With the fall rolling in it’s got people thinking about the holidays coming up. Going into stores now, not only do they have Halloween items up, but also I’ve even seen Christmas decorations and heard holiday music playing through the sound systems. With the impending holidays coming up it got me to thinking. Many people, me included, travel for the holidays to spend time with loved ones and friends. I’ve often wished to spend the actual holidays at Disney although I’ve never stayed for them. Some people may not realize it but you really can celebrate the holidays at Disney and it can feel almost like you’re celebrating them at home.
Halloween is fast approaching so if you don’t have your costume figured out the countdown has begun! I’m already scoping out what candy I should by for the kids that don’t knock on my door. If you are in Disney for Halloween you can bet that you won’t miss out on your bag full of candy.
September through October Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and of course they host it on the holiday itself as well. You can enter the park as early as 4pm and stay until close at midnight. You get to ride nearly all the rides at the park, see a special parade and fireworks show. You can also meet with the characters and check out their Halloween costumes as well. There are dance parties throughout the park, and candy, lots of candy. Even better, they encourage you to dress up in your Halloween best! Sounds better then trudging door to door in the cold weather and risk getting some bag of pretzels or popcorn ball.
Thanksgiving comes quickly on Halloween’s heels and Disney doesn’t let this holiday go unnoticed either. You wont miss your Turkey Day dinner if you spend your Thanksgiving at Disney. Whether you spend the day in the park or at your resort a multitude of the restaurants on Disney property offer your Thanksgiving dinner favorites, and you can choose to have them for lunch or dinner! The parks are decorated to start getting you in the winter holiday spirit and the weather seems to agree and cool down a degree or two!
Come December Disney comes alive. The parks and resorts get make overs, Cast Members get costume upgrades, the scents and smells around the property give you the warm fuzzy feelings of the holidays and everywhere you look you are reminded that it is the most wonderful time of the year.
Starting in the beginning of November Magic Kingdom plays host to yet another holiday party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Like the Halloween party, there is a special parade and fireworks show that you can’t see anytime else. They also serve hot chocolate and cookies through out the park for you to enjoy, while you take in the decorations and rides through the night. You may even catch a glimpse of snow! Downtown Disney is decorated and Santa has been known to make an appearance to hear your list and you can snap a picture with the big guy. At Epcot you can listen to the stories of the holidays from the different countries around the world. You can also see the Candlelight Processional show at the American Pavilion that will get you in the holiday spirit if you weren’t already. Hollywood Studies never disappoints with their Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Millions of lights are strung up all around for you to walk through while sipping your hot chocolate or hot apple cider. And don’t forget Animal Kingdom! They even have a special parade for you to enjoy for the holidays. Magic Kingdom also tapes their Christmas Day Parade earlier in December, but be warned it is packed, so this would be a day for the attractions rather then actually being there for the taping.
New Years Eve, although a holiday, is never really in people’s consideration for spending at Disney. If the past few holiday descriptions weren’t enough, let me tell you that Disney goes all out. Magic Kingdom, no surprise, will be open for the countdown, and oh what a countdown it is. Dance parties, parades, fireworks, rides, and late night general feeling of celebration while being surrounded with decorations that ties in the season. The other parks stay open late as well; Animal Kingdom is the only one closing at 8pm. Many restaurants will serve special dinners for the holiday that you can only get once a year.
Although I’ve never spent an actual holiday at Disney, I’ve celebrated a little early for a few of them and enjoyed it thoroughly. I hope that in the future I can spend at least one holiday at Disney to really get the full authentic experience of it. If you haven’t gotten a glimpse of any of the holidays at Disney I would add it to your ever-growing Disney bucket list because it is worth every minute of it.
So until next time my friends I hope you enjoy your Halloween don’t eat all of your candy in one sitting! I wish you faith and trust, and as always may Tinkerbell send some of her precious pixie dust your way!
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Jess was born and raised on Long Island, New York but once college began so did her adventures. She’s lived in Florida, Wisconsin, and now South Carolina. Her family is part of the Disney Vacation Club and has been visiting since she was a little girl, and continuously goes every year. Besides being a big Disney fan she has also been a Disney Cast Member working in Magic Kingdom, and she counts it as one of the most magical experiences. She worked with everyone’s favorite elephant Dumbo, Cinderella’s Carousel, and Mickey’s Philharmagic. Jess has also visited Disneyland, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and gone on two Disney Cruises. She has so many great memories from Disney besides running half marathons and 5ks, birthday parties, and family reunions. If asked where she would want to go it is almost always Disney, and when asked why, it is almost always because she can eat awesome gluten free food! And it doesn’t hurt that there is always faith, trust, and pixie dust with magic in the air!
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