The holiday season might be MONTHS away right now, but we’re so excited about what’s planned for this year at Disney World! The celebrations will feature a mix of returning favorites and some new experiences!
There’s so much happening this fall at the theme parks, Disney Springs, and the Disney World Resort Hotels — let’s check it out!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
From November 8 through January 6, guests can experience a Flurry of Fun once again at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Sunset Seasons Greetings returns again this year featuring falling snow, twinkling lights, moving billboards, and festive projections on the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
We’re hoping some of the yummy holiday eats from last year return as well!
The popular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Nighttime Spectacular also returns this season!
This projection and fireworks show follows Wayne and Lanny from Prep & Landing as they try to rescue Santa and save Christmas, while sharing holiday scenes from beloved Disney films.
And, the all-new Toy Story Land will also get in on the holiday fun with holiday songs as the soundtrack on Alien Swirling Saucers!
And, don’t forget that Santa Claus and Santa Goofy will be meeting guests at Hollywood Studios throughout the season!
Festival of the Holidays at Epcot
runs November 18 through December 30 at Epcot! This fan favorite Festival celebrates holidays and festivals from all over with Holiday Kitchens serving up holiday eats from the around the world!
The centerpiece of the holiday season at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional. This traditional retelling of the Christmas Story features a celebrity narrator accompanied by a choir and orchestra and runs nightly this year from November 22 through December 30. Booking for Dining Packages for this year opens July 11 for the general public and July 10th for Annual Passholders.
Guests at Epcot will also enjoy Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree scavenger hunt once again.
Find all the 2018 Festival of the Holidays information here!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom
The holiday season is extra magical at the Magic Kingdom thanks in part to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
This hard-ticket special event includes special entertainment, one-of-a-kind character meet-and-greets, and (of course!) lots of party-specific treats! Tickets are on sale now for the party which runs on select dates from November 8 through December 21 this year!
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here!
More Holiday Fun!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
is adding a new experience this year with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure starting on November 8.
At Disney Springs guests can enjoy the custom-decorated trees on the Christmas Tree Trail, visit Santa at Santa’s Chalet, and take part in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt!
And don’t forget about the life-size gingerbread creations at some of the Disney Resort Hotels including the Contemporary, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, and Disney’s Grand Floridian!
Check out the 2017 Grand Floridian Gingerbread House!
New Year’s Eve at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
If you want to ring in the New Year at Disney World there are two New Year’s Eve celebrations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort — Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration and Disney Countdown to Midnight. Both celebrations include food, entertainment, refreshments, and a viewing of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks.
Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration is a family-friendly party featuring favorite Pixar characters, kids’ activities, a DJ dance party, and a buffet dinner with Pixar-themed foods like Woody’s Favorite Lemon Thyme Chicken Breast, Wall-E’s Pan Seared Mahi-Mahi, Rex’s Manhattan Filet, Sulley’s Beast White Cheddar Baked Mac & Cheese, and more. The party is from 8PM to 12:15AM on December 31 and includes a viewing of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. The price is $190 per person, including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.
Disney Countdown to Midnight is an evening of dancing, dining, and more in the Fantasia Ballroom. The party includes a “cheftainment” station with a seasonal menu inspired by some Disney Signature Dining restaurants, an appearance by Mickey and Minnie, and at midnight guests will toast to the New Year with a flute of Champagne. The party is from 8Pm until 12:15AM and the price is $275 per person, including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.
A VIP enhancement to the Disney Countdown to Midnight is the Ink and Paint Club experience. This special reception begins an hour before Disney Countdown to Midnight and features chef stations featuring King Crab, Tuna Tartare, Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnocchi, cocktails, Champagne, Cordials and more; photos with Mickey and Minnie, and more. Guests can visit the lounge throughout the night. Disney Ink & Paint Club is only available as a part of an enhanced ticket that includes access to both the Disney Countdown to Midnight and the Ink & Paint Club for $450 total per guest. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
Even if it’s not quite time to Deck the Halls, it’s never too early to start your planning if you are celebrating the Season in Disney World! We can’t wait to keep you posted on all the festive details along the way!
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Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season!
The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Pre-order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2018 and get the 2017 edition as a free, instant download!
It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including:
- A full What’s New!! chapter for the 2018 Holiday Season
- A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season
- How to avoid the crowds on Disney World’s busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!)
- ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM.
- And of course we’ll tell you where to eat! ;-D
Pre-order your 2018 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT!
As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don’t love it, you get your money back!
Will you be celebrating the Holidays in Disney World? Please let us know with a comment!
Arlene says
Hi AJ my family will be visiting Disney World the first week in December of this year. We pre-ordered the 2018 DFB Holiday Guide and I was wondering when it will be released since you are already giving us tips about the holidays now. As much as I enjoy seeing the 2017 version, I’m anxious to receive the new 2018 download! Thanks!
DFB Sarah says
Arlene, we release the DFB Holiday Guide in the fall, as soon as Disney releases the current year’s specifics. We’re glad you’re enjoying the 2017 Guide!
Andrea says
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only runs until December 21, 2018 not December 31.
DFB Sarah says
Thanks, Andrea! Fixed up that mix up!
Liz says
Do you ever make printed holiday guides?
DFB Sarah says
Liz, we’ve only used the e-book format for our DFB Guides.