The holiday season at Disney’s Parks and Resorts is filled with delights like food, festivities, and FUN!

And if you ask us, it’s never too early to start planning for all the holiday happenings!!

Though we await the dates for 2023, last year, the Disney World Holiday Season officially kicked off on November 11, 2022. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite holiday events, tips, and suggestions for making this year’s Disney World trip your merriest! You’ll also find a look back at the holiday season in 2022 as we explore this year’s festivities to come.

Dining at Walt Disney World During the Holidays

There are plenty of special Disney holiday events for the food lover at Walt Disney World. For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, guests can expect specialty menus and holiday meals at many Disney restaurants in the Parks, Resorts, and Disney Springs.

Here’s what you can expect for Christmas Dining Options in Disney World:

• Here is the FULL LIST of restaurants serving Christmas Day meals from 2022;
• Restaurants that are often closed will be open during this busy season. For example, look for Tomorrowland Terrace in the Magic Kingdom to serve quick service eats.
• Many restaurants- Table Service and Counter Service- will add holiday meals to the menu. You can also check out some terrific options for Thanksgiving here.

Holiday Treats at Walt Disney World

The holidays are another welcome excuse for Walt Disney World to introduce many special treats for the season. From sundaes and yule logs to cupcakes and hot spiked beverages, there’s a holiday-inspired treat for everyone!

You can find ALL of our reviews from the 2022 Season HERE to get an idea of what kinds of treats you can look forward to in 2023!

EPCOT Holiday Treats

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is a global celebration of the Season, which typically begins in EPCOT the day after Thanksgiving and runs through December 30th.

During the Festival, guests enjoy enhanced offerings around World Showcase and experience holiday traditions from various cultures expressed through decorations, stories, music, cuisine, and special events.

EPCOT features internationally-themed food booths called Holiday Kitchens! Look for the ramped-up food offerings at booths like American Holiday Table, Las Posadas, and Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen.

Click here to see ALL of the details about the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays!

Magic Kingdom Holiday Treats

Magic Kingdom adds plenty of holiday treats to jingle our taste bells. While several are exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, some are available all day, every day during the holiday season. We’re always fans of a seasonal cupcake or classic sugar cookie, but we also love fun twists on yuletide treats like the totally unexpected Holiday Dinner Dog!

We love that holly-jolly time of year in the Magic Kingdom!

Hollywood Studios Holiday Treats

Featured holiday events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios include Sunset Seasons Greetings, a special meal with Minnie at Hollywood and Vine Restaurant, and LOTS of sweet, festive treats!

Whimsical, eye-catching, and all-together tasty, Hollywood Studios always comes up with truly creative holiday goodies.

Animal Kingdom Holiday Treats

Charming events like the Merry Menagerie set the yuletide scene in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Elements of the celebration include, of course, tasty yuletide goodies!

Keep an eye out for smashing seasonal treats like the beautiful — and tasty! — Magical Menagerie Cupcake!

Disney Springs Holiday Treats

From Jock Lindsey’s HOLIDAY Bar to the Christmas Tree Stroll and more, there are plenty of holiday happenings at Disney Springs!

Watch for TONS of seasonal treats found at various locations throughout the entertainment, shopping, and dining district. We love the Gobbler (holiday turkey) Poutine at The Daily Poutine for a unique savory option!

But there is plenty of SWEET STUFF going on in Disney Springs, too…

Disney Resort Hotels Holiday Treats

The Resorts at Walt Disney World like to show off their seasonal creations, too; many of them are well worth the trek outside the parks!

Many treats include design elements and flavors typically associated with the holiday season, like gingerbread, cinnamon, and more. Oh, and speaking of gingerbread…

… you can find PLENTY OF IT at the larger-than-life Gingerbread Displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and BEYOND!

It’s difficult to resist a gingerbread snack of your own when you can smell the divine fragrance wafting from the Resort’s amazing edible creations.

And keep an eye out for seasonal beverages and holiday-themed cupcakes, tarts, and treats at each and every one of the Resorts. CHEERS!!

