Christmas in the Parks: Experiencing the Holidays at Disney & Universal

Nicole Mangum
Jan 18
7 min read

There’s something truly special about the holiday season in the theme parks — and it’s hard to fully explain until you’ve experienced it yourself. From the moment you walk through the gates, the music changes, decorations appear seemingly overnight, and the parks take on an entirely different personality. Twinkling lights, seasonal treats, festive entertainment, and limited-time experiences turn an already memorable vacation into something that feels genuinely meaningful.

This year, I had the opportunity to experience the holidays firsthand at both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, intentionally carving out time to see what each destination does best during the season. From Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to Grinchmas, and everything in between, I wanted to experience these celebrations the same way our clients do — walking the parks, waiting in lines, sampling treats, and soaking in the atmosphere.

Two of the most talked-about holiday experiences are Grinchmas and the Macy’s Christmas Parade at Universal Orlando, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World. While all celebrate the season, they feel very different — from décor and entertainment to pacing and overall vibe. If you’re deciding which holiday event fits your travel style, planning your first holiday park visit, or figuring out what works best for your family, this guide will help you compare the experiences and choose the holiday magic that feels right for you.

Holidays at Walt Disney World

Everyone says everything is better Mickey-shaped — and I have to admit, adding festive flair to some of our favorite characters and locations somehow makes it even better. Walt Disney World truly leans into the holidays, layering seasonal food, décor, entertainment, and nostalgia throughout the parks and resorts.

Holiday Décor

Holiday décor typically begins appearing in early November and stays through December, and it comes fast. Decorations are everywhere — parks, resorts, and shared spaces — but what makes Disney special is how thoughtfully themed each location feels.

One of my favorite examples is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, where the towering Christmas tree is decorated with wilderness-inspired elements like faux fur ornaments, antlers, and rustic details that perfectly match the resort’s lodge-style design. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the décor takes on a vintage, old-Hollywood holiday feel that feels straight out of a classic Christmas movie.

If you’re traveling during the holidays, I highly recommend setting aside time to resort-hop. The resort decorations alone are worth the visit, and many guests don’t realize that several resorts participate in the beloved gingerbread house tradition. These are not your typical gingerbread displays — they’re massive, detailed creations themed to Disney stories and resorts, and they’re truly impressive to see in person.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

One of the biggest holiday highlights at Walt Disney World is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately ticketed event held on select nights at Magic Kingdom. This party leans heavily into classic holiday charm and family-friendly nostalgia.

Guests can expect:

Exclusive holiday parades and fireworks
Seasonal overlays on select attractions like Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, and Tomorrowland Speedway
Complimentary cookies, cocoa, and festive treats throughout the park
Characters dressed in holiday attire — including some rare appearances
Snow on Main Street, U.S.A. (yes, even in Florida)

The overall vibe is cheerful, cozy, and unmistakably Disney. It’s especially well-suited for families with younger children and anyone who loves traditional Christmas elements paired with Disney storytelling.

Tips From Our Experience

After attending the party ourselves, here are a few tips I’d absolutely recommend:

Arrive early. Although the party officially starts at 7:00 pm, guests with party tickets can enter the park as early as 4:00 pm. We arrived around 3:30 pm and the entry lines were already incredibly long.
Take advantage of the complimentary treats. Your first stop should be grabbing your map, first cookie, and free event ornament — yes, free.
Watch ride availability between 6:00–7:00 pm. During the transition period when day guests are exiting and party check-in is happening, ride wait times were not displayed in the app. The only way to see wait times was at the attraction itself — and this worked in our favor. We walked onto rides like Peter Pan with waits around 15 minutes.
Character lines are worth lining up early. While it may feel like you’re waiting longer at the start, getting in line about 30 minutes before characters begin greeting guests often means the line moves quickly once it starts. We waited roughly 15 minutes to meet Anna and Elsa early in the evening, while later that same line stretched to nearly two hours. While we held our spot, the two older kids rode Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — making it an easy way to maximize time without feeling like we missed out on anything.
Stake out parade and fireworks spots early. If you want a good viewing location, especially on Main Street, plan to be there at least an hour before showtime.

Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World also offers Jollywood Nights, a separately ticketed holiday event at Hollywood Studios. While we weren’t able to experience this event during our stay, it brings a very different energy to the holiday season.

Highlights include:

Live music, DJs, and themed dance areas
Unique character appearances
Glamorous holiday décor inspired by old Hollywood
Specialty food and drinks created just for the event

This event tends to appeal more to adults, couples, and older teens looking for a festive night out with a stylish, party-forward atmosphere. While it’s still very Disney, it feels more like a holiday soirée than a traditional Christmas celebration.

Holidays Around the World at EPCOT

One holiday experience that deserves its own spotlight is the Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT. This celebration brings the season to life through the World Showcase, offering a unique opportunity to see how holidays are celebrated across different cultures and countries.

As you make your way around the World Showcase, each pavilion features its own traditions, decorations, and storytelling. From festive storytellers sharing cultural customs to seasonal music and décor that feels authentic to each country, EPCOT offers a slower-paced, thoughtful holiday experience that feels very different from the larger ticketed events.

One of my favorite parts of the Festival of the Holidays is the seasonal food booths. These limited-time kitchens feature holiday-inspired dishes and drinks from around the world, making it easy to snack your way through the park while experiencing global traditions. It’s festive without feeling rushed and works especially well for adults, couples, and multi-generational groups.

Candlelight Processional

Another EPCOT holiday highlight is the Candlelight Processional, held in the America Gardens Theatre. This beloved tradition features a celebrity narrator retelling the Christmas story, accompanied by a full orchestra and choir. The result is a moving, peaceful experience that feels grounding in the middle of the busy holiday season.

Candlelight Processional performances run on select nights throughout the season and are included with regular EPCOT admission. Dining packages are also available and highly recommended, as they guarantee seating and help avoid long standby waits.

EPCOT’s holiday celebrations feel reflective, cultural, and meaningful — a beautiful contrast to the high-energy events found elsewhere on property.

Holidays at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando’s holiday celebrations feel bold, energetic, and immersive — with experiences that balance humor, storytelling, and visual impact.

Grinchmas

Grinchmas takes place primarily in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and is inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s playful, colorful, and full of personality.

Guests can enjoy:

The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of the classic story
Meet-and-greet opportunities with the Grinch and Max
Character breakfast opportunity with the Whos and the Grinch
Bright, whimsical Seuss-inspired holiday décor

During our stay, we booked Breakfast with the Grinch, and it was hands-down one of the highlights of the trip. This immersive experience in Seuss Landing allows you to interact with the Whos throughout your meal and meet the Grinch with significantly less waiting.

Our reservation was at 10:15 am, and we waited about 15–20 minutes to meet the Grinch at the beginning of our meal. We chatted with Cindy Lou Who, sampled just about everything on the sugar-filled menu (very on-brand for Whoville), and even had a moment with the Grinch himself as we brought in Stink, Stank, Stunk.

Later that day, as we passed the standard Grinch meet-and-greet location, the posted wait time was over 180 minutes. While the breakfast does come at an additional cost per adult, trading a three-hour wait for a 20-minute one was absolutely worth it.

Christmas at Hogwarts

One of Universal Orlando’s most immersive seasonal offerings is Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley transform with garlands, wreaths, and twinkling lights that feel straight out of the books.

While we weren’t able to experience this portion during our visit due to spending time at Universal Studios for the Macy’s Christmas Parade, seasonal highlights typically include:

Holiday-themed performances and nighttime projections
Seasonal food and drinks, including hot Butterbeer
A warm, story-driven holiday atmosphere that feels subtle yet magical

This experience is especially popular with teens, adults, and Harry Potter fans who appreciate immersive storytelling over large-scale events.

Park-Wide Holiday Décor & Atmosphere

Beyond ticketed events, both destinations decorate extensively throughout their parks and resorts.

At Walt Disney World, each park and resort has its own holiday personality. The décor feels polished, traditional, and layered — and resort hopping during the holidays is an experience in itself.

Universal Orlando focuses on bold visuals and immersive theming, with seasonal music, entertainment, and festive touches throughout the parks and CityWalk, adding to the overall holiday energy.

Which Holiday Experience Is Right for You?

Choosing between Disney and Universal during the holidays often comes down to travel style:

Families with young kids often gravitate toward Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Grinchmas
Adults and older teens may prefer Jollywood Nights or Christmas at Hogwarts
Multi-generational groups often enjoy a mix of park days, resort décor touring, and one special ticketed event

Both destinations offer unforgettable holiday experiences — they just deliver them in different ways. The best choice is the one that fits your group’s interests, pace, and holiday vision.

Final Thoughts

The holidays are one of the most popular — and most rewarding — times to visit the theme parks. With the right expectations, thoughtful planning, and smart event choices, a holiday park trip can easily become a tradition you look forward to year after year.

Working with a travel advisor helps take the guesswork out of event dates, ticket availability, crowd patterns, and resort selection, so your holiday vacation feels festive — not overwhelming. Whether you’re team Disney, team Universal, or somewhere in between, the holidays truly bring out the best of both worlds.