Walt Disney World is trying to bring holiday magic in creative new ways including festive décor, themed merchandise, seasonal food & beverage offerings and entertainment all across Walt Disney World Resort. Santa Claus will even have special pop-up appearances at each theme park and Disney Springs. The holiday events will take place November 6 - December 30, 2020.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, holiday experiences that draw large crowds will be on hiatus this year including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, although a little later, starting on November 27. Holiday kitchens will return around World Showcase with favorites like American Holiday Table featuring Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Bavaria Holiday Kitchen with dishes like Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl.
World ShowPlace will welcome the returning group, JOYFUL!, who present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. The Voices of Liberty will bring their incredible 8-part harmonies to the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season.
Cinderella Castle will have special projection effects to provide a holiday backdrop for your photos including a whimsical Christmas sweater design and an overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. This will unfortunately take the place of the Castle Dream Lights to try to promote safe social distancing.
Character flotillas will continue at Disney's Animal Kingdom, along with the character promenades at EPCOT and motorcades at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Magic Kingdom will have character cavalcades on festive floats and will include the gingerbread men, elves, reindeer and the toy soldiers.
Minnie Mouse will be hosting a yuletide gathering at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting November 6 and Santa Goofy will be attending, along with Minnie and more in their holiday best.
Disney Springs will have elaborately decorated Christmas trees spread throughout and guests will even encounter a magical snowfall! Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar will once again be turning into a Holiday Bar with festive decor and a limited-time menu.
Disney Resorts will be decked out for the holidays with their infamous trees in the lobby. Unfortunately, the gingerbread displays will not return to the Resort hotels this year due to physical distancing guidelines.
News & Media Source: Disney Parks Blog