Parks & Travel

The Ultimate Guide to Christmas and Holidays at Disney Parks

If your holiday wish is to experience the merriment of Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort, use our guide to help you plan a joyous celebration. Here’s what you need to know about important updates and key events. And as you prepare for the holidays, the New Year and all the unforgettable getaways ahead, remember to use your Disney® Visa® Credit Card to take advantage of special vacation financing on select Disney vacation packages.1

Christmas and the Holidays at Walt Disney World® Resort

Disney Jollywood Nights**

Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is hosting a nighttime party — where Hollywood glamour meets holiday cheer! Delight in yuletide entertainment with live music, browse limited-time merchandise, explore themed swanky venues, and enjoy cocktails along with savory and sweet dishes. This limited-capacity, 5-hour event runs on select nights from November 9 to December 21.

Pluto and Goofy with guests

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party**

Gather your loved ones for this winter tradition that’s sure to make you smile. This special, 5-hour event returns to Magic Kingdom® Park select nights from November 8 to December 20, and it features spectacular entertainment, including Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration and the grand finale of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show. Immerse yourself in the decor, feast on seasonal treats, shop for specialty merchandise and keep an eye out for Disney Characters and Santa!

Fireworks

Sunset Seasons Greetings

Gaze in wonder as the Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed nightly with holiday projections. You can spot Mickey Mouse, Olaf, some favorite Toy Story characters and The Muppets!

Hollywood Tower Hotel

EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth

Celebrate traditional tidings from around the world at this spirited fete, returning from November 29 through December 30. Hear from Storytellers from across the globe, experience the beloved Candlelight Processional featuring several new celebrity narrators and enjoy seasonal flavors from 20 Holiday Kitchens. For more holiday joy, be sure to catch JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season in CommuniCore Plaza at various times throughout the day to enjoy Christmas and Kwanzaa through uplifting gospel, R&B and holiday songs. New for this year, Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses will be a limited-time walking tour at The Land pavilion where Guests will enjoy brilliant light displays and learn about crops that bring festive flavors to favorite holiday traditions. Don’t miss limited-time festival merchandise or the Holiday Cookie Stroll, during which Cardmembers can redeem Disney Reward Dollars toward delicious desserts.2

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Holiday Happenings

Swing by Adventurer’s Outpost to pose for a photo with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse all decked out in their holiday attire. Then, venture to Discovery Island®, where you’ll find life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals like penguins, reindeer, foxes and polar bears at the Merry Menagerie. When evening comes, the Tree of Life® awakens with a series of wintry tales, complemented by familiar and heartwarming holiday music. This holiday season, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park welcomes the arrival of Santa Claus at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party on the patio at Restaurant-o-Saurus. As the Guest of honor himself, Santa’s checked his list twice and invited everyone to join him in this festive new location as the students and faculty of the Dino Institute celebrate the season in (pre)-historic fashion!

Santa with guests

Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine

This seasonal soiree hosted by Minnie Mouse features celebratory music, whimsical winter decor and popular Disney Characters dressed to impress. If you have a reservation for this delightful holiday dinner or lunch, come hungry for a delicious meal and enchanting entertainment.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

This iconic musical experience in Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is extra spellbinding during the holidays, with a special finale featuring Olaf. You’ll be enchanted by this recounting of Anna and Elsa’s story as told by the Royal Historians of Arendelle.

A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Holiday Merchandise Collections

Show your Walt Disney World® Resort fandom with a holiday twist. Be on the lookout for fleece, totes, and other clothing and accessories. Cardmembers, remember to use your Disney Visa Card to save 10% on select purchases at select stores around Walt Disney World® Resort.34

With new holiday merchandise to shop like the Mickey Mouse Family Christmas, Holiday Red and Snowman collections, you’ll find gifts for everyone on your list (or yourself!). An assortment of merry merchandise will deck the halls at holiday shopping locations like World of Disney, Emporium, Elias & Co., and more.

