Halloween may have just happened a few days ago and Thanksgiving is around the corner, but it’s the beginning of November which (in Disney World) means the holiday season has begun!
So hoop-de-doo and dickory dock, we’re making our way around Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a wild, festive adventure! We’ve already spotted some animal lanterns and beautiful decorations around the Discovery Island area, the holiday Starbucks mug, and TONS of adorable merchandise we’ve totally added to our Christmas list. Join us on this trip to Animal Kingdom to see what other festive fun we find that you won’t want to miss out on!
We’ll be updating this post LIVE all throughout the day, so make sure you come back for ALL the updates. You wouldn’t want to miss a critical holiday snack alert!
Entering Disney’s Animal Kingdom
We jingled our way into Animal Kingdom this morning beneath pretty garland. We can’t wait to see what treats and sights await us inside!
Holiday Decorations
Like we spotted at the entrance, intricate garlands are strung up around Discovery Island.
A major theme of Christmas in Animal Kingdom is paper lanterns, so that motif is represented in a lot of the decorations.
We spotted this gorgeous Merry Menagerie Photo Op. Did someone say Christmas card?
And there’s a Merry Menagerie mural on Discovery Island too.
Holiday Eats and Treats
Creature Comforts
You know we popped into Creature Comforts, the park’s Starbucks location, for our caffeine fix!
Four holiday favorites have returned to Starbucks for the season: Chestnut Praline, Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, and Caramel Brulee.
We snagged a Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino!
Some holiday treats have returned as well including the Cranberry Orange Scone…
…the Cranberry Bliss Bar…
…and the Snowman Cake Pop!
Character Cavalcades
This morning, Disney announced that there will be several holiday versions of the Character Cavalcades sailing down the river. There’s Donald’s Dino Bash Festive Flotilla…
Chip ‘n’ Dale “jingle through the jungle” on a boat of their own…
The Discovery Island Dancers cruise along with holiday beats…
and Santa Claus is even making his way around Animal Kingdom by boat!
We love seeing our favorite characters.
Click here to see MORE pics of the holiday cruises!
The holiday fun is just getting started and take place from November 6 – December 30! Come back for more updates on the festivities over at Animal Kingdom, and all around Walt Disney World.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
OF HOLIDAY MAGIC
Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World.
It includes all the must-have information for navigating the holiday season at Disney World, including:
- The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season
- How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!)
- ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM.
- And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat!
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MORE Disney World Holiday INFO!
Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Get All the Details About Disney Jollywood Nights
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Will you be visiting Disney World during this holiday season? Let us know in the comments!

















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