As the holiday season begins, the Walt Disney World Resort has some festive and magical events planned for guests.

Over at the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is happening on select nights through December 20.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is hard ticket event takes place on select dates in November and December. Guests get to enjoy a stage show with Disney characters in their holiday best, a holiday parade, and even snow flurries on Main Street U.S.A. The remaining dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are: November 22, and December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20.

Each Disney Park is celebrating the holidays with special events.

At the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle is glowing with 200,000 shimmering white lights, and guests can also take a cruise on the Jingle Cruise as the Jungle Cruise gets a holiday makeover.

In Epcot, guests can celebrate Holidays Around the World throughout World Showcase, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates with The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights through January 5. And Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be rings in the holidays with Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.

The Candlelight Processional takes place at Epcot on select nights beginning November 29. The show features celebrity narrators reading The Christmas Story, accompanied by a 50-piece live orchestra and a mass choir.

The celebrity narrators for 2013 are:

• November 29 – Dec. 1 – Gary Sinise
• December 2-3 – Neil Patrick Harris
• December 4-5 – Ashley Judd
• December 6-7 – Whoopi Goldberg
• December 8-10 – Sigourney Weaver
• December 11-13 – Dennis Haysbert
• December 14-16 – James Denton
• December 17-19 – Edward James Olmos
• December 20-22 – Trace Adkins
• December 23-25 – Steven Curtis Chapman
• December 26-28 – Blair Underwood
• December 29-30 – Amy Grant

Performances of the Candlelight Processional take place at 5, 6:45, and 8:15 p.m. at the America Gardens Theater. Guests can purchase a Candlelight Processional Dining Package that combines lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional.

Walt Disney World Resort guests can ring in the New Year with special meals at the parks and at some resorts. The Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot’s Germany has lunch and dinner New Year’s celebrations, and La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico has a New Year’s Eve dinner. Le Cellier is offering three seatings for guests, while Monsieur Paul in France starts the New Year’s celebration at noon with available seatings throughout the day and evening.

Special New Year’s Eve dining is also planned at Flying Fish Café at Disney’s Boardwalk, Citrico’s Victoria & Albert’s, and Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian, California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. A New Year’s Day brunch is planned for Chef Mickey’s, while a New Year’s Day breakfast is on the menu at Boma.

For all the information you need to plan your holiday trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, our friends at the Disney Food Blog wrote the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holiday 2013 e-book. It features 270 pages of information on holiday dining, resort decorations, entertainment, and more. You can purchase and download the e-book at the DFB Store.

A Walt Disney World Vacation is a great thing no matter what time of year it is, but when the holidays come around it’s even more magical. In 2012 the official holiday season begins on November 9th with decorations and activities starting to go up all across the property. No matter when you visit during this time frame there’s just a little more magic in the air as Mickey and friends share the holidays with you.

Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom will be decked out in it’s holiday finery, with your favorite Disney characters dressed up in their winter costumes. Holiday Wishes nighttime spectacular will transformation Cinderella’s Castle into a glimmering ice palace perfectly suited for the holidays crowned by a dazzling display of fireworks.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is slated to spread some holiday cheer. The annual hard ticket event offers guests the chance to experience a bit of winter fun right on Main Street with fireworks, a holiday parade, live stage shows, hot chocolate and even snow flurries.

Epcot
Epcot is one of my favorite places to explore the holidays at Walt Disney World. Guests can explore Holidays Around the World with it’s costumed story tellers sharing traditions and folklore from all corners of the globe. With it’s special meet and greets you can have your picture taken with at least a half a dozen different cultures version of Santa Clause.

At night the Candlelight Processional combines seasonal music with a celebrity narrator reading the Christmas story. 12 narrators will host this holiday fan favorite this year, taking turns nightly to delight their audience in Christmas splendor. In addition, the ever popular laser and fireworks display ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth’ gets a spectacular seasonal finale.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights take over the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with millions of dancing lights and animated displays. Twinkling 3D effects are synchronized to various holiday tunes and create a symphony of light and sound, you may even catch a flurry of snow.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
At Animal Kingdom you’ll find Characters dressed in their holiday best and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade that features popular Disney Characters and their safari friends. Each afternoon throughout the season the spirit of the savannah blends with the spirit of the holidays in merriment.

