Holidays at Walt Disney World

Things to Do

Holidays at Walt Disney World

Nobody else does the holidays quite like Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Here's just a sampling of the variety of ways to celebrate at Disney World.

Goofy Lights Up the Holidays in 2012 -- Santa Goofy joins the fun during The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Making nightly appearances on the Streets of America, this jovial character greets guests in the new Goofy's Winter Wonderland. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights sparkles nightly November 9 through Jan. 6, 2013. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

One-year-old David Grundorf, of Orlando, Fla., greets Duffy the Bear in Town Square with a hug during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This special after-hours party, which features enchanting holiday entertainment, is held on select nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Mickey Mouse presides over the holiday festivities during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. This enchanting after-hours party showcases special entertainment, including "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" and a holiday edition of the fireworks spectacular "Wishes," as well as meet-and-greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters in holiday attire. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

On select evenings in November and December, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party gives guests the chance to experience exclusive special holiday entertainment, including "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade." This enchanting special after-hours party takes place inside the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Millions of glittering bulbs are used for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at the Disney's Hollywood Studios. What began as a father's Christmas gift to his daughter has grown into a holiday tradition for many Walt Disney World guests with a dazzling display of millions of colorful lights and animated displays. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

Through the Woods: Offered nightly in December, sleigh rides are a special holiday treat through the secluded natural beauty surrounding Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

ICE CASTLE: Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort magically morphs into a shimmering, glimmering ice palace for the holidays -- thanks to a special effects spectacle bathing the castle in twinkly white lights. Magic Kingdom guests are treated nightly to the castle celebration. (David Roark, photographer)

Sugar and Spice: The delightful scent of gingerbread fills the lobby of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa where this Victorian gingerbread house is in place for the holidays. Grand Floridian pastry chefs created the 16-foot-high dream house with 1,050 pounds of honey, 600 pounds of powered sugar, 800 pounds of flour, and 140 pints of egg whites and 180 pounds of apricot glaze. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

On select evenings in November and December, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party gives guests the chance to experience special holiday festivities, including the spectacular fireworks extravaganza, "Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season." This enchanting after-hours party takes place inside the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

EPCOT LIGHTS UP THE HOLIDAY NIGHTS: The giant Christmas tree at Epcot, seen with the park's iconic Spaceship Earth attraction behind it, is the centerpiece of the holiday celebration at the theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It's all part of the Walt Disney World theme park's annual "Holidays Around the World" celebration, in which international traditions of the season unfold all throughout World Showcase. (Garth Vaughan, photographer)

Neil Patrick Harris, the Emmy Award-nominated star of the hit television series "How I Met Your Mother," is a guest narrator for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Presented in the World Showcase America Gardens Theatre in November and December, the event is one of the most beloved holiday traditions at Walt Disney World, featuring a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator -- accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. (Garth Vaughan, photographer)

Minnie Mouse, Santa Goofy and Mickey Mouse celebrate the holiday season at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. During the holidays, guests can pose with these jolly characters and their pals for photo opportunities throughout the theme park or spot them during the festive musical cavalcade, "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade." (Gene Duncan, photographer)

Mickey Mouse, donning his festive expedition gear, waves to guests during "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Featuring whimsical floats, larger-than-life puppetry, Disney characters and a joyous world-beat soundtrack, the parade takes place daily at the theme park during the holiday season. Disney's Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

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Goofy Lights Up the Holidays in 2012 -- Santa Goofy joins the fun during The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Making nightly appearances on the Streets of America, this jovial character greets guests in the new Goofy's Winter Wonderland. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights sparkles nightly November 9 through Jan. 6, 2013. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

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