food IS a theme park
Be sure to check out our list of restaurants in the Magic Kingdom.
It’s hard to believe, but before you know it, we’ll be ringing in a new year and heading into 2026.
Jungle Cruise
That means that everything associated with the holiday season will be ending, too, including the popular ride overlay Jingle Cruise. And we know just when Jingle Cruise will officially go away and when the regular Jungle Cruise will return.
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, there’s a lot to think about. You’ll need to figure out how long you’re staying, as well as where you’re staying. You’ll need to know which tickets you need, as well as a general idea of where you want to eat (okay, that last part is the MOST important part, in our opinion).
Main Street Station in Magic Kingdom
However, you’ll also need to make sure you keep an eye on park hours because sometimes parks might have hours that would interfere with your day. Well, we’ve got one such date to tell you about, and it might be a good day to skip visiting Magic Kingdom.
The holiday season is about to arrive at Disney World, and we can already feel the excitement – and the “snoap” – in the air!
Christmas in Magic Kingdom
I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for over 30 years, and during that time I’ve watched the holiday season surpass even summer vacation and spring break to become the most popular time of year to visit the ”Most Magical Place on Earth.” This is mainly due to the massive amount of effort Disney has put into holiday decorations, treats, exclusives, and other special events, and it all begins at the Magic Kingdom.
Yes, attractions close in Disney World, but they also OPEN, and we have news on an attraction that closed for a recent refurbishment.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
We’ve been finding a lot of our favorite attractions going under for refurbishment in Magic Kingdom, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which we have not-so-patiently been waiting to open. This attraction might not be as thrilling as rolling through an Old West town, but when you need a break from your chaotic day, you should head straight here.
If you’re planning on spending Christmas or New Year’s at the Most Magical Place on Earth, we hope you’re ready for those CROWDS!
Magic Kingdom
While Disney World did away with Park Pass Reservations for most date-based tickets, Annual Passholders and select other groups are still required to make reservations. The holiday season is known for being one of the busiest times of the year in the parks, and it looks like park passes are already SOLD OUT for Magic Kingdom from Christmas Eve to New Year’s.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since early January 2025 for a lengthy refurbishment, and it isn’t slated to reopen until some point in 2026.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Disney recently revealed some MAJOR upgrades coming to the ride, and while we’re still waiting for the ride to reopen, Disney has filed a new permit that points to more work yet to come.
We are KNEE DEEP in holiday season in Disney World, and you know what that means. We’re eating ALL the holiday snacks in the parks and hotels, including all the food at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights.
There’s a HOUSE on our brownie!
Now, there’s a lot of new seasonal food getting added to Disney World menus right now. But other menu updates are happening, too. So let’s take a look at all the menu updates we noticed this week. First, the good news: new foods have arrived in Disney World, including new holiday snacks. The bad news: more price increases have hit restaurants this week.
Tons of people start their day with coffee on their Disney World vacation, and while many people rush to Starbucks (hence those looooong lines in the morning), we often prefer to head to Joffrey’s instead.
Joffrey’s Coffee
There are Joffrey’s locations in all four Disney World parks, as well as Disney Springs, and around many of the Disney World hotels. While we love grabbing a Shakin’ Jamaican from there, or maybe a Peach Tea (that’s my fav!), there’s also a new perk that Annual Passholders can take advantage of for a limited time!
We know how exciting it is to finally be in Disney World! The months (or years) of planning have all culminated in this moment, and you can’t wait to explore everything the resort has to offer. Disney World is undergoing many changes right now, with numerous attractions and locations permanently closed to make way for expansions (like Pueblo Esperanza and Piston Peak National Park), and others currently undergoing refurbishment.
Construction is happening in the old Animation Courtyard
While it can be very disappointing to find out that your favorite attraction or location won’t be available while you are in Disney World, we want to prepare you in advance. There are a lot of closures to keep track of, but you don’t have to worry about tracking them yourself, as we have compiled a list of everything closed in Disney World this week.
In the summer of 2025, Walt Disney World opened the Beak and Barrel lounge at the Magic Kingdom. The Pirates of the Caribbean-themed space has proven to be immensely popular, BUT there are definitely some issues that have Disney experts concerned.
Rummy!
Over my 7+ years writing about Disney theme parks — and 5x as long visiting them — I can’t remember too many restaurants that garnered quite as much anticipation as the Beak and Barrel. The highly themed establishment, which Disney describes as a spot where “bandits and buccaneers-to-be from every corner of the seven seas are welcome to join together and raise a toast to the pirate life!” The lounge is full of references and easter eggs for eagle-eyed guests to spot… if they have the time.
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