Holiday Merchandise

Disney Resort Hotels at Walt Disney World® Resort

Stay in the magic with the Disney Resorts Collection and you’ll not only get to enter any theme park 30 minutes early every day, but you’ll also experience glitzy décor (including Christmas trees galore!), seasonal menu items and can’t-miss gingerbread displays at select Disney Resort hotel. Read our Disney Rewards Dining Perks Guide to map out select dining locations where you can save 10% most days by using your Disney Visa Card.36

Guests

The Holidays at Disneyland® Resort

Disney Springs®

The spirit of the season is on full display at Disney Springs®, and it’s the perfect complement to your Walt Disney World® Resort vacation. Explore wonderful gifts, sparkling decorations, delicious food and enchanting entertainment. And make sure to visit the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. Pick up a complimentary map at participating locations and join in the fun!

Frozen Holiday Surprise

Cinderella Castle offers a dazzling experience featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the Snowgies. Head to Magic Kingdom® Park and gather ’round as some favorite Frozen Characters decorate the castle with Christmas and holiday flair and Elsa adds some ice magic finishing touches in an unforgettable event sure to thaw any frozen heart!

Frozen Holiday Surprise

Disney Festival of Holidays

Disney Festival of Holidays returns to Disney California Adventure® Park, highlighting a diverse season of celebrations in Southern California with a variety of multicultural music, food and fun. Stop by the Festive Foods Marketplace to try easy eats and spirited libations from diverse cultures and seasonal celebrations. Cardmembers, redeem your Disney Rewards Dollars toward the purchase of a Sip and Savor Pass, which lets you sample your choice of either four or eight foods and non-alcoholic beverages (restrictions apply).2 If you’re feeling generous, you can share your Sip and Savor Pass with a friend or even use it in multiple visits if you plan to stop by again.

Disney ¡Viva Navidad!

Enjoy a spirited celebration for Navidad at the Paradise Gardens area at Disney California Adventure® Park, which includes dazzling décor, daily crafts, live music, menu items and décor inspired by Latin American traditions. Plus, meet some favorite Disney friends dressed in their holiday best, including a special appearance by Mirabel.

Disney ¡Viva Navidad! festival

World of Color – Season of Light, Presented by PANDORA Jewelry

Hundreds of towering water fountains dance to dazzling colors and lights in this returning nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure® Park. Watch iconic moments from Disney and Pixar films illuminate a wall of mist, accompanied by a medley of beloved music, from festive favorites to movie tunes you know by heart. A flurry of shimmering snowflakes brings enchantment to this winter wonderland on the water!

A Christmas Fantasy Parade

With holiday-themed floats and a catchy soundtrack, this beloved parade down Main Street, U.S.A.®, brings out many favorite Characters, including Mickey Mouse and friends, Anna and Elsa, Woody and Jessie, and Disney Princesses. Wave hello to Santa as he passes by at the end of the parade!

A Christmas Fantasy Parade

“Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular

A kaleidoscope of colors, this pyrotechnical display at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle has been a festive favorite that entices Guests with its brilliant displays and merry music. Picture twinkling lights, sparkling “icicles,” a gorgeously transformed castle and even “snow.” Bundle up and make your way to “it’s a small world” Holiday and portions of Main Street, U.S.A.® to experience magical “snowfall” all around you.

Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle

Special Attraction Overlays

During the holidays, from November 15, 2024 to January 6, 2025, it’s the perfect time of year to see some favorite attractions with a seasonal twist. Some of the most popular attractions are getting their annual merry makeovers—such as Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, the Haunted Mansion Holiday, “it’s a small world” Holiday and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, presented by Enterprise®.

"it's a small world" Holiday

Seasonal Décor

Both parks will be brimming with themed decorations. Discover wintry delights at every turn, like the Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting in Disney California Adventure® Park, with the 50-foot tree in all its sparkling glory. And at Disneyland® Park, you’ll find Main Street, U.S.A.® festooned in wreaths and garland all along the storefronts, lampposts and rooftops. Embrace the moment by taking in all of the frosty flair.

