It’s truly magical how the Disney parks get transformed into the Merriest Place on Earth each Christmas season. Once Halloween has come and gone, the holiday transformation begins! As the parks close for the night, teams of Disney holiday cast members are rushed in and the real work begins as they race the clock until park opening the next morning. From detailed topiaries to 70 foot trees to the task of planting over 119,000 poinsettias overnight,  Walt Disney World really thinks of everything to make us feel in the Christmas spirit!

Although it is one of the busiest times of the year at the parks, seeing Disney at Christmastime should be a must on everyone’s bucket list. If you’re planning a trip to visit for this magical time of year, I’ve got a list of everything you’ll want to see and experience while you’re there!

1. Ride around Magic Kingdom on the Walt Disney World Railroad to see all of the decorations around the park.
2. Take a picture by the giant Christmas tree on Main Street USA.
3. Taste all of the Disney holiday treats at the Main Street Confectionery.
4. Spend some time on Main Street USA taking in all of the holiday sights and sounds and smells.
5. Pick out a Christmas ornament for your tree at the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square.
6. Buy a Santa hat with Mickey ears to wear around the parks on your trip.
7. Check out how Gaston uses antlers in all of his Christmas decorating at Gaston’s Tavern.
8. Take the Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy tour.
9. Experience the Jingle Cruise at night.
10. Attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
11. Watch the Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade.
12. Stay for the Holiday Wishes fireworks show.
13. Taste all of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party exclusive holiday treats.
14. Witness Queen Elsa light up Cinderella castle with over 200,000 shimmering lights.
15. Visit Walt Disney World on Christmas Day.
16. Take the monorail over to the Contemporary Resort to the Mary Blair inspired gingerbread Cinderella Castle.
17. Grab your gingerbread ornament while you’re there, it’s inspired by the Cinderella Castle gingerbread.
18. Walk outside of the resort to see the breathtaking tree on display at the Contemporary Resort.
19. Hop back on the monorail to see the Polynesian Resort’s tropical Christmas decor.
20. Finish out the monorail route with a visit to the Grand Floridian Resort.
21. Take in all of the tiny details in each Christmas tree and wreath found throughout the lobby area of the resort.
22. Get a closer look at the Gingerbread house in the lobby downstairs.
23. Try to find all of the Hidden Mickeys on the Gingerbread house.
24. Stick around for a little Gingerbread sample and a chance to learn more about how Disney makes this amazing Christmas house.
25. Buy a Christmas treat from inside of the Gingerbread House shop.
26. Take a walk around the resort to see the rest of the Christmas poinsettias and reindeer.
27. Visit the Gingerbread Carousel at the Beach Club resort.
28. Check out the Boardwalk Inn’s Gingerbread display.
29. Take in all of the vintage inspired decor around the resort property.
30. Head over to Port Orleans French Quarter for some Mardi Gras-inpsired Christmas decor.
31. See the Osbourne Lights-inpsired Christmas lights that are put up by the guests of Fort Wilderness Campground.
32. Have a seat by the roaring fireplace at the Fort Wilderness resort.
33. Stand in awe and take a look at the 60 foot Christmas tree in the resort lobby.
34. Have Thanksgiving Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern.
35. Ride Living with the Land and see all of the holiday touches they add in the greenhouse.
36. Experience the Festival of the Holidays in World Showcase.
37. Visit the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in the Germany Pavilion and try the Cider Flight and Stollen Holiday Fruit Cake.
38. Try the Slow-roasted Turkey dinner and Holiday Beer Flight at the American Holiday Table at the America Pavilion.
39. Stop by the Yukon Holiday Kitchen in the Canada Pavilion and try the Maple Bûche de Noël and the Ice Wine Flight.
40. Make your cookie dreams come true at the Cookie Nook by the The Festive Center.
41. Indulge with a Warm Apple Fritter or a classic Snickerdoodle Cookie.
42. Taste the Three Kings Bread and Coquito at the Feast of the Three Kings in the Showcase Plaza.
43. Eat an entire Peppermint Sundae from Holiday Sweets & Treats.
44. Stuff your face with a Warm Caramel-Stuffed Salted Pretzel at the Refreshment Cool Post.
45. Try the Chocolate Peppermint Glazed Croissant Donut.
46. Stop at the Fife and Drum Tavern to try the Holiday Apple Pie Sundae.
47. Grab a Spiced Rum Punch Slush and Napoléon de Saumon Fumé, Brioche à l’aneth at the France Pavilion.
48. Taste the Andalusian Poinsettia Cocktail at the Morocco Pavilion.
49. Swing by the Tuscany Holiday Kitchen in the Italy Pavilion for Panettone Mignon.
50. Try the Strawberry Nigori Sake Cocktail and Cinnamon Mochi Cake at the Hokkaido Holiday Kitchen in the Japan Pavilion.
51. Munch on Buñuelo Navideño and a Pomegranate Margarita from Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen at the Mexico Pavilion.
52. Travel the World Showcase to take in all of the holiday decor from each country.
53. Take a picture by the holiday teapot in the United Kingdom.
54. Stop by each country to hear the Holiday Storytellers and learn all about the holiday season in each country.
55. Experience Illuminations: Reflections of Earth with a holiday twist.
56. Stay and watch a Candlelight Processional.
57. Watch Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season.
58. Take on Chip and Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree.
59. Walk around Disney’s Hollywood Studios and take in all of the amazing vintage Christmas decor around the park.
60. Take your picture by the giant tree near the Frozen Sing Along.
61. Grab your AP Holiday Magnet from the 5&10.
62. Experience Sunset Seasons Greetings in Hollywood Studios.
63. Watch all four stories illuminate on the Hollywood Tower Hotel after dark.
64. Enjoy Flurry of Fun and the snowfall on Sunset Boulevard.
65. Stop by Animal Kingdom to witness its beautiful animal-themed tree at the front of the park.
66. Walk around the park and see how Animal Kingdom decorates for the holidays.
67. Visit the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs.
68. Participate in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt.
69. Meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear at the Coca-Cola Store.
70. Try delicious holiday snacks and meals around Disney Springs.
71. Visit Walt Disney World for New Years.

Getting to see Walt Disney World at Christmastime has always been a dream of mine. It truly is such a magical experience that I’m definitely planning to do again in the future. I’d love to complete every item on the Holiday bucket list someday! Between the treats, the trees, and all of the decor, it’s no wonder that a trip to Disney for Christmas is at the top of everyone’s list!

Ready to start shopping for your Disney vacation? Check out my jewelry company, Spinning Carousel Co. for all of your accessory needs. Our best-selling Leader of the Club earrings are a must-have for any Disney Parks Day. We have designs inspired by all six US Disney Parks, plus your favorite characters and more. Be sure to use code “KAIT10” to save at checkout!

What Disney Holiday Activity Would You Love To Experience?