There is a reason that Disney World is so popular over the holidays! Disney knows how to celebrate and go BIG with decor and experiences. Whether you attend EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays or the resort Holiday Gingerbread Displays, there is something that everyone will love. Not only that, but most of these holiday experiences are also offered at no additional cost to you.
If you and your family are heading to Disney, don’t miss out on some of the following free holiday fun. You’ll be sure to get into the holiday spirit!
EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays
EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays entrance.
In the spirit of bringing the world together, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays is a way to showcase how people around the world celebrate the holidays. The park decor features a lot of globes, famous landmarks from around the world, and decor representing different countries. Each country features a uniquely decorated tree, along with a description of unique holiday traditions of that country.
After your day at EPCOT, you can head over to the America Gardens Theatre, where you can hear Disney’s Candlelight Processional. Even if you don’t get a dinner package for a ticket or wait in line for a seat, you can enjoy the music from the American Adventure area and maybe even catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrity narrator.
Throughout the season, EPCOT will also feature storytellers throughout the World Showcase!
Resort Gingerbread Displays
Resort hopping to visit the Gingerbread Displays is a great family activity to do on your non-park day. It is one of the few activities you can do that doesn’t actually require you to purchase a park ticket at all. I always recommend doing this on your arrival day, departure day, or non-park day.
The amazing Gingerbread Display at the Grand Floridian will not be on display in 2025 as construction is taking place in the resort’s lobby. This is the grandest display of all the gingerbread creations at Walt Disney World, and we hope it returns in 2026. This display is so large that workers are actually inside of it, selling Christmas treats!
BoardWalk Inn’s Deli gingerbread masterpiece.
Many resorts have one-of-a-kind Gingerbread creations. For example, the BoardWalk Inn features a miniature version of the iconic BoardWalk Deli. The Beach Club Resort has a large carousel that actually rotates! It is beautifully themed from Mickey’s Christmas Carol.
Each resort does such a beautiful job making sure the guests have a magical holiday experience!
Living with the Land Glimmering Greenhouses
Living with the Land in the Land pavilion at EPCOT.
If you have visited Living with the Land before but have not experienced it at Christmas, you do not want to miss this! Disney is so creative to do a holiday overlay of this iconic attraction. Set aside time to ride it at night and see the greenhouses lit up for Christmas!
Even though you may have heard about Glimmering Greenhouses before, you are in for a treat! The imagineers have decorated the entire greenhouse from top to bottom with sparkling Christmas lights. There are even stunning vignettes of Christmas displays staged throughout the ride as well.
Meet Santa!
EPCOT’s Odyssey Pavilion.
Those families with young children have a lot of opportunities to meet Santa at many Disney locations. In an effort by Disney to create a more inclusive experience for all guests, there are also Santas that represent those of diverse backgrounds.
Starting November 29, you can meet Santa and get a photo at EPCOT’s Odyssey Pavilion. (pictured above) Santa also resides in Animal Kingdom on the patio of Restaurantosaurus. At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Santa will be greeting guests at Storybook Circus. Another popular opportunity to meet Santa is at Disney Springs at Santa’s Marketplace near Disney’s Pin Traders.
Holiday music around the park
Voices of Liberty singers at the American Pavilion in EPCOT.
The moment you step into the parks or resorts, you will be surrounded by Christmas music. The music has been carefully selected to match each location and will help get you in the holiday spirit! The All-Star Music resort plays classic Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis Christmas tunes. The Wilderness Lodge plays soothing classical guitar Christmas music.
If you love Christmas music, you don’t want to miss the Voices of Liberty at the American Adventure Pavilion in EPCOT. Traditionally, the Voices of Liberty sing traditional folk and Americana music, however, during the holidays, they change their set to holiday music.
Additionally, you’ll love the Dapper Dan’s holiday serenades in the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional concert.
No matter where you are in a park or resort, don’t forget to listen for the holiday music!
Enjoy the custom-made Holiday decor
Animal Kingdom Christmas decor.
Disney pays attention to the details when decorating for Christmas. Each park and resort have specially curated decorations that match each location. When you visit, take time to really look around and marvel at all the beauty of the decorations.
For example, Animal Kingdom decor features natural materials: flowers, earthy materials, and wood. In the Harambe Market, wreaths are made out of locally sourced African materials, such as bicycle wheels and bottle caps. EPCOT’s trees are filled with ornaments unique to each country. The Beach Club and Yacht Club decor feature beach and nautical accents.
No matter how often you’ve gone to Disney, there is nothing quite like the experience of Disney during the holidays! Disney truly goes out of their way to make sure guests have a wide variety of holiday experiences and pay attention to every little detail. It is that attention to detail that makes a holiday visit to Disney World so magical and a must-do for every family!
