Welcome to planDisney, Luis! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today. Christmas at Walt Disney World is magical, and I'm happy to chat about the special things happening at the theme parks during the holiday period.
On Christmas Day,
Magic Kingdom brings out
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade during the daytime as a special offering. That means you can catch the full holiday parade without needing a separate party ticket; toy soldiers, Santa, the whole shebang. Elsewhere,
EPCOT keeps the festive vibes going with the
International Festival of the Holidays, holiday storytellers, and the Candlelight Processional.
Disney's Hollywood Studios leans into vintage Hollywood decor and
Sunset Seasons Greetings projections on the Hollywood Tower Hotel. At
Animal Kingdom, look for the charming Merry Menagerie on Discovery Island and plenty of cozy seasonal touches.
Now, how does that differ from
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party? The party is a separately ticketed after-hours event on select nights before Christmas. It includes complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, exclusive stage shows, and the full Christmastime parade at night. On Christmas week, day guests get the parade, but the party's unique perks are party-only. Think of Christmas Day as maximum holiday atmosphere for everyone, and the party as a premium, extra-festive night with bonus goodies.
For New Year's Eve, the big headliners are Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Magic Kingdom typically features special midnight fireworks, a DJ in front of Cinderella Castle, and festive energy throughout the park. It can reach capacity, so arrive early and plan to stay. EPCOT on New Year's Eve is legendary: expect DJ dance parties around World Showcase and a spectacular midnight fireworks countdown. It's a total vibe with music, lights, and international celebration all night. Hollywood Studios also often hosts a park-wide countdown, but Animal Kingdom will wrap things up earlier in the evening and won't stay open until midnight.
I hope this answers your question, Luis, and please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you plan your magical vacation!
Jessica