Santa Claus is coming, guys! Even more exciting, Santa Claus is coming to Walt Disney World! Of course, the good old man needs a vacation from time to time, and what better destination than the Happiest Place on Earth?
He joins Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and the rest of the gang to kick off the festivities in mid-November, which continue all the way to Christmas Day. So, put on your Santa hat and let’s ho-ho-ho together as we explore this very special guide to Disney during Christmas!
In this guide, you will learn more about:
- When Does Christmas Take Place at Walt Disney World?
- When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World during Christmas?
- Special Christmas Events at Walt Disney World (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, Disney Jollywood Nights, How is Christmas in Animal Kingdom)
- Meeting Santa Claus at Walt Disney World
When Does Christmas Take Place at Walt Disney World?
Good question, padawan! One could say that Christmas is celebrated all year long at Walt Disney World, as everyone is always happy and having a great time 24/7. But, in truth, Christmas decorations begin to appear in the theme parks and Disney Springs right after Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party ends, which is on October 31st.
So, you can expect to start seeing Christmas decorations popping up in places like Magic Kingdom at the beginning of November. There isn’t a specific date for everything to be fully decorated, as it happens gradually. However, some special events begin shortly after. For instance, in 2024, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs from November 8 all the way through December 20.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World During Christmas?
This is a tough question to answer. Christmas - much like New Year’s Eve - can get incredibly crowded during Christmas week, especially on December 25. Lines for attractions like Epcot’s Spaceship Earth can reach four hours or more!
In addition to the crowds, ticket prices during this time are some of the highest of the year. While celebrating with Mickey on December 24 or December 25 is undoubtedly magical, you’ll need to weigh whether it’s worth navigating the overwhelming crowds.
If I had to pick the best time to visit Disney for Christmas, I’d recommend the first two weeks of December. The crowds are much more manageable, you can enjoy all the decorations across the parks, experience every major Christmas event, and even save a bit on tickets compared to visiting during Christmas week.
Special Christmas Events at Walt Disney World
You don’t visit Walt Disney World just to see Mickey in a red coat, nope! During the Christmas season, there are special events across nearly every park, offering guests something unique to enjoy. While these events start at different times, they’re all in full swing by late November. That’s one of the reasons I recommend visiting during the first two weeks of December.
Most of the very special events require a separate ticket, which means that a standard theme park ticket won’t be enough. Still, there are also minor events taking place in each park that you can enjoy with your standard ticket, including a different firework show at Magic Kingdom.
Here are the highlights.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas
Price: $169 to $219 per ticket
This event, held in Magic Kingdom, is arguably the most iconic Christmas celebration at Walt Disney World. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires a special, separate ticket and runs for five magical hours after the park officially closes. The good news? Although the event begins after the park closes, ticket holders can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00pm, and you don’t need an additional standard park ticket to do so!
The party features a beautiful Christmas parade, a dazzling fireworks show, rare character meet-and-greets, dance parties, and exclusive holiday merchandise. As a bonus, many attractions remain open during the event, giving you a great chance to enjoy rides like Tron Lightcycle Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with shorter lines. And if you happen to find yourself off Santa’s nice list, you can always spend some time in Space Mountain or enjoying other classic Magic Kingdom attractions.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Price: just your standard theme park ticket
In 2024, the International Festival of the Holidays runs from November 29 to December 30. One of the best things about this event is that it doesn’t require a separate ticket, your standard theme park admission is all you need to join the festivities!
This festival is a celebration of Christmas traditions from around the world. You’ll find special booths and kiosks offering food and drinks inspired by global cuisines, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to try something new. It’s often considered an extension of the Food & Wine Festival, which wraps up just a week before. Many kiosks are rebranded for the holidays, introducing new menus for the season.
The festival also features unique events that don’t require an additional ticket, such as the Candlelight Processional. This powerful retelling of the Christmas story includes a celebrity narrator, a live orchestra, and a massive choir. Past celebrity narrators have included Neil Patrick Harris and Brendan Fraser, who brought the holiday spirit to life during the event.
Disney Jollywood Nights
Price: $159 to $179 per ticket
Disney Jollywood Nights takes place at Hollywood Studios and follows a similar format to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This special event requires a separate ticket and runs for five hours after the park officially closes. Guests can enjoy exclusive entertainment, unique merchandise, and more festive surprises throughout the night. In 2024, this event runs from November 9 to December 21. You can enter the theme park around 6:00pm to enjoy this event.
If you're looking for a classic Christmas experience, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the better choice. However, if you're after something a bit more energetic and unique, Jollywood Nights might be perfect for you. For example, Magic Kingdom features a traditional Christmas parade, while Hollywood Studios offers a brand-new ice skating show. There’s also a Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along at the Hyperion Theater. As you can see, Hollywood Studios takes a more subtle approach to Christmas, highlighting lesser-known franchises and characters, including the Muppets.
Much like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’ll also find special dance parties and smaller events, plus rare character meet-and-greets, including Zé Carioca! As a Brazilian, I love that parrot, and I remember reading his comics and laughing at his adventures with Nestor and Pedrão when I was about 10 years old.
Most rides are open during Disney Jollywood Nights, often with shorter lines compared to standard park hours. Some of the attractions available include: Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Alien Swirling Saucers, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
How is Christmas in Animal Kingdom
Price: just your standard theme park ticket
Animal Kingdom is the only Disney World park without a major Christmas event during the holidays. This is understandable, considering the live animals that reside there, who may be disturbed by events held outside normal park operating hours. However, you can still enjoy a fun holiday atmosphere with a variety of minor parties and celebrations.
The main event is the Merry Menagerie, which takes over Discovery Island. This charming event features puppet animals, such as polar bears, foxes, and more, strolling around the park, and they look absolutely lovely! Yes, you can pet them.
In 2024, Animal Kingdom will also welcome Santa Claus at Restaurantosaurus from November 12 to December 24. If you want to snap a photo with the jolly old man, that’s the place to go. Other festivities include special meet-and-greets and the Tree of Life adorned with special Christmas decorations at night.
While Animal Kingdom is beautifully decorated for the holidays, if you're seeking a more traditional Christmas experience, you might have better luck at Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.
Meeting Santa Claus at Walt Disney World
Do you think Santa would miss a trip to Disney World? Of course he visits the Happiest Place on Earth! You can usually find him in all four major theme parks and Disney Springs, but his schedule usually changes each year. Well, he is a busy man after all.
Here’s where you can meet Santa in Disney World in 2024:
- Disney Springs: Enjoy “Breakfast with Santa,” a character dining experience at Marie & Enzo’s, available from December 14 to December 24. Prices range from $45 to $79 per person. Santa will also appear at the former Star Wars Traders Outpost for a traditional meet-and-greet. To meet him, you’ll need to join the Virtual Queue on your My Disney Experience app.
- Magic Kingdom: Meet Santa daily at the Liberty Square Gazebo and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Check your My Disney Experience app for Meet & Greet times.
- Epcot: Meet Santa at the Odyssey Pavilion from November 29 to December 24.
- Hollywood Studios: Find Santa at It’s a Wonderful Shop on Grand Avenue from November 12 to December 24. You can also meet Goofy dressed as Santa at the Hollywood & Vine character dining experience and even spot Santa Stitch during Jollywood Nights.
- Animal Kingdom: Meet Santa Claus at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party on the patio at Restaurantosaurus, available from November 12 to December 24.
