It's the perfect time to start planning a magical Christmas vacation, and for Disney fans there are some wonderful options to bring both the magic of the holidays and the magic of Disney to life!
Walt Disney World
You can enjoy holiday festivities in all four theme parks at Walt Disney World! You can catch the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM fireworks nighttime show, as well as Sunset Seasons Greetings, a holiday projection show on Sunset Boulevard, as well as holiday decorations through the park. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is receiving new holiday touches this year with new decorations and lights throughout the park.
Epcot is always a fantastic place to visit for the holidays, with decorations, performances, and special treats throughout World Showcase as part of their Festival of the Holidays. On select nights starting in late November, guests can also enjoy the Candlelight Processional, a traditional telling of the Christmas story with a full orchestra and choir.
The Magic Kingdom is one of our favorites for Christmas time because of the wonderful décor and lights on Main Street, and especially the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights, which are lit every night in a fun show featuring Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen. The Magic Kingdom’s biggest holiday event, though, is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, held on select nights from early November until just before Christmas. This event is a hard-ticket event, meaning that it requires a separate ticket from regular park admission. The party includes lots of exclusive entertainment and fills the park with a holiday atmosphere, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, special holiday shows and characters, free hot chocolate and cookies, snow on Main Street, and more. Plus, this year Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is getting an all-new fireworks spectacular that we can't wait to see!
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland offers holiday magic in both theme parks, with plenty of fun to be had in Disney California Adventure, including whimsical holiday decorations in Cars Land and holiday overlays of Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Guests can also enjoy special food offerings with the park’s Festival of the Holidays, and special performances and characters for Viva Navidad. In the evenings, guests can also enjoy a seasonal showing of World of Color: Season of Light, a holiday-themed water and projection show.
At Disneyland Park, Main Street and Sleeping Beauty Castle are fully decked in holiday décor and lights. During the day A Christmas Fantasy Parade runs down Main Street, and in the evening Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks light up the sky.
Christmas at Disneyland Park also features some great attraction overlays, including a holiday overlay and incredible light display on it’s a small world. In New Orleans Square, this time of year also features my favorite attraction overlay of all time, Haunted Mansion Holiday, which transforms the Haunted Mansion into a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed attraction with tons of detail.
Disney Cruise Line
Share in the magic of the holidays on a Very Merrytime Cruise, with festive onboard decorations that include a life-sized gingerbread house, a 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands, poinsettias and shimmering lights, and numerous merriments sure to warm the hearts of the entire family. You can enjoy the Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party, magical tree lighting ceremonies, meeting with Santa Claus and a variety of Disney characters in their special holiday outfits, and holiday-themed activities throughout the cruise.
Aulani
Put some tropical magic into your Christmas celebration, with a touch of Disney, at Aulani! Christmas events at Aulani typically begin in mid-December with carolers spreading holiday music throughout the resort, character dressed in their holiday best, and holiday movies shown during ‘Ohana Movie Nights on the Halawai Lawn under the stars. Aulani Resort is also decked out in beautiful, Hawai’i-inspired décor, with Hawaiian takes on classic Christmas carols.
As Christmas itself approaches, there are even more events available. Christmas dinner is available to book at some of Aulani’s restaurants (reservations are highly recommended), and Santa Claus stops by Aunty’s Beach House to meet with children. To make the most of your time at Aulani, always be sure to check the Daily Iwa for a listing of events and entertainment. Aulani also puts on some fun events and displays for New Year's Eve!
Contact one of our travel pros to make your next adventure happen!