Holiday Events and Experiences at Walt Disney World

Disney World Gingerbread Displays and Activities

Wonderfully aromatic and gorgeous Gingerbread Displays can be found at locations including the Beach Club Resort, the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge (featuring a Gingerbread Giraffe), BoardWalk Inn, and EPCOT!

The horses spinning on the Beach Club Gingerbread Carousel are themed differently every year.

The 2022 theme, as you can see, was Disney Princesses!

The signature Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian Resort is SO large that cast members can stand inside to serve holiday treats!

The house is made from a classic Austrian recipe. Among all the details, you can see hand-painted candy canes, white chocolate, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, 25 hidden Mickeys, an 85-pound chocolate Santa, nutcrackers, toy soldiers, and snowmen!

A Gingerbread Castle is featured at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

The display at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn presents locations like the BoardWalk Deli in GINGERBREAD form.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge features a Gingerbread Giraffe who was joined by a baby Zebra last year!

The display is made with honey from approximately 32,256 bees, totaling about 42 pounds of honey. It was created by the incredible pastry team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom celebrates the holiday season in a BIG way with a larger-than-life Christmas tree, beautiful decorations, and a special extra-ticket event!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires a separate ticket for entry and takes place on select nights in November and December.

Once inside, guests enjoy plenty of festive fun and entertainment unique to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

This included a showing of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., and MUCH more!

See everything included at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party HERE!

Jingle Cruise

And daytime guests enjoy a very merry — and very hilarious — ride on the Jingle Cruise — the annual makeover of the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland!

“JUNGLE ALL THE WAY!”

Santa Claus in Magic Kingdom

Everyone can also say “Hello!” to Santa Claus! 

His greeting space is often located in the gazebo just behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square.

Cinderella Castle Holiday Projections

Holiday projections light up Cinderella Castle with an extra-festive glow in the evenings!

Special Entertainment During Christmas Week

During the final week of the year, regular daytime guests visiting Magic Kingdom can enjoy Christmas entertainment that is typically exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

For instance, guests can enjoy daytime showings of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade! In 2022, it ran from December 23rd – 31st.

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is a stage show that is also traditionally exclusive to the holiday party. During this Cinderella Castle Stage show, live dancers and performers join Mickey & friends to get you in the holiday spirit.

The show was available several times each evening for ALL to see from December 23rd-31st.

Another party exclusive, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, were available for guests at 8:15PM each night from December 23rd through December 29th.

During this show, you’ll watch fireworks while listening to festive music, and there are fun lights and projections on the Castle that’ll have you feeling merry and bright.

EPCOT

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

EPCOT celebrates with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Expect delicious treats from the Holiday Kitchen food booths, festive decorations, and music and entertainment celebrating holiday traditions around the globe!

With the popular Holiday Cookie Stroll, guests stroll around to select Holiday Kitchens, trying five designated cookies featured in the Festival Passport.

Once you’ve received stamps in your Festival Passport for five included cookies, you can redeem your stroll with a FREE completer cookie!

Costumed Holiday Storytellers also share traditions from the different nations that make up World Showcase.

Another favorite and family-friendly activity at Festival of the Holidays is Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition.

EPCOT Candlelight Processional

The beloved EPCOT Candlelight Processional is one of the year’s most anticipated events. The Christmas story is told by a celebrity narrator while a 50-piece orchestra and choir (composed of Disney cast members) accompany the re-telling.

We also have information about Candlelight Processional Dining Packages here.

The packages provide guests with a lunch or dinner meal at select EPCOT restaurants and guaranteed seating to the popular Candlelight Processional. 

Click HERE for our full review of the EPCOT Candlelight Processional Dining Package!

Festive Ride Overlays

NEW in 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind received a festive update!

Let’s just say that an Awesome HOLIDAY Mixtape was involved… (Find out more here!)

Even the classic Living with the Land attraction gets all dressed up for the Festival!

And speaking of getting “all dressed up…” Spaceship Earth presents a sparkling Holiday Lights display in the evenings.

But there’s much more in store during the Festival of the Holidays, and you can find it all here!

Click here to see all of the details on the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sunset Seasons Greetings

This holiday experience brings guests to a twinkling Sunset Boulevard, where holiday decorations set a festive mood.

