An Overview of the Holiday Offerings at Disney World in 2023 – What You Don’t Want to Miss
At Walt Disney World, the holiday season is here as The Most Magical Place On Earth celebrates “the most wonderful time of year.” There is so much to enjoy at all four Disney parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Resorts! Here is a look at what you can expect as you celebrate the 2023 holiday season at Walt Disney World.
1 – Limited-Time Holiday Food and Beverage Items Available Throughout Walt Disney World
The most wonderful time of the year means the most wonderful options of limited-time food and beverage options! There are so many fantastic holiday treats to be found at all four parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Resort hotels! Visit the link below for all the details!
2 – NEW Frozen Holiday Surprise at Magic Kingdom Park
At Magic Kingdom Park, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something remarkable for the holidays. The new Frozen Holiday Surprise brings together Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings who attempt to add festive decor to Cinderella Castle. With Anna and Kristoff at her side, Queen Elsa adds sparkling finishing touches, transforming the castle into a shimmering crystallized palace – a look that will remain throughout each evening. “Frozen Holiday Surprise” occurs nightly at 6:15 pm during the holiday season. A second show runs during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at 8:15 pm.
3 – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Families and kids of all ages can also enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Now in its 40th year, this specially ticketed event has become a holiday tradition for many. Featuring a dazzling parade, fireworks, complimentary sweet treats, and much more, it’s warm-hearted, family-friendly fun at Magic Kingdom on twenty-five select nights from November 9-December 22.
4 – The Holidays at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also once again present Sunset Seasons Greetings nightly throughout the season. Each evening, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is magically transformed into an array of holiday scenes as snow falls along Sunset Boulevard. The park also features classic holiday decorations that are perfect for the park. A visit here feels much different than the other parks, and we love it! Finally, Disney Jollywood Nights (#), a new special ticketed event offers guests even more fun at the park.
(The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and used with permission pursuant to a license with CBS, Inc.)
5 – Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The long anticipated, glam holiday party Disney Jollywood Nights is almost here. This new separately ticketed event is a swanky Hollywood bash filled with merriment, music, and spirited good times. It will take place on select nights beginning November 11 to December 20. Click here to learn more about this new holiday event.
Click here for a full listing of the food and beverage items available at Disney Jollywood Nights.
6 – Holiday Fun at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Cheerful decor and festive flotillas are holiday highlights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. In addition to meeting with favorite Disney characters and Santa himself, guests can interact with a Merry Menagerie of life-size, artisan-sculpted animal puppets daily on Discovery Island. The park’s iconic Tree of Life also awakens each evening with a colorful tableau of wintry tales accompanied by a familiar musical score.
7 – EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
For an international holiday flavor, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth is the place to be. The stage is set with spectacular decor around every corner, and entertainment fills the air, from celebrity narrators reciting the Christmas story each night to time-honored traditions from countries around the world.
And no holiday celebration would be complete without tasty treats. The festival culinary team has been hard at work for nearly a year, dreaming up the menu and testing new recipes. More than 15 Holiday Kitchens will celebrate the diversity of holiday traditions with comfort foods that inspire warm memories.
This year will bring several “firsts” to the festival. Luminous the Symphony of Us is an all-new fireworks-and-laser spectacular that will debut on December 5, 2023. And, with EPCOT being home to The Walt Disney Company’s 100th-anniversary celebration, guests will find beautiful holiday decor at the park entrance commemorating the Disney100 celebration.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins November 24.
Click here to view the full menus for the Holiday Kitchens at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
8 – Gingerbread Galore at Disney Resort Hotels
Guests often gaze in fascination at the larger-than-life gingerbread displays that appear at Disney Resort Hotels each holiday season. This year, guests once again are able to enjoy the stunning works of culinary art – including a new display – in six resort locations (and EPCOT):
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (featuring a new display)
Click here to learn more about the 2023 Gingerbread Displays and Treats at Disney Resorts.
9 – Holidays at Disney Springs
Disney Springs is THE place to shop, dine, and play amidst a wonderland of beautiful decor and culinary delights. The 120-acre entertainment, retail, and dining district will be in full holiday swing beginning November 10. Those seeking festive fun should save time to visit Santa Claus at Once Upon a Toy and take in the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. Nineteen Disney-themed trees will be on display throughout the four “neighborhoods” that make up Disney Springs. Plan at least one nighttime visit to experience snowfall in the Town Center.
10 – Cheery Mementos to Remember the Magic
There’s no better way to remember a visit to Walt Disney World than with the perfect souvenir, and holiday merchandise is a great way to show some holiday spirit or to keep the cheerful vibes alive after guests return home. Special holiday-themed attire, accessories, home decor, and more can be purchased throughout the resort, with special collections available for both Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
11 – Create Special Memories to Last a Lifetime
Guests looking to capture their special moments can take advantage of Disney PhotoPass Service, which will create festive photo fun this holiday season with new limited-time Magic Shots and props throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.