What’s New At Walt Disney World For Christmas 2020

When Does Christmas Start at Walt Disney World?

This means resort decorations, specialty seasonal snacks and more! Check out all the plans in each Disney Park, Disney Springs, and the Disney Resorts below!

Christmas happens at Walt Disney World Nov 6- Dec 30, 2020.

What are the Christmas Hours at Walt Disney World?

Walt Disney World Christmas hours vary across the parks. Here are the 2020 published hours for the Holidays at Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

• November 1- 5: 9am- 6pm
• November 6-28: 9am- 7pm

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom hours remain the same.

• November 9am- 5pm

EPCOT

Epcot is hosting the Festival of Holidays with a few changes noted below. 

• November 1- 26: 11am- 7pm
• November 27-28: 12pm- 8pm

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios hours remain the same.

• November 10am- 7pm

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 most all the parks and resorts. Check out our post on the Best Time to Visit Disney World during the holidays. 

Animal Kingdom at Christmas

You can see life sized puppets, rooftop luminaries, bird lanterns and more to give you that wintry feeling 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! 

Festival Flotillas

Featuring Disney Characters in their holiday best keep an eye out for Festival Floatillas. These floats will appear throughout the day for festive fun to look forward to. 

Santa Clause

The big man himself will be floating on a Festival Flotilla down Discovery River as part of the Animal Kingdom Celebrations. 

Wintry Tales on the Tree of Life

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. (Tentative)

• Diwali, India’s holiday Festival of Lights returns as part of the Up! A Great Bird Adventure show.
• Holiday Hoopla Dance Party in Dinoland USA brings together our favorite ducks and characters to holiday tunes. 
• African Holiday Music and Performances in Harambe.
• Holiday Dining at Tusker House means the restaurant and the characters are gonna get a little more festive!
• And peruse the Kitschy Holiday Decor landing at base camp in Pandora near Pongu Pongu.

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!

Merry Motorcades

These Merry Motorcades in Hollywood Studios feature our favorite Hollywood Studios characters- think Star Wars and Toys Story- dressed up for the season! 

Hollywood Studios Flurry of Fun

Flurry of Fun returns featuring all of our favorite staples for the holidays. One of our favorite FREE experiences at Walt Disney World for the holidays this event includes Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Nighttime spectacular, Sunset Seasons Greetings, snowfall on Sunset Boulevard and amazing holiday themed treats! (Tentative)

The Toy Story Land Christmas Overlay

The overlay features holiday tunes streaming on Alien Swirling Saucers, jingle bell sounds on Slinky Dog Dash and Woody, Buzz and Jesse in some spruced up holiday wear. Plus a 10 foot tall Hamm sugar cookie. Be on the lookout! Toy Story Land will also get decorated with popcorn strung around the place in classic Christmas fashion. (Tentative)

Sunset Greetings

This digital show on the Tower of Terror joins the snowfall, and moving billboards on Sunset Boulevard for a flurry of fun!  (Tentative)

• Olaf’s special Holiday Finale will be featured in the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing Along as part of the show overlay for the holidays. 
• Plus for the littles you can check out the new Meet and Greet with Vampirina  in animation courtyard and the new Disney Junior Dance Party.

Magic Kingdom at Christmas

With Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Cancelled this year, there will still be a few things at Magic Kingdom to help you get in the holiday spirit. 

• New Tomorrowland Speedway Overlay. Gear up for some new lights, festive music and decor as you speed through the holiday speedway. 
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Holiday Show. Only during the Christmas Party, you’ll be able to see new holiday visitors to the Laugh Floor.
• Space Mountain Overlay. Get into the spirit with festive songs and holidays lights popping up throughout this coaster!
• The Mad Tea Party Teacups also get a new feeling with holiday music and lights, perfect for a wacky Christmas Party.
• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, featuring Minnie Mouse herself will combine all new fireworks with the songs you know and love! Plan to sing along to  Joy to the World, Deck the Halls to Up on the House Top and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
• You can also catch a new a capella group of singers taking over the Totally Tomorrowland Christmas stage during the Christmas Party.
• And check out new treats at the Christmas Party including some Wreck it Ralph specialties.
• Dreamlights on Cinderellas Castle and decorations galore are included in admission.
• Grab a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and watch the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

  • Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,
  • A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and
  • Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show
  • A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show

  If you’re looking for a special event to make it extra merry, grab a reservation at Tony’s. Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party comes complete with special viewing of the Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade. New foods and special seating comes to the tune of 99 dollars a ticket and only available during party nights.

EPCOT at Christmas

This Year the Candlelight Processional is Cancelled, But thankfully we still get Festival of Holidays!  Here’s everything happening at Epcot for the holidays in 2020.

Festival of Holidays

Disney’s Festival of Holidays 2020 begins November 27, 2020 and runs to December 30th. Holiday kitchens return to the World Showcase promenade. So you can look forward to all our favorite festival dishes, like the Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing at the American Holiday Table. Check out our favorite foods at Festival of Holidays from years past.  And the Holiday Cookie Stroll will most likely return with the kitchens! So stay tuned. 

Holiday Promenades

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

Joyful!

This voice celebration returns for 2020, with choir members singing the best holiday music to fill the park with that seasonal feeling from the EPCOT stage.

Voices of Liberty

Voices of Liberty will be on the American Garden’s Stage showcasing holiday favorites throughout the holidays.

The Candlelight Processional 2020 is CANCELLED.

• New presenters at the Candlelight Processional arrive this year. The Candlelight Processional will be Nov 29- Dec 30, 2019. Be sure to check out the Disney site for all the celebrity presenters.

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.

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.

Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt gets you coupons and some scavenger hunt shopping fun. 

• The Christmas Tree Trail  has 27 themed trees, including new Christmas tree additions like Toy Story and Star Wars, plus Haunted Mansion and a vintage Mickey and Minnie tree.
• Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers, Living Statues in holiday attire, strolling carolers and more join the live entertainment at Disney Springs to kick the Christmas Spirit up a notch.  
• Santa’s Chalet. Join Santa Clause himself to share your Christmas list. Santa Goofy takes Ol’ Saint Nicks place from Dec 25- 31.