The Ultimate Christmas Trip to Walt Disney World
December 2025
article and photos by Jamie Blotske
“A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes…”
If you’re dreaming up the most magical way to spend the holiday season, look no further than Walt Disney World! From twinkling lights and festive parades to falling snoap (snow made out of soap) and seasonal treats, Christmas at Disney feels straight out of a storybook.
While a 2025 trip may be tough to pull off, it’s never too early to start planning for 2026. Save this 6-day itinerary to make the most of the magic.
Day 1 – Arrival, pool time, and Disney Springs shopping
Arrive in Orlando and check into your resort. If you’re staying at a Disney property, the holiday décor will greet you the moment you step through the doors.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, then hop on the Disney Springs bus for an evening of shopping and dining at some of Disney’s best restaurants!
Day 2 – Animal Kingdom
Morning:
Start your day with a cup of Joffery’s coffee as you enter Animal Kingdom. While this park’s holiday decor is more low-key, the Merry Menagerie, a collection of charming, life-sized animal puppets that interact with guests in Discovery Island, is a must-see.
Afternoon:
Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, catch Festival of the Lion King, and explore Pandora – the World of Avatar. Reserve a spot for the character meal at Tusker House.
Evening:
End your day with Tree of Life Awakenings: Holiday Edition, a stunning projection show celebrating nature and the spirit of the season.
Day 3 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Morning:
Head into a retro-style holiday wonderland at Hollywood Studios. Admire the vintage decorations and take a holiday-themed photo in front of the park’s entrance or with the Tower of Terror looming in the background.
Afternoon:
Enjoy seasonal treats and rides at Toy Story Land, then journey to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance. Catch the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.
Evening:
Dine at the nostalgic Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, then enjoy Sunset Seasons Greetings projection show on the Hollywood Tower of Terror Hotel and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, a nighttime spectacular full of fireworks, music, and Disney magic.
Day 4 – Epcot
Morning:
Begin your day exploring Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays, where you can discover how different cultures celebrate the season. Don’t miss Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (arguably Disney’s best ride).
Afternoon:
Walk through the World Showcase, sampling festive foods and listening to holiday storytellers share global traditions.
Evening:
End the night with the Candlelight Processional, a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story featuring a celebrity narrator, orchestra, and choir. Arrive early or book a dining package for guaranteed seating.
Day 4 – Magic Kingdom
Morning:
Experience Christmas magic at its finest on Main Street U.S.A., where snoap gently falls and carols fill the air. Capture photos in front of the massive Christmas tree.
Afternoon:
Fill your day with the Disney classics, like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, and Peter Pan’s Flight, along with thrill favorites including Space Mountain, TRON Lifecycle Run, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiana’s Bayou, and Thunder Mountain.
Evening:
For a truly magical dining experience, make a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table, a whimsical, medieval-style room in the castle’s banquet hall. Don’t miss Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (a separate ticketed event) featuring Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, fireworks, cocoa, cookies, and the pure joy of Disney at Christmas.
Day 5 – Departure
Goodbyes are so hard, so instead, give Disney a cheerful “See ya real soon!” and start planning your next magical vacation.
Originally printed in the December 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine
Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!
