I think we could all use a cup of Christmas cheer right about now… thankfully, the holidays have arrived just in time at Walt Disney World!
Yesterday was the official kick-off date of the holiday season at Walt Disney World. And while there are twinkling lights, majestic trees and festive decorations found throughout the resort, we spent some time at the quintessential Christmas park… Magic Kingdom! Christmas may look different this year with limited offerings and no parties, but there’s still a lot of holiday cheer to (safely) enjoy here.
Christmas at the Magic Kingdom
Garland and wreaths adorned with traditional touches of Christmas decorate Town Square and Main Street U.S.A.
Happily, the iconic 65-foot Christmas tree has returned!
We checked out a sampling of this year’s holiday merchandise collections. There really is something for any Disney enthusiast on your Christmas list! (Or perhaps… yourself?)
The recently-released Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks coffee table book is a must-have! Over 1,800 photographs document holidays from around the [Disney] world; from big parades and nighttime spectaculars, down to the tiniest of details— this book covers it all.
Back on Main Street, the crowds really showed up for the first official day of Christmas!
Thankfully, most guests are keeping their distance and properly wearing their masks. (Disney was doing a great job at monitoring this — plus, the added audio and visual reminders help.)
This park is extra magical during the holidays!
The smell of the confectionary drew us in… here, you can find Christmas candies and gingerbread-themed items:
Holiday Entertainment at Magic Kingdom
The Dapper Dans have returned, performing holiday tunes atop the Main Street station dressed in their best candy cane stripes!
Merry cavalcades make their way down the parade route every 30-40 minutes or so. Again, there is no published schedule to avoid crowding but you’re bound to stumble upon at least one during your visit!
Goofy, Max & Clarabelle headline this gingerbread-scented cavalcade, serving us those warm Very-Merry Christmas Party feelings.
Would it be Christmas at the Kingdom without the classic marching toy soldiers?
They lead the Main Street Philharmonic down the route, who are also playing holiday favorites.
Up next, a princess processional: winter edition!
Merida, Tiana, Rapunzel, Belle, Snow White, Ariel, Elena, Cinderella and Fairy Godmother wear their extra-warm velvety capes and shimmery long-sleeved ensembles.
Ho, ho, hold up— here comes Santa Claus!
And how could we forget those extra-tall reindeer?
Finally, classic characters such as Peter Pan, Wendy, Pinocchio, Alice and Mary Poppins lead Mickey & Minnie aboard a Christmas tree-scented float!
In addition to cavalcades, some special holiday pop-up character appearances can be found around the park:
- Pooh & friends outside Crystal Palace
- Stitch and Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland
- Jiminy Cricket, Anastasia and Drizella in Fantasyland
- Chip & Dale and the Country Bears in Frontierland
- Kermit & friends in Liberty Square
Over in Adventureland, the beloved Jingle Cruise has returned! This is the only holiday attraction overlay this year… but we’re honestly just glad to have anything special.
At Aloha Isle, one of many limited-time holiday sweet treats can be found here… the Pistachio Chai Tea Float with Red Velvet Cake Pop Ornament:
And just like that, the sun started to set…
Santa made another appearance:
As the sun was setting, more and more guests gathered around Cinderella Castle to take in the new holiday-themed castle projections.
There are four different holiday projections, and they change every 15 minutes throughout the night, just after sundown. Last night, Magic Kingdom was open until 9PM – there was a good 3 hours of prime projection time for photos. Camping out for a spot isn’t necessary.
Projections can be seen from either side of Cinderella Castle as well!
Just as lovely as Cinderella Castle, the buildings of Main Street are illuminated and decorated – what a sight for sore eyes.
Before heading out for the night, we stopped in Main Street Bakery for a tea and seasonal cupcake…
How cute are these new mugs?!
They have an ornament of the holiday version, too!
Now, for the seasonal offering: Twice Upon a Cupcake. I don’t want to be dramatic… but this is one of the best Disney cupcakes I’ve ever had. First of all, look at it:
But the real treasure is inside! A confetti cake tree tops a vanilla and buttercream cupcake with a red velvet hidden Mickey.
The cake was fresh and moist, with super-sweet frosting. The (genius) red velvet hidden Mickey possesses a cake pop-like consistency. It’s two great cakes in one! Cake pop and cupcake connoisseurs… add this to your must-try list!
Time to head home – Mickey and friends wave goodbye from the Train Station:
But wait! One last purchase… I had to have one of these light-up Christmas Tree popcorn buckets.
Back at home, it fits right in!
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Let’s Hear From You
Thanks for joining along on our merry romp through the first day of the holidays at the Magic Kingdom! What do you think of this year’s modified holiday offerings? See anything that interested you. Are you ready for a little holiday cheer?
Stay tuned for more— we’ll be checking out the seasonal offerings at the other Disney parks in the coming weeks!
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