Mickey’s Back! A Look at Walt Disney World’s Returning & New Holiday Events (2024)

June 24, 2024

Mickey’s Back! A Look at Walt Disney World’s Returning & New Holiday Events (2024)

Get ready for holiday magic! Walt Disney World, the Most Magical Place on Earth, shines even brighter during the holidays. From festive decorations and dazzling parades to exclusive events and delicious treats, there’s something for everyone. As we celebrate Halfway to the Holidays, here are 5 exciting offerings to inspire your dream Disney holiday getaway!

1. Disney Jollywood Nights is back!

Get your holiday glam ready, because Disney Jollywood Nights is once again rolling out the red carpet! On select nights Nov. 9 through Dec. 21, you can get holly and jolly for five festive hours from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. during this limited capacity, separately ticketed event.

Get ready to gather on Hollywood Boulevard for a new dazzling skating spectacular set to your favorite holiday tunes. Several times each evening, take in the grace and skill of international champion skaters in an awe-inspiring twist on the traditional ice show.

Are rare character hugs on your holiday wish list? You’re in luck – this year’s event includes over 20 unique character experiences featuring both new and returning favorites.

Reunite with beloved characters like Phineas and Ferb, Santa Duffy and Santa Stitch, and look forward to fresh new faces such as Bo Peep, Lotso, Baloo, and King Louie from TaleSpin. Don’t forget PhotoPass digital downloads are included in your event ticket!

OG Disney Jollywood Nights fans will remember Ollie, the most dapper gingerbread man in Hollywood. This year, Disney is introducing a new merchandise collection inspired by Ollie, featuring items like a Minnie Mouse ear headband and festive apparel.

Returning culinary favorites – including that iconic Gertie cookie! – will be available alongside new treats. Upon exit, each guest will also receive one sweet treat created by Wondermade!

I’ve made a list of Disney Jollywood Nights surprises, let me check it twice … oh yeah! In addition to meeting your favorite characters, indulging in delicious treats and shopping, the night will be packed with entertaining shows like What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, Disney Holidays in Hollywood, and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

The Holiday Fiesta en la Calle will move to Animation Courtyard and there you’ll be able to spot Jose Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros! Meanwhile, The Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club located in the Tower Courtyard will have you dancing throughout the night. Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby will return – I recommend getting a reservation due to limited space. Stay tuned to DisneyWorld.com/Jollywood for more information on how to book in September.

Guests of select Disney Resorts hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10. The dates for 2024 are:

Nov. 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
Dec. 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21

With more Saturday dates added, there are plenty of opportunities to join in the holiday fun. Don’t miss out on this swanky holiday celebration at Disney Jollywood Nights!

2. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Makes a Festive Return

I don’t know about you, but attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has become a holiday tradition for me and my loved ones! Nothing beats experiencing the joy and holiday spirit this separately ticketed event brings to Magic Kingdom Park.

This year, you can look forward to a new merchandise collection featuring exclusive apparel, trading pins and more – perfect for holiday gifting or keepsakes. Classic entertainment favorites will be back, including Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle stage show, ensuring that the holiday magic and traditions continue.

If you have a sweet tooth like I do, you’ll be excited to hear that those delicious complimentary cookies and cocoa will be available throughout the party once again, making the evening even sweeter. Every night will be filled with festive cheer, from the beautifully decorated Main Street, U.S.A. to the enchanting holiday-themed attractions.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a limited capacity five hour holiday event kicking off Nov. 8 and running on select nights through Dec. 20 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Guests of select Disney Resorts hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting on July 2. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale July 10.

The dates for 2024 are:

Nov. 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20

Mark your calendars to experience the wonder and delight of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. There’s no better way to get into a magical holiday spirit!

3. EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Presented by AdventHealth

Holidays are a global tradition – and I can’t get enough of the sights, the sounds, and the sensational flavors at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays starting on Nov. 29 through Dec. 30! Enjoy festive traditions from around the world with amazing holiday storytellers, delicious dishes, merchandise, entertainment and more, each celebrating unique cultural traditions.

Get ready to satisfy your festive cravings at Holiday Kitchens. Located throughout the park and serving up a mouth-watering array of seasonal foods and drinks, there are delicious treats waiting for you from around the globe.

One of the highlights for me is the Candlelight Processional. Listening to a celebrity narrator tell the Christmas story, accompanied by a full orchestra and mass choir, is such a moving experience—it truly captures the magic of the holidays. Keep an eye out on the Disney Parks Blog for this year’s lineup of narrators.

4. More Festive Offerings Across Walt Disney World Resort

I’m thrilled to share that many of your favorite holiday offerings are returning to our parks and Disney Springs this season!

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the enchanting Merry Menagerie of artisan-sculpted winter animal puppets will be back amidst the beautiful holiday décor. And don’t forget to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy in their festive attire!

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the yuletide projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel is making a comeback, and you can catch Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear in their festive attire in Toy Story Land.

Magic Kingdom will once again host the “Frozen Holiday Surprise” in front of Cinderella Castle, featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the adorable Snowgies.

Meanwhile, Disney Springs is the perfect spot for holiday shopping, with dazzling decorations and the popular Christmas Tree Stroll. And don’t miss the magical snowfall in Town Center—yes, snow in Central Florida!

To put the bow on top, Santa Claus will be making appearances across all four parks and Disney Springs. Get ready to snap the perfect family portrait!

5. Gingerbread Houses and Décor Galore

Staying at a Disney Resort hotel is an experience like no other, immersing you in the same legendary detail, service and storytelling found in the parks. Now picture that with Christmas trees, joyful decorations and the oh-so-delicious smell of gingerbread displays crafted by our world-class culinary teams!

To make it all even sweeter, starting on June 27 you can save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights from Nov. 24 to Dec. 25, plus other savings for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights between Oct. 6 to Nov. 21. You can also get a free Park Hopper option added to your tickets when you upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a non-discounted 4-day or longer date-based ticket.

It’s never too soon to start planning your holiday vacation! Contact me today to get your holiday Disney World trip on the books. I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a magical and festive vacation.

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Sara

Sara is a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, a Disney Earmarked agency. She lives in Alaska with her husband and 3 kids. Due to her extreme dislike of winter, she travels often to warmer destinations during the colder months. She visits the Disney parks and resorts frequently with her family and loves helping other families plan magical vacations. Contact her here for help with your vacation!