Walt Disney World dropped a massive look at all that’s happening for the 2026 holiday season, and while much of it has already been announced, there are a couple of fun new additions tucked into the details.
We’ve already shared today’s big attraction news, including holiday playlists coming to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Alien Swirling Saucers, along with The Electric Mayhem’s wonderfully named “Obligatory Holiday Overlay” at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Now we’ve learned about another new experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plus a seasonal change coming to Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The official Walt Disney World holiday season runs from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, although several of these limited-time attraction offerings begin earlier.
Santa’s Holiday Grove Is Coming to Animal Kingdom
This might be my favorite little surprise buried in Disney’s announcement, although if I’m being completely honest, I was secretly hoping for the miracle return of the Dino Institute Holiday Party.
A new Santa’s Holiday Grove is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, located across from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! at Theater in the Wild.
Guests will follow a holiday trail featuring intermittent snow flurries leading to Santa Claus himself, where they’ll have a chance to share their Christmas wish lists. The area will also feature a festive soundtrack along with specialty food and beverage offerings.
Animal Kingdom already has one of the most unique holiday atmospheres at Walt Disney World thanks to the Merry Menagerie, Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition, and the park’s beautiful decorations. Adding an entire Santa experience with snow, music, and seasonal treats sounds like a particularly nice fit.
The ECO-RHYTHMiCS will also get into the holiday spirit this year with festive attire while performing their percussion sets around the park.
Holiday Movies Take Over Walt Disney Presents
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Presents will receive a seasonal installation celebrating classic Disney holiday stories.
Guests will find holiday displays featuring props and artifacts from Disney films, while the theater will temporarily swap its usual presentation for a collection of classic holiday shorts.
The lineup includes Walt Disney’s On Ice, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, and The Art of Skiing starring Goofy.
This particular offering was included in Disney’s earlier holiday announcements, but it’s worth remembering now that we’re getting a fuller picture of just how much holiday entertainment is headed to Hollywood Studios.
THREE Disney World Attractions Are Getting Holiday Music
This is where the 2026 holiday season gets especially interesting.
Beginning November 4 through January 6, The Electric Mayhem will take over the holidays with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: Obligatory Holiday Overlay.
Disney initially said four songs would be included but only revealed three. We now have the missing track! The complete holiday set list is:
- “Holiday Road” – The Electric Mayhem featuring Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear
- “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – The Electric Mayhem featuring Jennifer Hudson
- “Silver Bells” – The Electric Mayhem featuring Cyndi Lauper
- “Little Saint Nick” – The Electric Mayhem
Also beginning November 4, Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad’s Jams will get its own seasonal playlist. DJ Lilypad will spin new versions of “Deck the Halls,” “Toyland,” “Swirling, Swirling, Saucers,” and the brilliantly named “Joy to the Swirl.”
Then, beginning November 25, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind joins the fun at EPCOT. Riders will randomly get one of three seasonal songs: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, or “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses.
Plenty of Disney World Holiday Favorites Are Returning
Of course, all of this is being added to an already packed holiday lineup.
Magic Kingdom will once again have Jingle Cruise, Frozen Holiday Surprise, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays runs November 27 through December 30, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomes back Sunset Seasons Greetings, Minnie’s Holiday Dine, and Disney Jollywood Nights.
At Animal Kingdom, Merry Menagerie returns to Discovery Island along with the Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition and Mickey and Minnie in their adventurous holiday outfits. Disney Springs will have its Christmas Tree Stroll, nightly snowfall in Town Center, Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, and the new Hallmark holiday pop-up store we’ve been looking forward to checking out.
There’s always a ridiculous amount happening at Walt Disney World during the holidays, but I’m particularly excited to see Disney adding more seasonal touches inside the attractions themselves this year. Between The Electric Mayhem, DJ Lilypad, Cosmic Rewind, and the new Santa experience at Animal Kingdom, we’ve got quite a few new things to put on our holiday must-do lists.
