It's peak season for a reason: Christmas at
Disney World has dazzling
decorations and special events. Holiday lights go up in
November; every park is beautiful but Disney's Hollywood Studios
has the most wattage, with the spectacular Osborne Family
Spectacle of Lights.
You don't need more than your regular park
pass to enjoy the Spectacle of Lights, or the Holidays Around
the World at Epcot, or the
Candlelight Processional;
but you do need to buy special tickets -- and buy early!-- for
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom.
Disney Christmas: special events
Tip: if you visit between Thanksgiving and
the start of the December school holidays, you can enjoy the
lights and many festivities without the crowds.
Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Osborne Family
Spectacle of Lights
Millions of sparkling lights shine in falling snow in this theme
park, in the the Streets of America backlot area.
The history of this display goes back to
Little Rock Arkansas in 1986, when businessman Jennings Osborne
strung up 1000 red lights for his 6-year-old daughter. The
display grew every year, so much so that-- by the time it
reached 3 million lights-- the neighbors took legal action!
Luckily the whole thing moved to a permanent
home in Orlando. Now thousands of visitors enjoy 5 million
lights on trees, carousels, Mickey, Santa, and lots more, plus
"Florida snow".
Dates are from November 28, 2008 through
January 4, 2009.
The Spectacle of Lights is included in regular admission to the
theme parks, and this year the display has become " The Osborne
Family's Spectacle of Dancing Lights", presented by Sylvania.
Every 15 minutes, choreographed “dancing” lights swirl to a
medley of classic holiday music; snow flurries, too.
Also in this theme park: the Hollywood
Holly-Day Parade, with many familiar characters dressed for
the holidays.
Epcot: Holidays Around the World
At any time of year it's fun to tour the world
at Epcot, by visiting the pavilions from 11 different countries
ranged around the World Showcase Lagoon. The holiday season has
storytelling and celebrations from around the world: Pere Noel
in France, la Befana in Italy... and Kwanzaa and Hanukkah
exhibits in The American Adventure Rotunda.
Also at Epcot:
- Lights of Winter, a musical light show at
the World Showcase plaza;
- Mickey's Tree Lighting Treat: every
evening, Mickey and friends light a spectacular Christmas
Tree in the World Showcase Plaza;
- IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth --the
laser light and fireworks nightly finale at Epcot-- with
special holiday finale
Epcot: Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional is an annual tradition, a retelling
of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator accompanied by
a choir and a 50-piece orchestra. Line-up for 2007 narrators
includes Rita Moreno and Edward James Olmos.
The Candlelight Processional is included with
Epcot park admission, and takes place at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m.
and 8:15 p.m., from Nov. 23 to Dec. 30 2007. (If you purchase a
Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, you'll get reserved
seating in the American Gardens Theater for this show.)
Magic Kingdom:
-
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party:
This party includes a special Parade (see below), character
greetings and character stage shows, cookies and hot cocoa,
snow on Main Street U.S.A., special Holiday Wishes
fireworks, and popular Magic Kingdom® Park attractions. In
2007, the party happens on multiple nights between November
12 and December 21, and starts at 7 p.m. after regular park
hours. Prices are $47.95, $40.95 for kids 3-9; save money
with advance purchasing. Dates sell out early!
- Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime
Parade has holiday themes
including a sleigh ride, Fairy Tale Christmastime, toy
soldiers, snowflakes, dancing deer, and Santa and Mrs. Claus
in a grand finale. re all in the Parade too. This Parade is
part of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party; after the Party
dates are finished, in past years the Parade has rolled for
everyone in the afternoon (instead of the usual Disney's
Dreams Come True Parade) until the end of December. Expect
the same this year.
- tree lighting ceremony, most nights on
Main Street
- "Mickey's Night Before Christmas", in the
Galaxy Palace Theater, several times daily
- special fireworks, "Holiday
Wishes--Celebrate the Spirit of the Season," is set to the
music of classic holiday songs
Animal Kingdom:
- Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade
