The months of November and December is a great time to go to Disney Word. (Well ... just don't go during the actual week of Christmas, because the crowds are insane.)
During this time, the Christmas decorations are up, making everything even more magical than it normally is. In addition, there are extra shows and parties that are only available during those months.
Here is a partial list of some of the things you can do to have some holiday fun while at Disney World in the winter:
1. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
MVMCP takes place in the Magic Kingdom, but is an event that you need a special ticket for. If you are simply in the Magic Kingdom on a party day, the park will close at 6:00pm and only people with party tickets can stay for the evening.
The event includes unique holiday-themed Disney character meet and greets, dance parties, a couple 20-minute shows, complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, and the biggie, Mickey's Upon a Christmas Parade.
I'll be attending MCMCP for the first time in a few weeks, and when I did research about it, it seems to be getting more and more controverial. Countless people are saying that both the prices and crowds have been going up year and year to the point that it isn't even enjoyable, let alone worth the extra $100/person tickets.
We'll get going in mid-November so I'm cautiously optimistic that the crowds at our party will be good ... uh, I mean, "less bad."
Related Article: Is Disney's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Worth It?
2. Candlelight Processional
This show is held in the American Gardens Theater in the World Showcase in Epcot. It features live choirs and orchestras, plus a celebrity narrator. Narrators vary depending on the date. Celebrities that are scheduled for 2019 include Neil Patrick Harris, Gary Sinie, Whoopi Goldberg, and Steven Curtis Chapman.
3. Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
An evening winter event in Hollywood Studios, this is a "Christmas nighttime spectacular" more than an actual "fireworks show." It includes lasers and lights, special effect, projections against the Grauman's Chinese Theater, and yes, fireworks. The projections contain scenes from Bambi, Beauty and the Beast, and Inside Out, among other movies.
I've never attended this show, but I haven't really heard people either rave or complain about it. It seems to be something that's "fine," but not particularly amazing or memorable.
4. Resort Hopping
One fun and completely free activity is just to spend some time visiting the resorts and seeing all the holiday decorations.
The Contemporary resort is easy to visit, since it's on the monorail line to the Magic Kingdom. Among other things, an enourmous Mickey-shaped wreath on the side of the building.
The Grand Floridian, also on the Magic Kingdom monorail line, is really worth a stop at any time of year. We think of it as "the Disney resort for rich people," both because of its ambiance and its price. Their claim to fame in December is a giant, Victorian-style gingerbread that is big enough (at least in theory) for small children tn walk into. Year-roudn, they also have a lobby pianist and a great soap shop that my teenage daughters and I spent a fair amount of time in on our last trip.
Wilderness Lodge is beautiful, with huge balconies and nooks that are decorated with pines and holiday deer. You can get there by taking a boat from the Magic Kingdom. To make it more worth the trip, you might want to consider making reservations to eat at Whispering Canyon Cafe while you're there.
I've never been to Yacht and Beach Club -- actually, I've never been to any of the Epcot resorts yet -- but I read that there is an edible, turning carousel in the center of their lobby at Christmas time. The base is made of gingerbread and the horses are made of fondant and chocolate.
5. Window (or actual) Shopping
Part of what I enjoy about a Disney vacation is roaming through the gift shops and seeing all the "Disney merch." I don't buy much for myself, but I like to look, and maybe buy a gift for someone else. I particularly love to look at all the Disney Christmas ornaments, no matter what time of year it is.
If you're really into shopping, make sure you get in a trip to Disney Springs at some point.
Related Article: Mickey Mouse Christmas Decorations and Ornaments
Related Article: Disney Princess Christmas Gifts for Adults
5. Don't Forget to Dress for the Weather!
Believe it or not, Disney World can be downright chilly in the winter evenings. As strange as it may sound, I would recommend packing a lightweight jacket, wool cap, earmuffs, and/or fingerless gloves, just in case. I go into more detail about what to wear (with links to specific products) in my article about how to dress for Disney World in winter.
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