While it may be the one of the busiest times to visit the resort, Walt Disney World certainly looks its most beautiful during Christmastime. And there are plenty of things to do in and out of the parks that will immerse you in that holiday feeling! Here's Part 1 in my WDW Holiday Series!
Magic Kingdom
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| Once Upon A Christmastime Parade |
Let's begin with the most obvious one. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a special ticketed event that runs from November to a few days before Christmas Day. It was the first special ticketed event to happen at Magic Kingdom and features a wide variety of entertainment as well as specialty food, drinks, merchandise and of course, fireworks. The highlight of the evening is the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. You can also meet Santa Clause and enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cocoa at various stations around the park. Special characters are available to meet too. One of my favorite thigns to do is to get the special Sorceres of the Magic Kingdom Exclusive card and enjoy the Tomorrowland Holiday Show. No Magic Kingdom party isn't complete without Dance parties for the kids with your favorite characters throughout the park. Prices Range from $99-$139 for adults and $94-$134 per child. This depends on the day you attend but the closer to Christmas, the higher the price will be. DVC members and Annual Passholders can get discounts.
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| The One and Only Santa Clause |
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| Classic Characters Meet in Special Holiday Outfits During the Christmas Party |
Jingle Cruise is the holiday version of The World Famous Jungle Cruise attraction. I experienced this first at Disneyland but they stopped it last year there and its uncertain if it will return. Walt Disney World still has the version and it continues to be popular yearly. We love a good holiday pun. The queue is filled with holiday jokes and puns and the real fun is in the ride itself.
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| Holiday Pun Sign in the Jingle Cruise Attraction |
Frozen Holiday Wish
This has been become the staple castle lighting show for the holidays. It that feature characters from the Film "Frozen" as Elsa lights the castle in the Dream Lights. The effect is 200,000 Lights on the entire castle. It's an amazing photo opportunity, trust me , and its great for children to experience. It replaced an old show featuring Fairy Godmother and Cinderella, with Fairy Godmother respectfully lighting the castle. This happens nightly starting in November but be sure to get your spot super early.
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| Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle |
Holly Trolley Show
The Main Street Trolley Show is a show that features performers doing song and dance numbers during the morning down Main Street USA. There are a few different versions of the show and they have one for the holidays too! If you have time to stop and take a moment to watch them, you won't forget it. It's super cute and entertaining.
And if you keep your eye out, you can find little details in restaurants and attractions too! Inside Enchanted tales with Belle, there's holiday decorations up! And if you're lucky enough to dine at Be Our Guest during this time, they have a beautiful tree on display with a special tree topper if you're a fan of Beauty and the beast: The Enchanted Christmas.
EPCOT
This park has recently added a new festival to its list, Festival of the Holidays! During this time you can visit Future World and World Showcase while taking in holiday traditions from around the world! My favorite is to go see Pere Noel tell tales in France Pavilion. Special food, drink, merchandise and entertainment are available as well as characters meeting in little holiday gear. Similar to Food and Wine festival, there are holiday kitchens throughout the showcase. Check back here when they are unveiled! And we can't miss the World Showcase Cookie Trail! The favorite thing of mine to do during the festival is to meet Belle in her holiday dress from the film!
More notably, People visit the park during this time to watch the Candlelight Processional. Between November 29 and December 30, a celebrity narrator, backed by a 50 piece orchestra and an amazing choir tell the story of how Jesus was born to a virgin in Bethlehem. Whoopi Goldberg is known to attend every year but here is this year's list of celeb narrators.
- Ming Na Wen- Nov 29-Dec 1
- Neil Patrick Harris- Dec 2-5
- Whoopi Goldberg- Dec 6-7
- Isabella Rossellini Dec 8- 10
- TBD- Dec 11-12
- Gary Sinise- Dec 13-15
- Pat Sajak- Dec 16-18
- TBD- Dec 19-21
- Steven Curtis Chapman- Dec 22-24
- Edward James Olmos- Dec 25-26
- Marlee Matlin- Dec 27-28
- Lisa Ling- Dec 29-30
Performances are at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm all these nights and Dining packages are available which would include reserved seating. You can call 407-WDW-DINE or go online to Disneyworld.com. Check back here to find out when you can make reservations.
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| PC: Allears.net |
You can experience "JOYFUL! A celebration of the season" where gospel and R&B come together to share in the Christmas and Kwanzaa holiday. As a black woman, I really loved that Disney added Kwanzaa into their holiday experiences.
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| "Snowman" in Future World at Epcot |
Children can partake in Chip n Dale's Christmas Tree Spree. Maps are $6.99 plus tax and you are following the duo around World Showcase as they collect Christmas tree ornaments. When you find one, place the matching sticker on the map. When you're done you can turn it in for a special gift.
And with that, I will leave us here on our holiday journey for the moment! Be sure to come back for Part 2 to find out what you can do at Disney's Hollywood Studios, which may feature a trip down memory lane with an old holiday favorite, and Disney's Animal Kingdom, where a new favorite is being anticipated.
And with that, I will leave us here on our holiday journey for the moment! Be sure to come back for Part 2 to find out what you can do at Disney's Hollywood Studios, which may feature a trip down memory lane with an old holiday favorite, and Disney's Animal Kingdom, where a new favorite is being anticipated.
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ReplyDeleteLove this post! Thank you :) where is santa in the park during the christmas party?!
ReplyDeleteHe was right next to guest relations (City hall) on the left hand side!
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