Why You Should Book Your Walt Disney World Christmas Break Now

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party might be sold out for this year, but that’s all the more reason to plan ahead for 2025 and 2026. You can safely secure your spot at the merriest place on Earth when you book today and enjoy early-mouse savings.

Yet if you still need convincing, let us take you through the sights and sounds of a Disney Christmas in this guide. From seasonal soundtracks to all the festive makeovers sparkling under the Floridian sun, Orlando will be a little warm for snowmen, but the holiday promises to melt your heart...

Christmas at Disney   

Magic Kingdom 

It’s all in the name at Disney’s Magic Kingdom park. The festive cheer spreads across music, décor, entertainment and even the rides, so it’s even more magical than normal - which is saying something. 

It might be balmy in Florida at this time of year, but a White Christmas is still in store. A flurry of snow falls on Main Street at set times throughout the day and evening, giving it that extra Christmassy feel. What’s more, the whole place is decked out in bows, wreaths, holly and lights. After all, Disney isn’t one to do things by halves. Your favourite Disney characters will be dressed up in their Christmas finery. Plus, you can get extra toasty with the free hot chocolate and cookies, which are handed out in select spots around the park.  



Disney’s rides and attractions have been given a festive makeover, too. The Jungle Cruise becomes Jingle Cruise, and everything from the queue to the boat names and the captain’s puns is holiday themed. Plus, rides like Mad Tea Party and Space Mountain have all swapped their usual soundtracks for a festive version, so you can soar into space and spin your teacup to your favourite holiday tunes. 

Now, for the main event – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is why people flock to the Magic Kingdom over the holidays, and you’ll need a separate ticket for it. With this extra pass, you’ll be allowed into the park as early as 4pm and you can stay until midnight. And you’ll want to stay late thanks to the bumper offering of festive fireworks, shows and parades.  

First up, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade kicks off in Frontierland at 8.30pm and 11pm. The marching soldiers, waving Disney characters and dancing gingerbread men all end up on Main Street. And, of course, Santa’s along for the ride in his sleigh. You can also watch your favourite characters dance and sing holiday songs at Cinderella Castle in Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show.  

And, at 10pm, the skies light up with Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, all set to carols like Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. As long as you’re in the park, you can’t really miss it – just look up. Other holiday highlights include a dance party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland, as well as a Christmas-themed celebration with Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch at the Rockettower Plaza Stage. You just need to check the My Disney Experience app for performance times.  



All of these events ran on select nights from early November through to late December.  

Epcot 

Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays runs every year from late November until late December. And it’s a popular one. The park fills out with market stalls – dubbed Holiday Kitchens – selling Christmas treats from across the globe. It’s literally a festive feast for your tastebuds. You can sample everything from slow-roasted turkey and cheese fondue to churros, sushi trees and bubble tea.  

For high-energy holiday vibes, don’t miss JOYFUL! – A Celebration of the Season, where gospel, R&B, and holiday hits take centre stage to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa. Families can embark on Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition, a heartwarming scavenger hunt to help Olaf find lost holiday traditions. And be sure to check out Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses, where twinkling lights and festive displays make the attraction even more magical.



At the America Gardens Theatre, meanwhile, the Candlelight Processional takes place every night, with a different celebrity narrator telling the story of Christmas. And an orchestra and choir provide a soundtrack of songs. This year, the celeb narrators are none other than Whoopi Goldberg, Ralph Macchio and Brendan Fraser – to name just a few. And, just like in Magic Kingdom, rides like the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind get a magic makeover with seasonal tunes.  
  

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Sleigh the season at Disney Jollywood Nights, Disney’s latest holiday spectacular filled with glitz, adventure, and a whole lot of holiday cheer! This limited-time event lights up select nights from early November through late December. From 7.30pm to 12.30am, Disney’s Hollywood Studios transforms into a glittering holiday haven, with early entry starting at 6pm for those eager to soak in the festive vibes. 



The night is packed with dazzling entertainment featuring shows and events that will leave you starry-eyed. Highlights include Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! - watch in amazement as the Chinese Theater comes to life with Disney movie magic, set against a backdrop of fireworks and lasers. Next up, Glisten! - a breathtaking performance with international champion skaters gliding down Hollywood Boulevard in a flurry of sparkle. The energy continues with the Pixar Dance Party, where you can groove with beloved characters like Joy from Inside Out and Frozone from The Incredibles. For a nostalgic twist, the Echo Lake Throwback Bash takes you back to the ‘90s and 2000s, with appearances from classics like Phineas and Ferb, Baloo, and King Louie from Talespin.

Fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas can enjoy a sing-along spectacular with Jack Skellington himself. Belt out your favourite tunes as spooky-meets-festive decor sets the scene for a holiday treat you won’t forget. And If you’re craving something sweet, Disney Jollywood Nights serves up indulgent treats and signature sips, including craft cocktails and next-level holiday dishes. Plus, snap magical photos with Mickey and Minnie in their holiday finest or meet rare favourites like Rescue Rangers Chip ‘n Dale and Max Goof as Powerline for an extra enchanting touch to your night.
 

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

It’s all things merry and bright at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, thanks to the 65,000 LED lights and over 330 garlands. Discovery Island steals the show with its glowing white decorations, colourful animal-inspired luminaries, and bird-shaped wire lanterns. By day, guests can meet life-sized, hand-crafted puppets of winter animals like reindeer, foxes, and polar bears. When night falls, the area comes alive with a soft, magical glow, setting the perfect holiday mood.

Entertainment warms the heart with the Tree of Life Awakenings, where wintry tales are brought to life through projections on the Tree of Life. And keep an eye on the waterways, where Santa himself cruises through the park on holiday cavalcades, waving and spreading cheer to everyone he sees.

Asia and Africa also join in the festivities with their own distinctive decorations. Asia embraces the season with a nod to Diwali, the Festival of Lights, featuring illuminating flowers and lanterns. In Africa, the decorations blend Western traditions with authentic African colours and textiles, creating a vibrant holiday display. 

Character meet-and-greets are a highlight of the holiday season at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, dressed in their festive finest, are available for photos at Adventurers Outpost. While over at Dinoland, guests can meet Donald Duck and his pals, who are also dressed up for the holidays.
 

Why Now’s the Time to Book  

Disney’s festive events, like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, sell out like hot cakes and mince pies. You can already book November and December 2025 & 2026 park passes now, so get yourself in early to avoid missing out. There are a couple of other perks to booking early – you’ll avoid any yearly price hikes and you’ll have more time to save up, so you can really go all out on festive treats and souvenirs when you’re there.  

We know there can be a lot to think about when booking a holiday to Disney. But that’s where we come in. At Ocean Florida, we can plan every last detail for you. We sell attraction tickets as part of your holiday package, so you can nab early-mouse savings.  

And if you book your Walt Disney World getaway now, you’ll unlock savings from The Big Sale. Enjoy up to 30% off Orlando holidays, free Orlando experiences worth up to $549 for a family of four, and a Disney Villa Bundle for Orlando Villa bookings that include a free 20GB eSIM, a $100 Takeaway Delivery Gift Card, and a $40 Disney Park Credit for that little extra sprinkle of pixie dust. 


Our Walt Disney World packages are now on sale - get in touch for a personalised quote and put some magic in your diary.