Disney World in December: A Magical Holiday Experience

Disney World in December is magical and one of the best times to experience Christmas at Disney. The weather is perfect, the parks and resorts are transformed into a Christmas wonderland, and you can enjoy some of the best events of the year!

The holiday season at Disney World is busy with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Disney Jolly Nights, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, and so much more. In this post, we’re sharing everything you need to know, along with our own Disney tips and tricks!

Depending on your dates, our tips for visiting in November and New Year’s at Disney may be helpful!

Disney knows how to celebrate the holidays, but you might not realize that you don’t have to go during Christmas time to enjoy all the festivities! As we discussed in this post, Disney celebrates the holiday season from early November through the end of the year!

In this post, we’ll cover what to expect at Disney World in December, as well as the sweet spot for enjoying the festivities with fewer crowds. From the magical Christmas decorations at Disney World to festive events, seasonal food, and resort happenings, it is truly worth experiencing at least once.

Disney World in December

Since the weather is one of the best things about visiting in December, let’s start there! Good news – hurricane season is officially over, which means less rain and humidity! I grew up in Florida, and few months have weather as perfect as December. Mornings and evenings will have a chill in the air, with temperatures averaging highs in the 70s°F and lows in the 50s°F.

Bring a light jacket and plan to wear layers. If it’s a sunny day, you may still feel warm in the afternoon, but it’s nothing like the intense heat I call the death rays of summer. That said, Central Florida weather can be unpredictable. For years, we visited during December and saw temperatures as low as the 40s° and as high as the mid-80s°. Check the weather right up until the day before you leave to avoid frantically buying a new wardrobe because the weather changed, and yes, that’s happened to us!

We have dozens of posts to help with your Disney trip planning. The list below serves as a great starting point, featuring some of our Disney must-dos, favorite Disney snacks, budget-friendly options, and best times to visit.

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Disney Trip Must-Haves

Packing for a Walt Disney World trip can be stressful. Forgetting one small item can lead to expensive park purchases or unnecessary hassle. From long park days to surprise rainstorms, basic essentials matter. I put together a list of Disney must-haves to save money and make your trip easier!

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December Crowds

While there are some pockets of slower times, overall, expect elevated crowds across Disney World in December. It shouldn’t surprise you that crowds peak the week of Christmas and New Year’s Day. After all, this is notoriously Disney’s most attended time of year!

If you are looking for the lowest crowds, try the first week of December. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas break is lovely because most families do not take time off work or school. You can enjoy the magic of Christmas at Disney before the holiday crowds arrive.

Once the second half of the month hits, expect crowds to skyrocket. Although this may seem stressful, the right mindset helps tremendously. In our experience, guests who choose to visit at this time of year know what to expect. Everyone is happy and excited, and you can feel the Christmas spirit in the air. Both guests and Cast Members are in the holiday spirit and tend to be more tolerant of longer wait times and crowded spaces.

December Events at Walt Disney World

December is truly the most wonderful time of the year to visit Walt Disney World, as the entire resort transforms into a breathtaking winter wonderland. From dazzling holiday light displays and seasonal treats to exclusive festive entertainment, magic waits around every corner. To help you plan your festive itinerary, here is a complete line-up of the must-see events, parades, and holiday spectacles happening across the parks this month.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Dates: November 8th to December 22nd, 2026
The aptly named “holly, jolly event” is returning this year! Celebrate the most magical time of year at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Enjoy unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, photo ops with characters dressed in their best holiday wear, and a festive parade and fireworks. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm and ends at midnight. To purchase tickets, click here.

Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios
Dates: November 7th, 2026 to January 5th, 2027
Step into a shimmering holiday scene of glitz and glamour! Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Hollywood Studios for its second year. This separately ticketed, five-hour party features exclusive entertainment, festive food and drinks, and the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular. Find more information and purchase tickets here.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Dates: November 27th to December 30th, 2026
Explore holiday traditions throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase with festive treats, holiday storytellers, and a chance to meet Santa! This season also features the popular Candlelight Processional. Gather at the America Gardens Theatre to hear the Christmas story told by celebrity narrators.

New Year Celebrations
Dates: December 30th and 31st, 2025
Celebrate 2026 with memory-making fireworks displays at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT! Walt Disney World celebrates New Year’s Eve across its parks with signature fireworks and entertainment on December 30th and 31st. Offerings include Magic Kingdom’s “Fantasy in the Sky,” EPCOT’s “Luminous: The Symphony of Us” and dance parties, and Hollywood Studios’ family-friendly hourly countdowns and midnight fireworks. For more details on park celebrations, visit the official Walt Disney World website.

Tips For Visiting Disney World In December

Don’t miss the Christmas tree stroll at Disney Springs, which runs from November 13th, 2026, through January 4th, 2027. This Christmas-themed scavenger hunt is one of our favorite events! Guests search for extravagantly decorated Christmas trees throughout Disney Springs using a free map provided at various locations. Click here for updates on map locations.

In years past, during the week of Christmas, Walt Disney World theme parks would reach capacity by early morning. Keep this in mind when trying to enter a park mid-morning/late afternoon. Capacity limits may also affect your ability to hop freely between parks. Historically, Magic Kingdom is the first park to reach capacity (max 90,000 people), with Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom following (each with a max of 60,000 people). If you want to hop this week, we suggest guests head to EPCOT, which has the highest capacity (max 110,000 people).

If the escalated crowd levels concern you, you can always stay and enjoy the amenities offered at your Walt Disney World resort. In fact, resort hopping is one of our favorite ways to enjoy a non-park day. Most offer excellent restaurants and fun activities unique to that particular resort.

Don’t let December’s cooler weather scare you away from swimming. ALL of the pools at Walt Disney World resorts and parks are heated to 82 degrees! The hotels offer many jacuzzis and hot tubs for soaking in on those chilly December nights. If your family wants to swim for several hours, plan pool time during the middle of the day, as mornings and evenings will be significantly cooler.

⭐️ I hope these tips for visiting Disney World in December were helpful. If you have any favorites you’d like to share, please comment below, and we will add them to our list to try on our next trip!

Tips When Visiting Disney World in December