Happy holidays friends!

Disney World has been a busy place this holiday season but there’s plenty to do with the debut of Jollywood Nights, the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and the gingerbread displays around the hotels. There is still a lot in store for the parks before the year ends — let’s check out what’s changing in Disney World in December!

If you’re heading to Disney World soon, be sure to check out our list of the 15 ESSENTIALS you’ll forget to pack. You can click the image below to get our list and make sure you don’t forget a thing!

So what can you look forward to in December? Check it out!

New EPCOT Fireworks Show

Luminous The Symphony of Us is set to debut in EPCOT as the park’s new nighttime spectacular! This production, featuring fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects, and unforgettable Disney songs, will debut in December!

The show is part of Disney’s 100th anniversary celebrations and is set to debut on December 5th at 9:30PM. We’ve seen some concept art for the show and Disney even shared a song list:

• “You’ll Be in My Heart”
• “Proud Corazón”
• “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”
• “Friend Like Me”
• “So Close” (from Enchanted)
• “When She Loved Me”
• “Remember Me”
• “Into the Unknown”
• “I See the Light”

There is one show nightly, so if you’re visiting EPCOT don’t miss out!

Everything We Know About EPCOT’s NEW Fireworks Show

EPCOT Transformation

Speaking of EPCOT, the second big change is also in that park! The massive EPCOT transformation (that originally started in 2019) is set to end before the end of 2023. 

It’s unclear if Disney will meet this deadline as there are still many construction walls up around the park at the time of writing, but it is possible! We’ll just have to wait and see.

In this massive transformation, we’ve gained some amazing attractions including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. We’re still waiting for the CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza to open!

Learn more about the massive EPCOT transformation here!

Dapper Days

It’s time to dress up and be merry — Dapper Days are coming to Disney World! There are several Dapper Days events throughout the year at Disneyland and Disney World and one event is happening in December.

On the first weekend of December, you may see many guests dressed in their finest attire! Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosts Dapper Day on December 2nd while Disney’s Animal Kingdom hosts it on December 3rd.

Only Super Fans Know About These 6 Bizarre Disney Holidays

Hoop Dee Holidays

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is one of the most beloved shows in all of Disney World…and it’s changing for an exclusive event this holiday season!

Disney Vacation Club Hoop Dee Holidays will allow DVC members to celebrate the holidays in true pioneer fashion. The show and meal will have additional holiday touches to match the season, and attendees will also get a Member-exclusive pre-show and a special keepsake to remember the evening.

There are only TWO shows you can experience — November 28th and December 12th. There are two shows each night, one at 4PM and the other at 6:15PM. Disney asks that you arrive at least 30 minutes early to the show because seating will begin immediately at the start times, with the show starting 20 minutes later. You can learn about pricing and more details here!

Full Review: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue in Disney World!

The Holidays!

If we learned anything from the week of Thanksgiving, the holidays are going to be a busy and expensive time in Disney World! For those of you visiting in December, pack your patience and budget some extra cash.

On November 20th, Genie+ hit its record price of $35 again for Magic Kingdom and the park hopper option. We can expect to see this again around the December holidays. Park passes also sold out for Magic Kingdom for several days which could happen again.

These won’t be necessary for many Disney World ticketholders in 2024, but for December 2023 you still need a Park Pass to enter the parks on most occasions.

How to Avoid Paying FULL PRICE on Your Holiday Disney World Trip

Want to book a trip to Disney World? We’ve got a hack for you! Check out our friends over at Small World Vacations to help you plan the perfect trip — you won’t regret it!