Disneyland® Resort Hotels

Holiday celebrations continue on at Disneyland® Resort Hotels! At Disney Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa, experience a gingerbread display in the lobby, seasonal holiday treatments at Tenaya Stone Spa and Mickey’s holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s California Hotel & Spa with some special Character outfits. The holidays return to Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! At Disneyland® Hotel, with Chef Goofy and his friends dressed in new holiday outfits. Make sure to reserve your spot for Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! At Disneyland® Hotel if you want to brunch with some favorite Characters. Pixar Place Hotel will be adorned with new décor as it celebrates its first holiday season. Plus, Santa will make stops at all three hotels through December 24, 2024.

Downtown Disney® District

Magical merriment is a part of the shopping, dining and entertainment experience in the Downtown Disney® District! Marvel at Nightly Snowfall presented by Disney Vacation Club® as it drifts down every 30 minutes from 6–10 p.m. throughout the season by the Downtown Disney® District LIVE! stage and lawn. And you’ll also find holiday treats, live entertainment and carolers. It’s a fantastic place to find some gifts during your vacation at Disneyland® Resort. Plus, be sure and take a merry little stroll down Chip & Dale’s Ornament Trail! For those looking to take a merry little stroll, Chip & Dale’s Ornament Trail is a paid experience that’s new to Downtown Disney® District.

Downtown Disney® District merchandise

Know Before You Go

Make reservations for theme parks and experiences

Before you can have an enchanting day at the theme parks, you must have valid admission and may need a theme park reservation depending on the type of admission and the date of your visit to Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. In addition to Disneyland® Resort theme park reservations, you should also plan to make reservations for restaurants, activities and any other experiences that can be scheduled ahead of time to ensure you can maximize all the holiday happenings. There are plenty of opportunities to build your own experience at the Disney parks as well, such as building your own custom lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®, or getting transformed into a princess or knight at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

It’s best to have a plan

Make the most of your visit when you download the My Disney Experience app for Walt Disney World® Resort or the official Disneyland® App*. Navigate the parks, place mobile orders, manage your reservations and more. And check out the complimentary Disney Genie service—available at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort—for convenient ways to help plan your day in the park. Check out Lightning Lane passes available for purchase at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort.

Save time waiting in line by using Lightning Lane entrances and enjoy more magic in every moment of your day!


We’re wishing you and all your loved ones a wonderful winter ahead. If your Christmas or holiday plans include shopping, remember that you can save 10% on select merchandise purchases when you use your Disney Visa Card at select stores around Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort.34


1Special Vacation Financing

Get special vacation financing on select Disney Resort packages, all Adventures by Disney® packages, National Geographic Expeditions, all AULANI, A Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i vacation packages, and all Disney Cruise Line packages (collectively, Disney Vacation Packages). Disney Vacation Packages must be booked by you through the Walt Disney Travel Company, Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc., online at Disney sites or through other eligible travel agents or sites, and charged to your Disney Visa Credit Card prior to commencement of your vacation. Other restrictions and exclusions apply. New Applicants: Please refer to the applicable Pricing & Terms for pricing details: Disney Inspire Visa Card pricing; Disney Premier Visa Card pricing; Disney Visa Card pricing. If you received an offer in the mail, please refer to the Pricing & Terms included with that offer. You will receive complete terms and conditions for this offer once you become a cardmember. Existing Cardmembers: For complete details please refer to your Cardmember Agreement.

2Disney Rewards Dollars

Disney Rewards Dollars are subject to the Disney Rewards Dollars Terms and Conditions for Disney Visa Credit Cards available at DisneyRewards.com/Terms.

3Disney Theme Park & Resort Perks

Offers and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as form(s) of payment at the time of purchase for full amount of purchase to receive special offers. Merchandise discount may not be available for certain items and at certain locations including Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort. To receive a merchandise discount, you must mention the specific offer. For entry into the Disney, Heroic Encounter or Star Wars Cardmember Photo Opportunities, you must present your valid Disney Visa Card. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts, promotions or with any previous purchase. Minimum purchase and/or separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Offers are for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold. Chase is not responsible or liable for fulfillment of these Disney Theme Park and Resort perks.