Disney Resort Hotels
There’s no better time of year to go resort hopping at Walt Disney World then during the winter holidays. As the entire resort prepares for Christmas time, each Resort Hotel is bedecked in holiday finery of wreaths, trees and garlands that reflect the feeling of the resort theme. Disney’s Grand Floridian is renowned for it’s life size Gingerbread House constructed each year, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge is known for it’s gigantic centerpiece tree. However no place feels quite as much like Christmas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge where the North Woods comes alive. In addition, on select holidays you can delight in delectable dining experiences designed to make your spirits bright from festive Thanksgiving feasts to lively Character Dining experiences.

These are just a few of the holiday treats in store for guests heading to the Walt Disney World during the Holiday Season. It’s a magical time of year and one of the most popular with fans from around the world.

A Walt Disney World Vacation will be fun for your family no matter what time of year you chose to go.  However Disney throws a party like no other, and with special events going on throughout the year, this most magical place is sure to have a little extra special treat just up your alley.  Take a quick look at some of the most fabulous, bonus added vacation events in the world!

runDisney Events – Disney has truly earned a name for it’s self within the running community as several times a year athletes and hobbists alike register and converge on the Resort for everything from 5K’s to Marathons.  With Olympian Jeff Galloway as their honorary coach Walt Disney World has become one of the premier running destinations.  It all kicks of every January with the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Show – Sponsored by HGTV this Springtime Festival is included in your park ticket and showcases the talents of the highly skilled Walt Disney World Landscapers, Gardeners and Florists.  A special festival center is set up where you can sign up to participate in classes by world famous horticulturists or you can simply enjoy the added scenery around the park.  March, April & May.

Disney Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends – Included with your Hollywood Studios admission, on Friday, Saturday and Sundays in Late Spring you can celebrate everything Star Wars with thousands of fans from across the country and around the world.  Join celebrities and characters for special shows, panels, presentations.  Mid-May through Mid-June.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – The Magic Kingdom closes early on nights that this limited, after hours, hard ticket event is held during September and October.  Guests are invited to dress up and trick –or-treat through the park during this fun Halloween adventure.  Dance parties and one of Disney’s best parades are highlights of this event. Special dates in September & October.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – This annual festival creates a playground for Foodies and Wine Lovers from all over with kiosks “featuring tasty tapas and refreshing beverages”, demonstrations, exclusive dinners, and an amazing music line up.  This festival offers options both included in your park ticket and specially ticketed events.  October through Mid-November.

Downtown Disney Festival of the Masters – Held every November this show is an artist and art lovers dream.  Dazzling displays of one-of-a-kind and limited-edition painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and so much more are just a few of the highlights. One week in early November.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – The Magic Kingdom closes early on nights that this limited, after hours, hard ticket event is held during November and December.  Guests experience special character meet and greets, parades, fireworks, hot chocolate, cookies and even snow on Main Street USA!  Mid-November through December.

This list is by no means exhaustive of all the special activities that Walt Disney World hosts throughout the year, but it does give you an idea of the kinds of activities you may be able to enjoy on your Walt Disney World Vacation.  And you don’t have to choose just one!  Some dates will combine with others, for instance you could attend the Festival of The Masters one day and get tickets for the Merry Very Christmas Party the next!  Whether or not you choose to participate, knowing these dates can help you decide what time of year is right for you to take a spectacular Orlando vacation.

Did any of these catch your eye?  Food & Wine is one of my favorite times to visit.  Which event sounds most exciting to you?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

The holidays are a magical time at Disney World. The planning that goes into decorating the parks for the season is beyond compare, but did you know that all of the Disney World resorts dress themselves up for Christmas, too?

