Summer may have just begun, but this week is all about the holiday season at Walt Disney World! The last week of June is officially “halfway to the holidays,” and if you’re like me, the countdown is officially on! Sorry, summer fans…hot weather is simply something I have to get through to be rewarded on the other side with fall and the holidays.
Disney World announced a ton of holiday offerings today, ranging from the return of after-hour parties to new entertainment and beyond. If you’re planning a trip to Disney World this November or December, you’ll definitely want to reference this in the coming weeks, as tickets for these parties go on sale very soon!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Returns to Magic Kingdom
Disney World’s flagship holiday event, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, will return this year to Magic Kingdom. The after-hours, separate-ticketed event will take place on the following evenings from November 8 through December 20:
- November 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
- December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20
On each evening, the party lasts from 7:00 pm until 12:00 am. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, attendees can enjoy exclusive entertainment, including Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.
According to Disney: “Guests of select Disney Resorts hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10.”
CLICK HERE FOR TIPS ON HOW TO STAY COOL THIS SUMMER AT WALT DISNEY WORLD.
Disney Jollywood Nights Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
If you missed out on attending Disney Jollywood Nights last year at Hollywood Studios, I have good news for you! The after-hours, separate-ticketed event is back for 2024! The event will take place on the following evenings from Nov. 9 through Dec. 21:
- November 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30
- December 2, 7, 11, 14, 18 and 21
On each evening, Jollywood Nights lasts from 7:30 pm until 12:30 am. The five-hour soiree includes exclusive entertainment, including Disney Holidays in Hollywood hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular, and other themed entertainment opportunities.
NEW this year at Disney Jollywood Nights is a “new dazzling skating spectacular” along Hollywood Boulevard. This show will take place several times throughout the evening and will feature international champion skaters.
Specialty food and beverage items will be available throughout Jollywood Nights, including the return of Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby. And don’t worry, it looks like those Santa Gertie Cookies will be back this year as well.
Tickets for Jollywood Nights go on sale soon! Per Disney, “Guests of select Disney Resorts hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10.”
PLANNING A 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATION? CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Returns
If you’re like me, then you keep a close watch on EPCOT’s festival schedules. I personally love the four EPCOT festivals, and the International Festival of the Holidays might just be my favorite one! This year, the festival will return from Nov. 29 through Dec. 30.
During this daily festival, guests can dine on small bites at Holiday Kitchens found throughout World Showcase that celebrate the flavors of the season. The Festival of the Holidays also offers great entertainment, including the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional that stars a lineup of guest celebrity narrators.
During the day, guests can enjoy holiday storytellers in their respective countries, merchandise, and more.
CLICK HERE FOR PARK BAG ESSENTIALS TO BRING WITH YOU ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION.
More Holiday Offerings Coming to Disney World This Year
Holiday offerings are available day and night across Walt Disney World. At Magic Kingdom, Frozen Holiday Surprise will once again take place in front of Cinderella Castle, featuring Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and a flurry of Snowgies. No word yet on whether or not the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights will return this year, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can enjoy a festive projection show at Hollywood Tower Hotel. Over in Toy Story Land, Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear will be dressed in their holiday best.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will once again host the Merry Menagerie, a daytime activation near the Tree of Life that includes an array of artisan-sculpted winter animal puppets. Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy will also don festive attire at Animal Kingdom during the holiday season.
You don’t even need a park ticket to enjoy the holidays at Walt Disney World! This year, the Christmas Tree Stroll is back at Disney Springs, along with snowfall in Town Center (and plenty of holiday shopping opportunities).
My personal non-park activity to enjoy during the holidays at Walt Disney World is to check out the gingerbread houses around the resort hotels. They’ll be back once again this year, so we can expect festive displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
And it wouldn’t be the holiday season without the opportunity to say “hello” to Santa Claus himself. During the holiday season, Santa is around for meet and greets at all four theme parks along with Disney Springs and the water parks (where he wears his tropical attire!).
CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY TRIP.
A New Way to SAVE on Your Holiday Vacation to Walt Disney World
If you’ve read through all of these exciting new and returning holiday offerings, you’re probably thinking exactly what I’m thinking: how do I get myself to Walt Disney World this holiday season? The good news is Disney announced a new discount on their resort hotels!
Starting on June 27, you can save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney World Resort hotels for most nights November 24 through December 25, as well as other savings opportunities for most nights Sunday through Thursday between October 6 through November 21.
That’s not all! You can get a FREE Park Hopper option added to your tickets when you upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a non-discounted 4-day or longer date-based ticket.
