Ever since Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween parties were canceled we couldn’t help but wonder how Walt Disney World would handle the big holiday season… we finally have an answer!
The winter months at Walt Disney World are generally filled with holiday cheer, plenty of hot cocoa, festive characters, special decor and entertainment offerings. 2020 will be a bit different, as Disney has modified this year’s holiday offerings to safely accommodate guests and CDC guidelines during the pandemic.
CANCELLED: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Candlelight Processional
Unfortunately, these changes include the cancellation of some very popular events and holiday enhancements.
Here’s what is canceled for the 2020 Holiday Season at WDW:
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties at Magic Kingdom
- Castle Dream Lights at Magic Kingdom
- Candlelight Processional at EPCOT
- Gingerbread displays at Deluxe Resorts
While we will certainly miss these festive favorites, we fully understand the need to cancel these types of activities for the season. Each of these offerings attracts heavy-crowding, and social distancing isn’t possible in most of these situations. However, Disney is cooking up some safely modified holiday additions…
Disney World Modified Holiday Offerings
Despite those hard-hitting cancellations, Disney is “reimagining” the season to offer plenty of holiday magic.
This year, the official WDW holiday season takes place November 6th through December 30th. You’ll find holiday decor, themed merchandise and seasonal food & beverage across all four theme parks, Disney Springs and select resort hotels.
- Character Cavalcades will continue at each of the four parks, each taking on a holiday twist with decor and favorite characters dressed in their festive best. Santa Claus will even make an appearance now and then!
- At Magic Kingdom, the beloved Toy Soliders will march along with the Main Street Philharmonic playing holiday music throughout the park at various times.
- Park hours will be extended again, at least for Magic Kingdom! After sundown, rotating holiday themes will be projected onto Cinderella Castle. 2020 Christmas Card photos, anyone? While the Castle Dream Lights can’t be beat, this is a nice compromise given the situation:
- Elaborately-Disney-decorated trees from Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail will be on display throughout the pathways of the shopping and dining complex; rather than being confined to it’s usual more intimate location.
- Snow is in store for Disney Springs! An extra dose of holiday magic will fall from the evening sky throughout the West Side, The Landing and Town Center. (Or as I call it, “snoap”.)
- Disney resort hotels will still receive their holiday makeovers. While there will be no gingerbread displays, those majestic towering trees in the lobbies will return!
- Later in the season, beginning November 27th, EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival will morph into a Festival of the Holidays. Outdoor kitchens will serve up favorite festival dishes, while the World Showplace will continue to act as an indoor-festival hub; featuring more festival foods and the return of JOYFUL!; representing the R&B and Gospel genre through contemporary and traditional holiday tunes.
Time To Make New Magic
Theme parks are reopening, and whether you are ready to travel yet or not, there’s no better time to lock in low rates on future travel. But waiting on hold and not knowing what questions to ask isn’t the magical part of a vacation. That’s why MiceChat has partnered with Get Away Today to handle all the difficult stuff for you . . . all for no extra cost. That’s right, they do all the work and it doesn’t cost you extra. In fact, it can actually save you money.
Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park booking and rescheduling plans. We know you’re as uncertain about the future as we are. That’s why Get Away Today is offering the most flexible Disney travel options available. Ask about:
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Flexible Dates – If you’re traveling in 2020, you can make any changes up to 24 hours prior to check-in with no penalties. In 2021, you can make changes up to 30 days prior to check-in with no penalties.
Give your family something to look forward to:
Let’s Hear From You
While the cancelation of many events is sad, we are encouraged to see so many modified holiday additions that will ensure a merry Walt Disney World holiday season.
What do you think? Will the parks still be worth visiting this holiday season? What things would you like to see Disney offer for Christmas this year?