Throughout the night, yuletide scenes are displayed on the billboards of Sunset Boulevard, and the Hollywood Tower Hotel becomes the Hollywood “Holiday” Tower Hotel!

Holiday-themed projections turn the Hollywood “Holiday” Tower Hotel into scenes from Frozen, a Muppets gingerbread house, a toy hotel from Toy Story, and “a Dickensian village inspired by ‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol.’”

Vintage Decorations

Vintage-inspired decor transforms Echo Lake — including dressing Dinosaur Gertie up in her dino-sized Santa hat!

And the Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree in Echo Lake is truly a stunner.

Santa Sightings

Santa pays visits to Disney’s Hollywood Studios by way of a Merry Motorcade, so keep your eyes peeled for ol’ St. Nick in the park!

P.S. He may bring along a few friends, too…

Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine

This character-filled meal is centered on seasonal delicacies at lunch and at dinner.

Guests can dine with Minnie and her best festive friends, like Mickey and Santa Goofy, in their holiday finest throughout the Season!

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Get ready to join in the fun at For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration!

This show, which is presented several times throughout the day, receives a special finale just for the holiday season featuring Olaf himself!

Holiday Cheer in Toy Story Land

Guests can celebrate the holidays with seasonal tunes at Alien Swirling Saucers and special decorations unique to Toy Story Land.

These special touches are every bit as nostalgic and charming as your favorite toy…

Even Rex gets in on the holiday celebration at Slinky Dog Dash.

It looks like he made these ADORABLE reindeer antlers by hand… err, claw!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Merry Menagerie

The beautiful and charming Merry Menagerie is a delight at Disney’s Animal Kingdom every year!

Winter animal puppets bring joy to guests strolling along Discovery Island, and live musicians also help set the scene.

Guests can also enjoy beautiful decorative nods to celebrations such as Diwali in the Asia section of the park.

Festive Flotillas

Festive Flotillas sail along Discovery River, carrying beloved characters through Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

These include the Discovery Island Drummers Festive Flotilla and the SANTA CLAUS Festive Flotilla!

Tree of Life Awakenings

In the evenings, the Tree of Life Awakenings — Holiday Edition delivers beautiful winter-inspired scenes to the park’s icon.

And, of course, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is always decked out in gorgeous and unique holiday decorations!

As always, the festivities extend beyond the parks, too…

Disney Springs

Disney Springs showcases festive décor, entertainment, and holiday shopping during the season, including:

Christmas Tree Stroll

Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Stroll: Stroll, indeed, among custom-decorated holiday, Disney-themed trees placed all throughout Disney Springs!

You’ll find the whimsical, colorful, and stunning Trees with help from the Christmas Tree Stroll Map!

From time to time in the evenings, magical snow falls upon the Town Center.

Meet Santa Claus

Bring that Wish List! You can find Santa inside the Once Upon a Toy gift shop in the Disney Springs Marketplace!

Please be aware that, in 2021 and 2022, guests were requested to reserve their space through a Virtual Queue. Opportunities to enter the queue for Santa opened through the My Disney Experience app at 9AM, 12PM, 3PM, and 6PM.

One person in your group would get a notification when it was time to return to Once Upon a Toy and meet Santa Claus! If you want to see how the virtual queue worked last year, click here.

More Entertainment

As you shop around Disney Springs this holiday season, look for great entertainment offerings like Toy Soldier stilt walkers, snowflake skaters, and tunes spun by DJs!

The festive fun continues with Christmas-inspired treats throughout Disney Springs!

Jock Lindsey’s HOLIDAY Bar

But no one gets in the holiday spirit more than our pal, Jock Lindsey… and that’s why you HAVE to make a merry stop at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar!

The Hangar AND THE FOOD get all decked out for the season!

Oh, what FUN! Check out our review HERE!

Breakfasts with Santa

Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante in Disney Springs hosted Breakfast with Santa in 2022!  The new experience included a breakfast spread of classic Italian menu items, a visit with Santa Claus, family-friendly holiday activities, take-home treats (and a complimentary mimosa for adults 21+), and a keepsake photo souvenir.

