Hi Laura,
Oh my candy-cane goodness, I’m so excited you stopped by planDisney to share your planning question with us! You’re visiting during the most sparkly week of the entire year at Walt Disney World Resort, and yes, it will likely be busy… but it is also overflowing with holiday magic. With a solid plan and a dash of flexibility, you can absolutely have the merriest of times!
Since you’ll be visiting from December 27 to December 30, here’s the lineup I’d create if we were planning this trip together over a peppermint mocha cafecito!
Start your trip at EPCOT. It’s the most spacious of all four theme parks, which makes navigating holiday crowds so much easier. You’ll still catch the
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, including the Cookie Stroll, storytellers, and all those warm seasonal touches. Beginning here lets you ease into the rhythm of your vacation.
Next up:
Disney nostalgia wrapped in a holiday bow! Make park day 2 your Magic Kingdom day. When you step foot on Main Street, it’ll feel like you stepped into a Christmas card. Simply beautiful! Pro tip: Arrive early to enjoy the quietest moments, sip something festive on Main Street, U.S.A., and let the decorations take center stage. If you can stay for nighttime fireworks, it’s the perfect holiday finale to your day.
Day three: Disney’s Hollywood Studios day. The popular attractions mean it fills up fast, so early arrival is key. Start with
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or Toy Story Land, then enjoy the seasonal décor and fun extras around the park. It’s got such a lively holiday energy that feels different from anywhere else.
End with
Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It tends to feel the most relaxed during this busy week, which is such a gift on your final day. Keep an eye out for the Merry Menagerie puppets on Discovery Island. They’re one of my absolute favorite holiday details anywhere on property!
Here are a few extra holiday tips to keep things merry:
Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before park opening for the smoothest start.
Make good use of
Lightning Lanes to help you navigate those festive crowds.
Bake in a daily “joy break” to step away, snack, breathe, and reset. It makes a world of difference during peak season!
If you don’t want to hustle and bustle at the parks back-to-back, check out the
Holiday offerings at Disney Springs for a non-park day. You can shop, dine, check out the super cute Christmas Tree stroll... all at your own leisure.
I hope this helps you map out a holiday visit full of magic, sparkle, and sweet moments tucked between the excitement. If you want help fine-tuning each park day or picking some can’t-miss seasonal treats, I’m right here and ready to help.
Sending you very merry vibes and a whole lot of fa la la la fun,
Emille