Issue #34: Holiday Parties & Festivals
Week of 7/5-7/12
“Here’s my Christmas speech. Ahem. “Thank you all, and Merry Christmas.”
– Fozziwig, The Muppet Christmas Carol
Walt Disney World🌐
Resorts🛏️
Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread House
With all of the holiday news you’re about to read, this is you gentle (and very sad) reminder that the Grand Floridian will not have a Gingerbread House this year due to the renovations happening in the lobby.
Here’s a picture of last year’s to tide you over!
Magic Kingdom🏰
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2025
This classic Walt Disney World holiday party is back. Tickets are available for Walt Disney World Resort guests next week on July 16. All other guests can purchase tickets starting July 22. (Special ticket prices are available for Annual Passholders and DVC Members.)
Meet & Greets:
Visit Anna and Elsa in their Christmas Attire in Princess Fairytale Hall.
See Santa Jack and Sally as well as Mickey and Minnie in their holiday finest in Town Square Theater.
Entertainment:
Catch “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade” to get in the festive spirit and see characters and Santa Claus.
Don’t miss “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” for dazzling fireworks synchronized with classic Christmas carols.
Enjoy live performances on the Cinderella Castle stage for “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.”
Hang out with the Frozen characters on the Cinderella Castle stage for a “Frozen Holiday Surprise.”
Nov. 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30
Dec. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21
EPCOT🗺️
International Food & Wine Festival 2025
Before we get to the holidays, enjoy the wonderful cuisine of EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival.
Check out the Festival’s “Eat to the Beat” concert series lineup on Disney Parks Blog.
Festival of the Holidays 2025
No additional ticket needed to enjoy EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays! Enjoy the choir and celebrity narrators of the Candlelight Processional, learn about Christmas and the holidays around the world with the World Showcase storytellers, and, of course, enjoy the holiday food (Holiday Cookie Stroll, anyone?")!
Animal Kingdom🦁
Hollywood Studios🎬
Jollywood Nights 2025
Jollywood Nights is also returning for the 2025 holiday season. Walt Disney World Resort guests can purchase tickets starting July 22, while all other guests can purchase tickets starting July 22.
What’s New?
Enter the park as early as 5:30 p.m. before Jollywood Nights starts.
See Miguel at Holiday Fiesta en la Calle in a new location near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.
Snack on the new Backlot Express specialty menu.
A new Jollywood Nights merch collection will premiere soon.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain- Closed as of Jan. 6; reopening Jan. 2026
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin- Closing Aug. 2025; unknown reopening
Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid- Closing July 21-25
Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat- Closing permanently July 7, 2025
EPCOT
Test Track- Closed as of June 17, 2024; reopening July 22
Spaceship Earth- Closing Aug. 25; unknown 2025 reopening
Animal Kingdom
The Boneyard- Permanently closing Sept. 2
Dinosaur and the rest of Dinoland USA- Closing 2026
Hollywood Studios
Muppet*Vision 3D and Muppets Courtyard- Permanently closed June 8, 2025
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith- Closing 2026
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln- Closed as of April 16, 2024; reopening July 17, 2025
Matterhorn Bobsleds- Closed May 5; reopening July 24
Star Tours- Closing June 30; unknown reopening
Storybook Land Canal Boats- Closing July 21; unknown reopening
Casey Jr. Circus Train- Closing July 28; unknown reopening
Haunted Mansion (for holiday overlay)- Closing Aug. 9; reopening Aug. 22
California Adventure
Pixar Pal-A-Round- Closing July 14; reopening July 25
Incredicoaster- Closing July 28; unknown reopening
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail- Closing July 21; reopening Aug. 14
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!- Permanently closing in 2026
Avengers Campus expansion- the walkway between Avengers Campus and Cars Land is closed.
Not a tip, but I wanted to ask:
Have specific questions or interested in certain types of tips?
Thanks for reading and see you real soon!