With a tough decision as Disney made the announcement on Tuesday to officially cancel Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and to put the Candlelight Processional (on hiatus) as an annual holiday tradition at Epcot. As previously Disney officials did share a “heads up” status of the holidays when they made the announcement earlier this year of cancelling Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for the Fall season.
However their was some good and bad news announced by Disney, given the matter of this pandemic the world is dealing with and the holidays at Walt Disney World will still be held from November 6th, 2020-December 30th, 2020. Their will be festive decor, holiday themed merchandise, food and beverages and entertainment scattered throughout the whole resort. This also includes Disney Springs and jolly ol’ Santa Claus will make time for photo-ops for pop up appearances each other location.
So here’s some of the good news that Walt Disney World will be holding for the holidays this year:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom was the new park on the block for doing the holidays for the first time last year at Walt Disney World and is now returning with new modifications for health and safety for guests. This year the park will be doing festival flotillas for social distancing measures much like what they are doing currently right now for the lagoon of where the former Rivers of Light nighttime show was.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot will have holiday promenades and merry motorcades and while over at Disney’s Magic Kingdom will take on a special holiday twist with some of you’re favorite Disney Christmas friends on festival floats. The holiday cavalcades will include the Gingerbread Men, Elves, and Reindeer. Also the fan-favorite Toy Soldiers will join the Main Street Philharmonic as they march through Magic Kingdom Park, bringing musical holiday joy to the world.
Also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for which Minnie Mouse will be hosting a yuletide gathering that will be begin on November 6th, 2020 at Hollywood & Vine including both Santa Goofy and all of Minnie’s friends in their holiday themed attire.
Disney Springs as the resort’s entertainment complex will still hold the holidays as well. Christmas will be around every corner with Disney Christmas trees spread throughout it’s retail and dining area. The Town Center, West Side and the Landing during the evening will have “magical snowfall” to an extra sparkle of holiday magic for guests’ holiday shopping. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will be transformed into the “Holiday Bar” with holiday decor and a limited-run menu with holiday specialty food and beverages.
And now for some of the bad news for the holidays at Walt Disney World:
In response for the modified offerings for the holidays at Walt Disney World for starting off at Disney Springs won’t be bringing back the traditional Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail as mentioned previously as Christmas trees will be provided throughout Disney Springs.
The on-resort Disney World hotels will still be decked out for the holidays this year with Christmas trees and other festive flourishes but, the downside for the popular Gingerbread displays mainly at Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa and other hotels won’t be on display due towards guest gatherings.
On top of the other big kicker down side news for Disney’s Magic Kingdom for “Holiday Dream Lights” at Cinderella’s Castle won’t be happening this year. Instead will be special map projections to give it a festive and colorful backdrop for their guest photos. It will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. As many Disney’s guests are disappointed for not holding Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional as they are offering new “creative modified ways” to still host the holidays.
Finally for Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays will be “celebrating highlights” will be beginning later in season on November 27th, 2020. Holiday kitchens will return around World Showcase promenade with favorites like American Holiday Table featuring Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Bavaria Holiday Kitchen with dishes like Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl.
The World ShowPlace is inviting guests to step inside to enjoy the returning group of “JOYFUL!” who present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. Also, the Voices of Liberty will bring their incredible 8-part harmonies to the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season.
It will feel different for the holidays this year as Disney is trying these new creative ways out for their guests and cast members and stay tuned for further updates when the holidays arrive later on at Walt Disney World!
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Source: Disney
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