It’s worth it to spend an afternoon — or even a whole day — touring the resorts to see their holiday displays. Best of all, it’s free! Here are a few resorts that we think are worth a visit.

Grand Floridian Resort: The highlight here is the life-sized gingerbread house. Be sure to stop by and buy some gingerbread treats, which are sold right out of the house! Now, hop on the monorail and head on over to…

Contemporary Resort: Come here to see the giant Mickey wreath hung on the glass in the atrium, and be sure to check out the real gingerbread tree. DisneyContemporary.com has a photo tour of this year’s decorations. Be sure to check out the nearby Polynesian Resort too.

Wilderness Lodge: Many have said that Wilderness Lodge is their favorite resort for Christmas decorations because of the cozy Pacific Northwest feel. Be sure to seek out the family of bears residing next to Silver Springs! Wildernesslodgesite.com tells us more here.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Exotic and unique, the Christmas decorations at Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge are not to be missed. AKLResort.com shows us lots of beautiful details.

Caribbean Beach Resort: Colorful, bright and fun, Caribbean Beach Resort’s Christmas decorations have an island feel — plus, they showcase lots of cute ocean creatures. This is definitely something a little different! Be sure to check out both the Custom House and Old Port Royale. DisneyCaribbeanBeach.com shows us lots of beautiful decor here.

Also worth a visit? The Epcot area deluxe resorts — the Beach Club boasts a life-sized gingerbread carousel! The Yacht Club is right next door, and Boardwalk has a life-sized gingerbread gazebo that’s not to be missed.

The Christmas holidays are a very special time at Walt Disney World, filled with special events in and around each of the four theme parks.

Magic Kingdom events

Magic Kingdom is host to the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party featuring Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. This is a hard-ticket event held only on certain dates. You’ll need theme park admission plus your ticket to gin entrance into this special event, where you can sip on cocoa and much on Christmas cookies, take in the parade with Santa himself, see the special Wishes holiday fireworks, meet and greet with characters, take in special shows, and much more.

Every year, part of the “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” is taped at Magic Kingdom a few weeks prior to Christmas. Either go and enjoy, or stay away to avoid the crowds!

Click here for info and prices for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Epcot events

Epcot plays host to the Candlelight Processional, held at the American Gardens Theatre three times nightly. The story of Christmas unfolds daily during this event featuring various celebrity narrators, a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra. While no extra tickets are needed for this event, you may want to book a special Candlelight Processional Dinner Package to ensure a good viewing location.

Holidays Around the World is another special Epcot event, where you can hear local holiday customs and folklore from around the world. Cap it all off with a special Holiday IllumiNations show.

Hollywood Studios events

Hollywood Studios is home of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. There’s a special story behind the event’s origins – as all the lights were originally shipped in from an enthusiastic Arkansas family – the Osbornes! Millions of lights twinkle and delight every night from Nov. 8 through Jan. 3. It’s not to be missed!

Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney events

Animal Kingdom is home to the Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade and Santa Goofy’s Holiday Village. Both of these are included with park admission. And finally, Downtown Disney is home to Festival of the Seasons, where you can pose for photos with Santa himself!

Click here for info about all of the special holiday events for 2010, including dates and ticket info!

Resort displays

Aside from special events at the theme parks, you can also check out beautiful holiday decorations at the resorts! The Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge and all the rest are always decked out in their holiday finery. Some even have beautiful gingerbread house displays. This is a great no-cost way to enjoy some holiday cheer, even if you don’t have theme park tickets!

Holiday treats and meals

And who can forget special holidays treats? Only during Christmas time can you get special treats like holiday-flavored fudge, homemade candy canes, and special cookies, brownies, chocolates and more! Click here to see what you can expect.

Several Disney restaurants also serve special holiday menus. Click here to see some top picks for special holidays meals at Disney World.

We hope you have a wonderful time during the magical Christmas holidays at Disney World!

This post is part of the DisMarks Disney Blog Carnival! Check it out for more great Disney-related content and information.