It’s the most wonderful time of the year! If you’re planning a holiday season vacation to Disney World, this is the guide for you. Keep on reading to learn more about all of the limited-time events that happen around the theme parks, where you can see all of the festive decorations, and more.
We’ll also talk about weather, crowds, and what you can expect as you visit Walt Disney World in the months of November and December.
When does Disney World celebrate the holidays?
The holiday season at Walt Disney World starts around the second week in November and continues through the first week in January. In 2024, the holiday season officially kicks off with the first night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on November 8. At that time, Magic Kingdom will be fully decorated for the holidays (this changeover happens pretty quickly after Halloween!).
Numerous other events begin in mid-November, including the arrival of holiday decorations at the theme parks and resort hotels. In 2024, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will begin its after-hours event, Disney Jollywood Nights, on November 9. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays traditionally begins the day after Thanksgiving, which in 2024 is November 29.
There’s no official “date” for when the remaining decorations will appear, but you can expect Walt Disney World’s holiday festivities to be in full swing by mid-November. At that point, every day will feel like Christmas until late December.
It’s worth noting that the after-hours events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights, conclude before Christmas Day. The two after-hour parties will have their final events in 2024 on December 20 and 21, respectively. So, if you’re ever considering a Christmas trip to Walt Disney World and want to experience the holiday parties, schedule your trip to take place before Christmas, not after.
The decorations will still be up at the parks and hotels through early January, and the EPCOT Festival of Holidays will continue until just before New Year’s Eve (the 2024 festival wraps up on December 30).
READ MORE: WHAT’S COMING TO DISNEY WORLD IN 2025, 2026, 2027, AND BEYOND.
What is there to do at Disney World during the holidays?
There is plenty to see and do at Walt Disney World during the holiday season. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s available:
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Disney World’s flagship event during the holiday season is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Taking place on select evenings at Magic Kingdom, this party is a hard-ticketed event, meaning you must purchase admission separate from your regular theme park tickets to attend.
Admission to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party comes with exclusive entertainment, including Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show, character meet and greets, and more. Attendees also have the chance to ride their favorite Magic Kingdom attractions with lower wait times.
Here are the dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2024:
- November – 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27 and 29
- December – 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 20
The event runs from 7:00 pm until 12:00 am. This means that, for regular day guests, Magic Kingdom closes early on days when the Christmas Party takes place.
READ MORE: DISNEY WORLD PARK BAG ESSENTIALS YOU NEED TO PACK ON YOUR NEXT VACATION.
Disney Jollywood Nights
Like Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has gotten in on the after-hours holiday party scene with the advent of Disney Jollywood Nights. Debuting in 2023, this after-hours event also requires separate admission, taking place on select evenings in November and December.
Disney Jollywood Nights is all about the glitz and glam of Hollywood. Attendees are encouraged to dress to the nines and enjoy cocktail soirees, a dazzling ice skating show, plenty of exclusive food and beverage options, character meet and greets, and more. Party-exclusive entertainment includes Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular, Disney Holidays in Hollywood hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, and new for 2024, Glisten! Over 20 unique character experiences are available as well.
Here are the list of dates for Disney Jollywood Nights in 2024:
- November 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30
- December 2, 7, 11, 14, 18 and 21
The event runs from 7:30 pm until 12:30 am. Disney’s Hollywood Studios closes early to regular day guests on evenings when Disney Jollywood Nights takes place. Shorter wait times are typically available for select attractions throughout the park during the parties.
READ MORE: FULL GUIDE TO DISNEY JOLLYWOOD NIGHTS
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Starting the day after Thanksgiving and running until just before New Year’s Eve, EPCOT becomes a winter wonderland with its International Festival of the Holidays. EPCOT hosts four festivals throughout the year, and the Festival of the Holidays embraces those hearty, savory dishes and classic sweets that make the holidays from around the globe so beloved.
The Festival of the Holidays is not a hard-ticketed event; however, the food and beverage items available during the festival require separate purchases. Entertainment is included with your park admission, including seating for the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional. The Candlelight Processional is extremely popular, so it’s a good idea to line up early or book a Dining Package with guaranteed seating.
In addition to food and entertainment, the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays features exclusive merchandise and seasonal decorations around the park.
Merry Menagerie
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also a festive destination during the holiday season with its Merry Menagerie. On Discovery Island (right in front of the Tree of Life as you enter the park), Cast Members appear with artisan puppets designed after animals with an affinity for cold climates – think polar bears, penguins, etc.
The puppets are adorable, and they make for wonderful family photo ops. The Merry Menagerie appears throughout the day during the holiday season, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you visit Animal Kingdom in November and December.
Resort Lobby Displays
Some of the best holiday decorations at Walt Disney World can be enjoyed without a theme park ticket. Several resort hotels come alive in their festive way, and it’s worth taking time out of your vacation to check them out.
Perhaps the most “grand” display can be found at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Each year, a giant gingerbread house is built in the lobby alongside the resort’s larger-than-life Christmas tree. The gingerbread house is functional in that you can purchase sweets and hot cocoa there!
Other gingerbread displays are at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. No matter where you stay on Walt Disney World property, you’ll find seasonal touches throughout November and December.
READ MORE: THE BEST DISNEY WORLD HOTELS FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY TRIP
Holidays at Disney Springs
Don’t limit your holiday celebration to the Disney World theme parks! Disney Springs is also an excellent destination for festivities. Aside from decorations, there are plenty of activities and dining opportunities that are only available this time of year. Stroll through Disney Springs while enjoying the Tree Trail with dozens of themed Christmas trees throughout the shopping and dining district.
For food, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar transforms into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar. The space is decorated to the nines and limited-time menu items are themed to the holidays.
What’s the weather like at Disney World during the holidays?
The climate at Walt Disney World during the holidays is one of the main reasons it’s my favorite time of the year to visit. While it’s always possible things can heat up, you can generally expect very comfortable temperatures.
In fact, it can get downright chilly at Disney World in November and December. I’ve had visits recently in both of those months where it was very cold, with lows around 50 degrees. You want to be prepared with winter gear, including hats and gloves. Trust me, cooler temperatures in Florida feel a lot chillier than you think!
Rain is also always a possibility. I’ve experienced trips during the holiday season where it didn’t rain one time and other trips where it poured all day. No matter the time of year, you always want to pack rain gear when visiting Disney Word.
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How are the crowds at Disney World during the holidays?
I won’t leave you hanging – the crowds can be rough at Disney World this time of year. But it’s more similar to “the best of times, the worst of times.” The catch is that the crowds aren’t always that bad! In fact, there are some periods of time during the holiday season where I’d wager the crowds are close to the best you’ll find all year.
For example, I went to Disney World the week before Thanksgiving, and the crowds were at a very manageable level…I hesitate to tell you this because I feel like I’m giving away a great secret. Of course, the crowds aren’t bad because everyone has the following week off for Thanksgiving, so why travel the week prior?
In general, crowds during the week (Monday through Thursday) in November and December prior to Christmas can be fine and manageable. Weekends and the week following Christmas is a different story. During those peak times, be prepared for some of the busiest days Disney World will see all year.
Be sure to read up on Disney World’s Lightning Lane Pass System to assess whether you’d want to purchase the service for your vacation. It can help save quite a bit of time waiting in line for rides! This is separate from crowds, but also be mindful of the increased costs – since Disney World introduced tiered pricing for its theme park tickets, admission to the parks will cost more on top of pricier hotel accommodations this time of year.
READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DISNEY WORLD’S LIGHTNING LANE PASS SYSTEM
