney World park that realizes such a rapid transformation. For one thing, it’s the park most heavily decorated for Halloween, and those decorations do not age well. So, once October 31st is over, they have to go.
Magic Kingdom Christmas décor then begins showing up November First. Other parks are a little slower to get the party started, with Christmas décor appearing later in the month. EPCOT receives its holiday décor the latest, usually at the end of November, once the Food and Wine festival has concluded. All the resorts on the property are decorated between late October and Thanksgiving depending on the resort and the level. For example, the deluxe resorts usually receive décor first.
While Magic Kingdom does transform overnight, you won’t find holiday decorations in every corner right at first. During the initial days after Halloween, the exterior of all buildings will be covered in garland and wreaths, but not necessarily the interior. Inside many of the shops, Halloween merchandise is still sold for days before being removed. It creates an odd balance of spooky and festive.
How Does Does Disney Transform the Magic Kingdom to Christmas so Fast?
With such a quick transformation from Halloween to Christmas, you may be wondering how Disney does it without the help of a Fairy Godmother.
Answering this Walt Disney World Christmas time conundrum is fairly simple, really. The saying “many hands make light work,” comes to mind.
During the holidays, the Disney World resort employs nearly 150 extra cast members just to assist with holiday décor. There are additional cast members who work tirelessly year round to plan, design, prepare, set up, and take down the holiday decorations.
To accomplish the overnight transformation of Magic Kingdom, prep work is key. Prior to the quick transformation, spots are cleared for the Christmas trees, so they can be placed swiftly. Some statues are temporarily removed, along with other year round décor. Most guests do not notice the missing pieces since the trees are taking their place.
To get all the beautiful holiday décor inside Magic Kingdom, trucks are driven right down Main Street USA and unloaded as close as possible to where each item is needed. Cast members unload the trucks quickly and even wheel the smaller Christmas trees around Main Street to where they need to go.
The wreaths, trees and garland are decorated behind the scenes to ensure fast placement in the park. When being installed, cast members on the ground work simultaneously with cast members in boom forklifts to place the garlands, wreaths and lights.
Why Does Magic Kingdom Receive Décor Faster?
Magic Kingdom receives its holiday décor the quickest simply because it has to. With only a week in between the typical Halloween party and the beginning of the Walt Disney World Christmas parties, the décor must be moved in quickly.
Another reason for the fast transformation inside the Magic Kingdom is due to the centrality of the décor. Unlike the other three theme parks, Magic Kingdom’s holiday decorations are centralized mainly to Main Street USA and the entrance. Acrossthe other parks, decorations are spread out and take longer to install.
The Magic Kingdom is also the only theme park to be featured in the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade taping, which usually takes place shortly after Halloween.
Are There any Magic Kingdom Christmas Decorations that Are Placed Later?
The large Christmas tree inside the Magic Kingdom has to be patient for its installation inside the park. While the castle has been lit up, and wreaths hung for days, there is often still no giant tree. The famous Christmas tree is over 70 feet tall and stands just inside the entrance to the park between Main Street USA and the train station.
Because the Walt Disney World Christmas parade heads down Main Street, Disney must wait to place the tree until after to avoid obstructing any camera shots necessary during filming. In the past, the tree was installed before the tapings, but more recently has not been.
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Walt Disney World Christmas Time in EPCOT, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios
While Magic Kingdom park may receive the most attention when it comes to celebrating Christmas, the other parks are not left out of the festivities. Each park dons its own unique persona to bring the holidays alive in different ways.
Christmas Time in EPCOT
EPCOT goes all out for the holidays. Each year, the countries of the World Showcase present their own Christmas celebrations, with festive decor and costumed story tellers relating native holiday tales. Traditional holiday food is served at kiosks inside each country, giving guests a chance to learn about and enjoy different cultures.
Each country also features live music numbers to celebrate the season and heritage. Traditionally, the Candlelight Processional celebrates the story of the first Christmas with a a celebrity narrator accompanied by a massed choir, 50-piece orchestra, and even the Voices of Liberty.
The Living with the Land ride even joins the holiday extravaganza with special surprises throughout the greenhouse area and other sections of the ride.
Christmas at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has taken a big blow recently when it comes to Walt Disney World Christmas decor. In the past, the buildings of New York Street were packed full of the Osborne Family Lights. Unfortunately, this phenomenal spectacular, complete with endless glittering illumination and even snow, had its final show in 2016.
Today, Hollywood Studios shows more vintage holiday décor reminiscent of the great screen age of the 1940s. Wreaths and traditional holiday ornamentation cover both sides of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. Toy Story Land sees an overhaul as each ride takes on its own Andy-inspired holiday theming. In the past, large festive strings of holiday lights were strung overhead, adding to the toy-like feel.
