WE DO! With the holidays quickly approaching, we keep hearing the date “November 8th” EVERYWHERE. But while November 8th may feel lightyears away from Christmas, it isn’t…well not at the Disney Parks anyways!

This is because November 8th is the day that Santa Claus and all of the rest of the holiday happenings come to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort this year! And folks, there’s a LOT of new experiences for guests to enjoy this holiday season!

We’re already in the holiday spirit knowing that Christmas in Disney is on its way. But while we’ve already seen decorations in Hollywood Studios, retro merchandise, a bunch of new ornaments, adorable Christmas alien ears, and more, we cannot help but get excited for all of the food and entertainment making its way to Disney November 8th!

Walt Disney World

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom BEGINS!

The 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party officially kicks off on November 8th at Magic Kingdom. This year will be a little different in that Disney is introducing a NEW firework show along with new holiday attraction overlays.

Holiday Wishes is officially being replaced by Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. The show will be hosted by none other than Miss Minnie Mouse herself and will include classic holiday songs like Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, Up on the House-Top, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. 

Disney has also shared that the show and score were created to “evoke heartfelt moments of home and family, as well as the festive fun of the season before an incredible finale you won’t want to miss.”

Another important thing to note is that you should be able to enjoy the fireworks throughout the park. Since this is the first time the show is being presented to the public, there will likely be a large crowd for viewing. If you’re not worried about seeing the front of the castle, I suggest heading to Gaston’s Tavern to grab a cinnamon roll and to sit outside to watch the fireworks away from the crowds. (But note that, like the new Halloween fireworks show this year, we’re guessing that the castle projections will be integral to the story.)

Disney has been testing out fun attraction overlays for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween parties for a while now, but this year a few festive overlays are coming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party as well.

Beginning November 8th, Tomorrowland Speedway will be decked out in thousands of twinkling lights.

A new show is also making its way to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. This is usually a great place to stop and relax, especially if you have little ones who need a break from the rides or the crowds.

Get ready for a new intergalactic journey, because Space Mountain is also getting a holiday makeover. Not only will you be surrounded by dazzling lights when traveling to outer space, but you’ll get to jam out to some fun holiday tunes along the way.

The Mad Tea Party should also be a fun-filled festive stop thanks to its four new combos of holiday lights and music!

And while treats have yet to be announced for this festive fair, you can likely expect many new and returning treats to make their way to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Magic Kingdom on November 8th. We’re looking forward to trying that new Olaf hot chocolate cake!

There’s so much to share!

See our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party HERE!

New Decor and Entertainment in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney is also debuting a bunch of new decor and entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on November 8th. This year, each land with be decorated! Which is huge and festive. If you’re looking to see this new holiday decor in action, we suggest heading to Animal Kingdom in the evening as most of it will come to life once the sun sets!

In Discovery Island, guests will find themselves “in the midst of a celebration of winter, hand-crafted by the eclectic community of artists who make the island their home.” There will also be a holiday gathering of winter animals. Disney has created these life-size creatures in the form of puppets — which you can take a closer look at here!

And speaking of Discovery Island, each night Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life will come to life for a few holiday awakenings. Disney has also given us a preview of this new show — which you can see here.

We think this is a great option for little ones who are afraid of fireworks and loud noises.

DinoLand U.S.A., which has already started to receive its holiday makeover is introducing a few new entertainment offerings and some fun new decor. This holiday season, guests will be able to see decorations “in the style of Donald Duck and each of his pals.”

Each night, guests can play and dance during the Holiday Hoopla Dance Party with Chip ‘n’ Dale!

Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will transform as well as Disney celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights in India. The square between Anandapur Theatre and the waterfront stage will light up thanks to lanterns and glowing flowers.

The holiday decor that you will find in Africa was inspired by the colors and textiles of authentic African celebrations.

Annnd even Pandora — World of Avatar is joining in on the festive fun as they too will be decorating for the holidays. Expect to see kitschy holiday decor at Pongu Pongu and more.