4Merchandise Savings at Disney Theme Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures, and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as form(s) of payment at the time of purchase for full amount of purchase and mention this offer. Discount is not valid on previous purchases or on purchases of the following: ticket media, Disney Gift Cards, Theme Park admission, arcades, tobacco, alcohol, outdoor vending (e.g., in-Park balloon vendors, glow vendors), Add-a-Dollar (Disney Conservation Fund), postage stamps, rentals (e.g., strollers, ECVs), personalization, Lightning Lane Single Pass, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Disney PhotoPass® purchases (e.g., purchases through any application, website or onsite sales location), Disney PhotoPass+, Disney PhotoPass+ One Day and Disney PhotoPass+ One Week, Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day, Capture Your Moment and other photo sessions requiring reservations, select print packages, original or consignment art, select limited editions, select collectibles, select specialized toys, select specialty items (including, without limitation, one-of-a-kind art, Disney-branded original art, celebrity memorabilia, framed Disney Dollars, Artist Sketch Program, framed Disney Gift Cards, framed ticket media, Walt Disney Classics Collection, handmade products (physically touched by an artist/vendor) and artist-signed Vinylmation), purchase-with-purchase offers, select reusable shopping bags, newspapers/periodicals, books, sundries, pantry/prepared foods, kitchen products, digital/video/disposable cameras, consumer electronics (including, without limitation, DVDs, CDs, and software media), Guerlain treatments and cosmetics, Lladró®, Swarovski® Crystal, Tiffany & Co.® Jewelry, Bvlgari®, handmade items, special orders, live auction artwork, select product launches, select premium branded items, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (at Walt Disney World® Resort and onboard Disney Cruise Line), Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, and Droid Depot packages, phone, internet, email or mail order purchases, shipping or taxes. Discount is not available at the following locations at the Disneyland® Resort: Games of Pixar Pier, Silhouette Studio, Portrait Artists, face painting locations, letter brush art locations, any other locations that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Disneyland® Resort except for Arribas Brothers Crystal Shops (Crystal Arts and Cristal d’Orleans), or at any Downtown Disney® District location other than Curl Surf, World of Disney® Store, Disney Home, WonderGround Gallery, Marceline’s Confectionery, Disney’s Pin Traders, The Disney Dress Shop, Avengers Reserve, Disney Storyland Boutique, Disney Wonderful World of Sweets and Star Wars™ Trading Post. Discount is not available at the following locations at Walt Disney World® Resort: games, 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 ALOHA Collection, Arribas Brothers locations (Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, Crystal Arts stores and kiosks), Balocoloc Venetian Masks at La Gemma Elegante, Basin®, Basin White®, The Boathouse, Chapel Hats, Columbia Sportswear Company, Crown & Crest, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, Frontera Cucina, Joffrey’s coffee/tea kiosks and Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’s, Just Fun Socks, Levi’s®, Luxury of Time, M&M Store, Sanuk, Shop for Ireland at Raglan Road™, Sperry, Stance, and Sugarboo & Co. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation 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.

