Disney begins decorating for Christmas in early November, with full decorations in place by mid-November, and they remain up until the first week of January at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Disney parks are famous for their magical Christmas decorations, transforming into winter wonderlands each year. If you’re planning a visit to experience Disney during the holiday season, it’s important to know when they start decorating so you can catch the festive displays.
In this article,this guide breaks down when Disney parks begin decorating for Christmas, what to expect, and how to plan your trip.
When Does Disney World Decorate for Christmas?
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, kicks off its Christmas decorating immediately after Halloween. By the first week of November, you’ll see the beginnings of holiday magic around the parks.
While some areas may start transforming in late October, most decorations are typically up by early November, with Magic Kingdom leading the charge.
Key Dates for Walt Disney World Christmas Decorations:
- Start of Christmas Decor: Early November
- Magic Kingdom Christmas Tree: Usually installed right after the last Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
- Full Decorations in All Parks: By mid-November
- End of Holiday Decor: Decorations are usually up until the first week of January.
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Each park has its unique holiday charm, but one thing is consistent across them all—by mid-November, Walt Disney World is fully decked out and ready to embrace the Christmas season.
Tip: If you’re visiting Disney World in early November, you might catch the parks in transition, where you’ll still see a few Halloween elements mixed with early Christmas decorations.
When Does Disneyland Decorate for Christmas?
Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is equally quick to embrace the holiday spirit. Christmas decorations start to appear in the first days of November, and by mid-November, both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure are fully decorated for the holidays.
Key Dates for Disneyland Christmas Decorations:
- Start of Christmas Decor: Early November
- Main Street Christmas Tree: The massive Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., is usually put up during the first week of November.
- Full Decorations: By mid-November, every inch of Disneyland and California Adventure is festive.
- End of Holiday Decor: Early January (usually the first week).
At Disneyland, the transformation is fast and magical, with holiday touches from Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle to the holiday overlay at it’s a small world. The entire resort becomes a holiday hub for families and fans alike.
What Are the Highlights of Disney’s Christmas Decorations?
Both Disney World and Disneyland spare no detail when it comes to Christmas decorations. Visitors can expect immersive holiday themes throughout the parks, ranging from elaborate lights and garlands to seasonal overlays on select rides.
Here’s what you can look forward to at both Disney World and Disneyland:
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At Walt Disney World:
Magic Kingdom:
The Magic Kingdom goes all out for Christmas. Main Street, U.S.A., is adorned with garlands, wreaths, and lights, leading to a grand Christmas tree. One of the park’s most popular events is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, featuring a Christmas parade, snowfall on Main Street, and holiday treats.
Epcot:
Epcot celebrates the season with its International Festival of the Holidays. Each pavilion showcases traditional holiday customs from different countries, and the Candlelight Processional is a must-see event featuring a retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator.
Hollywood Studios:
Hollywood Studios shines during the holidays with the Sunset Seasons Greetings show. The iconic Tower of Terror is transformed into a stunning holiday display, and guests can enjoy the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular.
Animal Kingdom:
Animal Kingdom embraces the season with wintery touches throughout the park, especially in Pandora – The World of Avatar, where you’ll find Christmas decor mixed with the bioluminescent landscape. The Tree of Life Awakenings show features holiday-themed projections in the evenings.
At Disneyland Resort:
Disneyland Park:
Disneyland Park turns into a magical winter wonderland, especially around Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, which is covered in icicle lights and snowy decor. it’s a small world gets a festive makeover, transforming into it’s a small world Holiday, where dolls from around the globe celebrate the holidays.
Disney California Adventure:
Over at Disney California Adventure, the Festival of Holidays takes center stage, celebrating multicultural traditions with live performances, holiday markets, and themed food and drinks. In Cars Land, the town of Radiator Springs transforms with unique holiday decorations, giving the beloved characters a festive twist.
Why Does Disney Start Decorating for Christmas Early?
Disney begins decorating early to provide guests with a long window of time to enjoy the magic of the holidays. By starting in early November, Disney captures the holiday excitement and ensures that visitors traveling before and after Thanksgiving can enjoy the full Christmas experience.
Another reason Disney decorates early is the immense scale of the transformation. With miles of garlands, thousands of lights, and countless decorations, it takes a significant amount of time and effort to turn the parks into the ultimate holiday destination.
The parks remain open during this transformation, so guests may see teams of workers installing decorations overnight.
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Why an Early Christmas at Disney?
- Disney caters to guests from around the world, many of whom schedule their vacations in November and early December to avoid the crowds.
- The longer holiday season spreads out the peak crowd times, ensuring that everyone has a chance to experience the Christmas magic.
Special Christmas Events at Disney:
In addition to the decorations, Disney parks offer a variety of special Christmas-themed events and activities. These are some of the highlights that make visiting during the holiday season even more magical:
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom): A ticketed event featuring a special Christmas parade, holiday stage shows, character meet-and-greets, and snowfall on Main Street.
- Candlelight Processional (Epcot): This annual event at Epcot features a retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a choir and orchestra.
- Sunset Seasons Greetings (Hollywood Studios): This evening projection show at Hollywood Studios turns the Hollywood Tower Hotel into a holiday spectacle.
- Festival of Holidays (Disney California Adventure): A celebration of holiday traditions from around the world, with live entertainment, special food booths, and unique merchandise.
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How Long Does Disney Keep Its Christmas Decorations Up?
Disney keeps its holiday decorations up until early January. After New Year’s Day, the parks begin taking down the festive decor, with everything usually cleared by the first or second week of January.
For those who visit just after Christmas, you’ll still get to enjoy the holiday decorations for a few days into the new year. By mid-January, the parks will have returned to their regular non-holiday look.
Key Timeline for Post-Christmas Visits:
- New Year’s Eve: The parks are still fully decorated.
- First Week of January: Decorations begin to come down.
- Mid-January: All holiday decor is removed.
Best Times to Visit Disney for Christmas Decorations:
If you’re planning a trip to Disney for the holiday season but want to avoid the massive crowds, there are a few ideal times to visit.
- Early November: The Christmas decorations begin going up in early November, so if you visit during the first two weeks, you’ll likely experience lower crowds and the beginning of the festive season.
- First Two Weeks of December: December is prime time for Christmas decorations, and the first two weeks of the month tend to have lighter crowds compared to the weeks leading up to Christmas.
- Right After Thanksgiving: The week after Thanksgiving can be a good time to visit, as the parks are fully decorated, and the crowds haven’t hit their peak yet.
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FAQ’s:
1.How long does it take Disney to complete all the Christmas decorations?
It takes Disney a few weeks to fully decorate the parks, with teams working overnight starting from early November.
2.Is Disney fully decorated for Christmas by Thanksgiving?
Yes, by mid-November, all decorations are up, so visitors during Thanksgiving can enjoy the full holiday experience.
3.Do the Christmas decorations change every year at Disney?
While the core decorations remain similar, Disney often adds new elements and surprises each year to keep the experience fresh.
4.Are Christmas decorations at Disney the same in all parks?
No, each Disney park has its unique holiday decorations and themes that reflect the park’s style and atmosphere.
5.What is the first thing you’ll notice when Disney starts decorating for Christmas?
The Christmas trees are usually among the first decorations to appear, with Magic Kingdom’s tree being a highlight.
Conclusion:
Disney begins decorating for Christmas right after Halloween, with full decorations up by mid-November at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The festive displays remain until early January, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy the holiday magic.
For fewer crowds, early November or early December are the best times to visit.