Disney Winter | Vacations, Cruises, Decor, Recipes

If you’re spending winter anywhere where it snows, you’re more than likely wishing for a little extra magic. Whether it’s traveling to the parks for warmer weather, or looking for ways to add a little more Disney to your day. This jam-packed time of year means loads of holidays and things to do. Here are some of our favorite ways to add more magic to the Winter season running November-February.

Walt Disney World in the Winter

Traveling to Walt Disney World in the winter, some say, could be the best time to visit. While it does bring holiday crowds if you’re traveling during the early part of winter, the latter part of the season promises cooler weather and fewer people. It’s also one of the more challenging times to travel with oversized sweaters. Be sure to check out our Disney World Winter Packing List and our favorite Disney Beauty Bag for Winter picks before you go, because 40-degree temps in Florida feel much colder than you’d think! 

Christmas

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World for Christmas, then get ready for all the holiday magic you could hope for. The holiday season begins the second week of November and runs through the end of the year. We’re only giving you a snapshot of the things you can do on a Disney Christmas Vacation, so be sure to check out our Disney Christmas page for all the details, posts, and more for what you should know before you go. 

• A Disney Christmas Vacation 5 Must Do’s!
• Best Disney Resorts to Visit for Christmas
• A Beginners Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World

Epcot’s International Festival of Holidays

As part of the holiday season, if you traveling after Thanksgiving you can attend the Festival of Holidays at Epcot Park. Filled with traditional and cultural foods to try, an Olaf scavenger hunt, and Christmas decorations everywhere, you’ll want to take the time to visit. Grab a festival guide and make your way around the world for the holidays to experience storytellers and the Candlelight Processional.

• EPCOT International Festival of Holidays Guide
• 10 Things to Do at EPCOT for the Festival of Holidays

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

If you’re looking for an extra special way to celebrate the season, then consider grabbing a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This special event at Magic Kingdom includes seasonal fireworks, the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and holiday everything. 

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Beginner’s Guide
• Top 10 Things to Do at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll

For extra Christmas fun, you can head to Disney Springs, on a non-park day for a walk. Covered in over 20 Christmas Trees, just grab the map and stickers at the welcome center to chart your journey across Disney Springs. Each tree is decorated like some beloved Disney character, film or theme and can give you great ideas for adding more Disney to your holiday at home. 

New Years

Walt Disney World is busiest on New Year’s Eve, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t special things to be had. With special menus at select restaurants, and a special fireworks display you can ring in the New Year in style. Check out everything to do for New Year’s at Walt Disney World. 

Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts

Another Epcot festival that happens in the winter is the Festival of the Arts! By far one of our favorite festivals of the year, this festival honors Disney artists the world over, honoring culinary, performing, and fine art disciplines, you can browse art booths, try out artistically prepared foods, and even find Figment in a scavenger hunt game. 

• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Guide
• Epcot Festival of the Arts in One Day
• Festival of the Arts Top 10 Tips

New Disney Snacks

Disney World goes crazy with snacks in the winter months. Honoring everything from Christmas to Black History, you can find loads of New Snacks at Walt Disney World for each holiday. 

runDisney Marathon

The biggest running event of the year at Disney World happens in January every year; the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon. With a new theme each year, featuring Mickey and Friends, runners take to the parks for a variety of races at a variety of distances. This event is highly popular, so be sure to check out all the runDisney events for dates and details. 

Winter at Disneyland

In California, the seasons don’t really change much, weather-wise, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a reason to celebrate! The Disneyland Calendar is filled with loads of activities in the winter months. Check out everything happening if you’re planning a Disneyland Vacation.

Christmas

Celebrating Christmas at Disneyland means loads of decorations, new snacks, and everyone in their best holiday attire. This time of year also sees the Festival of Holidays and the Candlelight Processional added to the holiday lineup. Rides also get the festive treatment with Holiday overlays at “It’s a Small World”, and Haunted Mansion turns into a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. Plus Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel features a life-size gingerbread house display, different every year, and filled with Hidden Mickeys! 

