Oh by gosh, by golly– it’s almost time for mistletoe and holly! Get ready because this year Disney is spreading holiday cheer throughout ALL FOUR of its theme parks! And things are going to be a little bit different… .
Christmas is Coming to Magic Kingdom
We’ve shown you glimpses of the holiday merch, new Holiday fireworks in the Magic Kingdom, and early details for Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays, but now we want to show you EVERYTHING happening this holiday season at Disney World! If you want to join in on the merrymaking, follow along as we break down all the wintery happenings park by park! Let’s go!
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins November 8th and runs on select evenings until December 22nd. You’ll enjoy performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show.
Holiday Fireworks at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Be sure to not miss the returning A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show where “Queen Elsa will magically transform Cinderella Castle with glistening ice!” It’s a super cute stage show and really is pretty to watch the castle explode with twinkling lights!
A Frozen Holiday Wish
Don’t forget, there are also FREE (with price of admission, natch) nummy cookies, cocoa, apple cider, and other tasty treats available throughout the park to sample along your way. And don’t forget you can see it SNOW every night of the party on Main Street, U.S.A.! Yep, snow in Florida!
Snow on Main Street, USA during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
You can also take a ride on the Jingle Cruise, the Jungle Cruise’s holiday overlay, as well as a few NEW holiday-themed attraction overlays for Tomorrowland Speedway, Space Mountain and Mad Tea Party.
Jingle Cruise sign
NEW –> Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
Debuting at the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a brand NEW fireworks spectacular! Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show will light up the skies above the Magic Kingdom, taking over holiday firework duties from now-retired Holiday Wishes.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks ©Disney
Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party
And what better way to enjoy the Once Upon a Christmastime parade than with preferred viewing? You can snag that if you book Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party!
Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party
Returning for its second year, this all-you-can-eat event during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers Italian-inspired appetizers (like Tony’s famous meatballs!), festive desserts, and unlimited drinks including beer and wine! Once you stuff your tummy, you’ll get to enjoy the reserved parade viewing area exclusive to Tony’s guests!
Tony’s Most Famous Meatballs with Marinara
Note that this event costs $99 per guest and is a separate cost on top of your Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket, so weigh the options if this event is a good fit for your group before you go.
Check out our full review of Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party here!
Animal Kingdom
NEW –> Holiday Decor and Transformations
Animal Kingdom is hosting its very first-holiday celebration EVER! Starting November 8th, Africa, Asia, DinoLand, U.S.A., and Pandora: The World of Avatar will ALL undergo special holiday transformations and feature uniquely-themed seasonal trimmings!
Animal Kingdom Holidays concept art ©Disney
Discovery Island will host “life-sized arctic animal puppeteers by day and rooftop luminaries and lanterns by night.” “Donald’s Dino-Bash will take on the spirit of the holidays,” while the Tree of Life Awakenings will help us get into the holiday spirit with all-new holiday-themed projections!
Animal Kingdom Holidays concept art ©Disney
There’s also sure to be a BUNCH of new yummy holiday goodies– we’ll have full coverage as soon as menus are announced!
Hollywood Studios
NEW –> Perhaps one of the biggest changes to this year’s holiday season for Hollywood Studios is that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open! And we can’t think of a more exhilarating way to spend the holidays than piloting the Millenium Falcon and swigging back a few cocktails at Oga’s Cantina!
Rodian Ration in Oga’s Cantina
Wondering what to expect? Then check out our full Disneyland Oga’s Cantina review here!
Toy Story Land holiday decorations will also be returning…
Holiday Cookie Hamm
(SO CUTE)
Happy Holiday Greetings from Woody!
…along with nightly performances of Sunset Seasons Greetings and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! These will take place from November 8, 2019 – January 5, 2020.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM 2018
And don’t forget to check out the kitschy, vintage-inspired Christmas decorations over at Echo Lake and wish Gertie in her Santa hat a “Merry Christmas!”
Vintage Decorations
Epcot
Candlelight Processional
Many of the 2019 celebrity narrators for Epcot’s Candlelight Processional have been announced! Beginning November 29th, the 50-piece orchestra and accompanying massed choir will be hosted by such mainstays as Neil Patrick Harris and Gary Sinise along with a few new faces.
Candlelight Processional
Performance dates include:
- Neil Patrick Harris – 12/2-12/5
- Whoopi Goldberg – 12/6-12/7
- Gary Sinise – 12/13-12/15
- Pat Sajak – 12/16-12/18
- Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/22-12/24
- Edward James Olmos – 12/25-12/26
Click HERE For More Candlelight Processional Details When They’re Announced!
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Over at Epcot’s World Showcase, The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will be underway celebrating the Christmas foods, music and traditions of countries from all over the world!
Green Tea ‘Yule’ Log at Festival of the Holidays
NEW –> Epcot Restaurants
While at the Japan pavilion, be sure and stop by the brand-new table service restaurant Takumi-Tei for a gorgeous high-end dining experience.
Takumi-Tei Front Entrance
You can read our full Takumi-Tei review here!
And don’t forget that we’re eagerly awaiting the opening of Space 220, the Space-themed restaurant opening this “Winter!” We’re hoping it’ll be ready to go in time for the holidays!
