Top Holiday Happenings at Disney You Won’t Want to Miss

Walt Disney World is always a magical experience, but holidays are extra special. No one brings the celebration like Walt Disney World. We love that something always happens in the parks, resorts, or Disney Springs to make the holiday season extra special.

We will share some of the top holiday experiences at Walt Disney World that you won’t want to miss out on in 2024. Get those suitcases ready because you want to travel down for these magical holiday experiences.

New Year’s Eve

One of the year’s biggest celebrations is New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World. If you are willing to battle the crowds, this is a fantastic time to be at Walt Disney World. Not only do Magic Kingdom and EPCOT typically stay open later, but the nighttime shows are extra special during this time.

You will find extra excitement throughout the parks, such as DJs in Frontierland, and dance parties throughout the World Showcase, and don’t forget to pick up your noisemakers and hats to ring in the new year.

Ringing in the new year at Walt Disney World is the perfect way to wrap up one year and begin a new one. Will all your hopes and dreams be waiting for you? Where else would you rather be?

Christmas

Christmas is such a magical time at Walt Disney World. Not only are the parks transformed into a winter wonderland, but the Disney resorts also create holiday magic for guests. Walt Disney World has ample opportunities to experience the holiday magic.

In Magic Kingdom, guests can experience Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This party includes a fantastic holiday parade, a great fireworks show, and magical overlays to rides such as Space Mountain.

EPCOT tells a holiday story in various ways with the Storytellers throughout World Showcase and the extremely popular Candlelight Processional. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will celebrate Christmas with a brand new event this year. Disney Jollywood Nights is a special ticketed event that will take place from November 11 to December 20 on select days.

During this event, guests will not only be able to experience some of their favorite rides but also enjoy unique entertainment throughout the park. New nighttime shows will light up the night and transform the Chinese Theatre. We can’t wait to see what this new experience includes.

You will want to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the holiday to check out the Merry Menagerie. These adorable puppets are well worth the trip.

The Disney parks and resorts are transformed during the holiday season, and it shouldn’t be missed.

Halloween

A popular holiday happening at Walt Disney World is the Halloween experience. With more schools offering a fall break, more families are heading to Walt Disney World to experience the Halloween season.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is the biggest draw this time of the year. This special ticketed event allows guests to enjoy a Halloween party throughout Magic Kingdom, Trick or Treats, visit favorite characters, enjoy the parade, and ride rides during this event.

You can also celebrate Halloween at Minnies’ Hollywood and Vine. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Minnie and her friends welcome guests to enjoy a meal while hanging out with them in their costumes.

Walt Disney World has done a lot over the last few years to celebrate fall and Halloween more throughout the parks.

Easter

Many guests might not think about Walt Disney World during Easter, but it is a popular time to visit. The draw of the sun and warmer weather brings many guests down for this holiday. Although Disney doesn’t go as big for Easter as they do other holidays, guests will find smaller celebrations.

A parade in Magic Kingdom will feature Easter Bunny and Mrs. Bunny. Guests can also visit Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to enjoy the fantastic chocolate eggs on display. These eggs are works of art and should be visited.

4th of July

The 4th of July at Walt Disney World is similar to New Year’s Eve. Many guests head to the parks later to stay up late and enjoy the outstanding fireworks. If you visit during this time of year, consider heading to Magic Kingdom on July 3. This will still allow you to experience the nighttime show but not be there on the 4th.

On the 4th of July, we recommend taking a lazy start to the day and heading to EPCOT. It is fun to celebrate with all the different cultures. EPCOT typically has something extra on the 4th of July, making it a perfect way to celebrate.

Festivals

We know this isn’t a proper holiday, but we want to ensure you take time to enjoy the festivals at EPCOT. Throughout the year, EPCOT hosts a variety of different festivals. During these, guests can enjoy food booths throughout the World Showcase.

This is a great way to try out new food and learn about other cultures. Take to experience the

festivals at EPCOT during your vacation.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is somewhat forgotten at Walt Disney World. Thanksgiving doesn’t get all the love it should between Halloween and Christmas. If you happen to be at Walt Disney World during Thanksgiving, know that most places will have a Thanksgiving-themed option. Enjoy a great meal at Liberty Tree Taven in Magic Kingdom for a traditional Thanksgiving experience,

There is something extra magical about the holidays at Walt Disney World. We highly recommend experiencing Disney during one of these holidays if you can manage the crowds. They are extraordinarily magical and so much fun.

Related: Tips for Making Your Holiday Less Stressful