Disney World is fabulous all year, but there is something extra magical when visiting during Disney World Christmas season. The wide variety of Disney World Christmas decorations, activities, and entertainment make this our favorite time of year. Use our complete 2022 Disney World Christmas guide to understand what is available and plan your own special holiday experience.
When Does Disney World Decorate For Christmas?
Magic Kingdom is the first place to get a Disney World Christmas transformation. Almost overnight Magic Kingdom turns from spooky to festive when transitioning from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Expect Magic Kingdom decorations to appear sometime between November 1 and the first Christmas party.
Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom get a sprinkling of holiday decor early in November and are usually fully decorated by mid-November.
Epcot is the last park fully decorated for Christmas since Epcot Festival of the Holidays doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving.
Disney World resorts complete most Christmas decorating about mid-November. However, some elaborate gingerbread houses aren’t finished until closer to Thanksgiving.
Disney Springs gets an impressive Christmas Tree Stroll with many incredible Disney themed Christmas trees. The 2022 Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll starts November 11, 2022 and continues through December 30, 2022.
Disney World Christmas decorations stay up until the New Year, but not much past that. For example, one year we arrived on January 3 and were greeted by gorgeous nautical themed Christmas decor at Yacht Club. By the next morning all of the Christmas decorations had completely disappeared.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Disney World For Christmas?
A few days after Thanksgiving until about a week before Christmas is the best time to visit for the holidays. The Disney World Christmas crowds are low, but everything holiday is up and running.
In particular, the first week of December is a perfect mix of holiday experiences, comfortable crowds, and gorgeous weather which makes it our favorite time to visit.
Not able to visit between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Mid-November is a good Disney World Christmas vacation alternative if you don’t mind missing Epcot Festival of the Holidays.
Where Can I Find Disney World Christmas Decorations?
The short answer is Disney World Christmas decorations are everywhere. There are specially themed Christmas trees, wreaths, flowers, and other decorations at Disney World resorts, theme parks, and Disney Springs. Disney World cast members put up an astonishing 1500 Christmas trees around the property.
Magic Kingdom Christmas Decorations And Activities
Magic Kingdom’s iconic holiday experiences are what most people picture for Disney World Christmas. Main Street, U.S.A. decked out in holiday decorations plus a 60-foot (18-m) Christmas tree adorned with 60,000 lights and 1800 ornaments begins the magic of a Disney World Christmas the moment you enter Main Street.
Inside each display window and all along Main Street U.S.A. there are wreaths, bows, and many other festive Magic Kingdom Christmas decorations. I think the traditional Americana Christmas decor of Main Street at Magic Kingdom is one of the best things about visiting Disney World during the Christmas season.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
There’s good news for those visiting Magic Kingdom in late December 2022. The popular Magic Kingdom Christmas parade normally only included with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets is usually available to all guests on select dates. Check the My Disney Experience app for updated parade performances times.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2022
Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party event several nights over the 2022 Christmas season. MVMCP is an extra ticketed late-night event with limited crowds and low attraction wait times.
In addition to low waits, enjoy special holiday experiences during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. This parade showcases favorite Disney characters in holiday floats while winding its way through Magic Kingdom.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show also returns to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2022. This cute Christmas fireworks show paints the castle in holiday colors with gorgeous fireworks perfectly timed to Christmas music.
Expect fun holiday themed ride overlays, low attraction wait times, dance parties, and more during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party in 2022.
Magic Kingdom Jingle Cruise
A classic attraction, Jungle Cruise, gets a fun holiday makeover turning it into Jingle Cruise. Find Christmas upgrades like a tropical inspired Christmas “tree” in the queue and seasonal flair throughout the ride.
Even the Jingle Cruise jokes get a Christmas update with lots of holiday themed puns and stories. For example, once when leaving the dock our skipper told us to wave to the nice people, but also that one naughty person. He then yelled, “You know what you did!” before calmly continuing our tour.
Hollywood Studios Christmas Decorations And Activities
Although Magic Kingdom is the most popular Disney World Christmas park, I think the award should actually go to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios has gorgeous themed decorations for each area, a great walk up holiday light projection show, and a Christmas themed character meal.
Sunset Seasons Greetings
Hollywood Studios Sunset Seasons Greetings is a great addition to fill part of the void left by fan favorite Osborne Spectacle of Lights.
