Over the years, the Christmas Season has supplanted the summer to become the most popular – – and most crowded – – period on the Disney World calendar.

However, the question becomes, “is visiting during the Holiday Season worth braving these massive crowds?” For those who are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list holiday trip, the answer is probably yes (though there are some pitfalls we’ll get to). But, for those like us coming from the perspective of frequent visitors who have experienced the Christmas season at the resort multiple times, it can be tempting to bypass the jolly time of year right now.

Crowds on Crowds

First off, as stated above, the time around Christmas has become one of the busiest times at the resort, with massive crowds descending on the theme parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs. In turn, the lines are long, dining reservations are hard to come by, and the Disney resort transportation system is operating at maximum capacity.

The BEST Hotels for Christmas at Disney World in 2026

Paywalls

The holiday season is home to two of Disney’s most popular after-hours events: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) at the Magic Kingdom…

…. and Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.

Now, we’re big fans of both of these parties, which offer exclusive holiday treats, performances, decorations, and characters in Christmas garb. However, both are upcharge events, meaning that even guests who book Disney World vacation packages including theme park tickets still need to pay extra for special event tickets (and get them quickly enough to ensure that their desired date isn’t sold out).

Then there’s the question of weather. As we’ve established many, many times, weather plays a major factor in any Disney vacation, but this can be especially true during a party night. For example, last year, a pair of my relatives visited in December and purchased tickets to an MVMCP night. A major storm rolled through, washing out many of the party’s activities, leaving their “bucket list” holiday trip feeling like a missed opportunity. To Disney’s credit, they were each offered a Disney gift card equal to the price of a party ticket at guest services.

Prices CONFIRMED for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney World

Discontinued Traditions

In the spring of 2026, Disney confirmed that the massive gingerbread house that was housed in the Grand Floridian’s lobby since 1999 won’t be returning going forward. Even though the hotel will feature a few small ones throughout the resort, made by Disney’s culinary team, the loss of the 25+ year old tradition has hit a lot of Disney fans hard.

Y’all. We Have Some BAD NEWS About Disney World’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

Hotel Prices

Disney’s hotels – – from Value all the way up through Deluxe Tiers – – feature some of their highest rates of the year in December. That said, if you are planning to take a trip this holiday season and have a flexible travel schedule, shoot for weekdays early in December, as they’re slightly cheaper than weekends and days closer to Christmas and New Year’s.

While you’re planning your hotel, you’ll also need to look into dining options. Our Guide to Disney World Dining pulls it all together so you can stop stressing and focus on the fun without feeling like you’re missing a thing!

CONFIRMED: 3 Menu Items Returning To Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

There’s Always EPCOT!

Now, all of that being said, there are still many, MANY fun things to do at Disney World during the holiday season. In particular, for those who’ve visited in the past, EPCOT is arguably the best place to visit! The park’s seasonal offering, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, is included in park admission. The event offers a more varied array of treats and foods at the park’s booths…

…as well as the beloved and iconic Candlelight Processional, which features a celebrity narrator reciting the Christmas story backed by a choir.

If you’re planning a visit to Disney World during the Christmas season and you don’t know where to start, be sure to reach out to our friends over at Small World Vacations! Their agents have helped guests plan over 250,000 Disney vacations since 1996! Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, they’ll help plan a vacation that’s perfect for your party! Click HERE to get a quote for your next Disney World vacation, and someone from their team will reach out within 24 hours!

 

And we’ve always got you covered with the latest tips, tricks, and news, so you can have a calm and smooth Disney vacation! Stay tuned to DFB, so you don’t miss anything!

Disney CONFIRMS This Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Perk Is Coming BACK

What are your thoughts on traveling to Disney at Christmastime? Let us know in the comments below.