WDW Merry Moments

For me and fellow Disney Adults, Walt Disney World is a magical place, yet it's transformed into something even more special during the Christmas season. With the added lights, decorations, music, and events, WDW offers countless options for Merry Moments and can be a wonderful place to find your Christmas spirit.

Scrooge, Minnie Mouse, Daisy and Donald in Christmas outfits at a Magic Kingdom Meet and Greet

The Parks:

Magic Kingdom Train Station with Christmas Decorations

Each park has its own style of decorations and a featured tree that's worth seeing.

Santa decoration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Reindeer decoration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Gertie the Dinosaur wearing a Santa Hat and a Christmas ornament hanging out of her mouth at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

You can also meet Santa at all four theme parks.

Santa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Kelly meeting Santa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

An added pop of holiday flare can be found in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Hollywood & Vine for Minnie's Holiday Dine.

Minnie Mouse dressed in a red Christmas dress at Hollywood & Vine

Currently, this buffet has Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto dressed in their best holiday outfits, including Santa Goofy and Mickey in a festive blazer.

Santa Goofy at Hollywood & Vine
Mickey Mouse in a festive blazer at Hollywood & Vine

Another burst of holiday sights, sounds, and tastes is at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which features Holiday Kitchens, entertainment, including the ever-popular Candlelight Processional, and holiday Storytellers sharing their tales from around the world.

Sign at the entrance to EPCOT for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Holiday Kitchen at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

One thing that captured my attention at this year's festival was the Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy. These Snow Globes were gorgeous to look at, and each had a holiday scent.

Frosty Cedar Snow Globe at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

My favorite scent was the Ginger Cookie Crunch.

Ginger Cookie Crunch Snow Globe at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays


The Resorts:

Not only are Christmas decorations found in the parks, but they can also be seen at each of the WDW Resorts, and their theming matches the resort's overall aesthetic!

There's a gingerbread display at Disney's Boardwalk Inn that I highly recommend checking out. If you look closely at the Boardwalk Deli, you'll see Mickey and Minnie baking cookies in the kitchen.

A gingerbread house of the Boardwalk Deli in the lobby of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Disney's Wilderness Lodge is another resort on my "must-visit" list during the holidays.

deer decorations at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
wreath decoration at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Fox tree decoration at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

A gorgeous tree stands in the middle of the lobby, holiday treats can be purchased, and beautiful animal-focused decorations are displayed throughout the property. Between the holiday decorations and the giant fireplace with rocking chairs, this is one of my top picks for a WDW resort that feels festive during the holidays.

Christmas tree in the lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

But this blog wouldn't be complete without mentioning Disney's Grand Floridian.

Christmas Tree in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian
close of decoration on the Christmas tree in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian picturing 8 maids a milking

The tree in the main lobby has decorations depicting the 12 Days of Christmas, which is a great spot to snap a photo for a family Christmas card. Yet, by far the most talked about holiday decoration at WDW is the Grand Floridian's Gingerbread House!

Gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian

2024 is the 25th year for a Gingerbread House at Disney's Grand Floridian, and the culinary team went all out to celebrate this momentous milestone. It is made with 1050 lbs of honey, 140 pints of egg whites, 600 lbs of powdered sugar, 700 lbs of chocolate, 800 lbs of flour, 35 lbs of spices, and features over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread.

Ingredient list for the gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian


There are also 25 silver Hidden Mickeys on the house for guests to search for when viewing this incredible culinary creation.

Silver Hidden Mickey on the gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian


When looking at the decoctions on and around the house, pay close attention to the trees. Do you see what I see? Each tree is inspired by a Disney character.

Christmas trees that are decorated as bounds for Disney characters as part of the gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian


So, you could say, each tree is BOUNDING as a Disney character! I love that bounding is becoming so popular within the WDW community.

The Special-Ticketed Events:

Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios provides guests the chance to enjoy the glitz and glamor of the holidays. With options like Glisten! an ice-skating show, dancing the night away at the Tip Top Club for the Twilight Soiree, belting out lyrics during the Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, or watching Disney's Holidays in Hollywood hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the night can be filled with unique and fun activities. 2023 was its inaugural year, and while it originally was met with some negative reviews, accounts this year suggest Disney has improved in the areas that needed addressing. I've not yet attended this event, but I look forward to experiencing it in future years.

Sign of Ollie in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

For me, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) is a not-to-be-missed event, and I had so much fun this year! There was multiple meet-and-greet opportunities for characters throughout the night, and festive friends like Snow Angels and Elves interacted with guests as we roamed through the park.

Gingerbread men meet-and-greet as part of MVMCP
Snow Angel character in Magic Kingdom as part of MVMCP
Elf character in Magic Kingdom as part of MVMCP
Jack Skellington dressed as Santa and Sally meet-and-greet as part of MVMCP


As usual, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade was packed full of festive cheer with an abundance of performers and characters, including my personal favorite, the Toy Soldiers.

Mickey and Minnie on a float as part of the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade
Princess float as part of the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade


Watching the Toy Soldiers march down Main Street is one of the most magical sights to see at WDW during this time of year.

Toy Soldiers in the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade


Whether it’s the smell of gingerbread in a resort lobby, meeting a rare character, or seeing Cinderella Castle lit up with a holiday design, there are Merry Moments throughout WDW and I hope your holiday season is bounding with joy.

Dancers as part of the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade
Cinderella Castle with a holiday design


Merry Christmas!
~Kelly

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