ORLANDO, Fla. – The holiday season is officially underway at Walt Disney World, with the arrival of Christmas decorations and other festive offerings at the theme parks.
Although the coronavirus pandemic caused some annual events to be put on hold—Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot—there will still be plenty of holiday cheer.
Here’s how each park will be celebrating.
MAGIC KINGDOM
At Magic Kingdom, the lampposts and the buildings along Main Street, U.S.A. have been adorned with garland and Christmas wreaths. The large Christmas tree has also been installed in the Town Square area.
Characters, in holiday garb, make appearances at the Main Street, U.S.A. train station as well as during various character cavalcades throughout the day. The Dapper Dans barbershop quartet will also perform holiday harmonies.
Jungle Cruise has been given its holiday overlay, transforming into the seasonal Jingle Cruise. In addition to holiday decorations along the attraction, the Skippers have added a holiday-themed zingers to their spiel.
In the evenings, special projection effects will give Cinderella Castle a festive overlay, including a “whimsical Christmas sweater look.”
Holiday-themed merchandise and food and beverage items will be available in the park.
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM
Seasonal décor has been added to various areas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including Discovery Island and DinoLand U.S.A.
Visitors will be able to see characters like Donald and Daisy during Donald’s Dino Bash Festive Flotilla, which will make its way down the Discovery River. Santa will also make his way down Discovery River.
And next month, there will be several holiday-themed treats available at the parks, including the Santa Mickey Mousse, a white chocolate peppermint mousse dome on a brownie base and chocolate Mickey ears.
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Holiday decorations have also arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Throughout the day, Santa Claus will make his way down Hollywood Boulevard as part of a special Christmas motorcade.
A festive finale featuring Olaf has been added to “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.”
And the holiday projections on the Hollywood Tower Hotel returns this year with a few modifications. Projection effects will transform the building into various holiday looks, including “a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.’”
EPCOT
Later this month, Epcot will kick off the Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.
In addition to holiday-inspired dishes at the holiday kitchens, the festival will include live entertainment, character appearances and a Frozen-inspired scavenger hunt.