What’s coming (not coming) to Disney World this holiday season

Disney has released some more details on what’s coming to Walt Disney World this holiday season.

Absent from the list were two fan favorite items – Cinderella Castle Dreamlights at Magic Kingdom and Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! at Hollywood Studios. In the past lights were placed on the castle to giving it the illusion the castle was covered in icicles. Since the castle’s 50th anniversary decortations remain on the castle, at least un March 2023, putting the lights on the castle could be difficult.

In the past, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! , a Christmas nighttime show show based on Prep & Landing featuring fireworks, projection mapping, fire, lasers, fog effects, and searchlights, on the Chinese Theatre.

Here is an overview of what’s coming to Disney World this holiday season.

MAGIC KINGDOM

Jolly trimmings and theming throughout Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. On nights when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is not held, Cinderella Castle transforms to take on a magical holiday look complete with special projection effects, festive colors and a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater, a jeweled castle look and more.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns on 24 select nights Nov. 8-Dec. 22, 2022. The separately ticketed event will invite guests to an evening of unforgettable merriment.

Mickey Mouse and his pals appear on Cinderella Castle stage for a Christmas extravaganza – “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.” The show features singers, dancers and surprises all choreographed to nostalgic and modern medleys of holiday music. Minnie Mouse orchestrates a sparkling nighttime spectacular with dazzling fireworks, castle projections and seasonal songs in “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.”

Santa Claus joins Mickey Mouse and friends in the must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”

Partygoers can indulge in complimentary cookies and hot cocoa at locations throughout Magic Kingdom.
Select Magic Kingdom attractions get a jolly holiday overlay with Jungle Cruise transforming into Jingle Cruise, and special holiday makeovers of Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party.

Guests can join Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski, and Stitch for the out-of-this-world holiday stage show, “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas,” on the Rockettower Plaza Stage.

New to this year’s party, attendees have three jolly new Disney PhotoPass opportunities and they will receive a special 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake themed to the holidays.

Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are limited and can be purchased on the Walt Disney World website with prices ranging from $149 – $199 per person.

EPCOT

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns Nov. 25 through Dec. 30, 2022.

EPCOT will welcome back “Candlelight Processional.” This heartwarming production takes place nightly at America Gardens Theatre and features celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story accompanied by the Voices of Liberty a cappella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra with herald trumpets, and glorious massed choirs comprised of Disney cast members and Central Florida community groups.

This year’s lineup of award-winning actors, singers and TV personalities features several new celebrity narrators making their debut, including Gloria Estefan, Josh Gad, Simu Liu, Daymond John, Mariska Hargitay and Raúl Esparza, to name a few. They will join returning fan-favorite celebrity narrators, such as Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Marie Osmond, Angela Bassett and Edward James Olmos.

Other happenings include:

• “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season,” a stirring and uplifting performance of music in celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa, returns with multiple performances daily.
• Storytellers, musical acts and other performers will bring holiday traditions of the world to life around World Showcase.
• Holiday Kitchens will cook up treasured recipes and festive drinks from around the globe, as well as an eye-popping selection of treats to satisfy nearly any sweet tooth.
• The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers guests the opportunity to embark on a sweet scavenger hunt and visit different booths and purchase an array of cookies. Those who complete the scavenger hunt are rewarded with a completer cookie.
• Santa will be greeting with guests inside the Odyssey Pavilion as he gets ready for the big day.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Special animal-inspired décor surround Discovery Island and holiday cheer. And, expats from Earth have brought to Pandora – The World of Avatar.

A Merry Menagerie of life-sized, artisan-sculpted puppets of winter animals bring Discovery Island to life as they interact with guests alongside serenading musicians.

After dark, watch the Tree of Life awaken as a series of wintry tales emerge from within, complemented by holiday-inspired music.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Holiday decor is placed around Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, festive touches are added to Toy Story Land.

Sunset Seasons Greetings brings holiday magic each evening as the iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel transforms into myriad scenes including a “Toy Story” toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and more.
The Santa Claus Merry Motorcade features jolly St. Nick himself cruising down Hollywood Blvd. in his candy-apple red convertible stuffed full of presents.

Olaf stars in a festive finale to “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” that delights guests with performances of celebratory songs of the holiday season.

Disney Springs

Guests can discover glad tidings at Disney Springs through specialty food & beverage options, decorations and entertainment to ring in the holiday season.

A collection of elaborately decorated Disney trees is on display as part of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. Located throughout Disney Springs, these festively decorated trees are sure to spruce up the holiday atmosphere. Guests can even go on a scavenger hunt to find all the trees. Once completed, they can bring it to a redemption location for a special surprise.

Guests can walk in a winter wonderland, strolling through Town Center and the West Side as angelic flurries of snow add a touch of magic to holiday shopping.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar transforms into a Holiday Bar complete with jolly decorations to ring in the merry season. Guests can indulge in limited-time holiday-themed sips and snacks to get into the spirit of the season.

Guests will find Santa at Once Upon a Toy where they can take photos and share holiday wishes with him.

Nightly snow flurries and Disney-themed Christmas trees at Disney Springs.

Disney Resorts

Each of the Disney hotels will have Christmas trees and many will have gingerbread houses.