Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Also, be sure to make dinner reservations long before your visit, especially if you
are spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the parks. Christmas festivities at
Walt Disney World usually run November 24-December 30. From the Monday fol-
lowing Thanksgiving weekend until December 20 or so, you can enjoy the decora-
tions and holiday events without the crowds. This between-holidays period is one of
our favorite times of year at Walt Disney World.
LILIANE
Did I mention that it's going to be packed? This is not a good
time for first-time visitors, but fun can be had by all at the parks even at
peak times. (I actually stayed at Walt Disney World on Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day and loved it.)
The
Magic Kingdom
is home to a stunning display of holiday decorations, a
tree-lighting ceremony
on Main Street, and
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas-
time Parade
on select days. Check the
Times Guide
for days and hours. The Ma-
gic Kingdom is also the scene of
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
, staged 7
p.m.-midnight (after regular hours) on about 20 evenings in November and Decem-
ber.Advancetickets forthe2014eventswentonsaleinearlyMayandcost(including
tax) $73 for adults, $67 for kids; same-day tickets cost $77-$80 for adults, $71-$75
for kids. Tickets for busier dates usually sell out one to four days in advance. Included
in the cost is the use of all attractions during party hours, holiday-themed stage shows
featuring Disney characters, cookies and hot chocolate, performances of Mickey's
Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, carolers, “a magical snowfall on Main Street,”
white lights on Cinderella Castle, and fireworks. The least crowded dates are usu-
ally the weeks before Thanksgiving week, and the week after. Tuesday (and the rare
Wednesday) parties are the slowest, too. See
tinyurl.com/mickeysverymerryxmas
for more details. We don't recommend the party for first-time visitors.
With about twice the land of the Magic Kingdom,
Epcot
is a good option on
Christmas Day, but this doesn't mean it's a ghost town, just somewhat less crowded
