The Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort: Still the Most Magical Time of the Year?

by Disney Magic Diva

The holidays are one of my favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World Resort.  The special events, characters, parades, food, music, and especially the décor make it the most magical time of the year.  But what about this year?  With all the health and safety restrictions, are the holidays still magical?

Certainly, there will be changes.  No Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Candlelight Processional, or resort gingerbread displays, just to name a few.  But that doesn’t mean your holiday visit can’t be joyful!  There are still plenty of yuletide festivities waiting for you!

The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort officially runs from November 6 – December 30, 2020. And there WILL be music, and special treats, and toy soldiers, and reindeer, and gingerbread men, and castle projections and of course Santa! (In fact, Santa will be checking in with all little mousketeers at each of the four parks and Disney Springs!) So even though there are changes, it is still a magical time to visit Walt Disney World Resort.  Hook up your sleigh and make your plans.

Magic Kingdom

Do you love the dancing reindeer and gingerbread men from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade?  Here’s great news – even though the traditional parade can’t occur due to Covid, you will still get to see these seasonal favorites in special character cavalcades.  If the toy soldiers are your favorite, you can see them marching right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. with the Main Street Philharmonic.  And, of course, Cinderella Castle will still be part of the holiday magic.  There will be castle projections with seasonal layovers with everything from classic silver and gold to the ever-popular ugly Christmas sweater!

Epcot

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will take place November 27 – December 30.  The Holiday Kitchens will be offering delectable treats around World Showcase.   Sampling seasonal bites from around the world has always been high on my “to-do” list when visiting during the holidays.  So many delicious options!

As much as I enjoy the savory bites, I have a relentless sweet tooth.  So, I was very excited to see the Holiday Cookie Stroll will be returning for 2020.  To participate, just pick up a passport at any participating location, purchase the featured cookie from each of 5 participating Holiday Kitchens, then present your completed passport to enjoy a FREE treat!  We had a wonderful time completing the Cookie Stroll last year.

If you enjoy music more than calories, be sure to check out Tinsel Time Tunes.  JOYFUL! will entertain with R&B, gospel, contemporary and traditional holiday music inside World ShowPlace.  The Voices of Liberty takes to the American Gardens Theater stage with their incredible 8-part harmony performing favorite carols of the season. Las Posadas with Mariachi Cobre will also be at the America Gardens Theater.  Enjoy their performance as colorful dancers and music celebrates Mexican holiday customs.  An Epcot favorite, JAMMitors, will be performing a special holiday show at the Canada Pavilion.  Their percussion talents are sure to get every Grinch rocking!

Although you won’t be able to visit face to face with Santa, you will be able to see some very important characters in Holiday Promenades.  Be sure you’re being nice when the Santa Claus Promenade rolls through World Showcase in a horse drawn carriage (sleighs are sooo tough to operate in Florida, after all!).  Mickey and Friends will be decked out in their holiday finest during their Holiday World Tour.  Finally, the Frozen Holiday Promenade will feature everyone’s favorite sisters who know a thing or two about the cold as they travel from country to country around World Showcase.

Another new feature for this year is Olaf’s Holiday Traditions Expedition!  Similar to the scavenger hunt featuring Chip and Dale, this year’s activity for the kiddos (and those older guests who enjoy a good scavenger hunt!) features our beloved snowman searching for holiday traditions from around the world to share with Anna and Elsa.  Purchase a map at designated locations, look for Olaf all around the World Showcase and match the correct sticker with the corresponding country.  Return your completed map for a special gift!

You won’t want to miss the Gingerbread Capital City! In years past, this display could be found in the American Pavilion.  But this year it will be expanded and located at a new home in World Showplace.  The Disney chefs will create not only a gingerbread Capitol Building, but also the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and a FIVE FOOT Washington Monument!  Just think of the heavenly aroma of all that gingerbread!

Hollywood Studios

I was so happy to see my favorite character meal at Hollywood Studios is returning!  Minnie’s Holiday Dine will be held November 6, 2020 – January 4, 2021 at Hollywood & Vine.  Join Minnie and all her friends for a yuletide gathering and scrumptious family-style dinner.  Characters will be there, all dressed up in their holiday finest, in a safe, socially-distanced way.  Instead of a buffet, food will be served family-style at your table.  Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made up to 60 days in advance.

Disney Springs

Even if you can’t make it to a Disney park, you can still enjoy some of the holiday festivities at Disney Springs!  The Christmas Tree Trail is a very popular event and will be returning for 2020.  I love visiting to see all the details and get inspired to decorate.  Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt will also be returning for this year.  (See Pink Diva’s article about previous years’ Holiday Gift Hunt) And who can resist all the sweets and treats Disney Springs has to offer?  Not to mention all the entertainment available this holiday season?  It certainly will get you in the very merry spirit!

Disney Parks Blog also released Holiday Highlights: Tasty Treats to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World Parks featuring snacks that will be offered at all four parks. We can’t wait to try these tasty treats!

So, are you ready to surprise your family with a visit to Walt Disney World Resort this holiday season?  It’s not too late!  Patricia at All for Dreams Travel can help you fill that gift list and make everyone’s holiday a little merrier!  Contact her today for a free quote!

***Disclaimer – We at Tips from the Disney Divas and Devos hope you enjoy reading our articles and encourage you to share any you feel may be of interest to someone else.  We do ask, however, if you choose to share the photographs attached to our articles, you give credit to the photographer. Thank you for your cooperation and sharing our love of Disney!