December 2019 at Disney World
December is an incredible time of year to visit Walt Disney World. Each of the parks is decked out for the holidays and so are many of the resorts. Giving guests plenty to do in and out of the parks. You stick to the normal itinerary or you can add one of the Christmas parties to your plans or take in the delicious holiday treats found around World Showcase. Take a look at the dates of your vacation to see what happening while your at Walt Disney World.
December 1st-10th
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Step into Epcot as it’s submerged in the holiday traditions of the cultures represented. Each pavilion is decorated with the season and special holiday treats can be found at the carts and kiosks. Do not miss the Candlelight Processional. Each night the Christmas story is narrated by a celebrity while an orchestra and choir interject songs. This performance takes place in the American Pavilion at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm.
Here are the narrators during your visit:
December 1st: Ming-Na We
December 2nd-5th: Neil Patrick Harris
December 6th-7th: Whoopi Goldberg
December 8th-10th: Isabella Rossellini
The Candlelight Processional is a very popular event, so you can bypass waiting in line for decent seats by enjoying one of the Candlelight Dinner Packages and receive reserved seating. The following restaurants are included: Biergarten Restaurant, Ale & Compass, Chef de France, Coral Reef, The Garden Grill, La Hacienda de San Angel, Nine Dragons, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Dining Room, San Angel Inn Restaurante, Spice Road Table, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Trattoria al Forno, Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli. All these restaurant are a price fixed menu serving lunch and dinner, a few also offer breakfast. The package includes an appetizer, an entree, a dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage. If the restaurant is a buffet then you get the buffet. Call and make reservations ahead of time. If you’re on the dining plan this package requires 2 meal credits.
Holiday Kitchens
A part of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, Holiday Kitchens are 14 kiosks found around World Showcase highlighting a variety of cuisines and delicacies found from around the World. Each Kitchen has a few things to choose from including beverages both of the non-alcoholic and alcoholic variety. There’s something to satisfy your sweet and savoury tooth at each of these stops. Some of these can count as dining plan snack items where as others will not.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
Find 5 of these official cookies at the Holiday kitchens found around World Showcase. Purchase each of them, receive a sticker, fill up the Holiday Cookie Stroll passport found at Festival Headquarters, and then receive a Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie! Something you can do as a family, a group, a couple or take on the challenge yourself. Who knows you’ve may even start a new holiday tradition.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Holiday Season
In Future World, in the shadows of Spaceship Earth, enjoy the music of the JOYFUL! choir. They’ll sing Christmas favourites in gospel and r&b style. Check your daily times guide to find out when they’ll be performing on the day of your visit.
Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree
Just like in Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Chip & Dale are stealing ornaments! You can find them all over World Showcase taking ornaments for their own Christmas tree, participate in this scavenger hunt by looking for these adorable chipmunks. When you find them place the corresponding sticker on your sticker chart that you can purchase at Disney Traders or World Traveler. When you complete your chart, turn it in for a holiday surprise.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Watch as the centre of Hollywood Studios gets light up in this holiday celebration. Beautiful pictures and images are projected onto the Chinese Theatre as your favourite holiday songs play on. Fireworks accompany this nighttime spectacular, as special portions of Beauty and the Beast, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Tree and my favourite Pluto’s Christmas Tree play. This nighttime show happens each and every evening at the end of Hollywood Blvd. Check your daily times guide for the specifics on the day of your visit.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party
Have a special viewing of the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! night-time spectacular with admission to this party. Purchase tickets for this party and dive into cheese fondue, a classic Yule Log and Gingerbread martinis. Tickets are $89 per adult and $53 per child, which is above and beyond your park admission. During the party, they’ll be an appearance by a VIP Disney character. The party begins at 7:30pm.
Sunset Seasons Greetings
Stick around in the evening at Hollywood Studios for this special seasonal experience. Each night at Hollywood Studios immerse yourself in the holidays by walking down Sunset Boulevard. Snow will fall and the billboards will shine, taking you back to a different era of Christmas. A projection show will take place on Hollywood Tower Hotel featuring Minnie and Mickey, characters from Toy Story and Olaf. Stand in the middle of Sunset Blvd. and be delighted by this special holiday show.
