Disney Magic at Home: Celebrate Christmas in July with a Summertime Holiday Celebration From Disney Parks

Chad & Cindy NykampJuly 25, 2020Last Updated: July 25, 2020

Happy Christmas in July! Can you believe we’re just five months away from Christmas? To celebrate Disney has released some fun and merry activities that we can enjoy from home! Catch all the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Lisa Mendillo:

There is nothing like spending the holidays with your loved ones, creating traditions and making memories. So, why not create some new memories in an unexpected way this summer by celebrating Christmas in July!

To help you add a little merry and some Disney magic to your Summertime Christmas celebration, the team rounded up some of our top picks to ensure even the Scrooges among us will have a jolly time. And, we want to see your festive fun at home with #DisneyMagicMoments and #ChristmasinJuly.

Ho-Ho-Hope you enjoy our picks:

1 – Deck the Halls with DIY Décor 

While we are all for busting out your artificial tree, try these DIYs to add some yuletide to your festivities. Plus, when your summer celebration is done, pack them up to reuse this holiday season:

2 – Break out your Holiday Pajamas! 

Snuggle up in your holiday pajamas and watch your favorite festive film, we recommend this holiday line up from Disney+:

Noelle
The Santa Clause
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
Snowglobe
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Decorating Disney – Holiday Magic
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Babes in Toyland

What’s your Christmas jammies style? Does your family match like our Disney Parks Moms Panelist? Share your holiday pajama photos using #DisneyMagicMoments and #ChristmasinJuly.

3– Light the Fire…

…or in this case the virtual Disney Parks Blog Yule Log. If a virtual fire is a little too warm for you during the summer, try setting the holiday mood with this scene of snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.

4– Bake all the Holiday Cookies

Spending the day baking cookies with the family is a favorite holiday tradition for many. Here are a few classics, and classics with a twist, to add some cheer to the occasion:

If you need more holiday baking inspiration, check out “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” short videos on ABC.com or full episode on Hulu.

5– Stir up some Hot Chocolate

The perfect complement to holiday cookies is hot chocolate! If you are looking for a twist on the traditional hot chocolate, try the white hot chocolate with cinnamon marshmallows from last year’s Disney California Adventure Festival of the Holidays. Yummy! Click here for the print at home recipe.

6– You Decked the Halls, now Deck your Tech!

Check out the dozens of totally-tinsel Disney Parks Blog wallpapers and customize your desktop and mobile devices with Disney seasonal magic. Click on your favorite wallpaper above to download, or head to our  wallpaper page and search for “Holidays”  for a variety of designs and sizes! Please be sure to check out the terms of use about using our wallpapers before you download them.

7– Turn Up the Tunes

No #ChristmasinJuly celebration could be complete without a holiday soundtrack. Try turning your favorite merry melodies into a reindeer game by challenging your friends and family to remix them into different musical styles, just like our friends at Radio Disney:

8- Settle in for Christmas Content

You don’t have to wait until December to cuddle up with your love ones to watch some great Christmas content! The DisneyNOW app, has tons of festive on-demand offerings to get you in the holiday spirit! Here are just a few your kids are sure to enjoy:

Or check out this Classic  Christmas  Storybook From the Disney Vault and our friends at D23.

Bonus Stocking Stuffer

The best gift of all is unwrapping some fun with your loved ones this summer and a chance to make new memories in an unexpected way at with at-home Christmas in July activities.

We hope you enjoyed this list of ways to add holly-jolly to your Christmas in July celebration.  Don’t forget to share your festive fun and holiday happenings with #DisneyMagicMoments and #ChristmasinJuly.

And for more holiday fun check out  Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas Instagram account.

Season’s Greetings!

RELATED ARTICLE: 9 Reasons Winter is the Perfect Time to Visit Disney World

by D.W. Noonan

Most travelers to Walt Disney World favor specific times of the year to visit. Some prefer waiting until school lets out to enjoy Florida’s summertime fun; others can’t wait for Epcot’s spring and autumn festivals. Though these seasons certainly offer many wonders to enjoy, the following nine reasons reveal why the winter season, from mid-November to the end of January, is the perfect time to visit Disney World.

9 – Fewer Crowds

Except during school breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, the vacation population of Walt Disney World drops significantly in winter, creating several benefits for those looking to flock to their favorite destination. To begin with, crowds tend to be more mature, since most families with children hesitate to pull their kids out of school for extended periods and retired “snowbirds” fly south to Florida to avoid frigid weather. This doesn’t mean that you won’t meet families with children at Walt Disney World in the winter, just fewer than normal. Locals still visit theme parks at this time, especially during weekends, and many South American families fly up for a bit of Mickey-time during their summer break. Nevertheless, imagine standing on Main Street, U.S.A. or in the middle of Central Plaza and watching Happily Ever After without having to keep your arms at your side to avoid elbowing strangers.

8 – Shorter Lines (Most of the Time)

While children are in school, the lines at attractions are shorter than you’ll find in the summer. Then again, they grow very long during the winter holiday break. Planning your trip for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas or a week or so after New Year’s Day will result in shorter wait times at most attractions and shows. With reduced waiting, you’ll experience more rides each day, get better seats at shows, and avoid long delays at counter-service restaurants, all of which are great reasons to visit in the winter.

A short wait at Twilight Tower of Terror — A short wait at Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

7 – FastPass+ Selections

Even though lines are smaller than usual during most weeks in the winter, they aren’t necessarily fast enough to zip through at popular attractions. You should still make your FastPass+ selections as soon as possible. However, with fewer resort guests staying on the Walt Disney World property during slow winter weeks, you’ll have better opportunities to choose passes for attractions that would normally run out. Also, making additional FastPass+ reservations after using your first three becomes a breeze, because you’ll face less competition in grabbing the remaining time slots.

Editor’s Note: During the phased reopening of Walt Disney World in 2020, FastPass+ is temporarily suspended.

6 – Restaurant Reservations

Reservation hunting at Walt Disney World in peak season frustrates even the most patient restaurant guests. Trying to book tables at establishments like Le Cellier Steakhouse or ‘Ohana during these busy periods proves to be an impossible task, and those you manage to snag are usually inconvenient. Reserving tables during the winter lull offers visitors better time selections and more opportunities to dine at eateries normally out of reach for most guests during crowded weeks.

5 – Mild Temperatures

The scorching heat of Florida spikes into the high 90s in the summer and temperatures hover in the mid-80s during spring and autumn. Add sweltering humidity to the mix, and the heat almost smothers you. On the other hand, you’ll enjoy temperatures in the 70s as you stroll through your favorite theme park in the winter. Be certain to bring a jacket for evening activities, however, because nights can dip into the 40s and 50s. Those who love swimming at Disney Resorts shouldn’t worry about these low temperatures since the pools maintain a comfortable 82 degrees.

4 – Dry Weather

Florida’s dry season begins in late November and extends until May, making winter an ideal time to visit. The rest of the year features the national hurricane season and Florida’s normal wet season. From June to October, 70% of the state’s annual rainfall falls in a seemingly unpredictable fashion, keeping you dry for hours and then drenching you in a span of minutes. Also, Floridian storms often produce an incredible amount of lightning, which easily disrupts theme park operations. Winter travelers to Walt Disney World won’t have to worry about Expedition Everest being closed due to dangerous weather conditions.

3 – Lower Travel Prices

Because winter isn’t the tourist season for Central Florida, Disney Resorts and other hotels in the area lower their room rates, making them more affordable for Mickey fans on a tight budget. Additionally, many airlines discount tickets during this time due to low traffic to the region. Of course, you’ll have to avoid the holiday weeks to get these rates, since the demand for travel arrangements increases at this time. Nevertheless, purchasing a world-class vacation at bargain prices may be worth the trip when tourism lags, even if the timing is problematic.

2 – Christmas Décor

Christmas serves as one of the most beloved holidays of the year, and Walt Disney World remains the most popular vacation destination. During the winter holidays, Disney cast members decorate the parks and resorts with garland, Christmas lights, bows, trees, and more; small “snow flurries” even appear, though they consist of soapflakes rather than snowflakes. Even Jungle Cruise undergoes a makeover, becoming “Jingle Cruise” to exhibit its holiday spirit. Intertwining Christmas and Disney magic provides the perfect occasion for feeling both holiday and vacation delight, which is why this two-week, holiday break is one of the busiest times of the year. Nevertheless, if you want to avoid the crowds of Christmas but desire to feel its spirit, then schedule your trip two weeks before Thanksgiving or the first two weeks of December. Disney cast members will have already decked the halls with boughs of holly, but most of the holiday visitors will not have arrived yet.

1 – Holiday Events

The Imagineers and event planners at Walt Disney World have cooked up some pretty remarkable activities for the winter season, beginning with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which runs from early November to a few days before Christmas. This party includes all of Mickey’s friends, dressed in their best Christmas attire to perform for all attendees. The party also features “A Frozen Holiday Wish,” a special show with Elsa and Anna. As you make your way to Epcot, be sure to check out the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, a presentation of Christmas décor and traditions from the nations represented at the World Showcase. Your visit to Epcot can be capped off with the Candlelight Processional, a mass choir and orchestral show at America Gardens Theatre that’s hosted by a well-known celebrity. Overall, these activities will enhance your holiday celebrations, providing you with a winter vacation that you’ll never forget.

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

Chad & Cindy NykampJuly 25, 2020Last Updated: July 25, 2020