Epcot Holiday Happenings
Now through December 30, 2019, you can celebrate the season at Epcot with many holiday-themed events!
Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights!
There’s a new holiday makeover this year on a Future World classic: Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights! Each evening you can embark on the classic Living with the Land boat ride through greenhouses thriving with colorful fruits and veggies and decorated with sparkling holiday light displays.
Entertainment
Storytellers from countries around the World Showcase share legends and traditions ranging from a musical tour of the Great White North with the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs to the Hanukkah Storyteller’s tales of diverse music and customs (between Morocco and France pavilions). Daily performances of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season will share uplifting gospel, R&B and holiday songs of Christmas and Kwanzaa at the World Showcase Plaza Stage.
Food
And food! At Holiday Kitchens encircling the World Showcase Promenade have many special offerings. Also, you can now embark on the Holiday Cookie Stroll featuring gingerbread, black and white cookies and more.
I highly recommend the Candlelight Processional Table Service Dining Package at select restaurants, which includes guaranteed seating at a same-day Candlelight performance.
Check out Current Offers for Walt Disney World
Holiday Happenings at Walt Disney World Resort 2018
Holiday Events at Walt Disney World 2018
I'm calling it, “Joy Through the World” at Walt Disney World this holiday season because there are so many holiday activities and events being offered throughout the resort.
This holiday season, you can experience a Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring Sunset Seasons Greetings; Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!; and special seasonal cheer in the new Toy Story Land.
Head over to Epcot for the International Festival of the Holidays including the Candlelight Processional.
Have festive fun with Mickey and the gang during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park.
Plus if you're still looking for a hotel offer, view special offers on Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms during this holiday season.
Holiday Happenings at Walt Disney World Resort 2018
Holidays 2018 at Walt Disney World Resort
The return of the holiday season to Walt Disney World Resort starts Nov. 8, 2018.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The return of Sunset Seasons Greetings featuring impressive new laser effects and “snow,” holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel with spectacular projections of Disney Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Olaf sharing their favorite seasonal stories.
Another returning favorite is the nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! The new Toy Story Land also gets special seasonal fun including holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers and more!
Epcot
11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 18, 2018. One of my favorite holiday traditions at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional and this year it starts performances on Nov. 22, 2018.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
New this year the magic of nature will receive a holiday touch with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure.
Merry Christmas From SAVEatWDW.com
Merry Christmas from SAVEatWDW.com and all the best for the new year!
Darren Wittko - Specializes in Disney Destinations with Magical Vacations Travel. He is rated a "Best of the Best" Disney Travel Agent by readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
Replacement for Osborne Lights Announced - Hollywood Studios
All-New Holiday Nighttime Spectacular “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios November 14.
The all-new Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! holiday spectacular comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort starting on Nov. 14, 2016. Santa Claus is missing and the search-and-rescue mission to get The Big Guy back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve is all part of the fun. The show comes to life on, above and around the Chinese Theater with state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks and a rousing seasonal musical score.
Also announced is the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party, which includes reserved viewing, desserts, specialty beverages and more. Each dessert party guest will get a pair of 3D HoloSpex glasses to use while watching the show. The glasses create spectacular holographic illusions of gingerbread men, candy canes, snowflakes and ornaments on any bright point of light.
>> Check out available Walt Disney World Resort hotel offers
Darren Wittko is rated a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent by readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
Celebrate the Holidays at Disney Springs
New to Disney Springs, The Landing is home to unique shopping locations and memorable dining experiences, including the recently opened Morimoto Asia and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. And, coming soon, Town Center will include a diverse mix of retailers and unique restaurants. Here’s a look at just some of the new dining and shopping offerings at Disney Springs that are open now.
During the holiday season, Disney Springs glistens with new offerings to make the season merry and bright. Around every corner, you'll find new decorations, including unique holiday trees and pop-up greeting cards. Plus, delectable food and non-stop entertainment - including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa musical groups, carolers, toy soldier stilt walkers and Santa himself – bring the holidays home to Disney Springs.
The Art of Shaving offers premium grooming essentials for the modern man. The location also has a team of shaving specialists who offer advice to Guests on proper grooming techniques. Appointments for a haircut or shave are suggested.
Apex by Sunglass Hut is designed with the athlete, sports and outdoor enthusiast in mind. This shop utilizes innovative technology, such as the Apex Smart Mirror, to help guests find the best choice in sport sunglasses.
Chapel Hats specializes in fashionable hats and headwear for Guests of all ages. The location carries just about any style of hat including fedoras, sun hats, floppy hats, outdoors hats, kid's hats and more.
