Christmas with Kids at Disney (Photo Credit: Disney)
Believe it or not, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida becomes even more magical during the holiday season. You can feel the magic in the air more than ever during this time of year. From the beautiful decorations to the special events, the holidays are a great time for a Disney World vacation.
Disney starts the holiday season a little earlier than most places, by the first week of November. The holiday festivities last approximately two months, through the first week of January. There are festive decorations throughout the parks and resorts as well as special events and activities to help you celebrate the season.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (Photo Credit: Disney)
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held at Magic Kingdom on select nights from early November through the week of Christmas. This is the only opportunity to see snow falling on Main Street, U.S.A. The party offers a variety of exciting holiday festivities. Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade marches down Main Street with toy soldiers, gingerbread men, elves and many of our favorite Disney characters. This year's parade will even include Frozen characters Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. The party also includes character dance parties, free hot cocoa and cookies, and a special holiday Wishes fireworks spectacular.
Festival of the Seasons
Festival of the Seasons is the holiday celebration held at Downtown Disney. You can meet Santa Claus, pick up some Christmas ornaments, or enjoy live entertainment. There are holiday carolers, stilt walkers, street performers, and a holiday dance party. The area is also full of beautiful holiday decorations.
Candlelight Processional
Candlelight Processional at Epcot (Photo Credit: Disney)
Candlelight Processional is held every night from Thanksgiving to Christmas inside Epcot. Each night, Disney brings in a celebrity narrator to read the Christmas story. The celebrity narrator is accompanied by a 50-piece live orchestra and mass choir. The 2014 Candlelight Processional at Epcot will feature the following celebrity narrators:
•Jonathan Groff - December 3 and 4, 2014
•Whoopi Goldberg - December 5 and 6, 2014
•LeVar Burton - December 7 to December 9, 2014
•Edward James Olmos - December 10 to December 11, 2014
•Joe Morton - December 12 to December 14, 2014
•Chita Rivera - December 15 to December 17, 2014
•Ana Gasteyer - December 18 to December 20, 2014
•Marlee Matlin - December 21 to December 23, 2014
•Isabella Rossellini - December 24 and 25, 2014
•Blair Underwood - December 26 and 27, 2014
•Steven Curtis Chapman - December 28 to December 30, 2014
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios (Photo Credit: Disney)
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights covers the Streets of America in Disney's Hollywood Studios with millions of dancing lights. Every 20 or so minutes, the lights "dance" to music and there will be a snowfall on the Streets of America. You will find a Christmas tree, angels, Santa Claus, and even a spinning Earth made of lights. Plus, you just might be lucky enough to spot a Hidden Mickey or two in the lights.
Resort Decorations
Decorations at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Photo Credit: Disney)
All of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels show their holiday spirit with incredible decorations ranging from floor to ceiling Christmas trees to larger than life gingerbread creations. All of the hotels have trees, wreaths and other decorations, but the deluxe resorts truly go all out for the holidays. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa features a life size gingerbread house in their lobby along with freshly baked gingerbread treats available for purchase for a snack or to send to your friends and family back home. Disney's Beach Club Resort creates a life sized gingerbread carousel in their lobby. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney's Wilderness Lodge have spectacular Christmas trees that are a few stories high sitting in their lobbies. Plus, Disney's Contemporary Resort will feature a new Frozen-inspired creation in their lobby this year. As a reminder, anyone can visit the Walt Disney World Resort hotels to enjoy their decor.
Siera Duiser of Destinations in Florida contributed this to MiniTime.
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