Updated 11/16/2013
I’ve created this outline to assist you in planning your time in Walt Disney World during the busy holiday season. I’ll add more details as thing are released in coming days and weeks. You’ll be able to find this on the LEFT hand bar of the site whenever you need it or bookmark the info.
Animal Kingdom
- Holiday décor installed – Nov 6-8
- Animal Kingdom Characters in Christmas attire – Begins Nov 7
- Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade – Nov 9 with soft opening on Nov 7 through January 2
Magic Kingdom
- Celebrate the Magic – Holiday Edition – begins Nov 17
- Cinderella’s Holiday Wish – Nov 5 – Dec 31
- Periwinkle replaces Terance – begins Nov 5
- Holly Jolly Trolley Show – begins Nov 5
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Nov 8 through Dec 20 (select nights)
- Jingle Cruise – begins Nov 8
- Santa Claus begins appearing for park guests November 28 to December 24
- Walt Disney World Christmas Parade taping – Dec 6 & 7
- Holiday Wishes – begins Dec 21 for regular park guests
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade – begins Dec 21 for regular park guests
- Celebrate the Season Show – begins Dec 21 for regular park guests
- A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas – begins Dec 21 for regular park guests
Hollywood Studios
- Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Nov 8 – Jan 5
- Santa Goofy appearing on Streets of America – Nov 8 – Jan 5
- The Comedy Warehouse – December 21 through January 5
Epcot
- Holiday décor installed – Nov 13-14
- Santa Duffy – begins November 12
- Holiday Storytellers – November 29 through December 30
- Illuminations Reflections of Earth with Holiday finale – November 29 through December 30
- Meet Santa and Mrs. Clause in America Pavilion – November 29 through December 30
- Candlelight Processional: November 29 – December 30
Gary Sinise: November 29-December 1
Neil Patrick Harris: December 2-3
Ashley Judd: December 4-5
Whoopi Goldberg: December 6-7
Sigourney Weaver: December 8-10
Dennis Haysbert: December 11-13
James Denton: December 14-16
Edward James Olmos: December 17-19
Trace Adkins: December 20-22
Steven Curtis Chapman: December 23-25
Blair Underwood: December 26-28
Amy Grant: December 29-30
Downtown Disney
- Festival of the Seasons November 15-December 29
Santa Claus: November 15–December 24
Santa Goofy: December 25–29
Located at Santa’s Chalet at the Marketplace from 12:00pm to 2:15pm, 2:30pm to 4:45pm, 5:15pm to 7:30pm & 7:45pm to 9:30pm.
Enjoy live entertainment, holiday carolers and festive décor
Do you have more info on the parade taping Dec 6-7 or know where I could find it? Btw, I had a dream last night that I met you at MK and thanked you for your awesome site. Since that most likely won’t happen…thank you! Your info and planning to see characters helps SO much!
There’s no additional info on parade taping yet. Hopefully we’ll know soon. Glad to help. I’ve been known to visit MK pretty often :)
When is the last showing of Holiday Wishes. We will be arriving December 27 or 28. Are they the same as the MVMCP holiday fireworks?
Thanks,
They keep offering it until Early january.
I’ll have to check on times, they tend to vary
Kenny, we might be heading there on Jan. 2 to 5. I know we won’t miss Osborne, the MK Christmas Parade, or Jingle Jungle. Appears everything at Epcot will already be done but what about Holiday Wishes? Thanks!
Holiday wishes usually follows the same schedule as other Christmas events
Is The totally Tomorrowland Christmas really for all MK guest after Dec. 21th? I haven’t seen that anywhere else. I only heard it was only for MVMCP.
We’re visiting Epcot on November 16. It looks like the holiday décor will be installed by then, but do you think that Duffy will have his holiday outfit on, or will we be a week early?
Educated guess would be that he will have his Santa costume then
We are going Dec 19th-26th of this year with a stay at the Wilderness Lodge. Any suggestions or recommendations?
Rope drop. It’s the best way to ride a lot. Use FP+ for Enchanted Tales and 2 other things. Use paper FP. Take mid-day break. Don’t bother with Christmas Party unless you’re going for characters. You’ll get to see all the shows, parade and fireworks for free.
Thanks! Any info on when the resorts will have their holiday decor up?
No specific dates. I’m sure it will all happen in next couple of weeks though