What’s New At Walt Disney World For Christmas in 2022?

When Does Christmas Start at Walt Disney World?

Christmas at Walt Disney World happens TENTATIVELY November 11 – December 30, 2022. This means resort decorations, specialty seasonal snacks, and more! We’ve done a round-up of all the plans in each Disney Park, Disney Springs, and Disney Resorts below!

What are the Christmas Hours at Walt Disney World? 

Walt Disney World Christmas hours vary across the parks. Here are the published hours for the Holidays at Disney World. For updated times, special events, and changes see the Walt Disney World 5-Day Calendar.

Disney at Christmas Time

As the holiday season fast approaches, there is so much to look forward to! To get you started here are ways to beat the Disney Holiday Crowds so that your vacation can stay magical. Christmas activities begin the second week of November in almost all the parks and resorts. Check out our post on the Best Time to Visit Disney World during the holidays to make sure you get to do, see and eat everything you’re visiting for. 

Animal Kingdom at Christmas

During the holidays at Animal Kingdom, you can see life-sized puppets, rooftop luminaries, bird lanterns, and more to give you that wintry feeling of Christmas. While the Tree of Life Wintry Edition is by far the showstopper we also love the decorations, marionettes, and treats at Animal Kingdom for the holidays. Here are all the things that are returning this year and a few new things to add to the mix! 

Animal Puppet Merry Marionettes

By far one of the coolest things to see is the gorgeous animal puppets that take to the streets courtesy of their handlers. These engaging creatures add a little more fun to the holiday. Meticulously crafted you can see these beauties around the parks. So be sure to stop and take a look! You can read more about these beauties in our Christmas at Animal Kingdom post. 

Festive Flotillas

Featuring Disney Characters in their holiday best keep an eye out for Festive Flotillas. These floats will appear throughout the day for festive fun to look forward to. With several spots across the park to see these floats on Discovery River, finding a spot isn’t difficult. However, a spot on any bridge will often give you the best vantage point. 

• Santa Claus Festive Flotilla
  • The big man himself will be floating on a Festival Flotilla down Discovery River as part of the Animal Kingdom Celebrations. 
• Donald’s Dino-Bash Festive Flotilla
  • See Donald Duck, Daisy, and Launchpad from Ducktales happy with holiday cheer while sailing Discovery River.
• Chip & Dale’s Festive Flotilla
  • Don’t miss Chip ‘n’ Dale grooving to the holiday music as they float down Discovery River for the festive season.
• Mickey and Friends Festive Flotilla
  • Mickey and Friends, in their best safari holiday gear, can be seen from bridges, and alongside Discovery River throughout the day!
• Discovery Island Drummers Festive Flotilla
  • Listen for the Island drummers cruising along the river playing fun and festive tunes. 

Wintry Tales on the Tree of Life Holiday Edition

This digital show on the Tree of Life showcases woodland animals, a holiday music score, and shimmering magical scenes that honor nature and the spirit of the holidays. This show runs on a loop in the evenings when the park is open a little later. Grab a spot to watch on Discovery Island.

Hollywood Studios at Christmas

Hollywood Studios at Christmas is one of our favorite parks to visit. In addition to everything new you also get that feeling of an old-time holiday! Read more about why we think you must visit Hollywood Studios for the Holidays.

Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine

Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine Is all about Yuletide Dining and all our favorite Disney characters dressed up for the holidays. You can hang out with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in their Christmas attire. And this experience includes Santa Goofy! Read more about Minnie’s Holiday Dine.

Merry Motorcades

You can catch Disney characters driving through the parks for the season with holiday music and fun decorations in tow. 

• Santa Claus Motorcade
  • If you’re looking for Santa Claus you’ll find him driving in his little red convertible loaded with presents. And of course, an entourage of Elves will be on hand to help!

The Hollywood Holiday Tower at Hollywood Studios

This Flurry of Fun at Hollywood Studios includes three elements of the holidays right on Sunset Boulevard. Sunset Seasons Greetings is a digital show on the Tower of Terror featuring festive holiday projections like the building of a gingerbread house, or tumbling Christmas gifts. Featuring snowy Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”

You can also grab some cocoa and watch the street side billboards showcase new holiday stories. From classic holiday Mickey cartoons to the Muppets these gigantic billboard televisions will transport you to the good old days. And we couldn’t call it a flurry without a little bit of snow. Snow falls nightly on Sunset Boulevard to set the holiday mood. This is one of our favorite FREE experiences at Walt Disney World for the holidays. Shows on the Tower of Terror usually begin around 6:30 pm and loop throughout the evening. 

Magic Kingdom at Christmas

Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours 

Christmas at Walt Disney World just got a whole lot merrier! A brand new Disney After Hours Event is on the way this holiday season! Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours will open with select dates in November and December. This event will require an additional ticket. Check out all the details about this new Disney Christmas After Hours event! 

EPCOT at Christmas

During Christmas, World Showcase gets dressed up for the holidays with the Festival of Holidays!  From amazing new foods to try to fun merchandise and holiday performances galore, here’s everything happening at Epcot for the holidays.

Festival of Holidays | November 25- December 30, 2022 TENTATIVE TBD

Holiday kitchens return to the World Showcase promenade. So you can look forward to all our favorite festival dishes, like Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing at the American Holiday Table. 

• EPCOT Festival of Holidays Menus
• Festival of Holidays at Walt Disney World Beginners Guide

Candlelight Processional 

Christmas at EPCOT never feels complete without the Candlelight Processional. This retelling of the Nativity Story is told by a celebrity speaker and accompanied by choral singers and an orchestra. As one of the best ways to ring in the holiday season at EPCOT, this performance happens a couple of times each evening. Because of the crowds, it’s important to note the latest timeslot is always the least crowded.  And depending on the popularity of the celebrity, nights featuring certain stars fill up fast. 2022 welcomes back the Niel Patrick Harris for the Candlelight Processional along with new Celebrity Speakers. This retelling of the Nativity Story takes place at the America Garden’s Theater throughout the festival. 

Festival of Holidays Cookie Stroll

Visit all 5 official Cookie Stroll locations, collect a stamp in your passport at each, and head to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a FREE Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie. You can also grab an adorable Holiday Chip and Dale Cookie Jar for the Festival of Holidays to collect your cookies as you go.

Holiday Promenades

Promenades featuring our favorite EPCOT characters in holiday outfits will peruse the park throughout the day during the season. 

• Santa Claus Promenade Santa Claus himself, and maybe Mrs. Claus too, will be circling World Showcase.
• Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour Be sure to catch Mickey Mouse and friends traveling the World Showcase through the Festival of Holidays for Christmas.
• Frozen Holiday Promenade Sisters Anna and Elsa are traveling from country to country throughout the World Showcase! 
• Princess Promenade features our favorite Disney Royalty in their best holiday dresses taking a cruise around World Showcase at EPCOT during the season!

These EPCOT Holiday storytellers are stationed across the World Showcase featuring stories in each of the 11 pavilions at Epcot. Check out our Festival of Holidays Beginners Guide for everything you need to know about the Holiday Storytellers in each country! 

Disney Springs at Christmas

Christmas at Disney Springs runs the second week in November through the first week in January. And has loads of holiday happenings you don’t need to step foot in the parks to experience.

• Santa’s Winter Watercade features Santa and Mrs. Claus sailing around Disney Springs, taking a break from the busy holiday season. You can catch the watercade throughout the day, so keep an eye out! 
• Elaborately Decorated Christmas Trees will be placed throughout Disney Springs.
• Magical Snowfall at Town Center, West Side, and The Landing.
• Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar is new this year, as the restaurant transforms with a new holiday-themed overlay and limited-time menu with seasonal favorites.
• Christmas Tree Stroll Holiday Scavenger Hunt allows guests to go on a quest across Disney Springs in this new holiday family tradition. Chances are the Christmas trees across Disney Springs will be included in the fun!