Christmas and the holidays are the most wonderful and magical time of the year at Walt Disney World! When you visit the parks during this time of year, you’ll truly feel as though your walking into a beautiful Christmas card. It is the perfect place to be able to spend time with friends and family during Christmastime. If you happen to be visiting the parks this holiday season, there are so many ways in which you and your group can enjoy the holidays! Pink and Pixie Dust is here to help with nine fun and festive holiday activities to help you celebrate the season at Walt Disney World!
1. Attend a Christmas Party
When visiting Walt Disney World during Christmas, one activity that is a must-do is attending an after hours Christmas party! In the past, the only holiday after hours event was Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. New for 2023, there is a second holiday after hours event, Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Each of these specialty ticket events are offered on select nights at their respective parks. A full list of event dates can be found here for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and here for Jollywood Nights. At each of these events, you’ll be able to enjoy exclusive holiday entertainment, special characters, exclusive treats, and more!
If you attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’ll be able to see the wonderful Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade! This parade is one of the most magical parts of the holidays at Walt Disney World. Outside of the after hours event, you can also have the opportunity to see this parade on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Magic Kingdom!
2. Visit the Resort Gingerbread House Displays
During the holiday season, the amazing culinary team at Walt Disney World bakes and builds gorgeous gingerbread displays at the resorts. These larger than life gingerbread displays are made with real gingerbread and icing. These displays vary by resort and also change in theming each year! Besides looking at all of the beautifully decorated gingerbread, you can also buy gingerbread cookies and other sweet treats!
You can’t miss the Grand Floridian Gingerbread house during the Christmas season! Make sure to stop by to see this life-sized gingerbread house located within the lobby of this resort. Besides the gingerbread house, you’ll be able to take in the beautiful tree and decorations adorning the lobby, as well as listen to charming Christmas songs played by the resort pianist.
Resorts with Gingerbread Displays:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort- Giant Gingerbread House
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort- Gingerbread Castle
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge- Gingerbread Giraffe
- Disney’s Boardwalk Resort- Gingerbread Boardwalk
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort- Gingerbread Carousel
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort- Gingerbread Lighthouse
3. Try Delicious Holiday Treats
All throughout Walt Disney World, you can find delicious holiday treats! You’ll find treats with flavors inspired by the holidays, such as peppermint and gingerbread, as well as holiday designs. Festive offerings are available at many dining locations throughout the parks, as well as the resort.
4. Participate in the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs
The Christmas Tree Stroll is a fun, free activity you can participate in at Disney Springs. Throughout Disney Springs, you’ll find beautiful Christmas trees decorated around varying themes, such as The Lion King and Frozen. You can choose to just enjoy seeing the trees you pass by or you can participate in the free scavenger hunt. Free maps are available to be picked up at select locations around Disney Springs. You can find the full list of pick up locations here. On this map, as you find each tree, you’ll add the corresponding theme sticker to the map. Once you find all of the trees, you can redeem your map for a free Christmas Tree Stroll Button at one of the map pick up locations.
Whether you choose to officially do the scavenger hunt or not, it is still very fun to be able to see all of these themed trees! Each have been thoughtfully designed to reflect their theme with spectacular ornaments and tree trimmings.
5. See the Beautiful Decorations
Christmas and holiday decorations at Walt Disney World begin to go up the first week of November! Throughout the parks and resorts, you’ll find some of the most beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere you look. Each location has special Christmas decor themed to that area. For example, you’ll find glitzy, old Hollywood inspired decorations at Hollywood Studios and classic Christmas decorations at Magic Kingdom.
6. Go for a Carriage Ride
Did you know that you can go for a horse and carriage ride at Walt Disney World? You can reserve in advance a horse and carriage ride at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort and at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. This activity will take you for a leisurely, picturesque ride throughout the resort. For more information about booking a reservation visit here for Port Orleans Riverside and here for Fort Wilderness. Carriage rides are offered year round at these resorts, but are extra magical during the holidays. This special activity is the perfect way to make a wonderful Christmas memory!
7. Meet Santa Clause
Did you know you can meet Santa Clause during the holidays at Walt Disney World? He is available to meet at multiple locations around Disney World, as well as appears in holiday parades and entertainment. Check out our blog post Where to Find Santa at Walt Disney World for the full list of locations where you can say or wave hello to Santa!
8. Take Part in Festival of the Holidays at Epcot
Festival of the Holidays is one of the four seasonal festivals offered at Epcot throughout the year. This festival, which begins in late November, has specialty offerings to for the holidays. Here you can find holiday themed food booths, entertainment, scavenger hunts, decorations, and more!
One fun activity to participate in at the Festival of the Holidays is the Holiday Cookie Stroll. For this activity, you can try holiday cookies from around the world. With each cookie you purchase, you’ll receive a stamp in your festival passport. After you reach five stamps, you’ll be able to show your book to redeem a free surprise! This is typically another cookie, but could be other items, such as a Disney pin, as well. The Holiday Cookie Stroll is a great activity to do with a group, as you can all share and try a little bit of each cookie. If you aren’t able to finish your cookies, make sure to bring ziploc bags so you can save them for later!
9. Dance in the Snow
Did you know that it snows at Walt Disney World? During the holiday season, you can find beautiful snow soaring through the air at select locations. This snow is different from regular snow, as it is made out of a soap-like liquid and is not cold, but it is still just as magical! Check out our blog post Where to Find Snow at Walt Disney World for a full list of locations with snow!
One of the most magical parts about Christmas is getting to watch the snow flurries fall to the ground! For a truly magical memory, dance to the Christmas music in the snow with friends and family.
Do you have any special holiday magical moment memories at Walt Disney World? Share with us your magical moment story with us here!
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