We’re looking forward to the holidays and today, we have an update on some of the festive experiences coming to Walt Disney World Resort. Building off of our recent experiences of operating in a new environment, we’ve reimagined the holidays which will, of course, apply current our current health and safety measures while still keeping the joy and magic of the season. And while things are looking a bit different at Walt Disney World and beyond, we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
We know how much our guests love the holidays, so from Nov. 6-Dec. 30, they will be able to enjoy festive décor, themed merchandise, seasonal food & beverage offerings and entertainment all across Walt Disney World Resort. Holiday magic will be in full force at the four theme parks and Disney Springs, and Santa Claus will make time for special pop-up appearances at each location, waving and exclaiming holiday wishes to all.
Guests will be delighted by the sight of 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 our 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. This will be in place of the Castle Dream Lights. Other holiday experiences that draw big crowds will be on hiatus this year as well, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. We know these experiences are a cherished part of holiday traditions that will be missed by guests and cast members alike, but we’re glad to be able to bring holiday magic in other creative ways.
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.
Shifting gears to 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 encounter a magical snowfall, adding an extra touch of wonder to their holiday shopping. And to top it off, Jock Lindsey will once again be turning his hangar bar into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar complete with delightful holiday décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Resort hotels will also be decked out for the holidays, with their lobbies featuring iconic trees and other festive flourishes. One thing to keep in mind is that our gingerbread displays will not return to the Resort hotels this year. While we know they are a favorite of people taking in the holiday décor, we’re not able to include those displays due to physical distancing guidelines.
Starting a bit later in the season, on Nov. 27, we’ll 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.
Guests will be invited to step inside World ShowPlace to enjoy the returning group, JOYFUL!, who present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. Also, 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. There are plenty more details about this festival to come, so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog.
We’re all looking forward to creating new holiday traditions with our guests and cast members this year, as we introduce unique ways to enjoy the season together. So, make your list – and check it twice – because there’s a lot of holiday fun to see and do here at Walt Disney World Resort!
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, DAK, DHS, Holidays, MK, WDW
Three months and three virtual 5k runs later, here I am! I loved participating in @rundisney ‘s virtual 5k series this summer! Am I a great runner? Absolutely not. Did I want to give up during all of them? You betcha. But I did it! Each “race” I completed ended up being better than the one before, and for that, I am so grateful! I am so excited to proudly display my first ever medals (which are INCREDIBLE, btw – swipe for a closer photo!) and I’m really proud I got out there and it. Mad props to you runners out there. Your motivation inspires me!! 
Anyone else complete one or all of the virtual 5ks this summer? Which medal is your favorite?!
#runDisney #rundisneyvirtual #rundisneyvirtualseries #Disney #Running #DisneyMagicMoments
It’s a Spooky #medalmonday as I’m celebrating the last day of August and this past weeks completion of my third virtual race for 2020 
The @rundisney virtual Haunted Mansion 5K 
Mad tea party virtual 5k DONE
@rundisney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #madteaparty #aliceinwonderland #cheshirecat #downtherabbithole #queenofhearts #disneypins #disney #disneycosplay #disneycostume #rundisney #rundisneyvirtual #rundisneytraining #marathontraining #teamrundisney #instarunners #instarun #virtualraces #summerchallenge #disneycollection #therunprincessfamily #prettyinpink #running #runnersofinstagram #whiterabbit #nike #bekind #happiness
Two 5Ks down and 1 to go in the @RunDisney summer virtual run series. 
#runhappy #virtualrunning #muchneededexercise
I’ve been running at least 1 charitable 5k or 10k per month since March 2018 and Covid wasn’t gonna stop this train
Even got Niece-baby her first medal after she walked/ran a 1/2 mile with me 
#MsCStayRunning #RunDisney #VirtualChallenge
Ms. C, LLMSW, SSW
Ms. Tom Morrow
Half Marathon weekend back in March however, it was cancelled due to to COVID-19 
• Today, Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2021 registration became available to annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members 
Registration opened at 10am and it’s always pretty stressful. Bibs are limited and the system doesn’t seem to have a rhyme or reason as to how it allows people/devices in. The allotted 10k and Challenge bibs for today sold out within about 20 minutes 
• I actually did a thing and purchased the Disney Fairy Tale Challenge, which is the 10k AND half (
), for a total two races and three medals 
: @wishesandwizards use code Taylor15 • 
: @thesunshinestudiofl / @sunshinestyleblog