Gingerbread Houses at Walt Disney World
Explore the many lifetime gingerbread houses found all over Walt Disney World resort. Many of these edible spectacles aren’t even found inside the four theme parks, which means seeing them for FREE! A great thing to do on a non-park day. Find these gingerbread houses at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Beach Club Resort. There’s also one found at the Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs, and there was one found inside The Great American Adventure building at Epcot’s World Showcase last year. At each of these gingerbread houses you can purchase sweets to take home with. At each of these displays you’ll find different items. Visit one or visit them all. These gingerbread houses are on my Disney Dream List, we’re hoping to get to Disney during the Christmas season in 2020.
December 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th and 10th
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
On these nights the Magic Kingdom will be celebrating Christmas with special parades, special characters and special food. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that requires guest to purchase separate tickets for entry. If you are enjoying your day at the Magic Kingdom on these nights, you’ll have to leave by 7pm if you don’t have tickets for this special event. Tickets are up to $115 for adults, $110 for kids and of course children 3 and under are free. During this Christmas party guests can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration (a festive stage show in front of Cinderella’s Castle), and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks show that is only on the nights of these Christmas Parties. Throughout the evening Elsa will transform the castle into an icy palace, guests can join in on a special dance party with some of their favourite characters in Tomorrowland and guests can wander around the Magic Kingdom to try all the different holiday treats.
December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th
Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy
Take a 3 hour tour and discover all that’s involved in dressing the parks for Christmas. You’ll be taken through Epcot, Magic Kingdom and discover all the magic of decorating a Disney resort. Tours can only be taken by those 12 and up, and guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This tour costs $139 but park admission is not required for this special activity. Call (407) 939-8687 to make a reservation for you and your party. This event takes place at 9am and everyone walks away with a special keepsake.
December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th and 10th
Disney’s Holiday D-Lights
Embark on a 6 hour tour, taking you up close and personal with all the lightning and magic of the holidays. Your tour guide will take you to the Magic Kingdom where you’ll learn about the lightning of Cinderella’s Castle and get a special viewing of the evening lighting. Tour members will then head to Epcot to enjoy the Candlelight Processional and then to Illuminations. The tour involves a meal at the Wilderness Lodge at the beginning of evening. Tours cost $289 per adult. Call (407) 939-8687 to reserve your spot.
December 7th-14th
Pop Warner Dance & Cheer Championship
Going on at the ESPN Wide World of Sports December 7th to 14th is a Cheer and Dance competition. Perfect for your little performers to go and watch. Whether they’re already involved in cheer, or were years before. With it being the championship you can be sure that the performances will be stellar. Be aware there will be many teams staying at the All-Star resorts during this competition. This could be a fun way to spend an afternoon while you’re staying at Walt Disney World Resort. Get transportation at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.
Pop Warner Super Bowl
Taking place between December 7th and 14th, come watch youngsters compete in football. This big championship tournament will mean an increase in families at the parks and at the participation hotels. If your child is interested in football this is a great way to expose them and show them that football is for all age levels. These football games take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. You can get here by getting transportation from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s All-Star Sports resort.
December 11th-20th
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Step into Epcot as it’s submerged in the holiday traditions of the cultures represented. Each pavilion is decorated with the season and special holiday treats can be found at the carts and kiosks. Do not miss the Candlelight Processional. Each night the Christmas story is narrated by a celebrity while an orchestra and choir interject songs. This performance takes place in the American Pavilion at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm.
Here are the narrators during your visit:
December 11th-12th: Chita Riviera
December 13th-15th: Gary Sinise
December 16th-18th: Pat Sajak
December 19th-21st: Warwick Davis
The Candlelight Processional is a very popular event, so you can bypass waiting in line for decent seats by enjoying one of the Candlelight Dinner Packages and receive reserved seating. The following restaurants are included: Biergarten Restaurant, Ale & Compass, Chef de France, Coral Reef, The Garden Grill, La Hacienda de San Angel, Nine Dragons, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Dining Room, San Angel Inn Restaurante, Spice Road Table, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Trattoria al Forno, Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli. All these restaurant are a price fixed menu serving lunch and dinner, a few also offer breakfast. The package includes an appetizer, an entree, a dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage. If the restaurant is a buffet then you get the buffet. Call and make reservations ahead of time. If you’re on the dining plan this requires 2 dining plan credits.
