The Christmas holiday season officially begins tomorrow at Disney World! Christmas decorations have already begun to appear in the parks and from 6th of November until 30th of December Disney World becomes a winter wonderland!
The festivities will be different this year but the holiday season will be being celebrated! What can we expect this year? Let's find out!
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom has already begun it's festive makeover! Beautiful Christmas decorations are already adorning the park and the absolutely stunning Christmas tree is also back at the plaza at the top of Main Street U.S.A.
Sadly Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party may have been cancelled for this year but Magic Kingdom will still be full of Christmas cheer! As well as being decorated to the nines with seasonal décor, Cinderella Castle will also have holiday themed projections!
The character cavalcade will see everyone's favourite characters dressed up in their Christmas costumes and there will be pop up appearances from Santa Claus himself!
A holiday favourite is returning! Jungle Cruise has had it's seasonal makeover and is now the Jingle Cruise. Featuring festive décor, holiday themed jokes from the skippers and the boats are even updated with Christmas themed names!
Festive foods will be on offer. Some of the delicious foods you can enjoy include:
Let It Snow Taco from Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Twice Upon A Cupcake from Main Street Bakery
Chip and Dale Christmas Churros from Westwood Ho
An Orange Bird Christmas from Sunshine Tree Terrace
Pistachio Chai Tea Float from Aloha Isle
EPCOT
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays is going ahead! This year will be a modified event featuring the highlights of the festival.
Starting on the 27th November the holiday kitchens will return, where you can try festive fare from around the world. Some of the festive fare you can try at the holiday kitchens include:
American Holiday Table for the Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce
Bavarian Holiday Kitchen for the Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl
Citrus Blossom for the Orange Cream Shake
Festive Favourites for Duck Confit with Dumpings and Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Fig Reduction
Holiday Hearth for the Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
Holiday Sweets and Treats for the Peppermint Sundae
L'Chaim Holiday Kitchen for the Potato Latkes
Le Marche de Noel Holiday Kitchen for the Buche de Noel au Caramel
Mele Kalikimaka for the Kalua Pork with Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes and Mango Salad
Posadas Holiday Kitchen for the Dulce de Leche Churros
Prost! for the Charcuterie and Cheese Plate
Sapphire Holiday Kitchen for the Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab
Shanghai Holiday Kitchen for the Curry Chicken Rice Bowl
Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen for the New Year Celebration Soba
Tuscany Holiday Kitchen for the Italian Flatbread with Mozzarella, Asiago and Parmesan
Yukon Holiday Kitchen for the Beef Bourguignon with Crushed Potatoes
This is just a selection of the foods on offer!
The infamous Cookie Stroll is also back! Purchase and enjoy 5 different cookies from the booths around World Showcase and collect stamps. Once you have obtained all 5 stamps head to Holiday Sweets and Treat to receive a special cookie for completing the cookie stroll!
The cookies on the stroll are:
Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
Linzer Cookie
Gingerbread Cookie
Black and White Cookie
Chocolate Crinkle Cookie.
Mickey and his pals will also be appearing in their Christmas costumes during the holiday character promenade. Anna and Elsa will be able to be spotted during the Frozen holiday promenade. And Santa Claus himself will be making pop up appearances so keep your eyes peeled!
A new addition this year is Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition. This festive scavenger hunt across World Showcase will let Guests find holiday traditions that Olaf had collected and lost. A scavenger hunt map and stickers are available for purchase for $7.99. If you collect all the traditions head to Disney Traders, Mouse Gear or World Traveler to redeem a special gift!
Sadly the Candlelight Processional has been cancelled for this year and will not be appearing at the International Festival of the Holidays. But there will still be entertainment to enjoy. You can catch performances of gospel and R & B music at Joyful! in World Showcase and The Voices of Liberty will be keeping Guests entertained with Christmas carols.
Hollywood Studios
Christmas decorations have already started to fill Hollywood Studios, including the huge Christmas tree at Echo Lake. In keeping with the theming of this park are some amazing kitsch 50's decorations. Santa Gertie is also back!
The characters in the Merry Motorcade will be dressed up in their Christmas costumes. You may even spot Santa Claus himself during one of his pop up appearances!
Meet Minnie and her friends in their best holiday outfits at Minnie's Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine. At this modified character dining experiences you can enjoy a three-course meal and get to take physically distanced photos with the characters!
Some of the Christmas treats you can enjoy include:
Olaf's Snow Flurry from Rosie's All-American Cafe
Holiday Whoopie Pie from The Trolley Car Cafe and Backlot Express
Mickey's Holiday Cookie from ABC Commissary and Rosie's All-American Cafe
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from PizzeRizzo, Backlot Express, ABC Commissary and Rosie's All-American Cafe
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom has already begun it's festive makeover with a range of beautiful decorations being spotted already. Incorporating the spirit of the park the decorations include animal designs.
You will also get to see the characters dressed in their Christmas finery in the Festive Flotilla as well as enjoying pop up appearances from Santa Claus himself!
Some of the festive treats available at Animal Kingdom include:
White-Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse from Satu'li Canteen
Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwich from Dino-Bite Snacks
Menagerie Cupcake from Creature Comforts
Disney Resorts
Christmas time will still be celebrated at the Disney Resorts where the lobbies will be beautifully decorated. The famous lobby Christmas trees will be available for Guests to enjoy. The lobbies are so stunning at this time of year and a visit to view them it is such an iconic part of any trip to Disney during the holiday season.
Unfortunately the gingerbread house displays will not be appearing this year. If you are looking for a gingerbread fix then you are able to purchase Build Your Own Gingerbread House kits available at the Contemporary Resort from Contempo Cafe. This kit will enable you to build a gingerbread house designed to look like the resort. It even comes with its own white chocolate monorail! The kit costs $35.
Disney Springs
Christmas decorations, magical snowfall and Disney Christmas trees will be filling Disney Springs with festive cheer this year.
The Christmas tree trail at Disney Springs is legendary! This year instead of a trail the Disney themed trees will be positioned all around Disney Springs. The Haunted Mansion tree is one of my favourites!
Santa Claus will also be making pop up appearances!
Jock Lindsey's Hangar bar will have a seasonal makeover and a limited time festive menu to enjoy.
Disney Springs will also have a holiday scavenger hunt for the first time this year.
Disney World at Christmas is just so wonderful and although this year is different to previous years it looks like holiday cheer and festive magic will be making any visit super special!