A Disney World Christmas Checklist for the Holidays

Need a Disney World Christmas Events Checklist for your Disney Vacation? We have been collecting everything we can to prepare for a Christmas Vacation to the most magical place on Earth. Snow on Main Street? Cocoa and Cookies? Jingle Cruise? You bet! For our shop, we started designing Disney Christmas shirts in July so we’ve been in holiday mode for a while. But, when it comes to Christmas at Walt Disney World we’ve made a list. This Walt Disney World Christmas Checklist covers all four parks, Disney Springs, and the Resorts, so we don’t miss a thing! Because with so many holiday activities, you’re sure to want to experience them all! 

Christmas Events at Disney World

First things first. If you, dear reader, have anything to share- tips, tricks, words of caution about Disney World at Christmas- let us know! We are always looking for great tips about making the holidays more magical! As avid Disney Vacationers and current Annual Passholders, we have stashed loads of Disney tips and tricks in our Disney Vacation toolbox. But, Christmas at Walt Disney World isn’t an annual trip for us, because we’re usually avoiding the crowds ( which are the worst through the holiday season) and have loads of family holiday fun at home to enjoy. Still, we simply can’t get enough of all the magic in the Walt Disney World Parks for Christmas. Here’s the Disney World Christmas Checklist for Each Park so you don’t miss a thing! 

Magic Kingdom at Christmas

If you’re looking for all things Merry and Bright, then head to Disney’s Magic Kingdom for Christmas. Of all the places you can be for Disney World Christmas Events, Magic Kingdom promises some of the best. Here are the best things to keep the holiday spirits up.

• Frozen Holiday Surprise Castle Lighting
• Cinderella Castle Holiday Projection Show
• Christmas Snacks at Magic Kingdom
• Magic Kingdom Christmas Decorations
• Disney Christmas Merchandise
• Jingle Cruise on the Jungle Cruise
• Holiday Trolley featuring the Dapper Dans
• Main Street Philharmonic and Toy Soldier March
• The Christmas Shoppe
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
  • Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
  • Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
  • Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
  • Exclusive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Food

Hollywood Studios at Christmas

Hollywood Studios is one of our favorite places at Christmastime. Check out our top 5 reasons Christmas at Hollywood Studios offers some of the best Disney World Christmas decorations, snacks, and free shows. 

• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-long Olaf’s special Holiday Finale
• Sunset Seasons Greetings Tower of Terror Show
  • The Muppets
  • Toy Story
  • Frozen Arendelle
  • Mickey’s Christmas Carol
• Flurries of Fun Billboards Show
• Minnie’s Holiday and Vine Dining Experience
• Toy Story Land Decorations
• Christmas Snacks at Hollywood Studios
• Christmas Decorations at Echo Lake
• Disney Christmas Merchandise
• Grab the New Christmas Popcorn Bucket!
• Santa Claus Merry Motorcade
• Jollywood Nights Christmas Party
  • What’s This? Nightmare Before Christmas Spirited Singalong
  • Disney Holidays in Hollywood with Kermit and Miss Piggy
  • Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club Hollywood Tower Hotel
  • Jazzy Holidays at Hollywood Brown Derby
  • Exclusive Jollywood Nights Snacks
  • Jingle Bell Jingle BAM!
  • Holiday Fiesta En La Calle Street Fair

Epcot at Christmas

Epcot for the holidays is all about foods and decorations from around the world. Along with music, performances, and more. Christmas at EPCOT is included with your park ticket and offers up some of the best holiday activities at Disney World. Perfect to help you really get into the feeling of the festive season.

• Gingerbread Displays at American Adventure
• EPCOT International Festival of Holidays
  • Holiday Kitchens. Check out the Festival of Holidays Menus
  • Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt Game
  • Holiday Storytellers in each country
  • Holiday Cookie Stroll
  • Candlelight Processional
    • Candlelight Processional Dining Package
• Christmas Snacks at EPCOT
• Christmas Decorations
• Disney Christmas Merchandise
• Living with the Land Merry and Bright Nights
• Musical Performances
  • Voices of Liberty
  • Mariachi Cobre
  • JAMMitors at the Mill Stage Canada World Showcase
  • JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
  • The EPCOT Pianist at World Showplace
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind Holiday Overlay
• Spaceship Earth Gingerbread Display at CommuniCore Hall
• Glittering Grove Trees at CommuniCore Hall
• Snowflake Decorating at CommuniCore Plaza
• Festive Fragrances Snowglobe Garden

Animal Kingdom at Christmas

Animal Kingdom at Christmastime is magical! You can see a new digital show on the Tree of Life, holiday marionette animals, and holiday overlays across the park.

• Christmas Snacks at Animal Kingdom
• Christmas Decorations
• Merry Menagerie Animal Marionettes
• Disney Christmas Merchandise
• Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition
• Kitschy Holiday Decor in Pandora
• Holiday Character Flotillas

Disney Resorts at Christmas

One of our favorite things is visiting Disney Resorts for Christmas! With amazing decorations, Gingerbread displays, and seasonal snacks, the Disney Resorts pull out all the stops for the holidays. And as one of our favorite things to do for Christmas at Walt Disney World without a park ticket, it’s pretty kind to your Disney budget too. 

See the Gingerbread Displays at Select Resorts

One of the most fun things to do at Disney for the holidays, is see all the Gingerbread Displays at Disney Resorts. Here’s the list of the ones you can find starting around the third week in November. 

• The Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Floridian
• Gingerbread Castle at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Gingerbread Cabin at Wilderness Lodge
• Christmas Gingerbread Carousel at Disney Beach Club Resort
• Gingerbread Lighthouse at Disney’s Yacht Club
• Boardwalk Inn Resort Gingerbread Display
• Gingerbread Village at Saratoga Springs Resort
• Gingerbread Giraffe at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney Springs at Christmas

Offering shopping deals and Christmas Trees across the shopping center, Disney Springs at Christmastime brings on the festive with evening and weekend music, entertainment and “snow,” through the season!

• Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll
• Santa’s Winter Watercade
• Holiday Entertainment
  • Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers
  • Snowflake Skaters
  • Waterside Stage Holiday Music
  • Let it Snow Flurries in Town Center, in the evenings
• Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Holiday Takeover
• Breakfast with Santa at Marie and Enzo’s
• Meet Santa Claus at Once Upon a Toy!

Christmas at Walt Disney World 

What are your favorite things during the holidays at Disney? Save these Walt Disney World checklists to your phone to keep a list of everything that can fill your day!