Welcome to the 12 Days of Disney Theme Parks
The remarkable aspect of December is how many different holidays people celebrate within this timeframe.
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve all occur over the next two weeks.
Not coincidentally, Walt Disney Worlds claim the largest crowds of the year, as everyone wants to spend the holidays at the parks.
So, welcome to the 12 Days of Disney Theme Parks! Here’s what you can expect during your visit.
The Basics about Walt Disney World Parks
Okay, let’s start with something I hadn’t expected to mention: the weather!
Current weather forecasts suggest 30-degree temperatures in Central Florida during the weekend of Christmas.
Hopefully, those forecasts prove pessimistic, but you should still allow for the possibility.
Specifically, you should dress warm and plan to do more indoor or temperature-controlled attractions.
The catch here is that the other experienced Disney vacationers will know to do the same.
As such, some of your favorite indoor attractions will almost certainly require longer waits than usual. Don’t let it get to you, though! You’re spending the holidays at Disney, so you’re golden!
Still, that’s the other thing to keep in mind about Disney visits during this time of year.
The so-called 12 Days of Disney Theme Parks last from December 20th through New Year’s Day, give or take a few days. It’s dependent on calendar configuration to an extent.
Since the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays fall on Sundays this year, everything will wind down starting on January 2nd. Until then, expect massive crowds.
For this reason, if you haven’t booked any Advanced Dining Reservations, I’d strongly encourage you to do so now.
Yes, you’ll pay a bit more than if you use Mobile Ordering. However, you’ll ensure that you have a good place to sit down and enjoy some tranquility.
Your DVC resort’s restaurants could prove your best bet, presuming you don’t mind exiting the parks for a while.
Speaking of which, park sellouts shouldn’t be an issue on the holidays this year. That’s because the Park Pass remains in place for 2022.
As such, coming and going won’t be as stressful as it had been in years past.
Multiple Walt Disney World theme parks reached maximum occupancy several times during Christmas Week in 2019. That’s not a concern right now.
Walt Disney World Events
You should know that several unique holiday activities are available this week. In fact, some of them had cost money until now.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party events like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade become free during Christmas Week.
In fact, this parade offers daytime performances for the holiday! Until the other day, guests were paying for the right to watch the parade.
Now, you can stroll through Main Street, U.S.A., and catch it earlier in the day.
Presuming that Disney operates the parade like last year, you can even book guaranteed seating via Disney Genie+.
Speaking of which, I recognize that the prices have gotten outrageous.
Still, you should strongly consider purchasing Disney Genie+ during the holiday week. It’ll help you guarantee yourself a few favorite attractions.
For example, Jingle Cruise is currently available as a Disney Genie+ option. Booking it will probably save you a 75-minute wait, which is a long time to stand in line for holiday puns.
EPCOT’s crowds will similarly swell in size. That’s because this park hosts not one but two fabulous holiday offerings.
The Candlelight Processional has returned at EPCOT. Its usual batch of celebrity narrators has made it more popular than ever in 2022. Here’s a recent performance featuring Neil Patrick Harris:
That’s just a small part of what’s happening at the World Showcase right now, though.
The 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holiday has brought back all the live performances and storytellers we’d missed during the pandemic.
Between this move and the return of Cultural Representatives, EPCOT feels the way that we remember it once again.
By the way, you’ll find three different gingerbread structures at the American Adventure pavilion this holiday season.
More Holiday Offerings at the Parks
EPCOT is offering another limited-time event this holiday season, and it involves the park’s newest ride.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is operating with a holiday overlay right now. Basically, they’ve switched out the regular soundtrack with Christmas music.
Here’s what the experience looks and sounds like:
If the idea sounds familiar, it should. Alien Swirling Saucers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios also changes its lighting and adds holiday tunes during this time of year:
Similarly, when you enter Toy Story Land, you can’t help but notice the Christmas decorations that are prevalent everywhere.
Disney takes the approach that holiday decorations fit some themed lands better than others. So, you’ll find the giant Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A.
Conversely, you won’t notice as much at alien worlds like Pandora – The World of Avatar or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge because…well, why would you?
Also, the various park icons are doing holiday lights displays this year, too.
For me, the star is always the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Hollywood Studios. I’m in awe of the illuminated beauty of the digital projections.
Just as many people prefer the Tree of Life Awakening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or the Spaceship Earth Beacon of Magic, though.
You honestly can’t go wrong with any of these views.
Walt Disney World Resorts
Last year, DVC resorts restored the holiday decorations at all the places that were missing in 2020. Still, it wasn’t quite right, as some favorites remained absent.
Now, I’m happy to report that all the resorts are taking an all-in approach to their 2022 decorations. Gingerbread is back in a big way!
I was staying at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on October 31st/November 1st.
So, I had a front-row seat to the hotel lobby’s stunning conversion into a gingerbread factory.
Within 12 hours, cast members had completed the entire exterior of the famous Gingerbread House Store. It was remarkable.
Similarly, Disney’s Beach Club Villas built its entire Gingerbread Carousel seemingly overnight. This year’s theme is Disney Princesses, and it’s amazing.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort has also brought back its pop-up candy store right by the bridge to Bay Lake Tower. It’s always a favorite for DVC members.
Across the water, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas will charm you once again with its unique display. The gingerbread version of Disney’s BoardWalk is back!
Meanwhile, Disney’s Animal Kingdom once again sells those delicious gingerbread giraffe cookies. If you’re at the hotel, you simply must buy one!
Finally, I should mention that several DVC and theme park restaurants/lounges are selling exclusive food and beverages throughout the holiday season.
I haven’t counted to verify, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Disney had created more than 100 special holiday menu items for 2022.
Now that the pandemic has waned, Disney wanted to prove that its parks and resorts are back and better than ever. In this regard, Disney can claim mission accomplished!