December is a beautiful month to visit Disney World.
The parks are decorated and full of Christmas cheer. You can eat festive holiday foods, see Mickey and Minnie in their holiday outfits, and sing carols down Main Street, U.S.A. It’s the most magical time of the year in the Most Magical Place on Earth. So if you’re planning a trip to Disney World this December, here are a few things to watch out for.
We want to help you have the best time in Disney World all year round, but December is a special month and we want to help you avoid these 4 mistakes during your visit.
Not Going to EPCOT For The Festival of the Holidays
Many times, when people think about the holidays in the Disney World parks, they think of the ‘snow’ filled Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. This is certainly a magic moment that you don’t want to miss, but there’s another park that is a must-visit in December–EPCOT.
During the month of December, you can catch the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. There’s food, drinks, and entertainment all around the park. Each country brings out performers to share their holiday culture and the Candlelight Processional performs each night. It’s a marvelous festival in EPCOT that you don’t want to miss.
And while you’re there, you don’t want to miss out on any of the booths and delicious food so be sure to download our FREE printable and map! Don’t get caught wandering through EPCOT aimlessly and missing out on many of the booths. Download the printable and map before you go.
Missing Out on Holiday Treats and the Gingerbread Displays
EPCOT is not the only park with festive holiday treats, though! You don’t even HAVE to go to the parks to get many of those. Each park brings out specialty treats for the holidays that you don’t want to miss. And several Disney hotels put up massive gingerbread displays that are a must-visit.
These gingerbread displays are out of this world amazing. The culinary team brings to life large sculptures composed entirely of edible decorations. Disney’s Grand Floridian is home to the iconic gingerbread house, but you can also find displays at Disney’s Contemporary, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Yacht Club, Disney’s BoardWalk, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resorts.
Each resort is just a boat, bus, monorail, or Skyliner ride away from any park, so hop on and head over to take in these amazing culinary works of art!
Being in the Wrong Park on New Year’s Eve
Another reason to visit Disney World in December is to be there to celebrate New Year’s! Being in the parks for New Year’s Eve is a special way to ring in the new year. But it’s important to note that not all the parks are open late or have special fireworks shows. For example, Animal Kingdom is usually not open late nor does it have a fireworks show because of the animals.
Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app when planning which park you want to be in for the grand finale of 2023. Remember some of the parks may fill to capacity for this special event, so get to the park you want to be at early!
Planning a Visit to Typhoon Lagoon
Our last tip for you is not about the holidays at all. We just want to remind you that if you plan to go to a water park while you’re in Disney World, don’t plan to visit Typhoon Lagoon. Recently, Blizzard Beach reopened and Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishments.
Instead of visiting Typhoon Lagoon in December, plan to visit Blizzard Beach!
Hopefully, you can have the best trip ever in December! Don’t miss out on all the special treats, entertainment, and experiences the holidays in Disney World bring.
In the meantime, keep following DFB for more Disney tips!
Photos and Reviews: ALL the 2023 Holiday Treats in Walt Disney World!
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
OF HOLIDAY MAGIC
Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World.
It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including:
- The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season
- How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!)
- ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM.
- And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat!
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MORE Disney World Holiday INFO!
Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Get All the Details About Disney Jollywood Nights
Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events
Kenh says
I prefer Blizzard Beach to Typhoon. They both could use some new feature and attractions, but they just don’t bring in the big money any more.