December 2026 is shaping up to end the year with a BANG for the Walt Disney Company, starting with the release of one of my most anticipated Marvel movies in AGES: Avengers: Doomsday!
©Marvel Studios
Beyond that new Avengers film, the holiday season — my personal favorite time of the year at the company’s theme parks — is set to climax at Disney World.
Avengers Doomsday Releases December 18th
Marvel’s NEWEST film, Avengers Doomsday arrives in theaters on December 18th. The film — which features Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU as (at least) Victor Von Doom — has an unsurprisingly sparse official synopsis from Disney/Marvel: “Beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.”
©Marvel
In addition to Downey, the film features a sprawling cast of Marvel actors from the MCU, Sony, and 20th Century Fox universes, with confirmed names including Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, and SO many more!
@marvelstudios
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is one of the more beloved annual offerings on the Magic Kingdom calendar. The ticketed evening offering features Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features exclusive offerings including Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Club Tinsel, and Disney Junior Jingle Jam, access to Magic Kingdom attractions (some with Holiday overlays), photo opportunities with characters, exclusive treats, and tasty cookie and cocoa spots offering complimentary snacks and drinks to enjoy throughout the party! December dates are as follows: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 20th and 22nd.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
However, if you’re visiting the park after the 22nd, you still may have a chance to experience one of the parade’s most popular elements: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Usually, once the part ends, the parade becomes a daily daytime offering for guests over the final week of the year, including the Christmas Holiday itself. Disney is also filming the parade on November 10th!
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Disney World New Year’s Eve
Speaking of holidays, Disney World is going to have a massive sendoff from 2026 into 2027. While specifics for this year haven’t been officially confirmed yet, we can look back at 2025 to have a pretty good idea of what this December 31st has to offer.
- EPCOT was open until 1 AM, and featured DJ dance parties in World Celebration and throughout the World Showcase in addition to two fireworks displays, Luminous, “The Symphony of Us” at 6:30 PM and Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration at 11:54 PM.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios was open until 12 AM and featured various live entertainment offerings, DJ dance parties, special character experiences, three showtimes of Fantasmic!, and New Year Countdown Fireworks at 11:57 PM.
- Magic Kingdom was open until 1 AM, and featured two performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, as well as Fantasy in the Sky, at both 7:30 and 11:50 PM.
New Year’s Eve at EPCOT
In addition to New Year’s Eve, Magic Kingdom also typically offers the New Year’s edition of Fantasy in the Sky twice on December 30th as well.
Fantasy in the Sky fireworks
Whether you’re heading to Disney World or your local multiplex, some major things are coming from Disney in December. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news as the year ends!
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5 adults in my family will be at WDW Dec 3-10
Will be at WDW Dec 4-10 with 4 additional adults.
What is the cost for the AFTER HOURS PARTY FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S EVE?