At night the exterior Tower of Terror facade is surprisingly turned into a beautiful winter wonderland. Sunset Seasons Greetings runs on a continuous loop with a 15 minute break throughout the night from dusk until park closing.
Two billboards along Sunset Boulevard show short video clips which introduce the next seasonal projection. For example, the Swedish Chef makes a gingerbread house in a short video shown on the billboard and then the tower becomes a giant gingerbread house.
The four Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sunset Seasons Greetings themes for Christmas are Muppets, Frozen, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and Toy Story. Each one is more charming than the last, which makes Sunset Seasons Greetings one of my favorite Disney World Christmas activities.
At the end of each tower projection show, lasers cut across the sky highlighting the “snow” falling on the street below. Since the show runs on a continuous loop after dark you can easily fit Sunset Seasons Greetings into your plans.
Another benefit of Sunset Seasons Greetings being shown on a continuous loop is the crowds ebb and flow. This means it’s easy to find good viewing spots without having to wait.
Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine
Find Minnie and friends dressed in their finest Christmas outfits for Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine.
Santa Goofy, Minnie, Mickey, Donald, and Daisy all circulate through the restaurant spreading holiday cheer during Minnie’s Holiday Dine. Have your camera ready for pictures and DIY autograph ornament supplies ready for when these adorably dressed characters stop at your table.
Santa Claus Motorcade
New in 2021, Santa Claus’s Motorcade at Hollywood Studios returns in 2022. Wave to Santa as he makes his way along Hollywood Boulevard in a bright red convertible so he knows you’ve been good this year. Check the My Disney Experience or Disney World app for motorcade times.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Holiday
This popular Hollywood Studios show gets a special holiday finale featuring Olaf and seasonal songs during the 2022 Disney World Christmas season.
Hollywood Boulevard Christmas Decorations
There are amazing decorations all around Disney’s Hollywood Studios which begin as soon as you enter onto Hollywood Boulevard. Garland and wreaths are strung across the street, and sparkly stars adorn the light posts.
Echo Lake Christmas Decorations
Echo Lake area has my favorite Hollywood Studios decorations. The retro decor and Christmas playlist like my own makes it feel like home. The large Christmas tree is impressive in the daytime, but is even better at night when the twinkling lights glow above the lake full of floating ornaments.
Toy Story Land Christmas Decorations
Time to rejoice! Toy Story holiday decorations have returned for the 2022 holiday season.
Toy Story Land has several adorable Christmas decorations. Christmas ornaments hang from the large sign, and Woody has a cute scarf. Each of the characters in Toy Story Land has a seasonal flair to their costumes, too. I think the funniest character change is Buzz wearing a Santa hat.
There is a large Hamm sugar cookie and if you look around the back a green army man is supporting it. Speaking of green army men, they all have red, white, and green camo scarves for the Christmas season. Popcorn and cranberry garland hang above Woody’s lunchbox, and even Rex puts on reindeer ears above Slinky Dog Dash.
Epcot Christmas Activities
Epcot Christmas activities start later than the other parks or Disney Springs. This year Epcot holiday offerings begin November 25 and continue until December 30, 2022.
Epcot Candlelight Processional – Returns November 25 through December 30, 2022!
A celebrity narrator shares the Christmas nativity story with help from an impressive choir and 50-piece orchestra. Epcot Candlelight Processional is one of the most beautiful and touching ways to celebrate Christmas at Disney World.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Learn how each country in Epcot World Showcase celebrates the holiday season during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Costumed storytellers bring holiday tales to life, and seasonal kitchens plus a cookie stroll give you culinary incentives to celebrate the holidays at Epcot, too.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Holiday Playlist
Just opened in May 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has jumped to the top of our favorite Disney World attractions. I can not wait to experience this incredibly smooth coaster with a fun mash-up of seasonal music in 2022.
Animal Kingdom Christmas Activities
Not to be left out, Animal Kingdom has several newer Disney World Christmas offerings and some unique seasonal decor. Many areas of the park are decorated, but Discovery Island easily had my favorite Animal Kingdom Christmas decorations.
Animal shaped luminaries are pretty in the daylight, but a warm glow at night makes these special decorations even more beautiful. Greenery with natural accents complete the decor in a way that fits seamlessly into Animal Kingdom.