Sanuk offers creatively inspired footwear designed with non-traditional materials like yoga-mats.
Havaianas provides the options to "Make Your Own Havaianas" and "Embellish Your Own Havaianas." This store features a large assortment of Havaianas sandals for women, men and children, plus kids' rain boots.
Sound Lion has the latest technology in headphones, earbuds, speakers, and other digital sound and music products can be found in this shop. They also provide education in digital music applications that improve the listening lifestyle.
Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC will offer the same unsurpassed core vegan, gluten-free menu as its flagship bakery in New York City, and its sister bakery in Los Angeles. Look for a full selection of award-winning donuts, cupcakes, cookies, bagels (with vegan butter!), and other savory items daily.
Vivoli Gelateria: Vivoli Gelateria serves expertly crafted gelato made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, panini sandwiches and espresso drinks.
Tea Traders Café by Joffrey's: Tea Traders Café. Joffrey's specializes in premium loose-leaf teas (hot, iced, blended) featuring customs blends, accessories and packaged teas from all over the globe; created to go or for a tea experience in the café.
New Dining Experiences Now Open!
The BOATHOUSE - This upscale, waterfront dining experience will immerse Guests both on land and on water with live music, guided tours aboard the Captain's piloted 40-foot Italian Water Taxi with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries and guided Amphicar rides that launch from land, enter the water, and take guests on a 20-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs. The BOATHOUSE will feature steaks, chops, seafood and a raw bar.
Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar - Tucked in between Paradiso 37 and The BOATHOUSE restaurant, a new Disney owned and operated Food & Beverage offering is now open — an aviation-themed lounge, Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar.
With a prime location along Lake Buena Vista and seating for 150, the venue features unique cocktails — such as the "Hovito Mojito" with Barsol Quebranta Pisco, fresh lime juice and simple syrup — and small plates such as "Air Pirates Everything Pretzels" with house-made mustard and beer cheese fondue.
Ardent fans of the "Indiana Jones" films may recognize Jock Lindsey as Indy's frequent pilot. In the main room, Guests will discover an expansive bar, aviation decor filling the room, vintage travel posters covering the walls and correspondence between Jock, Indy and their fellow adventurers on display. Guests can eat, drink and be merry outside as well, in Jocks' old steamboat, now in permanent dry dock and aptly named "Reggie;" and in nearby seating on the adjacent deck.
Morimoto Asia - Chef Masaharu Morimoto, known from his appearances on Iron Chef America, has opened a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of Disney Springs. Morimoto Asia is the Japanese master chef's first-ever pan-Asian restaurant featuring flavors from across the continent. This Disney Springs dining destination includes unique exhibition kitchens showcasing traditions like Peking duck carving, and dim sum.
Related
New Years Events at Walt Disney World
BOOK NOW! MERRY & BRIGHT DESSERT PARTY AND DINNER RECEPTION
As we shared last week, two new seasonal experiences are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort this year. The Merry & Bright Dessert Party and Dinner Reception will light up the season with special reserved viewing of over 5 million legendary lights during the finale of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights
The Merry & Bright Dessert Party includes holiday-themed desserts, specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, sodas, water, tea and coffee. Each Guest in the party will receive a keepsake roll-up stadium blanket. The Dessert Party will take place Nov. 6-Dec. 24, 2015 from 7-8:30 p.m. and Dec. 25-30, 2015 from 8:30-10 p.m. Block-out dates include Nov. 17, Dec. 9 and Dec. 18. The price is $69 per adult and $39 per child (ages 3-9). Tax and gratuity are included.
During the Merry & Bright Dinner Reception, Guests can enjoy a holiday buffet including shrimp, beef, turkey and more, as well as specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, beer and wine. Each Guest in the party will receive a custom keepsake shadow box featuring their own Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights bulb. The Dinner Reception will take place from 8:30-10 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2016 and from 7-8:30 p.m. on Jan. 2-3, 2016. The price is $99 per adult and $54 per child (ages 3-9). Tax and gratuity are included.
During both events, Guests can enjoy the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights from a reserved location at the end of the Streets of America near the entrance to Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. Guests can check in at the location beginning one hour prior to the event.
Bookings can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE or online at Disneyworld.com/dine. Advance reservations are recommended as availability is limited.
Darren Wittko is the creator of Save at Walt Disney World and a Disney Destinations Specialist at Magical Vacations Travel. Voted "best of the best Disney travel agent" by readers of the 2015 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. He is also the creator of The Best of Walt Disney World blog.