Welcome to planDisney, Jennifer, and thank you for your question. Visiting the
Most Magical Place on Earth during the most wonderful time of the year is a dream come true. My family and I will actually be doing just that in a few short weeks, kicking off our holiday season with a Land and Sea Disney Vacation, first taking in the sights and sounds of Magic Kingdom, all dressed up for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, before setting sail on our first Very Merrytime Cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy. It’s such a special time to experience all that Disney has to offer.
You’re absolutely right to plan your visit with a four-park approach because each park is special in its own way during the holidays. You can explore what each has to offer on the
Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort page, but I’ll share a few highlights here.
For families with toddlers, I think
Magic Kingdom is the park that captures the heart of Disney at Christmastime. It’s where little ones fall in love with the magic, whether it’s soaring with Dumbo, visiting Ariel in her Grotto, or taking a gentle cruise on “it’s a small world.” The park is decorated with garlands, wreaths, and twinkling lights, and watching your child see Cinderella Castle aglow for the holidays is a moment you’ll never forget.
That said, each park has its own festive offerings: EPCOT hosts the International Festival of the Holidays, featuring storytellers and seasonal treats from around the world. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is decorated top to bottom with nostalgic holiday décor and the newer “Jollywood Nights” event. And Disney’s Animal Kingdom has unique holiday touches, including the Merry Menagerie of artisan animal puppets that delight guests near Discovery Island.
Regarding your question about evening experiences, there are two types of extended hours to be aware of. Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, or select hotels like the Swan, Dolphin, or Shades of Green can enjoy
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours at no additional cost. You’ll simply scan your MagicBand, Key to the World card, or MagicMobile pass to verify eligibility when entering attractions during that extra time.
The other option is
Disney After Hours, a separately ticketed event offering three hours of extra fun, shorter waits, and complimentary snacks at select parks. While After Hours events are available throughout the year, the specially ticketed holiday events like
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and
Disney Jollywood Nights both wrap up before the New Year.
Jennifer, I hope this helps put you on the right path as you plan your holiday trip. If you’d like, I’d be happy to walk you through each park day by day, suggesting must-do attractions, dining options, and a few personal tips to help make this visit extra memorable for you and your little one.
Just let me know, and we’ll start building your perfect holiday itinerary together.
Cheers!
Brent