Hi there, Sarah - welcome to
planDisney!
Thanks so much for stopping by with your question for our team of panelists. We love to help Guests just like you plan your very own, very magical,
Walt Disney World Resort vacations!
I just love Walt Disney World Resort in November and December! The weather is a bit cooler which is a great escape for those of us in wintery climates, and
the holiday decor and celebrations are unrivaled in their beauty, magic, and fun!
If you haven't already checked it out, I highly recommend that you watch
Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic on Disney+. This amazing special gives you a behind the scenes look at how the amazing Cast Members transform Walt Disney World Resort from Halloween to Christmas in what sometimes seems like an instant. As you will learn from the special, it actually takes thousands of person-hours and multiple weeks to transform all of Walt Disney World Resort, even if some Theme Parks and Resorts do seem to magically transform into winter wonderlands overnight. In fact, one of my fondest memories was checking in to a beautiful, but normal,
Disney's Riviera Resort and then waking up the next morning to a lobby that was radiating holiday magic! Sometimes, if you stay up late enough, perhaps enjoying
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, you might even see some of the transformation taking place when you return to your Resort late at night!
All that being said, I'm sad to report that there isn't really a formal or official public timeline available to know when these jolly Cast Members will be working their magic. Next year, with Halloween falling on a Tuesday, it is likely that we will start seeing the transition that week, and it will continue through the second week of November. Most of the transformation is usually complete around the time of the first scheduled date for
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but there are a lot of factors that come into play and many finishing touches added over time.
You can keep an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog to see if there is any news there. For example,
this post from last year highlighted last year's transition on November 9th. Once at Walt Disney World Resort, you can also talk to Cast Members to learn about what's going on. Last holiday season I asked a Cast Member at my Resort and they were able to share that the Resort would be decorated the next night!
I hope this information is helpful as you begin planning your extra special bucket list adventure.
Please let me know if any additional questions come up along the way!
Ryan J.