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Your Complete Guide to the 2023 Holiday Season at Walt Disney World

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Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)
Walt Disney World 2023 Holiday Preview

The holidays are right around the corner, and Walt Disney World Resort is already shimmering with festive cheer. Beginning November 11, 2023, guests can experience new events, returning favorites, and magical décor across all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and resort hotels. Here’s your first look at what’s in store!

Disney Jollywood Nights: A Glamorous Holiday Bash at Hollywood Studios

The brand-new Disney Jollywood Nights event runs select nights from Nov. 11 through Dec. 20 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This separately ticketed celebration features:

  • Disney Holidays in Hollywood: A star-studded variety show with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, and more—including an original song by Tiana.
Rendering of "Disney Holidays in Hollywood"
  • What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along: Join Jack Skellington for a spirited sing-along filled with haunting holiday cheer.
What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
  • Shorter Wait Times: Enjoy attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance with a virtual queue system and limited crowds.
  • Photo Ops & Iconic Characters: Snap selfies with Powerline Max, Phineas and Ferb, and the Rescue Rangers. Guests get complimentary PhotoPass downloads during the event.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)
  • Stylish New Outfits: Mickey, Minnie, and friends debut outfits inspired by the 1930s–50s. Guests are encouraged to dress in their holiday best.
  • Sunset Seasons Greetings: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror transforms nightly into a canvas of magical holiday projections.
In Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something remarkable for the holidays. The new Frozen Holiday Surprise brings together Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings who attempt to add festive decor to Cinderella Castle. With Anna and Kristoff, Queen Elsa transforms the castle into a shimmering crystallized palace, a look that will remain throughout each evening. Bringing this new spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers and a full orchestra worked together to create this enchanting new entertainment experience. (Harrison Cooney, Photographer)
In Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something remarkable for the holidays.

Frozen Holiday Surprise at Magic Kingdom Park

Debuting November 7, this all-new castle show features Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and over 100 Snowgies as they decorate Cinderella Castle in a shimmering display of lights. This dazzling spectacle will run nightly throughout the season.

Guests can also enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, now celebrating its 40th year. The separately ticketed event returns to Magic Kingdom on 25 select nights from Nov. 9 to Dec. 22, featuring:

  • A festive holiday parade
  • Fireworks and castle projections
  • Complimentary treats
  • Holiday-themed character greetings
Walt Disney World culinary teams spend up to seven months planning and building the displays. The culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa starts mixing fragrant dough in May, letting it cure a full two months before it is baked. Individual shapes, from shingles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and then stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)
Walt Disney World culinary teams spend up to seven months planning and building the displays. The culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa starts mixing fragrant dough in May, letting it cure a full two months before it is baked. Individual shapes, from shingles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and then stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

From Nov. 24 onward, guests can enjoy:

