I love Christmas. I love Disney World. So Christmas at Disney is pretty much the best thing ever.
So today we’re going to have a little fun, and celebrate all the wonderful Christmas at Disney things.
And since 12 seems like a good Christmas number, here’s my Disney Christmas top 12 list!
12. Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail
Walk through Disney Springs to find all the themed Christmas trees. Find them all to get discounts and giveaways at several shops and restaurants around the Springs! This can be a fun scavenger hunt activity for kids, or a good excuse for adults to walk around all of Disney Springs. Disney does nothing in a small way, so you know each tree will be unique and gorgeous.
11. Special Christmas Snacks
Whether your Christmas favorite is sugar cookies or a yule log, you can be pretty sure Disney has their version of your Holiday favorite snack. Everywhere you go on property will have additional holiday items on the menu, so feel free to ask the Cast Members what’s available at their location.
10. Character Costumes
I’m always surprised by how star struck I get meeting Disney characters, even as an adult. But there’s something extra magical about Chip and Dale in their little holiday scarves or Buzz Lightyear and Woody in a Christmas hat. Keep a special eye out for characters who get a full costume change. My daughter was super excited to meet Belle in her Christmas dress at EPCOT a few years ago!
9. Snoap
Snow in Disney World! Coming from the Midwest, you wouldn’t think the snow would be anything special. But experiencing that light puffy snow (made of soap, hence the word “snoap”) on Main Street USA without the cold is really a piece of Christmas magic.
8. Christmas Merchandise
Christmas ornaments are my favorite Disney souvenir. But it’s just not the same to buy them in July when you don’t have a tree set up at home to hang it on. Whether you like ornaments and decor or other Christmas items, it’s great to be able to pull those souvenirs out each Christmas and share memories of your trip with your family.
7. Ride Overlays
I actually have not done a lot of the Christmas ride overlays, but the Christmas lights on Living With the Land is enough to put this pretty high on my list. I’m really excited to ride Jingle Cruise for the first time later this week. It’s just another way that Disney goes over the top with everything, and makes Christmas at Disney extra fun.
6. Night Time Ambiance
After dark is the best time at Disney. This is true any time of year. But with all of the added Christmas decor and lighting, Disney World at night in December is a whole vibe. (Special thanks to my 15 year old for that phrase).
5. Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar
Jock Lindsey’s over in Disney Springs is an Indiana Jones themed lounge that goes all out for Christmas. Lots of kitschy tinsel and holly plus the best holiday appetizers and cocktails make this the place to be for an adults-only trip. Sit outside and soak in the beautiful December weather and try the turkey dinner croquets or the milk and cookies sampler.
4. Gingerbread Sculptures
The life-size Gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian is pretty well known, but there are amazing gingerbread sculptures at several of the deluxe resorts. My personal favorite is the carousel at Beach Club. But the Mary Blair castle at the Contemporary is charming. And the 6-foot giraffe at Animal Kingdom Lodge blends into the decor of the lobby so well you could walk right past it and never know it was made of gingerbread.
3. Festival of the Holidays
Festival of the Holidays is my favorite EPCOT festival. I love the storytellers in each country and learning about the holidays celebrated in cultures around the world. Snacks from the holiday booths are Christmas comfort food from places all over the world. And the unique decorations in each country are fantastic.
2. Christmas Entertainers
Live entertainment is easily the most under-rated part of Disney World. And, because I like to be different, it’s totally my favorite part of Disney. I love watching the Christmas band in Canada, and the travelling pianist in Disney Springs. The Dapper Dans are best when they’re singing Christmas favorites. The parks are covered in extremely talented musicians and dancers at Christmas time.
1. Resort Trees
Yes, my number one Christmas item at Disney World is the amazing Christmas trees at the different resorts. Resort hopping at Christmas time is the best activity on Disney property at any time of year. There is so much thought and creativity put into the Christmas decorations, and so much variety from resort to resort. I realize this is a hot take, but very little makes me happier, and I will fight you on this one. 🙂 Really, though, if you haven’t ever taken a full, relaxing day to ride Disney transportation and wander the resorts hunting for Christmas trees, you need to put that on your to-do list ASAP.
So there’s my list! Christmas at Disney really is my favorite time of year to visit.
If you liked this kind of article, let us know on Instagram @nocapesblog! Or check out our other articles celebrating what we love about Walt Disney World!