Holiday Kitchens
A part of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, Holiday Kitchens are 14 kiosks found around World Showcase highlighting a variety of cuisines and delicacies found from around the World. Each Kitchen has a few things to choose from including beverages both of the non-alcoholic and alcoholic variety. There’s something to satisfy your sweet and savoury tooth at each of these stops. Some of these can count as dining plan snack items where as others will not.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
Find 5 of these official cookies at the Holiday kitchens found around World Showcase. Purchase each of them, receive a sticker, fill up the Holiday Cookie Stroll passport found at Festival Headquarters, and then receive a Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie! Something you can do as a family, a group, a couple or take on the challenge yourself. Who knows you’ve may even start a new holiday tradition.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Holiday Season
In Future World, in the shadows of Spaceship Earth, enjoy the music of the JOYFUL! choir. They’ll sing Christmas favourites in gospel and r&b style. Check your daily times guide to find out when they’ll be performing on the day of your visit.
Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree
Just like in Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Chip & Dale are stealing ornaments! You can find them all over World Showcase taking ornaments for their own Christmas tree, participate in this scavenger hunt by looking for these adorable chipmunks. When you find them place the corresponding sticker on your sticker chart that you can purchase at Disney Traders or World Traveler. When you complete your chart, turn it in for a holiday surprise.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Watch as the centre of Hollywood Studios gets light up in this holiday celebration. Beautiful pictures and images are projected onto the Chinese Theatre as your favourite holiday songs play on. Fireworks accompany this nighttime spectacular, as special portions of Beauty and the Beast, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Tree and my favourite Pluto’s Christmas Tree play. This nighttime show happens each and every evening at the end of Hollywood Blvd. Check your daily times guide for the specifics on the day of your visit.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party
Have a special viewing of the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! night-time spectacular with admission to this party. Purchase tickets for this party and dive into cheese fondue, a classic Yule Log and Gingerbread martinis. Tickets are $89 per adult and $53 per child, which is above and beyond your park admission. During the party, they’ll be an appearance by a VIP Disney character. The party begins at 7:30pm.
Sunset Seasons Greetings
Stick around in the evening at Hollywood Studios for this special seasonal experience. Each night at Hollywood Studios immerse yourself in the holidays by walking down Sunset Boulevard. Snow will fall and the billboards will shine, taking you back to a different era of Christmas. A projection show will take place on Hollywood Tower Hotel featuring Minnie and Mickey, characters from Toy Story and Olaf. Stand in the middle of Sunset Blvd. and be delighted by this special holiday show.
Gingerbread Houses at Walt Disney World
Explore the many lifetime gingerbread houses found all over Walt Disney World resort. Many of these edible spectacles aren’t even found inside the four theme parks, which means seeing them for FREE! A great thing to do on a non-park day. Find these gingerbread houses at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Beach Club Resort. There’s also one found at the Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs, and there was one found inside The Great American Adventure building at Epcot’s World Showcase last year. At each of these gingerbread houses you can purchase sweets to take home with. At each of these displays you’ll find different items. Visit one or visit them all. These gingerbread houses are on my Disney Dream List, we’re hoping to get to Disney during the Christmas season in 2020.
December 7th-14th
Pop Warner Dance & Cheer Championship
Going on at the ESPN Wide World of Sports December 7th to 14th is a Cheer and Dance competition. Perfect for your little performers to go and watch. Whether they’re already involved in cheer, or were years before. With it being the championship you can be sure that the performances will be stellar. Be aware there will be many teams staying at the All-Star resorts during this competition. This could be a fun way to spend an afternoon while you’re staying at Walt Disney World Resort. Get transportation at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.
Pop Warner Super Bowl
Taking place between December 7th and 14th, come watch youngsters compete in football. This big championship tournament will mean an increase in families at the parks and at the participation hotels. If your child is interested in football this is a great way to expose them and show them that football is for all age levels. These football games take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. You can get here by getting transportation from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s All-Star Sports resort.
