The Christmas season is almost here at Disney World, and we can’t wait to see all the changes!

Taking place from November 14th through December 31st, 2025, the holiday season at Disney World brings with it special parties, festive decor, fun overlays, tasty treats, limited-time merch, and so much more! This year has brought about a ton of change at Disney World that could affect how we celebrate the holidays, along with some new holiday additions coming to the resort. If you plan on visiting Disney World this winter, here are some notable changes and absences you should expect during your visit!

No Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is getting a lobby update, which will prohibit the inclusion of the beloved gingerbread house addition this year.

The Grand Floridian lobby gingerbread house has been a tradition of the resort for the last 25 years, and it usually draws heavy crowds during the holiday season with its impressive craftsmanship and delicious seasonal treats. Space constraints have made it tough for the house to be built this year.

However, Disney has confirmed that the other gingerbread displays at Disney World hotels will be returning, so you can still see the Contemporary gingerbread castle, the Beach Club gingerbread carousel, and the BoardWalk’s mini gingerbread hotel model.

Work in the lobby is expected to wrap up soon, so we’re hoping to see the Grand Floridian’s gingerbread house return in 2026.

Resort Construction

Disney World is in the midst of some massive expansion and refurbishment projects, which will eventually look really cool in a couple of years from now, but will be eyesores this holiday season.

You’ll have to pardon a lot of pixie dust at Disney World as several hotels continue ongoing refurbishment projects, Animal Kingdom totally revamps DinoLand U.S.A. into its new Tropical Americas-themed land, Magic Kingdom replaces the Rivers of America with the new Cars-themed Piston Peak and continues to work on Big Thunder Mountain and the new Villains Land, and Hollywood Studios continues to turn Muppets Courtyard into a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land.

Expect to see a bunch of walls, cranes, and remnants of construction work, and get ready to hear the jolly sounds of drilling, hammering, and hard labor. Will Disney World be the prettiest it’s ever been during the 2025 holiday season? Probably not, but we all have to remember that eyesores are only temporary.

New Holiday Souvenirs

We’re getting some new souvenirs at the parks this year!

From new apparel to Christmas tree ornaments to toys and home accessories, there will be PLENTY of gifts for Disney fans of all ages!

There’s even an adorable gingerbread Squishmallow!

Honoring all the holidays, these souvenirs can be found at various shops around the resort as well as online at the Disney Store (in case you can’t make your way out to Florida this holiday season).

You can browse through some of the early holiday merch previews by clicking here!

More Offerings at the Holiday Parties

Disney World debuted a lot of neat stuff this year, and you’ll be able to experience a lot of it at this year’s after-hours holiday parties at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios!

Over at Hollywood Studios’ Jollywood Nights on select nights between November 8th and December 22nd, 2025, guests will have access to the NEW Miguel from Coco character meet-and-greet at Holiday Fiesta en la Calle, can meet OLLIE, the event’s new unofficial mascot, and will even have access to two newer Hollywood Studios shows: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.

Over at Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights between November 7th to Sunday, December 21st, 2025, guests can visit the NEW Pirates of the Caribbean lounge, The Beak and Barrel! This tavern will be open during the party, and interested guests can make Advance Dining Reservations for dates 60 days in advance. Please be aware that the price of food and drinks at The Beak and Barrel is NOT included in the Party ticket. 

We’ll be attending BOTH parties, and will let you know if any surprises pop up!

Returning Favorites With New Twists

Speaking of surprises, we are sometimes promised returning holiday offerings with some tweaks. For example, maybe a character costume is slightly different from years past, or a returning fan-favorite easter egg is now found in a different location. These are the kinds of things we look out for when we’re exploring the parks during the holiday season.

There are TONS of returning celebrations coming back to Disney World in 2025, and you can read all about them HERE! Parties, treats, overlays, and more will grace Disney World this winter — many with minor tweaks that we can’t wait to discover.

We’ll be covering the entirety of the holiday season at Disney World with in-depth updates and reports, so be sure to follow us for all the latest news!

Which holiday offering are you most excited to experience? Which changes have you worried? Let us know and continue to follow us here at DFB for more Disney World news, tips, tricks, and reviews!

Everything CONFIRMED for the 2025 Disney World Holiday Season

 

What is your favorite thing about the holidays at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!