If you are visiting Disney World this holiday season, here are the things you need to watch out for on your vacation!

The Christmas trees are up, the holiday treats are here, and you can hear Christmas music playing on Main Street, U.S.A — it’s the holiday season at Disney World! I’ve been going to Disney World for the holidays for 6 years, and this is my favorite time to visit. But there are some big changes that can affect your trip if you’re visiting this time of year. Let’s break down 8 rules for this magical time of the year.

1. No Parking at Hotels

During the Christmas season, Disney resorts tighten parking restrictions more than almost any other time of year. Unless you have a confirmed dining reservation within the next hour or you’re currently staying at that hotel, you are likely to be turned away at the entrance gate. This can be especially frustrating if you want to explore decorations at places like Disney’s Grand Floridian or Wilderness Lodge Resort. The good news? There are plenty of other ways to get there. Consider parking at Disney Springs and hopping on a bus to any resort, riding the Skyliner from EPCOT or Hollywood Studios to reach its connected hotels, or walking from EPCOT’s International Gateway to the Crescent Lake resorts. You can also use resort buses from any theme park. It may take a little more time, but you’ll still get to see all the holiday decorations without a headache.

2. Mobile Ordering is Limited to Resort Guests

If you’ve been hoping to mobile order from a popular resort quick-service location to skip the line, you might be disappointed. During the holidays, many hotels restrict mobile ordering to guests who are actually staying at that resort. This means you won’t be able to grab Captain Cook’s, Contempo Café, or Gasparilla Island Grill via mobile order unless your reservation is linked to that resort. But don’t worry, you can still walk in and order in person if you’re visiting.

3. Parks May Close Early, But That Can Be a Good Thing

Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios host multiple holiday parties throughout November and December, which means early closures on select nights. And while it might seem like a downside, these party days are often some of the lowest-wait days in the mornings and early afternoons. Many guests avoid these parks entirely because of the shortened hours, which means more breathing room for you. If you don’t mind leaving early (or hopping to another park afterward), visiting on a party day can actually help you check off headliners with minimal waits. Just be sure to double-check the event calendar before planning your visit.

4. Meeting Santa Requires a Virtual Queue

You can meet Santa in the parks using a traditional standby line, but if you’re hoping to see him at Disney Springs, you’ll need to jump into a Virtual Queue. The queue opens at set times throughout the day and fills very quickly, especially on weekends and evenings when crowds spike. The best strategy is to be in Disney Springs before the first queue drop and join the VQ the moment it opens. If your return window ends up being later in the day, treat it like a built-in break where you can walk around, shop, grab a seasonal treat, and keep an eye on your notification. It’s one of the most organized ways to meet Santa during the holiday rush, as long as you plan ahead.

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5. Your Hotel Might Be Crowded

Holiday resort-hopping is a thing, and that means your hotel may feel busier than usual. Resorts with gingerbread displays like the Contemporary and Beach Club become attractions in themselves, drawing crowds who aren’t actually staying there. This can lead to congested lobbies, crowded quick-service locations, and tougher-to-get dining reservations. To navigate this, try booking meals during off-peak times, budgeting extra time when heading to or from your room, and using mobile check-in and mobile checkout to avoid extra time in the lobby. Embrace the festive chaos, but plan around it so you don’t get stuck in unnecessary holiday crowds.

6. Some Attractions May Have Changed for the Holidays

Several Disney World attractions get special holiday overlays, which can totally change your experience, sometimes for the better! At EPCOT, Living With the Land: Glimmering Greenhouse transforms the greenhouse into a glowing holiday walkthrough after dark. Over at Hollywood Studios, the Frozen Sing-Along adds a special holiday finale featuring Olaf. These overlays can bring new life to familiar attractions, but they can also slightly shift crowd patterns. To make the most of it, check showtimes in advance and prioritize nighttime rides for holiday-enhanced attractions. It’s a fun way to see favorites in a whole new light.

7. You Need to Make Room for Holiday Snacks

Holiday snacks are everywhere at Disney World this time of year, and you probably already know this is one of our favorite parts. From festive cupcakes and peppermint treats to gingerbread cookies and holiday-exclusive churros, you’ll find limited-time goodies in every park and most resorts. But unless you have a bottomless stomach, you won’t be able to try them all. Pick a few must-try items ahead of time, and leave space in your daily plan (and appetite!) for some spontaneous finds. A few DFB favorites this season include the Frozen Cocoa over at Goofy’s Candy Company and the Gingerbread Churro at Sunshine Churros.

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8. You Might Not Need Lightning Lane Every Day

Here’s a tip many guests miss: on days when Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios closes early for a party, crowds are significantly lower, which means you might not need to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass at all. If you’re visiting a party-affected park earlier in the season, you may find standby lines pleasantly short. However, the closer we get to Christmas week, the less true this becomes as crowds surge across all parks. Before buying Lightning Lanes, check the park schedule and look at the morning wait times in the app. With a little strategy, you can save money and still experience all the holiday magic.

Christmas at Disney World is full of surprises, and knowing these lesser-talked-about rules can make the difference between a stressful trip and a memorable one. With the right planning and help from DFB, you can navigate the holiday chaos like a pro. For more holiday news and tips, follow us at DFB!

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What is your favorite part of the holiday season at Disney World? Tell us in the comments!