Brace Yourself: Disney World’s Holiday Season Might Be a Total Nightmare
Planning a Disney World vacation during the holidays sounds like the ultimate bucket-list dream. The lights! The music! Mickey in a Santa suit! But you might want to pump the brakes before you hit “confirm” on that resort reservation.
Because behind the glittering garlands and gingerbread-scented air, something’s stirring… and it could turn this Christmas into one seriously crowded headache.
What Disney Is Usually Like at Christmas
There’s no denying that Disney knows how to do the holidays right. Every corner of every park gets a festive makeover. Main Street, U.S.A. glows with twinkling lights and wreaths. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays brings global traditions and mouthwatering seasonal treats.
Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party with snowfall, cookies, exclusive parades, and rare characters. And over at Hollywood Studios, Jollywood Nights brings a vintage Hollywood feel to the season with themed drinks, music, and glam décor.
Throw in specialty snacks (hello, gingerbread churros) and those iconic holiday popcorn buckets, and it’s easy to see why people flock to Disney in December.
Disney’s Discounts: Great for Guests, Bad for Capacity
Here’s the thing: Disney isn’t just relying on the magic of the season to bring people in this year—they’re practically begging folks to come.
Holiday deals are everywhere—room discounts across resort categories. Special vacation bundles. And yes, the return of Free Dining for international guests always sends bookings into overdrive. These aren’t just little promotions. They’re the kind of deals that make families say, “Why not?”
But the problem is—everyone else is saying the same thing.
So… What’s Closed?
Now here’s where things start to feel a little less magical. While Disney is handing out holiday invites like candy canes, it’s also quietly shutting down several attractions that typically help spread out the crowds.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is down for refurbishment, Tom Sawyer Island is still closed, Muppet*Vision 3D is permanently gone, and no new attraction is in its place. Plus, large parts of Frontierland are blocked off as the land is prepped for expansion.
These areas usually give guests somewhere to breathe, rest, or burn off energy without waiting in a line. Without them, things get cramped fast.
Shoulder-to-Shoulder With Santa
So, what happens when you combine irresistible discounts with fewer places to explore? You get a crowd control disaster waiting to happen.
Expect longer wait times for every attraction—even the less popular ones. Mobile order pick-up windows will be snapped up hours in advance. Stroller traffic will be its own adventure. And good luck finding a shady bench or quiet space to sit.
Transportation may also feel the strain, with longer lines for buses, monorails, and boats. The entire resort could feel like it’s bursting at the seams.
Festive or Frustrating? The Choice Is Yours
Look, Disney World will still sparkle this holiday season. The decorations will still wow, the parades will still roll, and those cookies will still taste like Christmas.
But this year, guests will need more than just holiday cheer—patience, flexibility, and realistic expectations. Between the great deals, the limited capacity, and the sea of guests trying to do the same thing simultaneously, even the happiest place on Earth might feel a little… stuffed.
Plan ahead. Pack your patience. And maybe consider waiting ‘til January—when the garland’s still up, but the crowds have thinned out.