In 2024, live presentations are joining the park’s roundup of holiday events, including the Holiday Spirit Band, juggling elves and other spirited musicians. A festive new finale will also wrap up each presentation of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Singalong Celebration.
For guests looking to carry the glitz and glam of a Hollywood Christmas into the nighttime hours, Jollywood Nights returns again in 2024. This 5-hour special ticketed after hours event features:
- 20 unique character experiences
- Fun photo ops, with Disney PhotoPass photos and videos included in the cost of admission
- Access to favorite attractions with lower wait times
- Special treats and goodies only available during Jollywood Nights
- Glisten! an iceskating extravaganza where international champion skaters perform routines to a holiday soundtrack right on Hollywood Boulevard
- Dance parties and special presentations
- Exclusive Disney Merch available only during party hours
Nighttime promises to hold special appeal for guests who opt out of Jollywood nights as Sunset Seasons Greetings transforms the Hollywood Tower of Terror into a muppet-inspired gingerbread house (if that isn’t one of the more spooky and bizarre things you’ll see in the twilight zone, we don’t know what is), a “Toy Story” toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol!
Christmas at Animal Kingdom
Inside Animal Kingdom, a massive tree is erected at the entrance of the park and adorned with African and Asian themed ornaments, usually animals. Carrying the festivities into the park, you’ll find the Merry Managerie once more gracing the area around the Tree of Life. These winter-themed animals are more than puppets as they move and interact in amazing ways.
The buildings inside the park receive holiday overlays and lights, and many of the musical performers add some holiday songs into their lineup. Restaurants also feature holiday treats, including Restaurantosaurus, where Santa will be visiting regularly with guests at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party on the patio.
The nighttime hours inside Animal Kingdom during the Walt Disney World Christmas time celebration bring a new Tree of Life show with a holiday theme.
Celebrating the Holidays After Dark
One of the biggest draws of Christmas time at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This nighttime spectacular is special ticketed event, requiring a fee outside of general admission supplied by a theme park ticket purchase.
Since attendance is capped, it’s great way to experience the Magic Kingdom with fewer crowds. Throughout the party, Disney brings Christmas to life through special shows, a holiday-themed parade, exclusive snacks and even snow on Main Street. Free hot chocolate and cookies are available throughout the event as well as character meet and greets featuring some seldom seen characters.
The highlight of the event is the fireworks display. While Disney goes out of its way on a nightly basis to create spectacular nighttime spectacles, Magic Kingdom’s holiday party shows are above and beyond. Some may say the fireworks alone are worth the price of the ticket.
Walt Disney Christmas Party
Visiting Disney World at Christmas Time means you have the opportunity to join Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The party requires a special ticket, but allows after hours access to Magic Kingdom with less crowds.
The party features a Christmas parade, fireworks show, and special character meet and greets with Disney characters in Christmas garb, and even Santa himself.
Specialty Christmas food options can be found scattered throughout the park and are included in the price of your ticket. This includes free cookies and hot chocolate. The “cookie stroll” has become quite a time-honored tradition for many partygoers, as guests wander from one distribution location to another to see what types of cookies are available each year.
Additionally, guests can ride the rides with lower waits due to reduced capacity in the parks during the party.
Likewise, EPCOT throws its own Disney World Christmas celebration. The Candlelight Processional is a definite highlight. This retelling of the nativity story features celebrity narrators such as Neil Patrick Harris and Jodi Benson. Guests can also sample seasonal treats hailing from the countries of the World Showcase in the International Festival of the Holidays.
Christmas at Disney World Resort Hotels
Beginning in early November, Disney’s collection of resort hotels shake up their ambiance a bit with some Christmas cheer. Each resort features its own Christmas tree and decorations matching the theme of the resort, and a new festive collection of sights and wonders are revealed.
One of our favorites is the parade of Gingerbread houses. During the Christmas season, a special themed gingerbread house adorns the lobby of each deluxe resort. Of course, the granddaddy of them all still resides at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa where a life-size concoction of gingerbread and treats is on display.
Is Disney World Open Christmas Day?
One of the most common questions about Disney World at Christmas time is whether Disney World is open on Christmas Day. The answer is yes!
Disney World is open on Christmas Day. As exciting as that sounds, you may not find it advantageous to be inside the parks. Christmas Day is one of the most popular days to visit the Disney World theme parks, as is the week leading up to the holiday.
The parks often reach level 10 on a crowd scale leading up to and on Christmas day, and wait times can be long. For tips on how to handle these crowds, click here.
However, there are veteran Disney World travelers who would never visit any other time. They find it absolutely magical to celebrate Christmas the Disney way. If you feel the same, just be sure to catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks spectacular on Christmas day.
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