After breakfast, guests could meet Santa! Kids could share their wishes with him and take a photo that they will get to keep. Pricing started at $30 for children and $50 for adults, plus tax and gratuity, while children under 2 were free.

Click HERE for our REVIEW of Breakfast With SANTA!

Santa made a few more stops in Disney Springs!

Over at T-Rex Cafe and Rainforest Cafe, you and your family could sit down for a meal with the dinosaurs…and Santa! Find the details from 2022 here as we await 2023 information.

MORE Holiday Happenings in Disney World

Blizzard Beach Water Park

Blizzard Beach Water Park presents a snowy fun-in-the-sun theme all year long, but the holidays delivered an “enhanced holiday atmosphere” to this water park!

The festive fun included holiday-themed snacks, snowfall, and inner tubes with a festive look. Even Santa was dressed for some tropical fun!

Holiday Sleigh Rides

At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, holiday sleigh rides allow guests to book a 25-minute horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Each sleigh can fit up to 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 small children, and each ride starts at $75 but may change depending on the date. When information is confirmed for 2023, interested guests may book in advance using the My Disney Experience app.

Resort Hotel Activities

Many of the Resorts offer small guests cookie decorating and other special activities. After all, you don’t have to miss one of the season’s most beloved traditions just because you’re on vacation! Check your Resort’s entertainment schedule for this year’s offerings.

Likewise, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels offer cookie decorating on select nights throughout the holidays, typically starting at 6PM.

Special Holiday Music Performances

Holiday music is always a great way to set the mood for a festive celebration. And at Disney World, during the winter holidays, you’re bound to find many talented musicians sharing joyful cheer!

Many of the Deluxe resorts will often feature carolers or other musical entertainment throughout the season. You’ll likely see them at the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club.

You may also find carolers strolling the “streets” of Disney Springs throughout the season.

Visits with Characters and Santa Claus

But it would hardly be Christmas for the little ones (or us big kids!) without a visit from Santa Claus!

In addition to appearing at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Santa also greets guests during the day in Magic Kingdom! For the past two seasons, his greeting space has been located just behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square.

Santa also makes appearances by way of a Merry Motorcade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

He sails by on a Festive Flotilla SLEIGH in Animal Kingdom!

Guests can look for Santa in The Odyssey Pavilion in EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays.

And in Disney Springs, he greets guests at the Once Upon a Toy store in the Marketplace.

The Big Guy often appears at several Resort hotels on Christmas Eve, ready to hear your Christmas wishes.

And you’ll also spy the big guy in front of his Tiki Hut by the Swan Pool at the Swan and Dolphin — perfect for a Florida Santa photo opp!

And after Christmas Eve? Once Santa takes off for his midnight ride, you may just catch a glimpse of Santa Goofy in the parks through New Year’s Eve!

Holiday times are so busy that Disney pulls out all the stops to entertain many guests. It’s pretty common throughout Christmas week to find character meet and greets at Deluxe Resorts!

Really — can you imagine anything more enchanting than Christmas Minnie and Mickey? Be sure to check with the concierge for more information on appearance times for future trips.

Let’s talk logistics: Don’t Plan Your Christmas Trip to Disney World Before You READ THIS

Holiday Options at On-Property Hotels

Disney and non-Disney-owned hotels on Walt Disney World property have various holiday options.

Featuring an entire calendar filled with holiday activities, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel celebrate the season with two special guest hosts – Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Holiday happenings also occur at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Or stop by the Four Seasons Resort.

Additional Resources

We’ve compiled years of Disney Parks holiday experience so you don’t miss a treat, holiday meal, event, or activity. The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays includes all the NEW events and holiday happenings, over 350 photos, an events calendar, touring suggestions, an informative FAQ section, and more!

Check out our DFB YouTube Video about “What I Wish I’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays!”

Happy Holidays from the DFB!

We’ll see you right here on the DFB as we bring you all the MERRY MAGIC taking place for the Holiday Season at Disney World!

Are you planning to visit Disney World for the holidays? What are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The ULTIMATE Guide to Disney World at Christmastime first appeared on the disney food blog.