The Christmas season is our favorite time of the year to visit Walt Disney World. There’s specialty entertainment, festive decorations and ride overlays to enjoy! Along with the four parks and Disney Springs, there’s seemingly something special to see or experience at each of the hotels. We love it all but definitely have our must-do’s. In this post, we’ll list our top 10 things to do in Walt Disney World at Christmas.

As I said, there’s no shortage of things to do that are Christmas related at Walt Disney World. On our most recent trip in 2025, I made a point of seeing as many on-site hotel lobbies as I could. While I find that fun even during non-holiday seasons, each lobby has their own special decor for Christmas that pairs well with the resort’s theme. That did take up some time but goes to show that there are free holiday options for non-park days at WDW too.

Seeing how we had to stick to ten (in this self-imposed rule), there are some things we’ve left off the list. Hard ticket parties were not included on this list. Both Jollywood Nights and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are worthy but they are their own thing, not included with theme park admission or at a resort. They are absolutely one of the most exciting and fun Christmas things to do at WDW but don’t fit this list.

The holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings is beautiful and well worth seeing. We wish that regular show was around more often too! In that same vein of things we love, having the Magic Kingdom Christmas decor off the list feels wrong but consider it a protest until Dream Lights are put back on the castle. Really any park’s decorations are worthy of inclusion. Finally, the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs is fun to explore and Jock Lindsay’s (in Disney Springs) has a wonderful holiday overlay. They all just narrowly miss the list. Let’s get to the actual top 10!

10. Epcot Storytellers

Throughout Epcot’s World Showcase are a number of different storytellers who give a (roughly) 10 minute performance detailing the holiday customs of the country they’re representing. All of these are lovely! In the China Pavilion, there’s a Lion Dragon Dancer to celebrate Lunar New Year. A Hannukah Storyteller sits between the France and Morocco Pavilions. One of my favorites is in the UK, where Father Christmas leads guests in a few carols. All of these Storytellers are worth seeking out and are a hallmark of Festival of the Holidays.

9. Sunset Seasons Greetings

Is this Hollywood Studios projection show included mainly because there’s some Muppets representation? Well, it certainly doesn’t hurt! Sunset Seasons Greetings is a projection and lights show on Tower of Terror that plays throughout the night. The imposing building turns into holiday cheer and all of Sunset Boulevard turns into a Christmas party. This makes the evenings more fun at Hollywood Studios and is a nice addition to a park that has a weird but great Christmas vibe.

8. Gingerbread & Train Trail – Crescent Lake Edition

It wouldn’t be a Wandering in Disney top ten list without cheating my own rules once or twice! Walking around the Boardwalk, Beach & Yacht Club is always pleasant, with Crescent Lake offering a picturesque setting. It’s even better when there are gingerbread houses structures at each spot! At the Boardwalk Resort’s lobby, there’s a wonderful recreation of the Boardwalk Deli. The Yacht Club lobby features a large Christmas village with model trains rolling through. The creme de la creme though is the gingerbread carousel in the Beach Club lobby! Most of the deluxe resorts feature gingerbread houses of some kind but this quick loop through the resorts offers some of the most unique creations Walt Disney World has.

7. Jingle Cruise

Magic Kingdom’s Jingle Cruise is the first of two ride overlays on the list. The decor at the attraction isn’t much of a change, with some of the animals getting a few touches and the queue getting some festive lights and sight gags. But the script for the iconic Jungle Cruise has Christmas puns galore. If you get the right skipper then Jingle Cruise is an absolute blast, with a few hilarious additions and just enough holiday cheer to make this a can’t miss attraction.

6. Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobby

There are only a couple of lobbies mentioned directly on this list and they definitely have some similarities. Animal Kingdom Lodge thrives with a gigantic Christmas Tree in the middle, framed by the extremely high ceiling and light fixtures. Ornaments on the tree fit the hotel, featuring animals and African art. Sitting in the lobby, taking in the triumphant sight is well worth doing. There’s also very cool, giant gingerbread animals here. The hotel might be a little out of the way but it’s worth seeing. While you’re there, you might as well have dinner at one of the excellent restaurants!

5. Holiday Decor – Monorail Edition

Another bending of the rules but this feels like a Walt Disney World Christmas rite of passage. Starting at Magic Kingdom, begin your holiday monorail tour with a stop at the Contemporary. Another massive gingerbread piece is showcased on the iconic 3rd floor and there’s a massive tree outside of the resort that’s worth checking out. Head back to the monorail and then get off at the Polynesian. There’s less Christmas at the Poly but it’s still fun to take a look around.

From there, we prefer a walk from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian, which has another incredible Christmas Tree in the lobby. The gingerbread house will be back here in 2026 and is quite a sight. Not many hotels match the grandeur of the Grand Floridian and that’s especially true at Christmas. This monorail tour can culminate back in Magic Kingdom or at one of the many excellent restaurants in these hotels.

4. Glimmering Greenhouse – Living with the Land

The other ride overlay on our list has become a cult classic at Disney World. Epcot’s Living with the Land gets dressed up for the holidays with lights, presents strewn throughout the greenhouses and a festive spin on growing plants and food! How much you like (or love) this will be based on how much you enjoy Living with the Land in the first place. It is the same ride after all. We happen to love it! There’s a warmth for Glimmering Greenhouse that most ride overlays aren’t able to accomplish. That’s made it a fan favorite that has steadily climbed our list over the years.

3. Wilderness Lodge Lobby

As much as we love the previous entries on the list, there’s a clear top 3 must-do Christmas activities for us at Disney World. Did you even go to WDW at Christmas if you didn’t see visit Wilderness Lodge. The lobby is so homey, with the first burning and the massive tree overhead. There’s a gingerbread display toward the back of the lobby. But the tree is the star of the show and the atmosphere couldn’t get any better.

2. Merry Menagerie

Nothing brings my heart happiness quite like the holiday puppets at Animal Kingdom. These animals range from tiny to being so large that they need two puppeteers. The wonderful Cast Members working with them are always playful and eager to give guests a unique experience. As for the puppets themselves, they’re beautifully designed with the white and blue motif matching all of them. Merry Menagerie is a perfect name for this. If they needed another one, Animal Cuteness Overload for the Holidays would be a descriptor. Not a great name though. I mean seriously, look at this guy and try not to have your heart melt!

1. Epcot Candlelight Processional

If Merry Menagerie is pure joy in unique fashion then the Epcot Candlelight Processional is overwhelmingly sincerity in a traditional Christmas package. Led by a celebrity narrator who tells the traditional Christmas story, an orchestra, the Voices of Liberty and large choir join to make for a beautiful presentation. The show lasts nearly an hour as songs are intertwined with the reading. At the very least, this is an exceptional performance that is not to be missed. That the show stays away from getting cheesy while remaining so sincere and heartfelt is a tough line to walk, specifically in a theme park. Epcot’s Candlelight Processional walks it perfectly though and is one of our favorite events to attend throughout the entire year.

Those are our favorite places to enjoy at Walt Disney World during Christmas! No matter where you are, we hope your holiday season is beautiful and full of joy.

What are your favorite things to do at Walt Disney World during Christmas? Let us know, along with any questions you have, in the comments below! Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Check out our Disney World Trip Planning Guide to help you out. This site offers discount tickets for those looking! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as 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