  • Celebrity Candlelight Processional: A nightly retelling of the Christmas story.
  • Holiday Kitchens: More than 15 global food locations with seasonal dishes.
  • Holiday Cookie Stroll: Sample festive cookies from around the world.
  • Luminous: The Symphony of Us: A new fireworks and laser spectacular debuting December 5.
  • Disney100 Holiday Décor: Special additions honoring The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are donning new outfits exclusively for Disney Jollywood Nights, a new separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on the right combination of colors and fabric, inspired by palettes of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. This swanky Hollywood bash is filled with merriment, music and spirited good times and takes place on select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)At Disney Jollywood Nights, Disney Holidays in Hollywood is a star-studded variety show in the grand tradition of Tinseltown’s most beloved holiday specials – all with a twist of today’s Hollywood magic. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are among the special guest stars, and there are plenty of surprises in store, including a brand-new original song by Tiana. This separately ticketed event takes place select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. (DISNEY)At Disney Jollywood Nights, Disney Holidays in Hollywood is a star-studded variety show in the grand tradition of Tinseltown’s most beloved holiday specials – all with a twist of today’s Hollywood magic. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are among the special guest stars, and there are plenty of surprises in store, including a brand-new original song by Tiana. This separately ticketed event takes place select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. (DISNEY)At Disney Jollywood Nights, partygoers won’t want to miss What’s This? TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Sing-Along. Jack Skellington leads an ethereal exploration of “TIM BURTON’S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS,” Guests can sing along to beloved songs from the iconic film as they discover peculiar magic in unexpected places. This separately ticketed event takes place select nights Nov. 11-Dec. 20 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. (DISNEY)In Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something remarkable for the holidays. The new Frozen Holiday Surprise brings together Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings who attempt to add festive decor to Cinderella Castle. With Anna and Kristoff, Queen Elsa transforms the castle into a shimmering crystallized palace, a look that will remain throughout each evening. Bringing this new spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers and a full orchestra worked together to create this enchanting new entertainment experience. (Harrison Cooney, Photographer)In Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something remarkable for the holidays. The new Frozen Holiday Surprise brings together Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings who attempt to add festive decor to Cinderella Castle. With Anna and Kristoff, Queen Elsa transforms the castle into a shimmering crystallized palace, a look that will remain throughout each evening. Bringing this new spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers and a full orchestra worked together to create this enchanting new entertainment experience. (Harrison Cooney, Photographer)In Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something remarkable for the holidays. The new Frozen Holiday Surprise brings together Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings who attempt to add festive decor to Cinderella Castle. With Anna and Kristoff, Queen Elsa transforms the castle into a shimmering crystallized palace, a look that will remain throughout each evening. Bringing this new spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers and a full orchestra worked together to create this enchanting new entertainment experience. (Harrison Cooney, Photographer)In Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something remarkable for the holidays. The new Frozen Holiday Surprise brings together Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings who attempt to add festive decor to Cinderella Castle. With Anna and Kristoff, Queen Elsa transforms the castle into a shimmering crystallized palace, a look that will remain throughout each evening. Bringing this new spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers and a full orchestra worked together to create this enchanting new entertainment experience. (Harrison Cooney, Photographer)Walt Disney World culinary teams spend up to seven months planning and building the displays. The culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa starts mixing fragrant dough in May, letting it cure a full two months before it is baked. Individual shapes, from shingles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and then stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)Walt Disney World culinary teams spend up to seven months planning and building the displays. The culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa starts mixing fragrant dough in May, letting it cure a full two months before it is baked. Individual shapes, from shingles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and then stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)Walt Disney World culinary teams spend up to seven months planning and building the displays. The culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa starts mixing fragrant dough in May, letting it cure a full two months before it is baked. Individual shapes, from shingles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and then stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)
Walt Disney World culinary teams spend up to seven months planning and building the displays. The culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa starts mixing fragrant dough in May, letting it cure a full two months before it is baked. Individual shapes, from shingles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build. (Steven Diaz, Photographer)

Gingerbread Displays at Resort Hotels

Six Disney Resort Hotels will feature larger-than-life gingerbread displays:

Culinary teams spend up to seven months preparing each display, starting as early as May.

Disney Springs and Animal Kingdom Festivities

Disney Springs lights up with:

  • The Christmas Tree Stroll, featuring 19 decorated Disney-themed trees
  • Snowfall in Town Center
  • Santa Claus at Once Upon a Toy

Disney’s Animal Kingdom features:

  • The Merry Menagerie: Life-size animal puppets on Discovery Island
  • Tree of Life Awakenings: Wintry projection shows at night
  • Appearances by Santa and other holiday characters

Behind the Magic: Holiday Services Team

Disney’s Holiday Services team ensures over 600 Christmas trees, 1,700 wreaths, and nearly nine miles of garland decorate the resort each year. Their work begins as soon as the previous season ends.

Festive Merchandise & PhotoPass Magic Shots

Find seasonal souvenirs and limited-edition collections at all four parks and Disney Springs. Look for exclusive merchandise tied to both Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.

Disney PhotoPass photographers will also offer special Magic Shots and props throughout the resort.

For more info or to book your holiday adventure, visit DisneyWorld.com or contact your travel advisor.

 

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