Christmas Character Flotillas
Disney characters in their finest holiday attire float down Discovery River with a seasonal soundtrack. Animal Kingdom flotillas are a popular way to see characters at Disney World, and I’m sure this Christmas version is going to delight guests too.
Holiday Tree of Life Awakenings
The iconic symbol of Animal Kingdom is bathed in seasonal projections during a Disney World Christmas. These holiday inspired projections alternate with the Animal Kingdom Beacons of Light projections during Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.
The Holiday Tree of Life Awakenings begin at dark, but continue periodically until park closing. Check the Disney World app for the exact starting time.
Holiday Tree of Life Awakenings was a cute show and more popular than I expected. People were lining up for viewing spots at least 15 minutes ahead of the first show.
Merry Menagerie
On Discovery Island look for Merry Menagerie during the Christmas season. Adorable, life-sized artisan animal puppets come to life and are accompanied by live music for a fun, seasonal experience.
Where Are The Best Free Disney World Christmas Decorations?
Disney World theme parks are the only places that require a fee to see holiday decorations. Touring Disney World resorts and Disney Springs is a great, free way to see Disney World Christmas decorations.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll
A new take on the former Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail, the stroll spreads twenty incredibly decorated Christmas trees throughout Disney Springs. Grab a map at one of the participating locations, find all the trees, and show your completed map to earn a prize.
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar
Usually known as Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, this quirky bar and restaurant at Disney Springs gets a fun holiday overlay. Decorations seem to hang, or rest, on every available surface. Riotous colors and over the top decor make the bar extra fun at Christmas time.
Disney World Resorts
Normally each Disney World resort gets an incredible holiday makeover, but in 2021 the decorations were scaled back at many popular Christmas resorts. Port Orleans Riverside’s lobby was all decked out, but places like Disney’s Beach Club had much less than previous years. Here’s hoping 2022 brings a return of amazing decorations to each of the Disney World resorts.
Grand Floridian Resort Christmas Decorations
Thankfully the Grand Floridian is done up in its usual Christmas decor. Disney’s Grand Floridian has the most impressive gingerbread house on Disney World Property. The immense 16-foot (5-m) tall Grand Floridian gingerbread house is an incredibly popular Disney World Christmas decoration.
The minute you enter the lobby of Grand Floridian you can smell the amazing gingerbread house. The gingerbread smell permeates the air throughout the multilevel open lobby.
The Grand Floridian gingerbread house features stained glass windows and beautiful details on each side of the immense baked creation. One of the most unique things about Grand Floridian’s gingerbread house is the treat shop inside the ornate, delicious house.
As if the huge Grand Floridian gingerbread house isn’t enough, the lobby also boasts a beautifully decorated 40-foot (12-m) Christmas tree. These two impressive displays, plus easy access via the monorail, is why Disney’s Grand Floridian is one of the best places to see Disney World Christmas decorations.
Beach Club Resort Christmas Decorations
Disney’s Beach Club Resort lobby has a working gingerbread and chocolate carousel. The horses are made of chocolate, and the rest of the carousel is mostly gingerbread. Admire each horse in detail as the carousel continuously rotates.
Yacht Club Resort Christmas Decorations
The nautical themed Christmas decorations at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort are a fun twist. Boat ornaments, lots of blue hued lights, and traditional ornaments in blues and gold make the lobby Christmas tree unique to the Yacht Club theme. Just off to the side of the lobby is a Christmas village display with model trains running through the town.
Visiting Yacht and Beach Club to see the Christmas decorations is easy. These sister resorts are just a short walk from Epcot’s International Gateway and a Disney Skyliner stop.
Final Thoughts On Disney World Christmas Decorations, Tips, And Activities
Visiting Disney World during the Christmas season is a wonderful time to experience a variety of holiday activities. However, there are so many options it is impossible to do everything during one Disney World Christmas vacation.
Disney World Christmas decorations are stunning with over the top details that get even better upon close inspection. We love the varied Christmas decor perfectly suited for each resort and theme park.
The best time to enjoy Disney World Christmas activities and decorations is early December. Visiting after Thanksgiving, but before school Christmas breaks, provides the best mix of available activities plus lower crowds.
Are you planning a Disney World Christmas season trip? Find out why Get Away Today is our preferred travel partner.
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