Walt Disney World Announces Return of Gingerbread Houses and Other Holiday Festivities

The holiday season for 2021 is looking merry and bright at Walt Disney World with the return of holiday favorites, including the fan-favorite Gingerbread displays at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and a brand new after hours event at Magic Kingdom.

What’s Happening:

  • Walt Disney World has announced a slew of new and familiar holiday offerings coming to the resort starting on November 12th!
  • Disney Resort Hotels
    • Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be decked out for the holidays this year with festive trees and other seasonal touches. The good news: Select gingerbread displays will once again be part of the holiday season, though which ones (including the iconic one at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa) have yet to be specified.  Also at select resorts, you will find restaurants offering holiday menus and specialty food and drink.  

  • Magic Kingdom
    • Special Holiday projects will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically with the castle’s transformation into a “Beacon of Magic” in place for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration.
    • Disney Very Merriest After Hours, a new special-ticketed event that  will debut Nov. 8 before all the rest of the festive fun. It will be available on select nights through Dec. 21. The four hours of festivities will delight guests with Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and more! As with other Disney After Hours events, a limited number of tickets will be sold for this event. It’s held after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times and access to more than 20 select attractions.  Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.  

  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    • Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle once again with projection effects, magically transforming into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by Mickey’s Christmas Carol. This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic.
    • Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard.
    • Guests will also be able to enjoy For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, with its festive finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf.
    • Minnie Mouse is also returning to host her festive meal at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be donning their holiday best – even Santa Goofy will be there! And throughout the season, vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park.

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
    • Holiday time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will see the return of seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas sailing down Discovery River to the sounds of joyful songs of the season.
    • The park’s centerpiece, The Tree of Life, becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50th anniversary celebration. During the holiday season there’s even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.

  • Disney Springs
    • This holiday season at Disney Springs, the shopping, dining and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises including the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by The World’s Most Magical Celebration.
    • A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center. There will even be themed food and beverages, and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, will once again transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
  • EPCOT
    • The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, from Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, with Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the guest favorite Cookie Stroll and more.  

Laughing Place recommends MouseFanTravel.com for all your Walt Disney World travel planning
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