The Holiday Season Begins at Walt Disney World on November 6

While it may look a bit different this year, Walt Disney World is still busy creating some holiday magic for Guests who will be visiting this Christmas season. With lots of joy and magic of the season to experience – while keeping with their current health and safety measures – there will be many ways to celebrate this year!

From Nov. 6-Dec. 30, Guests visiting Walt Disney World will be able to enjoy festive décor, themed merchandise, seasonal food & beverage offerings and entertainment all across the Disney parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Even Santa Claus will make time for special pop-up appearances at each location, waving and exclaiming holiday wishes to all.

Enjoy festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Character cavalcades at Magic Kingdom Park will take on a special holiday twist, with Christmas friends on festive floats in their holiday finest. Gingerbread Men? Check! Elves and Reindeer? Check, check! And, my personal favorite, the Toy Soldiers, will join the Main Street Philharmonic as they march through Magic Kingdom Park, bringing musical holiday cheer for all to hear.

When night falls, special projection effects will give a festive look to Cinderella Castle this year, providing a colorful backdrop for guests’ photos. The appearance of the iconic castle will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation.

Of course, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a meal among friends and family. Minnie Mouse will be hosting a yuletide gathering for all her friends at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting Nov. 6. Santa Goofy will be there, along with Minnie and more in their holiday best.

Over at Disney Springs, guests will discover Christmas around every corner as they come across a collection of elaborately-decorated Disney Christmas trees spread throughout this retail, dining and entertainment destination. In the evening, guests visiting areas within Town Center, West Side and The Landing will even encounter a magical snowfall while doing their holiday shopping.

Disney Resort hotels will also be decked out for the holidays, with their lobbies featuring iconic trees and other festive flourishes.

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Starting Nov. 27, guests can celebrate highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Holiday kitchens will return around World Showcase promenade with favorites like American Holiday Table featuring Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Bavaria Holiday Kitchen with dishes like Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl.

In addition at EPCOT’s World ShowPlace, the returning group, JOYFUL! will present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. And the Voices of Liberty will bring their incredible 8-part harmonies to the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season.

While there will be plenty of holiday magic at Walt Disney World, it is important to note that some festive favorites will be on hiatus this year, due to the current health and safety restrictions. In Magic Kingdom, the special castle holiday projections will be in place of the Castle Dream Lights. Other holiday experiences that draw big crowds such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT will also not be occurring this year. And while there will be plenty of resort decorations to enjoy, the yearly gingerbread displays will not return this year, due to physical distancing guidelines. While these experiences are a cherished part of holiday traditions that will be missed by guests and cast members alike, Disney is certainly bringing some holiday magic in other creative ways.