Christmas at Disney World

Christmas and Holiday Events at Walt Disney World Orlando

Sep 10, 2008 Kelby Carr

For families who like to travel for Christmas and holidays or have family in Orlando, there are several fun events and ways to enjoy Christmas at Disney World Orlando.

If you have kids, Christmas in Orlando is also a pretty amazing chance to allow kids to experience magic of kid-friendly attractions and Christmas at the same time. Another plus (or minus, depending on how attached you are to concepts like white Christmas) is that the weather is temperate and mild.

There are several events and festivities at various Disney World Orlando theme parks.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

This is a special ticketed event on certain evenings in November and December. It includes a Christmas parade, character greetings, snow on Main Street and free cookies and hot cocoa. The entertainment includes Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and the fireworks spectacular, Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season.

Dates for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: Select nights November 10 – December 19, 2008
Special tickets/extra cost required? Yes
Location: Magic Kingdom
Find out more: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Holidays Around the World

The cool thing about the Epcot events is that kids will love it and get a chance to explore holiday traditions from different cultures. Running on various dates from late November through December, it features a candlelight processional with celebrity narrators.

Nice extra? You can shop for cool gifts from around the world without the whole invonvenience of traveling the world. Each country has gift shops seling items imported from that country. Also, you can find some wonderful Christmas themed gifts (especially in Germany).

Dates for Holidays Around the World: November 28, 2008 - December 30, 2008
Special tickets/extra cost required? No.
Location: Epcot
Find out more: Holidays Around the World

Festival of the Seasons

Downtown Disney would be a must-stop if you're at Disney World over the holidays if for no other reason than the shopping. But they also get in the mood for the holidays, with holiday lights, carolers, holiday performers, and store window displays.

Dates: Not yet announced for 2008, but presumably from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
Special tickets/extra cost required? No
Location: Downtown Disney
Find out more: Festival of the Seasons

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

If your family likes Christmas lights, you will be impressed by the millions of sparklers on display on New York Street at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The show is described by Disney World as "dancing in synchronized splendor to a symphony for the senses with twirling carousels, heavenly angels — even Santa and his reindeer — amidst electrifying holiday music."

Dates: November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Special tickets/extra cost required? No
Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios
Find out more: Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

The copyright of the article Christmas at Disney World in Family Travel is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish Christmas at Disney World in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Cinderella's Castle Orlando at Christmas	65-Foot Christmas Tree at Epcot Orlando	Christmas at Downtown Disney
Christmas lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios