NEWS: Disney Announces New Holiday Offerings at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom

It’s hard to believe, but the holiday season at Walt Disney World is under one month away! Disney has announced new holiday offerings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Learn more below!

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Mallory Heinz Ledet:

We’re just about a month away from the most wonderful time of the year at the Most Magical, Merriest Place On Earth, and I’m going to presentyou with some holly jolly news to add to your “Reasons To Visit Walt Disney World For The Holidays Starting November 12” list. In fact, we’re going to gift you totally tinsel tidbits all week long!

Meet Santa Claus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park 

Over the last few years, you may have seen Kris Kringle waving to guests as he sailed around the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the holiday cavalcades. This year, you can meet Santa Claus at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party on the patio at Restaurantosaurus. As the guest of honor himself, Santa’s checked his list twice and invited everyone to join him in this festive new location as the students and faculty of the Dino Institute celebrate the season in (pre)-historic fashion from November 12-December 24. Bring the whole family, because a Santa sighting is perfect for the little ones!

Other Wild Ways to Celebrate the Holidays 

After stopping by Restaurantosaurus to say “ho ho ho” to Santa, be sure to hoof it back to Discovery Island for the return of the happiest little animal herd around – the Merry Menagerie. These enchanting puppets feature winter animals of all sorts … and I need to boop each creature gently on the nose to start my holidays off right.

You can also meet the holiday hosts with the most, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, dressed in their festive finest together at Adventurers Outpost.

And, after a full day of shopping for your gift list (Merry Menagerie merch, anyone?) and sampling delicious goodies (stay tuned for a holiday Foodie Guide coming soon!), stop by after dark for sensational, seasonal Tree of Life Awakenings that bring the spirits of winter animals to life.

Fresh Festive Entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 

We all know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a festive place to be with the cutest retro holiday decorations – and this year, there are three new entertainment acts to fill the whole family with joy, all starting November 12! Be sure to check My Disney Experience for days and showtimes to catch the new acts.

Marvel at the skills of Juggling Elves – these holiday helpers deliver festive cheer with a side of shenanigans as they show off their skills of juggling, comedy and more!

Catch the jaunty jolly tunes of the Holiday Spirit Band. This dynamic brass group will make everyone in your party want to join in the fun and stroll into Santa’s good graces.

And pick up your feet and march along with Seasons Jukebox as they bring all the performance and pep of a collegiate marching band. Hard-hitting horns, rocking drummers, and dazzling dancers will bring to life everyone’s favorite holiday classics and more.

Of course, other beloved Disney’s Hollywood Studios holiday fun also begins on November 12 – like the holiday overlay to For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration; another fabulous place to find Santa greeting guests at It’s A Wonderful Shop; and Sunset Seasons Greetings – with festive projections on The Hollywood Tower Hotel and magical snowfall – all along Sunset Boulevard once the sun sets on Tinsel Town.

And you get all of that with your park ticket to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! If you’re looking for even more razzle dazzle in your holiday celebrations, don’t forget about all the extra entertainment and festive fun at the separately ticketed event, Disney Jollywood Nights.

Make Your List, Check It Twice 

As we count down to the start of holidays at Walt Disney World, I hope you’re making plans to visit with the whole family for some holly jolly memory making. Stay tuned for even more reasons to visit during the holidays all week!

RELATED ARTICLE: NEWS–2024 Festival of the Holidays Details & More Holiday Offerings Announced for Disney World

Get out your calendars because Walt Disney World has announced plans for the 2024 holiday season! In addition to the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights, more holiday fun can be had around the resort, including the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. Catch all the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Alex Gonzalez:

We are halfway to the most wonderful time of the year and there really is no better place to celebrate the holidays than at The Most Magical Place On Earth!

From dazzling decorations and special parades to exclusive events and mouth-watering seasonal treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And since we are Halfway to the Holidays, here are [details] that will have you planning the ultimate holiday getaway to Walt Disney World Resort.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Presented by AdventHealth  

Holidays are a global tradition – and I can’t get enough of the sights, the sounds, and the sensational flavors at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays starting on Nov. 29 through Dec. 30! Enjoy festive traditions from around the world with amazing holiday storytellers, delicious dishes, merchandise, entertainment and more, each celebrating unique cultural traditions.

Get ready to satisfy your festive cravings at Holiday Kitchens. Located throughout the park and serving up a mouth-watering array of seasonal foods and drinks, there are delicious treats waiting for you from around the globe.

One of the highlights for me is the Candlelight Processional. Listening to a celebrity narrator tell the Christmas story, accompanied by a full orchestra and mass choir, is such a moving experience—it truly captures the magic of the holidays. Keep an eye out on the Disney Parks Blog for this year’s lineup of narrators.

More Festive Offerings Across Walt Disney World Resort 

I’m thrilled to share that many of your favorite holiday offerings are returning to our parks and Disney Springs this season!

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the enchanting Merry Menagerie of artisan-sculpted winter animal puppets will be back amidst the beautiful holiday décor. And don’t forget to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy in their festive attire!

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the yuletide projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel is making a comeback, and you can catch Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear in their festive attire in Toy Story Land.

Magic Kingdom will once again host the “Frozen Holiday Surprise” in front of Cinderella Castle, featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the adorable Snowgies.

Meanwhile, Disney Springs is the perfect spot for holiday shopping, with dazzling decorations and the popular Christmas Tree Stroll. And don’t miss the magical snowfall in Town Center—yes, snow in Central Florida!

To put the bow on top, Santa Claus will be making appearances across all four parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Water Parks, where he’ll be donning his tropical holiday beachwear. Get ready to snap the perfect family portrait!

Gingerbread Houses and Décor Galore 

Staying at a Disney Resort hotel is an experience like no other, immersing you in the same legendary detail, service and storytelling found in the parks. Now picture that with Christmas trees, joyful decorations and the oh-so-delicious smell of gingerbread displays crafted by our world-class culinary teams!

To make it all even sweeter, starting on June 27, you can save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights from Nov. 24 to Dec. 25, plus other savings for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights between Oct. 6 to Nov. 21. You can also get a free Park Hopper option added to your tickets when you upgrade to a Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a non-discounted 4-day or longer date-based ticket.

I can’t wait for the merriest time of the year at  Walt Disney World. For more information, be sure to check out DisneyWorld.com/Holidays.

We’ll be sharing even more details as we get closer to the most wonderful time of the year, so gather your loved ones and get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday magic that only Disney can deliver!

*All entertainment and offerings are subject to change. 

For Resort Offer:  **Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Theme Park tickets and options valid for admission beginning on the date of check-in and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on ticket length. Visit Disneyworld.com/usage for more details.