While we’ve already started to see decor popping up around Animal Kingdom, the holidays won’t officially kick off here until November 8th!

See more details on Animal Kingdom’s Holiday Celebrations Here!

Hollywood Studios Sunset Seasons Greetings, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, and More!

There’s a LOT happening on November 8th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From November 8th – January 5th, 2020 guests can watch Sunset Seasons Greetings and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM each night.

Sunset Seasons Greetings is a show that takes place on Sunset Boulevard and guests can watch as The Hollywood Tower Hotel comes to life with lasers and projections. Scenes will include Mickey and Minnie, Toy Story, the Swedish Chef from The Muppers, and Olaf.

Sunset Boulevard will also come alive with holiday magic thanks to a bit of Disney snow magic! We’ve already seen a bit of snow (of as we like to call it — snoap) thanks to a machine malfunction. Learn all about that here.

This is another great festive option for those with little ones who are sensitive to the sounds of fireworks!

Find out more about Sunset Seasons Greetings at Hollywood Studios here!

The Chinese Theatre near the front of Hollywood Studios will also come to life once again on November 8th thanks to Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! This show includes lasers, fireworks, and scenes from films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Guests will also have the opportunity to sing along to holiday songs with Disney pals like Minnie, Mickey, Olaf, and more!

Jingle Bell Jingle Bam also has a dining package option — which you can learn more about here!

Disney typically releases a Flurry of Fun holiday treats at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well. Though Disney has yet to share info on this all of the Flurry of Fun treats, we will be on the lookout and will be sure to update you guys if we find any goodies!

In the meantime, you can check out ALL of the treats for last year so your tummies know just what to expect.

Epcot Holiday Celebrations

Though Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays does not kick off until November 29th, we expect they will join in on the November 8th fun by introducing a few festive treats.

Read ALL ABOUT Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays here!

Disneyland Resort

Lots of holiday happenings will also take place at Disneyland Resort beginning on November 8th.

Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays

The annual Festival of Holidays, which takes place at Disney California Adventure, will officially kick-off on November 8th.  This Festival is filled with food, entertainment, and merchandise.

While the menus have not yet been released for the Festival of Holidays, be sure to check out our best of the fest menu from last year so you know what to be on the lookout for.

And you can sneak preview one of the booth’s menus here!

We will be sure to keep you posted as SOON as we see festival menus so you can prepare yourself to eat around DCA.

The Disney California Festival of Holidays will run from November 8th, 2019 – January 6th, 2020.

Learn ALL about the Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays here!

World of Color — Season of Light at Disney California Adventure

World Color — Season of Light, which is the holiday version of World of Color, will also come to life on November 8th at Disney California Adventure.

This fabulously festive show includes lasers, water, fire, and of course fountains!

Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting in Disney California Adventure

Beginning November 8th, the plaza outside of Elias & Co. will come to life. This annual ceremony should be filled with magic thanks to the tree lighting and the bell ringing performance. Mickey Mouse himself may even join in on the fun! 🙂

This should be a fun festive event for the whole family!

Believe…in Holiday Magic Fireworks

Disney has already started prepping for their Believe… in Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular by adding snow to the top of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

This show will light up the skies again beginning on November 8th, so grab your Disneyland Candy Canes, fudge, and cookies and watch Sleeping Beauty’s Castle come alive with holiday magic.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade

Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Woody, Buzz, Mickey, Minnie, and a few of the Disney Princesses should also take to the streets with A Christmas Fantasy Parade.

The Parade lasts about 40 minutes and will end with the most magical celebration of all — Santa!

We also expect that a few other delicious Christmas goodies will be making their way to Disneyland around November 8th as well. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the return of Disneyland’s famous Candy Canes.

But as you can see — November 8th is a HUGE day for Disneyland and Disney World! We can’t wait to share everything with you! We’ll be your one-stop-shop for all things holidays in the Disney Parks!

What are your holiday plans? Let us know in the comments below!