Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort will both bring holiday entertainment, decorations and seasonal ride touches to their parks this year, but their celebrations have different calendars and admission rules for visitors to consider.
Disney World’s season runs from Nov. 13 through Jan. 6. Two events begin earlier: Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Nov. 7 and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom on Nov. 8. Both are separately ticketed, after-hours events held on select nights, when the host park closes early to daytime guests.
Those ticketed Disney events include exclusive entertainment and dining, shorter attraction waits and rare character appearances. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also offers cookies and drinks at select locations. For much of the season, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show are available only during that party.
Regular Disney park admission covers offerings including Magic Kingdom’s Frozen Holiday Surprise, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays from Nov. 27 through Dec. 30, Sunset Seasons Greetings at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom’s Merry Menagerie. Seasonal changes also include Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom, holiday music aboard Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind from Nov. 25 through Jan. 6, and Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses during EPCOT’s festival.
Disney Springs will host its Christmas Tree Stroll, live entertainment and seasonal food offerings. Guests visiting Disney resort decorations should know parking is limited to those with lodging, dining or experience reservations, though free resort transportation is available from all four Disney theme parks.
Universal Orlando’s holiday season runs Nov. 14 through Jan. 3, and its listed holiday experiences are included with standard park admission. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas at Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida and Epic Universe will have decorations and entertainment, while Hogsmeade hosts The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle after dark.
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Universal’s lineup also includes Grinchmas at Seuss Landing in Islands of Adventure, including the Grinch character greeting and Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. Universal Studios Florida will present Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s each evening, weather permitting, along with its Holiday Tribute Store and opportunities to meet Earl the Squirrel.
At Epic Universe, nearly all worlds will have holiday decorations, including Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk for the first time. Universal CityWalk’s Red Coconut Club will become the Green and Red Coconut Club for the season, and Universal hotels will offer decorations, food and experiences including Hanukkah menorah lightings.
For travelers choosing between the resorts, the biggest distinction may be the franchises and event format. Disney’s separately ticketed parties add exclusive nighttime programming, while Universal includes its listed holiday offerings with regular admission. Disney centers Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses, Star Wars, Pixar and other Disney properties; Universal’s holiday programming highlights Harry Potter, the Grinch, Jurassic Park, Super Mario, DreamWorks and other Universal brands.
