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

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
Approaching the Main Street train station, garland trims the view. 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Garland and wreaths adorned with traditional touches of Christmas decorate Town Square and Main Street U.S.A. 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
Hey… a scrim-less City Hall! Looking good!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Happily, the iconic 65-foot Christmas tree has returned!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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 Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
Don’t forget, if you can’t make it to the parks – all of these products are available at shopDisney.com!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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. 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Back on Main Street, the crowds really showed up for the first official day of Christmas!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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.)

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

This park is extra magical during the holidays!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

The smell of the confectionary drew us in… here, you can find Christmas candies and gingerbread-themed items:

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!  , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Goofy, Max & Clarabelle headline this gingerbread-scented cavalcade, serving us those warm Very-Merry Christmas Party feelings.

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
This car is so cute I could just eat it up!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!  , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Would it be Christmas at the Kingdom without the classic marching toy soldiers? 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

They lead the Main Street Philharmonic down the route, who are also playing holiday favorites.

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Up next, a princess processional: winter edition! 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Merida, Tiana, Rapunzel, Belle, Snow White, Ariel, Elena, Cinderella and Fairy Godmother wear their extra-warm velvety capes and shimmery long-sleeved ensembles.

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Ho, ho, hold up— here comes Santa Claus!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

And how could we forget those extra-tall reindeer?

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Finally, classic characters such as Peter Pan, Wendy, Pinocchio, Alice and Mary Poppins lead Mickey & Minnie aboard a Christmas tree-scented float!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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. 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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:

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
Both the pistachio and chai flavors were pretty mild – but, together… wow! Super creamy, not overly sweet, and the chai offers a light holiday spice. This is easily one of my new favorite wintertime Disney snacks!

 And just like that, the sun started to set… 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Santa made another appearance:

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

As the sun was setting, more and more guests gathered around Cinderella Castle to take in the new holiday-themed castle projections. 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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.

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Projections can be seen from either side of Cinderella Castle as well!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!  

Just as lovely as Cinderella Castle, the buildings of Main Street are illuminated and decorated – what a sight for sore eyes. 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!  , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!   , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!  , The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Before heading out for the night, we stopped in Main Street Bakery for a tea and seasonal cupcake…

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

How cute are these new mugs?!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

They have an ornament of the holiday version, too!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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:

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

But the real treasure is inside! A confetti cake tree tops a vanilla and buttercream cupcake with a red velvet hidden Mickey. 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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! 

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Time to head home – Mickey and friends wave goodbye from the Train Station:

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

But wait! One last purchase… I had to have one of these light-up Christmas Tree popcorn buckets.

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Back at home, it fits right in!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!


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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!

, The Holidays Arrive at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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Chloé Ferreira
Chloé loves ‘90s EPCOT, roller coasters, kitschy dark rides, a good background area music loop, Hot Butterbeer, and all things Halloween. You’ll mostly find her wandering around Orlando’s biggest theme parks snapping pics and sharing tips… or probably talking about The Great Movie Ride.