Parks & Travel

9 Dazzling Facts About Holidays at Walt Disney World® Resort

Disney Magic Kingdom During the Holidays

If you’re like us, you think there’s no such thing as too much sparkle at the holidays! That’s why we enjoy a visit to Walt Disney World® Resort during this season. Whether you attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (a separately ticketed event offered on select nights November 8-December 21) or are simply planning a holiday visit, there’s so much to do and see. Here are some fun facts about what it takes for the Disney elves to transform Magic Kingdom® Park and Walt Disney World® Resort into the “sparkliest place on Earth.”

1. The longest float in the Christmas parade is 50 feet in length.

2. 391 individual costume pieces are used for Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration show.

Mickey and Minnie mouse

3. A 65-foot tall tree is on display in Town Square. It weighs 16.5 tons and is topped with a two-foot star.

4. 5,400 LED lights bedeck the Christmas tree!

Christmas tree

5. It takes 350,000 lights to create the Castle Dream Lights spectacle (That’s enough to cover almost 1,750 eight-foot Christmas trees)!

6. It takes 7-8 weeks to install the Castle Dream Lights.

Holiday Castle

7. The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade has been delighting families since 1983.

Holiday parade

8. 51,888 feet of garland is used to decorate Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street

9. A ton of sweet fun! To create the life-sized gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, pastry chefs use:

  • 1,050 pounds honey
  • 140 pints egg whites
  • 700 pounds chocolate
  • 800 pounds flour
  • 25 pounds spices
  • 600 pounds powdered sugar
Giant gingerbread house

While you’re visiting, be sure to use your Cardmember savings of 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at Walt Disney World® Resort to bring home some bling for your own home decor.1 Learn more about holiday happenings at Walt Disney World® Resort.


1Merchandise Savings at Disney Theme Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability and additional restrictions and exclusions, and may change or be canceled without notice. A $50 minimum pre-tax single transaction merchandise purchase is required to receive discount. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as payment form and mention this offer. Discount is not valid on previous purchases or on purchases of the following: ticket media, Disney Gift Cards, Park Admission, Arcades, tobacco, alcohol, Outdoor Vending (e.g., in-Park balloon vendors, glow vendors), Add-a-Dollar (Wildlife Conservation Fund), postage stamps, rentals (e.g., strollers, ECVs), personalization, Disney PhotoPass® purchases (e.g., purchases through any application, website or onsite sales location), Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day, select print packages, framed Disney Dollars, Artist Sketch Program, original or consignment art, select limited editions, select specialty items, purchase-with-purchase offers, newspapers/periodicals, books, videos, DVDs, CDs, sundries, pantry/prepared foods, digital/video/disposable cameras, film, consumer electronics, National branded fragrances, treatments and cosmetics, Lladró®, Swarovski® Crystal, Tiffany & Co.® Jewelry, select collectibles, handmade items, special orders, live auction artwork, select product launches, select premium branded items, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Pirates League packages, phone, email or mail order purchases, shipping or taxes. Discount is not available at Cast Connection, Disney's Character Premiere, Disney's Character Warehouse or Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Walt Disney World® Resort, except for Basin®, Basin White®, Chapel Hats (store and kiosk), Filthy Rich, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, House of Blues® Gear Shop, Joffrey's coffee/tea kiosks and Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's, kidsHeritage, Levi's®, Luxury of Time, Marrakesh Emporium Arts & Crafts, Sperry, Sugarboo & Co., and Volcom. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate admission may be required. Discount is for personal use only and may not be transferred or used to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell the merchandise.

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