Disney World in December 2024
Disney World in December is a season to remember! The happiest place on earth gets even better in its holiday finery, so don't let the crowds get you down. Good planning is all you need to have a great trip.
Average High: 73° f
Average Low: 50° f
Average Monthly Precipitation: 2.41"
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Disney World Ride Closures and Refurbishments in December:
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (separately ticketed event) - The Magic Kingdom will close early to the general public and will not have fireworks during regular park hours on party nights. 2024 party dates have not yet been announced but are typically held on select nights from the 2nd week of November through the 3rd week of December.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge Villas - Exterior refurbishments will occur from now until December 2024. Expect to see and hear construction during daytime hours.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Bay Lake Tower - room refurbishments will take place from September 2024 - September 2025. Expect to see and hear construction during daytime hours.
The Magical Extras Savings Card is included in every Walt Disney World Resort vacation package and provides discounts at several restaurants, shops, and activities. Click here for full details.
Click here for Universal Orlando closures and refurbishments.
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Special Events at Disney World in December:
Disney's Hollywood Studios - Beginning November 11, 2022. Colorful projections on the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel will transform it into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s night transformation into a Beacon of Magic. That’s not all….Santa Claus will motor down Hollywood Boulevard. Olaf will present a festive finale to the “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. Minnie Mouse, Santa Goofy, and others will appear at a holiday themed character meal at Hollywood & Vine. Vintage-themed holiday décor will charm guests throughout the park.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Will be offered on select nights at Magic Kingdom / 7PM - Midnight. 2024 Party Dates: To be Announced. These specially ticketed events - you cannot use your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper Ticket - are a lot of fun for families. Special events include character sightings, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, Holiday-themed attraction overlays and Cinderella Castle projections, snowfall on Main Street, holiday treats included with the price of admission, themed food and beverages available for purchase, holiday-themed Disney PhotoPass opportunities, special lighting, music and more! Ticket prices start at $ depending on the date and age of participant, when purchased in advance. Some nights may cost more. These parties include special activities, shows, a parade, and special event fireworks.
The Magical Extras Savings Card is included in every Walt Disney World Resort vacation package and provides discounts at several restaurants, shops, and activities. Click here for full details.
Parks Open Early to Everyone - The Disney World theme parks typically open to the general public at 9:00AM but there are days during the holiday season where one or more of the theme parks will open to everyone (not just guests of the Disney World hotels) at 8:00AM. (2022 Dates To Be Announced) Disney may expand their early openings as we get closer to Christmas break.
Magic Kingdom - Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks will be presented on (Dates to Be Announced) at 11:50PM. The Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks display will also be presented at 7:30PM on these nights.
Candlelight Processional (Epcot) - 2024 Dates to be Announced. This is one of Disney World's most beautiful holiday traditions where you'll experience a wonderful retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a mass choir and full orchestra. There is no extra charge - this event is included in your Epcot theme park admission but the performances do fill early. You can reserve a Candlelight Processional Lunch or Dinner package that provides a special voucher that guarantees a spot at one of the same-day performances. Contact us for more information. 2024 Celebrity narrators to be announced.
Epcot - Holidays Around the World Storytellers - 2024 Dates to be Announced. Throughout the day, storytellers in each of the country pavilions share a holiday tradition.
Epcot - JOYFUL! A Gospel Celebration of the Season (20-minute show) . Typically offered several times daily, included with admission.
Holiday Horse-drawn "Sleigh Rides" at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground - (2024 Dates To Be Announced) Four adults or two adults and three small children, for a 25-minutes ride. Each ride costs $. For reservations, call 407-939-7529.
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll - (2024 Dates To Be Announced). Discover a collection of elaborately-decorated Disney-themed Christmas trees spread throughout the neighborhoods of Disney Springs. Each festive tree features a unique theme inspired by Disney films, television shows, characters and experiences. Christmas Tree Stroll Map Activity: First, pick up the Christmas Tree Stroll map from select Disney Springs shops and restaurants. Find each tree and use the provided stickers to mark your progress. Once your map is complete, bring it to one of the redemption locations for a special prize! Map pickup and redemption available at Amorette’s Patisserie, Basin, the Boathouse, City Works Eatery & Pour HOuse, and Under Armour Brand House.
Photos with Santa in Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) - (2024 Dates To Be Announced) This is a free activity. Virtual queue available.
Disney Springs - Lego Store Events - The Lego Store offers periodic activities like building events or Lego Club meetings, and special offers. Click here for the current month and next month's calendar.
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Crowd Warnings for Disney World in December:
Christmas Break - Christmas is insanely busy at Disney World, giving you lots of opportunity to practice your "good will to men". The great thing is that the temperatures are cool, the parks are at their festive best, and Disney always extends the hours but you absolutely, positively need good information to minimize lines that routinely are 1 - 3 hours long. Get one of our Disney-focused travel agents to help you manage all the special issues that affect this busy season. Important Tip: The lines will be shortest in the first hour or two that the park is open or the last two hours of the day. It is better to arrive early and take a mid-day break than to arrive late and suffer through the long lines. Book dining reservations as soon as possible! Click here to contact us today.
Early Entry Benefits - All four Walt Disney World Theme Parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) will open 30-minutes early for guests of the official Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Disney Springs hotels, and select others. Thoughts on Early Entry - This is a fantastic perk for those who qualify and is a great time to ride one or two popular rides. It is still a good idea for off-site guests to arrive prior to posted park opening time because the first hour of the day tends to be less crowded but you’ll also see crowds decrease for the last two (2) hours before closing.
Be smart about Character Breakfast reservations - I really, really want you to avoid Disney character breakfasts in December because the theme parks are at their least crowded and the lines are shortest when the parks first open for the day. Please don't sit in a restaurant when lines are short and then head out to the attractions just in time to get in a long line. Book a character lunch or dinner instead and enjoy a much-needed rest and an escape from the crowds later in the day and go to the theme parks in the morning when the lines are short. Character lunches and dinners also give you more bang for your buck when you're on a Disney Dining Plan. If you love character breakfasts, consider booking a late character breakfast seating and treat it like brunch - this will still let you enjoy the short lines at park opening. Water park days, relaxing-at-the-resort days, and departure day are also great possibilities for people who love character breakfasts.
Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios - Fantasmic! will probably have at least one performance every night in December, and there will probably be two or more performances on December 25 - 31. The later performance will always be less crowded than the first. You'll need to line up at least 60 - 90 minutes early when the crowds are high. Warning: This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes and the lake catches fire, which can be frightening to some small children.
Grocery Delivery - Save time and money by having snacks, bottled water and other food items delivered directly to your resort by Garden Grocer - Click HERE for more information.
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Use the month buttons below for lists of Disney World ride closures, attraction refurbishments, special events and crowd warnings by month. We hope this information helps you have a wonderful and memorable vacation.