Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World

The holidays are just around the corner, so we’re counting down the top 10 ways to celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World!

Disney is magical any time of the year, but during the holiday season, the parks and resorts transform into a festive extravaganza!  Towering Christmas trees, whimsical decorations, visits from Santa, and jovial events are a treat for the senses.

I truly can’t think of a better place to celebrate Christmas with loved ones than at Walt Disney World!  If you are a lucky parkgoer this time of year, then here are 10 can’t-miss experiences to celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World!

10. Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar

During the holiday season, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar gets a merry makeover complete with wall-to-wall Christmas décor and festive food and drinks.

This was one of our favorite dining experiences during our Christmastime visit.  The over-the-top decorations and delicious menu offerings filled us with plenty of holiday cheer!

And don’t let the name deceive you, guests of all ages are welcome at this lounge.  Our kids loved taking in the festive atmosphere, as well as the milk and cookies!

Check out our full review HERE!

9. Disney Springs PhotoPass Studio

With their enchanting holiday back drops and props, you can’t help but feel the Christmas spirit while visiting the Disney Springs PhotoPass Studio.  Plus, it’s your one-stop destination to take care of Christmas card photos!

A portrait session at the PhotoPass Studio is free and requires no reservations.  And best yet, all the photos are included with the purchase of Memory Maker! 

Check out our full guide to Disney’s Memory Maker to learn more about this awesome perk.

8. EPCOT’s Holiday Storytellers

During EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, the pavilions of World Showcase transform into a holiday spectacular.  Each country showcases their unique holiday traditions with lively storytellers and performances. 

Holiday storytellers include the following:

• Las Posadas Celebration (Mexico Pavilion)
• A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa (Norway Pavilion)
• Si-Zhu Trio (China Pavilion)
• Chinese Lion Dancer (China Pavilion)
• Le Bafana (Italy Pavilion)
• Daruma Storyteller (Japan Pavilion)
• Hanukkah Storyteller (Between Morocco and France Pavilions)
• Père Noël (France Pavilion)
• Father Christmas (United Kingdom Pavilion)
• Canadian Holiday Voyageurs (Canada Pavilion)

Witnessing Christmas and other holiday traditions from around the world is one of my favorite ways to celebrate this time of year at Walt Disney World.

7. Holiday Overlays at Popular Attractions              

Even certain attractions get fun holiday overlays in the parks.  At Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise skippers put up merry décor and take guests on a holly, jolly journey on the updated Jingle Cruise.

Over at EPCOT, the greenhouses at Living with the Land are transformed into a glimmering holiday showcase.  Pro tip – be sure to visit at night!

Fans of Frozen must head to Hollywood Studios to see the Frozen Sing Along with updated songs from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.  We are big fans of this Olaf short, so this was a delightful surprise for us during our Christmastime visit!

Guests of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (more on that later!) can also enjoy exclusive holiday overlays at Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.

6. Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll

The Christmas Tree Stroll is a showcase of extravagantly decorated Christmas trees scattered across Disney Springs.  And in true Disney fashion, each Christmas tree celebrates various Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel favorites. 

You can leisurely take in each display as you make your way around Disney Springs.  Or, if you’re up for a challenge, you can quest to find each festive tree with the Christmas Tree Stroll Scavenger Hunt!

This activity is free, and you even get a special prize for completing it.  Check out our guide to The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll to learn more!

5. Snack Around EPCOT’s Holiday Kitchens

We’re heading back to EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays to share another favorite way to celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World – snacking around the holiday kitchens!

Each holiday kitchen features a menu inspired by dishes specific to that region.  For example, Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen serves popular holiday dishes from Mexico.  L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen serves classic New York deli offerings (we love the Latkes and Black and White Cookie!).  And one of our favorite booths, the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, serves cozy German cuisine (Cheese Fondue – enough said!).  

Each holiday kitchen offers a unique (and tasty!) glimpse into that region’s holiday traditions.  And as I always like to say, one of the best ways to learn about another culture is through its food!

Check out our guide to Snacking Around EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays for more information.

4. Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional is a stirring retelling of the Christmas story told by a celebrity narrator.  This festive spectacle features a massed choir, 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty. 

Guests can catch nightly performances at EPCOT’s America Gardens Theater during the Festival of the Holidays!  Witnessing the talented chorus of voices and musicians is a beautiful way to celebrate the meaning of Christmas in Walt Disney World.

3. Go Resort Hopping

Walt Disney World goes all out when decking the halls for Christmas, and the Disney resorts are no exception!  Massive Christmas trees, intricate gingerbread displays, brightly colored lights and exquisitely themed ornaments are just a few of the festive sights guests can enjoy during their holiday visit. 

Planning a day to simply hop from resort to resort is a wonderful way to take in each unique display and celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World.

If you’re in Walt Disney World during the holiday season, check out the festive cheer at these Top 10 Disney Resorts!

2. Meet Santa

If you want to celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World, then a visit with Santa is a must!  And luckily, the big man himself is available to meet at all the parks as well as Disney Springs.

Santa can be found at the following locations:

Storybook Circus (Magic Kingdom)

Odyssey Pavilion (EPCOT)

It’s a Wonderful Shop (Hollywood Studios)

Restaurantosauras (Animal Kingdom)

Santa’s Marketplace (Disney Springs)

1. Attend a Christmas Party

The Christmas parties at Walt Disney World are all about celebrating this time of year!  Guests can attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, or Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.

Guests of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party enjoy festive entertainment including a special parade and fireworks show, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and even snow on Main Street!

Disney Jollywood Nights, on the other hand, marries Hollywood glamour with holiday magic.  Live entertainment includes dazzling figure skating performances, a variety show hosted by the Muppets, The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing Along, and a glittering nighttime spectacular.

Attending one of these parties is sure to fill you with holiday cheer.  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas in Walt Disney World!

Do you have any traditions to celebrate Christmas in Walt Disney World?  Let me know in the comments!

Looking for other trip planning articles?  Check out our Disney World Vacation Planning Guide and our Disney World Packing Guide.

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