Theme Park News - October 12, 2026

The Holidays are Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026

The holiday season is returning to Walt Disney World, and 2026 is bringing plenty of familiar favorites along with some new seasonal experiences. From November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027, guests can expect festive decorations, seasonal food and drinks, holiday entertainment, special character appearances, new merchandise, and more throughout Walt Disney World. 

Magic Kingdom will once again be filled with classic Disney Christmas magic. Guests can watch Frozen Holiday Surprise!, where Olaf and his snowgie siblings help decorate Cinderella Castle before Elsa transforms it into a glowing ice palace. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will also continue during the holiday season on non-party nights, while Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns on select evenings with special entertainment, treats, and holiday overlays. The Jingle Cruise will also return for another season of festive jokes and jungle adventures. 

Over at EPCOT, guests can celebrate holiday traditions from around the world during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, running November 27 through December 30. The festival brings seasonal food, entertainment, and traditions from around the world. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will also get a holiday twist, featuring a limited-time selection of festive songs from November 25 through January 6. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have plenty of holiday fun of its own. The Electric Mayhem takes over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets with a limited-time holiday overlay featuring seasonal music. Guests can also enjoy the return of Sunset Seasons Greetings, holiday decorations and character appearances throughout the park, Minnie’s Holiday Dine, and the separately ticketed Disney Jollywood Nights on select evenings. 

Animal Kingdom will celebrate the season with Santa’s Holiday Grove, festive character appearances, and the return of the Merry Menagerie. Guests can spot beautifully crafted Arctic animal puppets around Discovery Island and enjoy the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings after sunset. 

Disney Springs will also be part of the holiday celebration, making it a great place to enjoy the season without spending a day in the parks. Guests can explore the Christmas Tree Stroll, shop for holiday gifts, enjoy seasonal entertainment, and even experience nightly snowfall in Town Center. Santa will also make appearances at all four theme parks and Disney Springs through December 24. 

With so much happening across Walt Disney World, the 2026 holiday season is shaping up to be a great time to visit. From the big-ticket events to the smaller moments like holiday decorations, seasonal snacks, character costumes, and a little Florida snowfall, there are plenty of ways to make a Disney vacation feel especially festive. 

If a holiday trip to Walt Disney World is on your list, planning ahead can make a big difference. With special events, dining experiences, seasonal entertainment, and so many options across the resort, having someone help you sort through what is worth prioritizing can make it easier to spend your vacation enjoying the magic instead of trying to figure out what comes next. 

Disney Cruise Line’s New Disney Believe Sets Sail in 2027

Disney Cruise Line is adding a brand-new ship to its fleet, and the Disney Believe is set to make its debut on December 18, 2027, sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

The new Disney Cruise Line ship will offer four- and five-night Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, with itineraries visiting Disney’s Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The ship’s theme centers around believing in yourself, your dreams and the possibilities ahead. 

There’s plenty of new Disney magic onboard, including the debut of Disney Encanto on the Walt Disney Theatre stage, along with Tangled: The Musical and Disney Seas the Adventure. Families can also explore a Zootopia-inspired entertainment hub, enjoy the return of AquaMouse, and find dedicated spaces for kids, tweens and teens. 

Dining will bring some new favorites, too. Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast will offer a brand-new Frozen experience, while Big Hero Sips, Café Kakamora and Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods add even more choices throughout the ship. 

Adults won’t be left out. The Disney Believe will feature the Haunted Mansion Parlor, Wishing Well, Skygazers and At Sea Notes, along with adult-exclusive spaces like Quiet Cove and Senses Spa. 

General booking opens October 19, 2026, with select Castaway Club members and other eligible groups receiving earlier booking opportunities. 

If a Caribbean cruise aboard a brand-new Disney ship sounds like your kind of vacation, the Disney Believe is definitely one to keep an eye on as 2027 approaches.