Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
It may seem too soon for talk of Santa, snowmen and holiday spirit, but we’re officially more than halfway to the holidays. Disney is unwrapping the details of upcoming winter holiday celebrations at Walt Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in Anaheim, California, including an exciting new after-hours party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Holidays at Walt Disney World
Each holiday season, Disney World manages to outdo itself with more lights, more decorations and more ways to celebrate all that’s merry and bright. This year is no exception.
Visitors will enjoy resortwide holiday decor, festive character costumes, limited-time seasonal treats and the opportunity to meet Santa at all four theme parks. Additionally, Disney announced that an all-new party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will join Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for a double dose of after-hours merriment.
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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom after the park closes to daytime guests. The party typically starts at 7 p.m., but guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. (and sneak in a few attractions before the party officially begins).
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
This year, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place on 25 select nights beginning Nov. 9 and running through Dec. 22. Ticket prices vary based on the date you select but range from $159 to $199 per person. (Discounted tickets are typically available for Disney World annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members.)
Related: Here are the best hotels at Disney World
Tickets are on sale now. All dates are available as of the time of writing. Official event dates include:
November: 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30
December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22
During the party, guests can experience holiday stage shows like “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. The new “Frozen Holiday Surprise” will allow guests to join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the adorable Snowgies as they illuminate Cinderella Castle each evening.
There will also be photo opportunities, character meet-and-greets and opportunities to ride Magic Kingdom attractions, including the new Tron Lightcycle / Run coaster, with shorter waits during the event.
Disney Jollywood Nights
DISNEY
Each holiday season, Disney’s Hollywood Studios takes on a glam, vintage vibe with glitzy decor and nostalgic holiday tunes. This year, it’s bringing things to the next level with a new after-hours party called Disney Jollywood Nights.
During the party, guests can expect to be treated like the toast of Tinseltown, with a jazz band, DJ-led dance party, the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! fireworks spectacular, fun photo ops and character interactions.
Guests can also enjoy celebratory food and drinks as well as access to the park’s most popular attractions, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
The separately ticketed event will occur on 10 select nights in November and December from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Tickets are on sale now, with prices ranging from $159 to $179. As of the time of writing, all dates are still available. Official party dates are as follows:
November: 11, 18, 20, 27, 29
December: 4, 6,16,18, 20
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Holidays at Disneyland Resort
Disneyland does not host a separately ticketed after-hours party, but it still goes all-in on the holiday fun. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park get decked out for the holidays with decor, live entertainment, festive treats and more beginning Nov. 10 and running through Jan. 7.
SEAN TEEGARDEN/DISNEYLAND RESORT
Disneyland will transform into a magical winter wonderland with holiday decorations, twinkling lights and a nightly snowfall. Some of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions will also receive holiday makeovers, including “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday, which adds characters from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” to the not-too-spooky ride.
JOSHUA SUDOCK/DISNEYLAND RESORT
Guests can also see favorite Christmas characters, including Santa himself, along with Disney characters, new and old, in A Christmas Fantasy Parade. At night, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks spectacular will light the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle.
CHRISTIAN THOMPSON/DISNEYLAND RESORT
Disney California Adventure also celebrates Christmas with ride overlays, decor and a holiday version of the World of Color nighttime spectacular. It also honors wintertime holidays from around the globe during the Disney Festival of Holidays and Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
DISNEYLAND RESORT
In addition to Christmas, Disney Festival of Holidays honors Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day with festive foods, character meet-and-greets and live entertainment. Disney ¡Viva Navidad! is held daily throughout the holiday season in Paradise Gardens Park and features a lively street party with music and dancing and special appearances by Mickey and Minnie.
Bottom line
Ready or not, here come the holidays … or at least the planning part.
Disney World and Disneyland still require guests to make advance theme park reservations for 2023, and the parks still occasionally reach capacity on busy days during the holiday season. Holiday party tickets at Disney World are also known to sell out as Santa’s big day approaches.
If your only wish this year is to be at Disney for the holidays, plan your trip now — even if it’s still much too warm to break out those ugly Christmas sweaters.
Related reading:
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How you can save hundreds of dollars by renting Disney Vacation Club points
How to use points to buy Disney tickets
New swan on the block: A review of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve