Walt Disney World visitors hoping to see resort holiday displays may need to plan ahead this season. Disney’s holiday guidance says the Disney Resorts Collection’s decorations are available to resort guests and people with valid dining reservations, signaling that visitors without either may not be able to access resort lobbies.
Disney has also confirmed that the large gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will not return. Smaller gingerbread displays created by Disney culinary teams are planned there instead. The gingerbread castle at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort are expected to return.
Holiday-party nights bring another key consideration. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios require separate admission, and each park closes early to regular day guests on its party dates. Visitors who want both a full day in the same park and the evening event would need both regular park admission and a party ticket. Those planning Walt Disney World tickets can instead visit a different park during the day, use Park Hopper admission, or buy only a party ticket for an evening visit.
Disney Springs transportation also has a standing access rule. Buses and boats from Disney Springs require a valid Disney resort or dining reservation, with dining reservations required within two hours of the reservation time. That means Disney Springs cannot be used as a parking location for taking resort transportation without a qualifying reservation.
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Some other holiday-season limits cited by Inside the Magic have not been confirmed by Disney for this year. These include potential mobile-ordering limits at select resort quick-service restaurants and restricted access to the Polynesian Village Resort beach for Magic Kingdom fireworks viewing. Disney’s official holiday information may be updated as the season approaches.