• A Disneyland Christmas 5 Must Do’s
• Holiday Tea at the Disneyland Hotel
• Christmas at Disneyland Resort

Festival of Holidays

The Festival of Holidays takes place at California Adventure Park and runs from mid-November through early January. This festival showcases specialty holiday foods throughout the park and brings live entertainment to the stage nightly. 

Lunar New Year Celebration

This Chinese New Year Celebration rings in the new year, themed to the Chinese animal each year. Complete with a parade, and a selection of amazing new treats around the parks, be sure to check out everything happening for the Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney’s California Adventure Park. 

A Disney Cruise in the Winter

Christmas may be a stressful time to travel but you can get away on a Disney Cruise to stay out of the crowds. We recommend leaving early in the holiday season so you still have a cozy time at home with the family. Plus Christmas Cruises are cheaper earlier in the season. And if you’re headed on a Cold Weather Disney Cruise, then be sure to check out our packing tips for winter and what it’s like to sail north from the New York City port. 

• Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise Guide.
• Disney Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise 5 Must Dos
• Disney Cruise Packing Tips For Cold Weather
• Sailing Out of New York City with Disney Cruise Line

A Disney Home for Winter

Ahhh, winter at home. While there’s always time for a last-minute vacation to somewhere warm and sunny, sometimes in Winter, we just love the excuse to stay warm and cozy! As such we have recipes and movies to keep us busy most of the time. 

Disney Winter Holidays

• Christmas: By far the biggest event of the year, Christmas makes an impression on your home, more than any other holiday. Check out our Disney Christmas ideas for all the decor, recipes, and movie nights you can enjoy this season. 
• New Year: Check out all the Disney New Year’s posts for ideas on how to make your home extra festive and ready for the New Year Reset! 
• Valentine’s Day: Get ready for the holiday with all our Disney Valentine’s Day Ideas, from recipes to ideas to decor, there is plenty to get you in the mood. 
• Mardi Gras: We don’t need an excuse to make beignets, but we sure do love having a reason to go overboard with our favorite fried dough. Check out all the Disney Mardi Gras party ideas featuring Princess Tiana, Beignets, and more. 

Disney Winter Recipes

We have loads of Disney Recipes to choose from. Mostly inspired by our favorite coffees, desserts, and snacks in the parks, you can find the coziest of treats here.

• S’mores Latte inspired by Wilderness Lodge
• Valentine’s Day Mickey Waffle Brunch Board
• Festival of the Arts Recipes at Home: Pop’t Art copycat recipe

Disney Winter Movies

It will come as no surprise that Disney has a lineup of watch options for all the winter holidays. And while you may settle in for winter with a Harry Potter Movie Marathon or the entire Marvel movie lineup, for us, we zero on in Disney Channel Favorites. Check out our Disney Movie Night Ideas for ideas and extra fun no matter the season. 

• The Best Disney Christmas Movies on Disney Plus
• Disney Channel Valentines Day Episodes and Movies on Disney Plus

Disney Winter Home Decor

Disney Winter Home Decor is meant to be cozy and fun. From elaborate Disney holiday decorations to simple Disney crafts you can make at home there is plenty you can do to add a little more Disney to your holiday and winter season. With loads of mugs, Disney throw blankets, and even a Santa Snow Globe you can make at home, you will have plenty to help you get stuck into the season. Be sure to check out our Disney Hot Cocoa Bar for ideas that can satisfy even the most seasoned Hot cocoa connoisseur.

Disney Winter Shirts and shopDisney 

And if you’re looking for Disney Christmas shirts or Disney Winter Shirts for the season, you can find all our favorites at Polka Dot Pixie Shop. Plus, expect a steady stream of everything holiday from shopDisney.  Christmas merchandise typically arrives in October, so be on the lookout! Things tend to sell out fast.