Each year Cast members use thousands of Christmas trees, miles of
garland and lights to transform Walt Disney World into a jolly,
holiday scene. There is a team of 35+ cast members who install
everything, working mostly at night.
Special Holiday Tours
Disney's
Holiday D-Lights Tour
Offered on select nights in November and
December, this tour includes a behind-the-scenes look at how the Walt Disney
World resort brings the magic of the Holiday season to life. The tour costs $259
per person. Guests must be 16+ (valid photo ID required). Park admission not
required. Guests must wear closed toed/closed heel shoes. Sandals, open toe
and open heel shoes are not be permitted. Call 407-WDW-TOUR
to book. Tour details:
-
Come celebrate the magic of the holidays like only Disney can with
the festive sights and sounds of the season. As night falls, your “holiday
host” will unwrap some of the secrets behind our most cherished traditions:
- Witness
the stirring Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the Christmas story
brought to life by a 50-piece live orchestra, choir and celebrity narrator.
- Turn
“ho-ho-ho’s" into "ha-ha-ha’s" as you experience the “Jingle Cruise”—a.k.a.
the world-famous Jungle Cruise, infused with festive sights and plenty of
holiday pun-chlines!
- Meet the
talented Event & Decorating Support team responsible for turning the entire
Resort into a winter wonderland and producing thousands of grand-scale
events each year.
- Enjoy an
early, family-style barbecue dinner included with your tour.
In
addition, each Guest will also receive a limited-edition keepsake pin
exclusive to this tour!
Disney's Yuletide Fantasy Tour
How does Disney do their transformation into a 'winter wonderland'
every year? Find out! Daily tours in December. $99.00
3 hours, must be 16+ (valid photo ID required), Park admission not
required. Call 407-WDW-TOUR to book.
-
This year, head backstage and get the scoop on the staggering
logistics involved in the wintertime transformation of Walt Disney World
Resort each and every holiday season! During this festive and fact-filled
3-hour tour, you’ll:
- Come
upon the Cast Members of Holiday Services—the “elves” who create the
decorations used to dress up Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and
hotels.
- Explore
World Showcase and hear how holidays are celebrated around the globe:
Christmasfest in Germany, the legend of La Befana in Italy and the diversity
of traditions at The American Adventure.
-
Get an
up-close look at the traditional trimmings of Main Street, U.S.A. and see a
Currier & Ives-themed Christmas bring the spirit of Santa Claus to life.
- Visit a
Resort hotel and learn how the lavish holiday atmosphere is created through
the grand-scale application of color, texture, architecture, illusion and
attention to detail.
In
addition, each Guest will also receive a special treat and a holiday
keepsake!
Christmas Photo Gallery
Epcot
Holidays Around the World
Throughout the holidays, World Showcase comes alive with the legends
and lore of the season. Guests will find holiday storytellers, such
as Père Noel in France, La Befana in Italy, and Santa Claus at the
American Adventure, as well as Kwanzaa and Hanukkah exhibits in The
American Adventure Rotunda.
An Epcot Tree Lighting Treat - (World
Showcase Plaza Tree Stage - approximate show length is 10 minutes). Join
Mickey and his friends as they share their holiday traditions! Performed
daily at 6:00 p.m.
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth -
featuring a special Holiday-themed finale. The World Showcase
Promenade comes alive nightly with the brilliance and splendor of music,
lights, lasers, water fountains, and custom pyrotechnics in our signature
nighttime spectacular ,llumiNations: Reflections of Earth.
Every night we are proud to present a unique holiday finale. With the song
"Let There Be Peace On Earth" at its center, this special musical tag
features the voice of Walter Cronkite who offers a special message of peace
and good will.
Candlelight Processional
American
Garden Theater - Epcot's World Showcase
Show times are:
5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.
The processional includes the telling and singing of the Christmas
story told by a live massed choir consisting of choir groups from
around the country, the Walt Disney World Resort Cast Choir and
celebrity narrators, with the music from a 50-piece orchestra.
Guests can purchase a special package that includes dinner at an
Epcot restaurant plus preferred seating for the
Candlelight Processional. For more
information contact 407/WDW-DINE. More details
here.
Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom Park is decked out in holiday style with a variety
of activities and events. Main Street U.S.A. will feature a nightly
tree-lighting ceremony. Guests can catch holiday-themed shows around
the park, including:
"Belle's Enchanted Christmas" at Fairy Tale Garden.
"Celebrate the Season" at Cinderella Castle forecourt stage.
"Twas the Night Before Christmas" at the Galaxy Palace Theater.
"Country Bear Christmas Special" at Grizzly Hall in Frontierland.
Mickey's Very
Merry Christmas
Party!
Select nights, 7:00PM-12:00AM.
Mickey Mouse and friends will celebrate the season with
Mickey's Very Merry
Christmas Party. Guests can enjoy the classic theme park
parade, which features holiday floats, characters, dancers, snowmen,
Santa Claus and more. A magical night of holiday snow, carolers,
character greeting, live stage shows, holiday fireworks, souvenir
family photos, refreshments, plus the most popular Magic Kingdom
attractions remain open. This is a separate ticketed event.
More information here.
Disney Springs
The Disney
Springs area will
enhance the guest shopping and dining experiences during the holiday
season with wintry decor, seasonal songs and appearances by Santa
Claus.
Resorts
The
Disney Resorts will also glimmer with displays of holiday decor,
featuring gingerbread houses, carousels, carolers and huge Christmas
trees. Don't forget to ask about special visitors on Christmas Eve!
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma-Flavors of Africa will have a miniature African village (entirely
edible) made out of yummy chocolate, gingerbread and sugar. The houses and
buildings will be inspired by architecture styles throughout Africa.
Disney's Beach Club Resort
A life-size, completely edible carousel -- made with gingerbread, chocolate
and sugar paste -- will be located in the lobby. Small gingerbread houses
and Christmas stollen will be sold in the merchandise stores. Chefs will
give demonstrations throughout the day giving tips to guests on how to
decorate their own gingerbread creations.
Disney's BoardWalk
A 15-by-20-foot display depicting a boardwalk area with a five-foot-tall
Ferris wheel, carousel, water slide, buildings and a beach area. Everything
will be made with chocolate, sugar and gingerbread. Better than a day at the
beach.
Disney's Contemporary Resort
A gingerbread holiday village will be on display in the main building of the
hotel, on the 4th floor.
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Inside a life-size holiday gingerbread house, guests may purchase
mouth-watering Santa lollipops, gingerbread cookie people, gingerbread
ornaments, gingerbread cookies, stollen bread, and Grand Floridian chocolate
logo boxes filled with truffles, peppermint bark and small gingerbread
houses.
Gingerbread house fun facts: 400 hours are spent on baking the gingerbread
and 160 hours are spent on decorating the house.
Disney's Polynesian Resort
On the 2nd floor of the Ceremonial House pastry chefs will create an exotic
gingerbread village with volcanoes and edible palm trees. Christmas cookies,
biscotti and other confectionary delights will be sold at the Kona Island
coffee bar.
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
In the resort's lobby a miniature train races around a sugary mountain and
village. Small gingerbread houses, Christmas stollen and pannettone
(traditional Italian bread) are sold in the merchandise stores.
Wilderness Lodge Sleigh Rides
30 Minute Rides
Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-PLAY
Rides accommodate 4 adults or 2 adults with 3 children.
The rides departs every 30 minutes from 5:30 - 9:30pm.
**Events and times are subject to change.**