Walt Disney World 2024 Since its grand opening in 1971, Walt Disney World Resort has remained an unparalleled symbol of enchantment and imagination, captivating the hearts of millions of visitors each year. The year of 2024 will be no different. Here are five new things coming to Walt Disney World Parks in 2024. Park Reservations Lifted After re-opening from the pandemic, Disney introduced the park reservation system. In addition to buying tickets, guests would book a reservation for the park they wanted to visit and which day. This was an excellent way to keep track of capacity. This system meant that guests knew in advanced which park they would be able to get into which day. However, there were some downsides. Some guests hate having to plan out every single minute of their vacation. Some like to wake up in the morning and decide which park they want to go to based on their current vibes. Now, they have to make that decision months in advance. Fortunately, Walt Disney World is lif
It’s the most magical time of the year!
Disney during Christmas can be quite chaotic, but it’s also unbelievably beautiful. Are you planning on spending the holiday at Walt Disney World? Here are the top 5 things you should do to have a holly jolly time!
5. Take a pick with a character in holiday gear!
Meeting a character is a quintessential part of any Disney trip. During Christmas, the characters get decked out in their holiday best. Characters in special Christmas costumes include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Stitch, Winnie the Pooh and friends, Belle, Woody and Jessie, the Seven Dwarfs, the Country Bears, and more. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience App or ask a Cast Member for greeting locations and times.
4. See the parks all decked out
One of the most magical parts of Christmas at Disney is seeing all of the decorations! Disney does theming well anytime of the year, and Christmas is no exception. Each park has something unique. At Magic Kingdom, you can see the garlands stung up along Main Street and the castle dripping with icicles. At Animal Kingdom, you can find various decorations created from recycled materials and a lit up dinosaur. Hollywood Studios has tinsel stars hung up along the boulevards. And at the World Showcase at Epcot, each country's pavilion has their own decorations representative of their culture. Each park also has a giant Christmas tree at the entrance. These decorations add a special touch to the season, and are delightful to find.
3. Go on a Gingerbread House Scavenger Hunt
Along with each of the four theme parks having their own Christmas tree, each of the resort hotels also have their own unique Christmas tree. Some of the hotels even have a gingerbread house! The Walt Disney World gingerbread houses have become a tradition for many. If you are able to, hop on the monorail, bus, or car, and go on a little scavenger hunt around the hotels to find the gingerbread houses. This year, the hotels with gingerbread houses are the Grand Floridian, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Contemporary, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. How many can you find? And, if you want to pop into the gift shop for a little piece of gingerbread cookies for yourself, I don't think anyone would blame you.
2. Attend a Holiday Party
There are so many special holiday offerings at Walt Disney World, from special decorations, character meet and greets, music, and treats. Yet, the biggest events of the season are the holiday parties across the parks! The most well known is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This party has a special parade and fireworks show over the castle. New this year is Disney's Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. This party includes a firework show, a Nightmare Before Christmas sing-a-long, and a new show hosted by Kermit and Miss Piggy. Both of these parties are special-ticketed events, meaning that you will need to purchase a separate ticket for them. They typically begin around 7:00 pm and run into the night on select days.
1. Attend a Candlelight Processional
What better way to celebrate Christmas than to hear the story of Christmas? The Candlelight Processional is held at Epcot during the Festival of the Holidays. Each night from the day after Thanksgiving through the month of December, a special guest will read the nativity story, backed by a big choir. Personally, my favorite narrator is Neil Patrick Harris. This year for the first time, Brendan Fraser will be a narrator. No matter who you get, it will be a great show. Some people like to get a dining package for the Candlelight Processional. With this package, you can eat a full meal at one of several restaurants and a guaranteed seat for the show. Since the Candlelight Processional is first come first serve seating basis, the only way to guarantee a spot is with the dining package. Otherwise, you may be lining up hours in advance! There are three shows each night to chose from. This is a must-do activity during Christmas.
Honorable Mention: RIP Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
This would have had the number one spot had it not been canceled. The Osborne Lights was Disney Christmas magic at its finest, and many miss it. There was an area in Hollywood Studios called the Streets of America. Basically, it was meant to look like a city movie set. There were tall facades of buildings and even a false subway entrance. At Christmas, the whole area was covered in lights, and Christmas music would play through the speakers. Sometimes, the lights would even be programmed to the beat of certain songs. This place would be packed with people looking for hidden Mickeys and dancing to the music. Unfortunately, the Osborne Lights had their last dance on January 6th, 2016. That doesn't stop Disney fans from begging for their return! Maybe one day....
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