Can you believe we’ve already reached the end of 2023? December is here, everyone! The holidays are in full swing and Disney World is brimming with festive decorations, after-hours events, and plenty of seasonal snacks to keep you merry and bright.
If you’re heading to Walt Disney World this December, first let me express how jealous I am. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers; the holiday season is one of my favorite times to visit the parks. Is it busy? Yeah, probably. But the weather is much more comfortable and there is so much to see and do! There’s plenty coming to Disney World this month, so be sure to review this article before you head off on your trip.
New Nighttime Show Debuts at EPCOT
Perhaps the most excited and anticipated event occurring this December in Walt Disney World is the arrival of a brand-new nighttime show! New fireworks are always a big deal, but this one has been a long time coming. Luminous The Symphony of Us was first announced in 2022 to honor the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.
Beyond some concept art and a brief snippet of sound released by Disney in recent weeks, we actually don’t know all that much about this new nighttime show. According to Disney, Luminous is “a dramatic show designed to bring us all together,” featuring fountains, fireworks, and an original score. Sounds an awful lot like its long-running predecessor, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth!
Hopefully this show sticks around for many years to come! I personally miss Illuminations but I’m very excited to see what this new fireworks spectacular is all about.
Click here to read about how a 2024 Disney World vacation will look different than recent years.
Completion of World Celebration at EPCOT
More exciting happenings will take place in EPCOT this month as the final piece of the multi-year transformation puzzle is completed. You might recall back in 2021, EPCOT debuted three new neighborhoods at the start of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. The “front half” of the park, formerly known as Future World, was broken up into World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature.
While the neighborhoods have been a part of EPCOT for over 2 years now, they still have yet to reach 100% completion. Those construction walls have practically become a regular entity of the park, but as of December, the walls will finally come down once and for all, as Josh D’Amaro announced at the Destination D23 parks presentation earlier this year.
World Celebration was the final neighborhood to be completed, which encompasses the center section of the former Future World area — think Spaceship Earth, the new Connections Eatery, etc. When completed, the area will have new green spaces, and of course, the new statue of Walt Disney called “Walt The Dreamer.” Disney has announced World Celebration Gardens, along with the statue, will debut to guests on December 5.
December 5 just also happens to be Walt Disney’s birthday, so what a perfect way to celebrate the man, the myth, and the legend by debuting this new statue and area of EPCOT!
Click here to read about how to celebrate the holidays this December at EPCOT.
The Holiday Season Continues at Disney World
The holidays are in full swing across Walt Disney World, and that continues in December. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights continue as festive after-hours events, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays continues with seasonal snacks and the popular Candlelight Processional.
Even if you aren’t attending a hard-ticket event like the Christmas Party or Jollywood Nights, there’s plenty to see and do around the parks and resorts. Decorations are everywhere, including the resort hotels! Be sure to check out the gingerbread displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and an all-new display at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn — no park ticket required!
And did I mention food? There are seasonal goodies all across the parks and resorts during December. Whether you’re attending an after-hours event, eating your way through the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, or you’re just grabbing a quick bite at Disney Springs, limited-time treats are everywhere to be found.
Click here to read the FULL foodie guide to the holidays at Walt Disney World.
New Year’s Eve Festivities
We can’t close out the month of December without also closing out 2023, and December 31st will be a full-on celebration at Disney World.
Be on the lookout for limited-time New Year’s-themed treats (these may pop up a couple of days prior to the 31st), and if you’re up until midnight, be sure to catch the fireworks. Big New Year’s Eve fireworks displays are offered at midnight at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Just be ready to pack your patience, as the parks are very crowded on New Year’s Eve.
Click here to read about which dining reservations will be harder to get in 2024.
Dapper Days
There are several “unofficial” celebrations and festivities that Disney World accommodates throughout the year, one of them being Dapper Days! If you’ve ever wanted to walk through the theme parks dressed to the nines, this is your opportunity. There are actually several Dapper Day celebrations throughout the year, but there are a couple this month — specifically December 2 and 3. The December 2 Dapper Day will be in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and December 3 will be in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You can find out more info on the Dapper Day website!
