Disney World has announced a few details about what will be coming to the resort this holiday season and, with it, hotel discounts to go along with that time frame. In this post, we’ll cover those events and festivities as well as the details about the discounts before offering some brief commentary. We’ll start with what’s coming for the holiday season, some new and some returners!

For the first time in forever, guests will be able to join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom for “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” a brand new “Frozen”-inspired entertainment experience that will illuminate the castle in a whole new way. This delightful new offering can be seen during regular park hours and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Amidst the glowing holiday décor, a Merry Menagerie of winter animals returns to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in the form of artisan-sculpted puppets.

EPCOT will celebrate with the return of “Candlelight Processional” during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 24-Dec. 30. Other guest-favorite traditions like spirited storytellers, joyful musical acts and performers, and Holiday Kitchens will return to World Showcase this festive season.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will return the yuletide projection show on The Hollywood Tower Hotel this season. At Toy Story Land, you can once again spot Woody, Jessie and Buzz sporting their holiday best.

At Disney Springs, guests can shop for their loved ones while enjoying the dazzling décor and the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. Visitors who stop in Town Center won’t believe what they see – magical snowfall in Central Florida!

Guests can say hello to Santa Claus as he makes special appearances in all four parks, Disney Springs and even at a Disney Water Park, where you’ll find him dressed in his tropical holiday beachwear.

To go along with these events, Walt Disney World announced four new hotel discounts that run from October 2nd through December 25th with a few date exceptions. Here’s a look at the different offers:

• Save up to 25% at select Disney Resort Hotels (General Public)
• Disney+ Subscribers save up to 35% at select Disney Resort Hotels (October 22nd through November 2nd and November 26th through December 25th)
• Annual Passholders save up to 40% at select Disney Resort Hotels
• Florida Residents save up to 35% at select Disney Resort Hotels

Let’s run through the holiday announcements!

Magic Kingdom’s mention is almost solely Frozen based. The ‘illuminating the castle in a whole new way’ bit is somewhat concerning because Cinderella’s Castle at Christmastime is pristine. That said, I think the new look will be interesting and likely won’t stray too far from the castle we are used to.

Everything else mentioned is a returner, highlighted by Merry Menagerie at Animal Kingdom and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Both of those are phenomenal and endearing, making the holiday season one of the best times to visit Walt Disney World.

What makes it even more enticing to visit WDW during that time are those discounts being offered. With those percentages off, Disney World hotels can be found cheaper than anytime since the pandemic began. All of this tracks with a slowing down of spending and visiting to the resort, along with a higher capacity coming back to the parks.

Those discounts lead me to wondering what will be offered in early 2023. If 35% or 40% is offered during the usually busy holiday season, what will be out in late January and early February when the parks are generally quieter. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more vacation packages offered in addition to room discounts. Whether that happens or not, it’s good to see room discounts becoming the norm once again.

What’s your favorite part of Christmastime at Walt Disney World? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below. Interested in a trip to Walt Disney World? Check out our Planning Guide to help you along the way! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!