Disney Christmas: special events at Disney World
Please note: you've reached a blog page from 2005: please continue to more recent Disney Christmas info.
Starting in November, Walt Disney World gets all lit up for Christmas, and some major annual celebrations get underway: the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights; Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party; Holidays Around the World and Candlelight Processional... and that's not all.
Disney Christmas: special events at Disney World
Tip: if you can, visit between Thanksgiving and the Christmas school holidays, and enjoy the festivities without the crowds.
Disney MGM-Studios: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights
Millions of sparkling lights will shine in falling snow in the Disney-MGM Studios theme park, in the the Streets of America backlot area.
The history of this display goes back to Little Rock Arkansas in 1986, when businessman Jennings Osborne strung up 1000 red lights for his 6-year-old daughter. The display grew every year, so much so that-- by the time it reached 3 million lights-- the neighbors took legal action! Luckily the whole thing moved to Disney World. Now guests enjoy 5 million lights in on trees, carousels, Mickey, Santa, and lots more, plus “Florida snow”.
Dates are from Nov. 14 2005 through Jan. 8 2006. The Spectacle of Lights is included in admission to the Disney-MGM Studios theme park.
Epcot: Holidays Around the World
At any time of year it's fun to tour the world at Epcot, by visiting the pavilions from 11 different countries ranged around the World Showcase Lagoon. The holiday season has storytelling and celebrations from around the world: Pere Noel in France, la Befana in Italy... and Kwanzaa and Hanukkah exhibits in The American Adventure Rotunda.
Also at Epcot:
- Lights of Winter, a musical display of lights over the center walkway that links Future World and the World Showcase;
- Mickey's Tree Lighting Treat: every evening, Mickey and friends light a spectacular Christmas Tree in the World Showcase Plaza;
- IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth --the laser light and fireworks nightly finale at Epcot-- has a Holiday theme, and "Let There Be Peace On Earth" ends the night this year.
And also at Epcot: the Candlelight Processional is an annual tradition, a retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator accompanied by a choir and a 50-piece orchestra. Narrators for 2005 include Rita Moreno and Phil Donahue; see the full line-up at About's Florida for Visitors site. The Candlelight Processional is included with Epcot park admission, and takes place at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., from Nov. 25 to Dec. 30. (If you purchase a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, you'll get reserved seating in the American Gardens Theater for this show.) <
Magic Kingdom: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
November 27, 29 and December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20, 2005, are the dates this year for this bash in the Magic Kingdom. Party events include a parade, holiday entertainment, Wishes™ Nighttime Spectacular fireworks show, family photos and Tasty Treats, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., and the most popular Magic KingdomŪ Park attractions. Prices start at $41.49 for adults, $31.90 for kids 3-9.
More Celebrations
- in the Magic Kingdom: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, with Mickey, Santa, dancing gingerbread men, March of the Wooden Soldiers, and more; in the afternoon; twice daily, on some days; the Parade is also part of the night-time Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
- in Animal Kingdom: Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade, from Nov. 14 2005 to Jan. 8 2006
*photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort.
My family went to Disney Christmas party in Dec. 05. We had a great time going around and listening to the different stories of Christmas. My daughter is twelve, but she wasn’t bored and even joined in on the mischief in places. Very interesting and educational too.