5Dining Savings at Disney Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible food and beverages, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures, and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Offer excludes alcoholic beverages, select new food and beverage offerings, merchandise, tobacco, room service, holiday buffets, tax and gratuity. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at time of purchase for full amount of purchase. Discount valid at the following Walt Disney World® Resort restaurant locations: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas: Boma – Flavors of Africa, Jiko – The Cooking Place (see restrictions), and Sanaa; Disney's Beach Club Resort: Beaches and Cream and Cape May Cafe; Disney's BoardWalk Inn & Villas: Flying Fish (see restrictions); Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort: Sebastian's Bistro; Disney's Contemporary Resort: Steakhouse 71; Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: Three Bridges Bar & Grill and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood; Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Citricos (see restrictions), Grand Floridian Cafe, and Narcoossee's (see restrictions); Disney's Old Key West Resort: Olivia's Cafe; Disney's Polynesian Village Resort: Kona Cafe; Disney's Port Orleans Resort: Boatwrights Dining Hall; Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: The Turf Club Bar and Grill; Disney's Wilderness Lodge: Whispering Canyon Cafe; Disney's Yacht Club Resort: Ale & Compass Restaurant and Yachtsman Steakhouse; Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park: Tiffins; Disney's Hollywood Studios®: Roundup Rodeo BBQ, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, and The Hollywood Brown Derby (see restrictions); EPCOT®: Biergarten Restaurant (see restrictions), Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Rose & Crown Dining Room, and Spice Road Table; Magic Kingdom® Park: Crystal Palace, Diamond Horseshoe, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Plaza Restaurant, and Tony's Town Square Restaurant. For locations where it is noted to see restrictions, the discount does not apply to the following dates: 11/27/2025, 12/25/2025, 12/28/2025, 12/29/2025, 12/30/2025, 12/31/2025, 1/1/2026, 1/2/2026, 2/13/2026, 2/14/2026, 2/15/2026, 4/3/2026, 4/4/2026 and 4/5/2026. Discount valid at the following Disneyland® Resort restaurant locations, subject to location availability: Disneyland® Park: Cafe Orleans, Carnation Café, The Golden Horseshoe, Harbour Galley, Plaza Inn, River Belle Terrace, Royal Street Veranda, and Troubadour Tavern; Disney California Adventure® Park: Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Lucky Fortune Cookery, Paradise Garden Grill, Sonoma Terrace, Studio Catering Co., and Wine Country Trattoria; Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa: GCH Craftsman Bar and Storytellers Café; Disneyland® Hotel: Goofy's Kitchen and Palm Breeze Bar. Discount valid at the following Disney's Vero Beach Resort restaurant location: Wind & Waves Grill. Subject to restaurant availability, operating hours and closures. Reservations may be required. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Discount is for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold.

6$300 Disney Gift Card eGift with the Disney Inspire Visa Card

This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months. Upon approval of your Disney Inspire Visa Card application, you will be sent your Disney Gift Card eGift via email within hours to any valid email address. The Disney Gift Card eGift can be used at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Store locations in the U.S., DisneyStore.com, and Adventures by Disney®. Disney Gift Card eGifts are redeemable for goods and services at participating Disney locations. Disney Gift Card eGifts are not refundable or redeemable for cash unless required by law. Disney Gift Card eGifts are not for resale. Disney Gift Card eGifts are issued by, and represents a legal obligation solely of, Disney Gift Card Services, Inc. Lost, damaged or stolen Disney Gift Card eGifts may be replaced only if original email and complete card number are provided. For Disney Gift Card eGift balance inquiries, call 1-877-650-4327 or visit DisneyGiftCard.com. For complete terms and conditions (including arbitration agreement), visit DisneyGiftCard.com. The value of this offer or program may result in miscellaneous income received from Chase and we may be required to send you, and file with the IRS, a Form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Information) or Form 1042-S (Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding) for the year in which you participate and are awarded the benefits of the offer/program. You are responsible for any tax liability related to participating in the offer/program. Please consult your own tax advisor if you have any questions about how this could affect your taxes. Chase is not responsible for the provision of, or failure to provide, the stated benefits and services. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. If your account is not open for at least 6 months, Chase and Disney reserve the right to cancel the Disney Gift Card eGift.

7$300 Statement Credit with the Disney Inspire Visa Card

This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months. Offers may vary and may not be available through all application methods when applying for the Disney Visa Credit Cards. In some instances, an application may require additional time to process. To qualify and receive your $300 statement credit, you must make Purchases totaling $1,000 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. ("Purchases" do not include balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions, any checks that access your account, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, and fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable.) To be eligible for this bonus offer, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. After qualifying, please allow up to 8 weeks for your credit to appear in your statement.

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