December 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th
Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy
Take a 3.5 hour tour and discover all that’s involved in dressing the parks for Christmas. You’ll be taken through Epcot, Magic Kingdom and discover all the magic of decorating a Disney resort. Tours can only be taken by those 12 and up, and guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This tour costs $139 but park admission is not required for this special activity. Call (407) 939-8687 to make a reservation for you and your party. This event takes place daily at 9am with the exception of Sundays.
December 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th and 20th
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
On these nights the Magic Kingdom will be celebrating Christmas with special parades, special characters and special food. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that requires guest to purchase separate tickets for entry. If you are enjoying your day at the Magic Kingdom on these nights, you’ll have to leave by 7pm if you don’t have tickets for this special event. Tickets are up to $129 for adults, $24 for kids and of course children 3 and under are free. During this Christmas party guests can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration (a festive stage show in front of Cinderella’s Castle), and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks show that is only on the nights of these Christmas Parties. Throughout the evening Elsa will transform the castle into an icy palace, guests can join in on a special dance party with some of their favourite characters in Tomorrowland and guests can wander around the Magic Kingdom to try all the different holiday treats.
December 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th
Disney’s Holiday D-Lights
Embark on a 6 hour tour, taking you up close and personal with all the lightning and magic of the holidays. Your tour guide will take you to the Magic Kingdom where you’ll learn about the lightning of Cinderella’s Castle and get a special viewing of the evening lighting. Tour members will then head to Epcot to enjoy the Candlelight Processional and then to Illuminations. The tour involves a meal at the Wilderness Lodge at the beginning of evening. Tours cost $289 per adult. Call (407) 939-8687 to reserve your spot.
December 21st-31st
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Step into Epcot as it’s submerged in the holiday traditions of the cultures represented. Each pavilion is decorated with the season and special holiday treats can be found at the carts and kiosks. Do not miss the Candlelight Processional. Each night the Christmas story is narrated by a celebrity while an orchestra and choir interject songs. This performance takes place in the American Pavilion at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm.
Here are the narrators during your visit:
December 19th-21st: Warwick Davis
December 22nd-24th: Steven Curtis Chapman
December 25th-26th: Edward James Olmos
December 27th-28th: Marlee Matlin
December 29th-30th: Lisa Ling
The Candlelight Processional is a very popular event, so you can bypass waiting in line for decent seats by enjoying one of the Candlelight Dinner Packages and receive reserved seating. The following restaurants are included: Biergarten Restaurant, Ale & Compass, Chef de France, Coral Reef, The Garden Grill, La Hacienda de San Angel, Nine Dragons, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Dining Room, San Angel Inn Restaurante, Spice Road Table, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Trattoria al Forno, Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli. All these restaurant are a price fixed menu serving lunch and dinner, a few also offer breakfast. The package includes an appetizer, an entree, a dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage. If the restaurant is a buffet then you get the buffet. Call and make reservations ahead of time. If you’re on the Dining Plan this requires 2 meal credits.
Holiday Kitchens
A part of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, Holiday Kitchens are 14 kiosks found around World Showcase highlighting a variety of cuisines and delicacies found from around the World. Each Kitchen has a few things to choose from including beverages both of the non-alcoholic and alcoholic variety. There’s something to satisfy your sweet and savoury tooth at each of these stops. Some of these can count as dining plan snack items where as others will not.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
Find 5 of these official cookies at the Holiday kitchens found around World Showcase. Purchase each of them, receive a sticker, fill up the Holiday Cookie Stroll passport found at Festival Headquarters, and then receive a Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie! Something you can do as a family, a group, a couple or take on the challenge yourself. Who knows you’ve may even start a new holiday tradition.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Holiday Season
In Future World, in the shadows of Spaceship Earth, enjoy the music of the JOYFUL! choir. They’ll sing Christmas favourites in gospel and r&b style. Check your daily times guide to find out when they’ll be performing on the day of your visit.
Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree
Just like in Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Chip & Dale are stealing ornaments! You can find them all over World Showcase taking ornaments for their own Christmas tree, participate in this scavenger hunt by looking for these adorable chipmunks. When you find them place the corresponding sticker on your sticker chart that you can purchase at Disney Traders or World Traveler. When you complete your chart, turn it in for a holiday surprise.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Watch as the centre of Hollywood Studios gets light up in this holiday celebration. Beautiful pictures and images are projected onto the Chinese Theatre as your favourite holiday songs play on. Fireworks accompany this nighttime spectacular, as special portions of Beauty and the Beast, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Tree and my favourite Pluto’s Christmas Tree play. This nighttime show happens each and every evening at the end of Hollywood Blvd. Check your daily times guide for the specifics on the day of your visit.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party
Have a special viewing of the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! night-time spectacular with admission to this party. Purchase tickets for this party and dive into cheese fondue, a classic Yule Log and Gingerbread martinis. Tickets are $99 per adult and $59 per child, which is above and beyond your park admission. During the party, they’ll be an appearance by a VIP Disney character. The party begins at 7:30pm.
Sunset Seasons Greetings
Stick around in the evening at Hollywood Studios for this special seasonal experience. Each night at Hollywood Studios immerse yourself in the holidays by walking down Sunset Boulevard. Snow will fall and the billboards will shine, taking you back to a different era of Christmas. A projection show will take place on Hollywood Tower Hotel featuring Minnie and Mickey, characters from Toy Story and Olaf. Stand in the middle of Sunset Blvd. and be delighted by this special holiday show.
Gingerbread Houses at Walt Disney World
Explore the many lifetime gingerbread houses found all over Walt Disney World resort. Many of these edible spectacles aren’t even found inside the four theme parks, which means seeing them for FREE! A great thing to do on a non-park day. Find these gingerbread houses at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Beach Club Resort. There’s also one found at the Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs, and there was one found inside The Great American Adventure building at Epcot’s World Showcase last year. At each of these gingerbread houses you can purchase sweets to take home with. At each of these displays you’ll find different items. Visit one or visit them all. These gingerbread houses are on my Disney Dream List, we’re hoping to get to Disney during the Christmas season in 2020.
December 21st, 23rd and 24th
Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy
Take a 3.5 hour tour and discover all that’s involved in dressing the parks for Christmas. You’ll be taken through Epcot, Magic Kingdom and discover all the magic of decorating a Disney resort. Tours can only be taken by those 12 and up, and guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This tour costs $139 but park admission is not required for this special activity. Call (407) 939-8687 to make a reservation for you and your party. This event takes place daily at 9am with the exception of Sundays.
December 22nd
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
On December 22nd the Magic Kingdom will be celebrating Christmas with special parades, special characters and special food. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that requires guest to purchase separate tickets for entry. If you are enjoying your day at the Magic Kingdom on these nights, you’ll have to leave by 7pm if you don’t have tickets for this special event. Tickets are up to $115 for adults, $110 for kids and of course children 3 and under are free. During this Christmas party guests can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration (a festive stage show in front of Cinderella’s Castle), and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks show that is only on the nights of these Christmas Parties. Throughout the evening Elsa will transform the castle into an icy palace, guests can join in on a special dance party with some of their favourite characters in Tomorrowland and guests can wander around the Magic Kingdom to try all the different holiday treats.
December 24th
Disney Vacation Club Holiday Dinner
Themed a very goofy holiday, you know you’re guaranteed to have a fun time. This party is for DVC members at the Contemporary Resort. Tickets are $75 for adults and $42 for kids. Holiday songs will be sung by carollers, characters will be there to take pictures and sign autographs, and there’s a beautiful meal to be enjoyed.
December 27th-31st
Disney Boys Soccer Showcase
Taking place from December 27th until the 31st you can watch top clubs participate in highly competitive soccer games. Ages ranging from 11 to 19, this is a fun way to spend an afternoon on a non-park day, especially if you have a soccer enthusiast in your group. Find transportation at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.
December 28th-January 1st
Disney New Year’s Baseball Classic
This competition is open to boys teams only. Ranging in 8 and under to 18 and under, this tournament is open to all. You can register you team and participate in this tournament at the most magical place on earth. Have a baseball fan in your group, head to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to check out a game on an off day. Your park hopper pass will get you into one of the games.
December 30th
New Year’s Eve Eve Party
Celebrate the new year with an Arabian themed party. DVC members can purchase tickets for themselves and their guests for this new year’s party. Being held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and costs $95 per adult and $82 per guest under the age of 21. The party will include delicious food, a dance party with some favourite characters, and carnival games.
