Disney World Christmas: The Magic of the Holidays Comes to Mickey Mouse Town

Have a holly, jolly Christmas at Hollywood Studios. The festivities begin with Echo Lake getting a memorable makeover with extra-large ornaments, colorful garlands, and a giant Christmas tree illuminated on the water. Even Dinosaur Gertie dresses in his holiday best for the party. There are also a few fun holiday surprises in the all-new Toy Story Land that you won’t want to miss.

As day transitions into night, watch as billboards and rooftops come alive with animations like Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Sunset Seasons Greetings on The Hollywood Tower Hotel showcases carols and stories hosted by Disney characters Mickey, Buzz Lightyear, and Olaf, to name a few. The Swedish Chef from the Muppets delivers a chaotic gingerbread cooking demonstration. Cap off the night with ‘Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!’ and watch as Wayne and Lanny from ABC’s Prep & Landing search near and far for missing Kris Kringle.

Baby, it’s cold outside at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. Be sure to wear your long underwear and closed toed shoes as you explore ICE! with temperatures dropping to nine degrees. This year’s theme is A Christmas Story. Relive the triple-dog-dare, the old man’s major award, and Christmas dinner at Chop Suey Palace as told through life-size ice sculptures. Join in on the fun and slide down one of the five two-story ice slides like Ralphie did after his infamous encounter with the Higbee’s Santa.

Additional holiday fun includes a Christmas Tree Trail created by Santa’s chief Christmas tree decorator, Sparkle the Elf, a Gingerbread Decorating Corner, a Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt, and Santa’s Snow Throw, where you can try to knock presents off the shelf with real snowballs.

A family favorite event this year is the Elf on the Shelf Character Breakfast that’s almost guaranteed to sell out. Cirque Dreams dazzles with acrobatics in their free Unwrapped stage show, and Sounds of the Season promises festive concerts throughout the season on the grand St. Augustine atrium stage.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and nobody knows a better way to celebrate than Mickey Mouse. On select nights through December 21, Mickey and his cast of classic Disney characters—along with special guests Santa, Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws, and Scrooge McDuck—don Christmas sweaters, stocking caps, and winter scarves as they welcome families. Don’t expect your typical Disney experience as the entire park twinkles with holiday lights. Some of the rides are even re-purposed in the spirit of Christmas like the homesick for the holidays Skippers turning the Jungle Cruise into the Jingle Cruise with decorations handmade from scavenged materials.

Mickey really rolls out the red (and green) carpet for the shows. At Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy are joined by Alice and the White Rabbit from the classic Alice in Wonderland and Woody and Jessie from Toy Story as they treat party goers to a dozen yuletide favorite carols with the Cinderella Castle as the backdrop, glowing in festive red and green. The evening culminates with the Once Upon a Christmas Parade and a fireworks display.

Harry Potter might not be able to make it home for Christmas, but he’s happy to welcome you to his Wizarding World at Universal Orlando Resort. With a flick of the wand—and maybe some help from a few house elves—he’s draped the alleyways and buildings of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley with garland, Christmas lights, and ribbons. He’s invited the Frog Choir to sing seasonal melodies and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees to create a show special for his seasonal mayhem.

Speaking of mayhem, the Grinch is up to no good over in Seuss Landing in Universal’s Islands of Adventure for the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. After the retelling of the classic Seuss tale, stick around for autographs and a photo opportunity with the thief himself.

In Universal Studios, the minions might be causing a little mayhem themselves at Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. Thankfully, the characters from Madagascar and Shrek are there to keep things merry. Back by popular demand, the best-selling holiday artist of all time, Mannheim Steamroller, is performing on select nights.

Feliz navidad, prospero año y felicidad at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Make like Santa and take a Christmas trip around the world at the International Yuletide Extravaganza, where each of the 11 World Showcase nations celebrates the holidays with their local flavors and traditions. Skip the turkey and ham this Christmas and enjoy an exotic festive feast, like New Year Celebration Soba with buckwheat soba noodles, chicken, and spinach in a hot dashi soup from the Japanese inspired Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen.

Pair your trip around the world with Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree, a scavenger hunt where you and your family help the furry rascals collect ornaments for their Christmas tree. A returning favorite is the Candlelight Processional hosted three times a night. The story of Christmas is told by a celebrity narrator (this year’s roster includes the likes of Helen Hunt, John Stamos, and Cal Ripken, Jr.), a 50-piece orchestra, and a massed choir.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow in Celebration, the town that Disney built. Market Street decks the halls with a cascade of lights, a Christmas tree sparkles over Lake Rianhard, and Charles Dickens Carolers spread the joy throughout the streets. And, yes, there’s the nightly snowing. Every hour from 6-9 p.m. the skies fill with a flurry of snoap (the stuff used in the movies to create fake snow).

There really is something for everyone during the Holidays in Celebration. Moms can shop the boutiques like Market Street Gallery, which is stocked with all things Christmas. Meanwhile, dads can catch sports highlights while sipping seasonal craft brews at Celebration Town Tavern, and kids can tell Santa what they want for Christmas. Why split up though when there’s plenty for the entire family to do together like ice-skating and horse-drawn carriage rides?

Celebration invites guests to get to know their town better on board the Christmas Express Train, which choo-choos through several neighborhoods. Don’t miss the lights along Jeater Bend, the street-wide Christmas spectacular that was featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.

Last but not least, Happy Holidays at LEGOLAND’s Christmas Bricktacular. Santa’s elves have been busy preparing for Christmas by building the LEGO Christmas tree, wreath, and snowman brick-by-brick. They need your help, so join in on a hands-on building experiences, like the World LEGO Mosaic Build. When the work is done, you’re invited to celebrate with them at the Holly Jolly Jubilee musical and interactive show.