Its July and that means one thing! Well it could mean many things such as, the 4th of July, summer, barbecue and more… but to this Christmas loving girl, July gives me the perfect excuse to talk about my favorite holiday! That’s right, its Christmas in July! But in all seriousness, this is the perfect time to start thinking ahead to holiday travel. One of my favorite places to travel year-round is to the Walt Disney World Resort and during the Christmas season the Disney parks become even more magical! Let’s take a look at a few of the returning and new offerings Disney has announced to be coming to the parks this coming holiday season!
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The most popular Disney holiday event happens at none other than the Magic Kingdom Park! Magic Kingdom is home the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! This hard-ticketed event happens after hours in Magic Kingdom. The event includes exclusive parades, Christmas Fireworks, a holiday stage show, exclusive merchandise, complimentary cookies and refreshments and more! Because this is a hard-ticketed, after hours’ event you can also enjoy the park with limited crowds and low wait times for attractions! This event is the perfect way to ring in the Christmas season!
Epcot
Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional is my favorite offering in Disney during the holidays. This Disney tradition is beautiful and always takes my breath away! In the American Garden theatre, you can watch a live orchestra perform Christmas songs and see a celebrity guest narrator share the story of the Nativity. It is a beautiful presentation. This experience is very popular; to guarantee a spot for the show we recommend getting in line at least 2 hours in advance. If you would like priority seating and the flexibility to save yourself time by not waiting in line then we recommend a Candlelight Processional Dining Package! Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are now available for bookings! Many celebrity narrators have been announced, including Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Gary Sinise, Jodi Benson and Pat Sajak. The full list will be announced in the coming weeks.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will begin this year on November 18! This festival includes seasonal food and beverage offering from around the world at special Holiday Kitchens and exclusive Holiday entertainment throughout the World Showcase.
Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree scavenger hunt
Also at Epcot Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree scavenger hunt will make a return! You can purchase a scavenger hunt map from locations throughout World Showcases, once you have your map the fun begins as you hunt for hidden Chip and Dale figures in each pavilion. You must use the stickers that come with your map and match them to the Chip and Dale figure you found in the corresponding country. In the end you can redeem the completed map for a prize. This is a great activity for kids to enjoy while parents get to taste their way around the world.
Hollywood Studios
Flurry of Fun
Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will return for its second year! This event brings the spirit of the season to life at Hollywood Studios! Flurry of Fun will run from November 8, 2018, to January 6, 2019.
Sunset Season Greetings
During Flurry of Fun, Sunset Season Greetings, the nighttime projection show will also return! This show lights up Sunset Boulevard with special laser effects, projections on the Hollywood Tower hotel and with some Disney magic, “snow!”
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Also, the nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will return to the park! This nighttime show includes beautiful projections and fireworks!
Meet Santa
Guests at Hollywood Studios will also have the opportunity to meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop from November 10-December 24. You can also meet Santa Goofy from December 25 on!
Toy Story Land at Christmas!
Also at Hollywood Studios we are hearing that Toy Story Land will feature seasonal elements like holiday music on Alien Swirling Saucers!
Animal Kingdom
UP! A Great Bird Adventure – Holiday Overlay
UP! A Great Bird Adventure is a new show that just premiered this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! The show will receive a holiday overlay with the inclusion of Diwali, the Festival of Lights in India. The show overlay will begin on November 8.
Disney Springs
Christmas Tree Trail
At Disney Springs, the Christmas festivities run November 8 through January 5! One of these returning festivities being the popular Christmas Tree Trail! This tree trail includes custom-decorated Christmas trees each themed to either a different Disney character or movie! I will admit, my family and I go all out when it comes to Christmas decorations! We actually put up 5 Christmas trees in our house, each with its own theme, so this tree trail at Disney Springs has become an instant favorite for us! It has given me so many decorating ideas! I can’t wait to see what additions Disney will include this year!