Space 220
See more details about Space 22o HERE!
But Wait, There’s More!
Just when you thought this holiday bounty had reached its full capacity, there’s still MORE we need to tell you about!
NEW–> Disney World Skyliner
With the Skyliner Gondola System slated to open September 29th, you’ll have a new way of getting around the World! If you didn’t know that each Disney resort has elaborate Christmas decorations for their distinct theming, you do now! So hop a gondola car and take a ride to a resort you’ve never seen before for an extra dose of holiday cheer!
Skyliner Gondolas
NEW –> Resorts and Restaurants
Speaking of other Disney resorts, you have to check out Disney’s Coronado Springs’ new culinary scene! Three Bridges Bar & Grill, Dahlia Lounge, and Toledo- Tapas, Steak & Seafood are getting the new locations at Disney’s new Gran Destino Tower.
Toledo Ceiling Changes Color
Check out our first look and reviews of all of the new Coronado Springs locations here!
NEW! –> Ringing in the New Year!
To cap off 2019 in grand fashion, you may want to check out the New Year’s Eve party happening over at Disney’s Riviera Resort which will open its doors for the first time later this year! Raise a glass of bubbly atop the newest Disney World resort during Mezzanotte at Topolino’s: An Italian Masquerade!
Topolino’s Terrace concept art ©Disney
The event will take place at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera for $550 (plus tax) per person, the event is pretty spendy, but guests will be treated to views of both Epcot’s and Hollywood Studios’ New Years’ firework displays as well as dine like European royalty “with a menu to include artisanal cheeses, imported French and Italian charcuterie, house-made breads, chilled seafood, hand-crafted pastas, European desserts, and more.” We’ll be at Disney’s Riviera Resort when it opens December 16th with all the DETAILS!
Riviera Resort Concept Art ©Disney
We cannot wait to hang out around Walt Disney World this holiday season!
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Which newest holiday experience coming to Disney World are you most excited about trying this year? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned as we bring you more updates for your holiday vacay planning!
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Thanks for the info. Will be attending Tony’s Christmas Party and your article states that the reserved area is for the fireworks. That is incorrect, as WDW states that the area is for parade viewing. Nothing for fireworks. I wish!
Thanks for the info! I will travel to Disney on January 2nd 2020… As I can read, I will find Christmas decoration and some events until January 5th, am I right? Thanks for your comments! I love Disney Food Blog.
I think Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party offer reserved-spot parade viewing, not fireworks viewing as indicated. Although, having a reserved spot for both would be great!
Cindy, usually the Christmas holiday decor is up through early-January, so you should experience some of the holiday magic!
C Chelle (and others), thanks for the heads up! I fixed the post. 🙂
I have a question, once the last MVMCP happens, what goes on at the MK leading up to and on Christmas? Does any of the party stuff still take place?
Can’t wait for MVMCP. This will be my first party ever and my very first after hours event.
Chase, the decor stays up, of course, and the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade begins running for regular Park guests after the Party ends.
@Chase I know that they start running the parade and the fireworks that you see at the parties during Christmas week. Not sure about anything else, but I have my doubts.
Arriving on Nov. 14/19. So sad, two events that I wanted experience will not begin until Nov. 29. Is it all because of the food and wine festival still going on? Very disappointing! 😢😢
I am arriving Nov 4th and will be there until nov 10th. I was told from a Disney travel agent that the Christmas stuff will be up during that time but this article says it’ll go up on Nov 8th. Is that only for animal kingdom? I solely booked these dates because they assured me that decorations will be up at Disney by this time. I am going to the Christmas party on nov 8th but two days with Christmas decorations is not enough for me. Will magic kingdom at least be decorated before the 8th?
Any word on the fun Holiday stuff for Disneyland??
Rachel, not yet! We’ll update when they do!
Samantha, while there’s no guarantee all the decorations will be up earlier than the 8th, we would expect them to be at least in progress. The holiday events start on that date, but we typically do see decorations going up prior to that start date.
When does the resorts usually open the gingerbread houses for viewing?
Maria, last year the Grand Floridian gingerbread house opened on November 15, and we’d expect mid-November to hold true in 2019. We visited the Beach Club carousel on November 16 last year, so, again, we’d expect they’ll all open around the same time.
Is the Frozen Holiday Wish a nightly show? Or is it only tied to Mickey’s Christmas Party?
Josh, it typically happens nightly during the holiday season — Party nights and otherwise.
We’re visit the park the week of December 2. As I see we can only enter the park at 12 pm & it closes at 6pm ??? Why is this?
I also see Mickey’s Christmas at night is an extra cost, are we allowed to remain in the park or will we need to leave ?
Thanks for all your help. Your blogs are great& very helpful!
Jennifer, I see the week of December 2, all the parks are open by 9AM (some open at 8AM and there are Extra Magic Hours some days, too, where parks open as early as 7AM). A few nights that week, Magic Kingdom closes at 6; those nights are Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Unless you are a ticketed guest for the Party, you will have to leave the park at 6PM those nights. On December 2 itself, the Park closes at 4:30PM. We are fairly certain this is a night of celebration event for cast members. Hope this helps!