Preparation for the holidays is already in full swing at Walt Disney World Resort, as The Most Magical Place on Earth prepares to celebrate "the most wonderful time of the year." While planning and preparations culminate in the fall, many Disney Cast Members spend months, sometimes an entire year,
preparing to share the joy of the season.
Here's the first look at what guests can expect as they celebrate the 2023 holiday season, which begins November 11, 2023, at Walt Disney World, from details on a new nighttime event, Disney Jollywood Nights, to the latest news about Disney Christmas traditions.
Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios
The long-awaited and glamorous Disney Jollywood Nights holiday party is upon us. This new event, for which a separate admission ticket is required, is an elegant Hollywood-style celebration filled with joy, music and good times in the holiday spirit. It will take place on select nights from November 11 to December 20.
Extravagant entertainment
Two exciting new shows will immerse visitors in holiday cheer. “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” is a star-studded spectacle in the grand tradition of Tinseltown's most beloved holiday specials, all with a touch of modern-day Hollywood magic. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are some of the special guest stars and there will be plenty of surprises in store, including a new original song from Tiana.
Partygoers won't want to miss the “What's This?” TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Sing-Along,” where Jack Skellington will lead a subtle exploration of “TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS,” and where guests can sing along to beloved songs from the iconic film while discovering peculiar magic in unexpected places .
Additionally, Disney Jollywood Nights guests will be able to enjoy their favorite attractions with shorter wait times during this limited capacity event. There will also be a virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance*
There is still more to enjoy
More holiday surprises are in store with special appearances from classic Disney Channel characters like Powerline Max, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Phineas and Ferb. Visitors will be able to take a perfect Christmas photo with these icons from decades past. Disney PhotoPass photographers will be there to capture the moment, and the price of admission includes free digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the event. **
At "Welcome to Disney Jollywood Nights," guests will be able to pose in front of a stunning new neon sign before joining the dance party, where a DJ will play the happiest of mash-ups, with a mix of soft and classic classics. modern rhythms.
Nueva “Fits for the Fete”
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends will sport new outfits exclusively for this dazzling celebration and invite visitors to do the same and take photos with them in a colorful setting from the golden age of Hollywood. Disney art directors, show producers and designers worked as a team to find the perfect combination of colors and fabrics, inspired by the palettes of the 30's, 40's and 50's.
Every night of the season, Disney's Hollywood Studios will once again present Sunset Seasons Greetings.
Each nightfall, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will magically transform into a variety of holiday scenes as snow falls along Sunset Boulevard.
Fractal Madness: NEW “Frozen Holiday Surprise” from Frozen at Magic Kingdom Park
At Magic Kingdom Park, the friends of Arendelle from “Frozen” are preparing something amazing this season, with a little help from the team at Disney Live Entertainment. The new Frozen Holiday Surprise brings together Olaf and more than 100 of his little brothers Snowgie, who will try to decorate Cinderella's Castle in a festive way. With Anna and Kristoff at her side, Queen Elsa adds brilliant finishing touches, transforming the castle into a sparkling, crystallized palace, which will remain all night long.
Pulling off this new show was no easy feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers and a full orchestra worked together to create this enchanting new entertainment experience.
“Frozen Holiday Surprise” will debut on November 7 and will be performed nightly during the
holiday season.
Families and children of all ages will also enjoy Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Now in its 40th year, this specially ticketed event has become a holiday tradition for many. With a dazzling parade, fireworks, complimentary cookies and candy and much more, it's warm, family-friendly fun at Magic Kingdom taking place for 25 select nights from November 9 to December 22.
Delicious celebrations: EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
To enjoy a holiday with an international flavor, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth, will be the ideal place. The stage will be spectacularly decorated in every corner, and entertainment fills the atmosphere, from famous storytellers who will recite the Christmas story every night, to traditions dedicated to countries around the world.
And no Christmas celebration would be complete without delicious food.
The festival's culinary team has been hard at work for almost a year, coming up with the menu and testing new recipes. More than 15 holiday kitchens will celebrate the diversity of Christmas traditions with comforting dishes that inspire warm memories.
Since ensuring delicious flavor in every bite is top of mind for the team, extensive testing is necessary before mass production begins. How massive?
The culinary team has historically baked more than 250,000 cookies in just five weeks for the iconic Holiday Cookie Stroll event.
This year will bring several "news" to the festival. “Luminous the Sympony of Us,” a new fireworks and laser show premiering December 5, 2023. And since EPCOT is home to The Walt Disney Company's 100th anniversary celebration, guests will find a beautiful Christmas decoration at the park entrance commemorating the Disney100 celebration.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin on November 24.
Comfort and Joy: Gingerbread at Disney Resort Hotels
Visitors often gaze in fascination at the giant gingerbread decorations that appear each holiday season at Disney resort hotels. Culinary teams spend up to seven months planning and building the displays. For example, the culinary team at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa begins mixing the aromatic dough in May, letting it rest for two months before baking. Individual shapes, from tiles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and then stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build.
This year, guests will once again be able to enjoy stunning works of culinary art, including a new exhibit, at six Walt Disney World Resort locations:
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's BoardWalk Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Yacht Club Resort (with a new exhibit)
More Joy: Parties Around the “World”
Disney Springs is THE place to shop, dine and play amidst a haven of beautiful décor and culinary delights. Starting November 10, this entertainment, shopping and dining district of more than 486,000 square feet will be in full Christmas swing. Those looking for holiday fun should book ahead to visit Santa Claus at Once Upon a Toy and enjoy the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Walk presented by AdventHealth. Nineteen Disney-themed trees will be on display at the four "neighborhoods" that make up Disney Springs.
Plan at least one visit in the evening to enjoy the snowfall in Town Center.
Cheerful decor and festive flotillas will be the highlights of the holiday season at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. In addition to meeting favorite Disney characters and Santa Claus himself, guests will be able to interact every day on Discovery Island with a cheerful collection of life-size animal puppets sculpted by artisans. The park's iconic Tree of Life will also come to life each night with a colorful performance of winter tales accompanied by a familiar soundtrack.
Creating magic: Walt Disney World Holiday Services
It takes more than Santa's elves to transform the four theme parks, Resort hotels, Disney Springs and other locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort with dazzling décor. That incredible feat is the work of Holiday Services, the Merry Magic Makers who don't sleep or rest.
This team of designers, decorators and other professionals prepares more than 600 trees and 1,700 wreaths, and hangs nearly 9 miles of garlands each year. In fact, as soon as one holiday season ends, the Holiday Services team begins preparing for the next.
Whether creating new elements or ensuring existing décor remains cheerful and bright, these talented specialists ensure the entire Resort shines.
Happy memories to remember the magic
There's no better way to remember a visit to Walt Disney World than with the perfect souvenir, and holiday merchandise is a great way to show off the holiday spirit or keep the merry atmosphere alive after guests return home. Holiday-themed apparel, accessories, home décor and more can be purchased throughout the Resort, with special collections available for both Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
Create special memories to last a lifetime
Guests looking to capture their special moments can take advantage of the Disney PhotoPass service, which will create festive photo fun this holiday season with new Magic Shots and limited-time props throughout Walt Disney World Resort.