Disney’s Holiday Shake-Up: 3 Big Changes That Will Rock Your 2025 Christmas Plans
Disney World pulls out all the stops every Christmas to create a holiday wonderland. But this year, it’s not business as usual. Disney has revealed a few big surprises that could reshape your holiday vacation.
If you think you know how Christmas at the parks works, you might want to look again—three game-changing updates are set to transform EPCOT and beyond.
Magic Kingdom’s Classic Cheer
No December trip feels complete without visiting Magic Kingdom. The park glitters under thousands of lights, Main Street, U.S.A., looks like a snow globe, and towering trees stand proudly in every corner.
At the heart of it all is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This special-ticket event remains one of Disney’s most beloved traditions, offering guests cookies, cocoa, parades, and fireworks that celebrate the spirit of the season.
The formula hasn’t changed much this year, and fans wouldn’t want it to. But while Magic Kingdom sticks to its tried-and-true formula, Disney is shaking things up elsewhere.
Hollywood Studios and Jollywood Nights
Hollywood Studios leans into retro glamour with its own celebration: Jollywood Nights. This newer event has quickly developed a loyal following thanks to its vintage décor, jazzy performances, and sparkling lights along Sunset Boulevard. It’s less about tradition and more about creating a unique vibe different from Magic Kingdom’s nostalgic magic.
Yet even with Jollywood Nights’ success, this year’s real story is unfolding at EPCOT, where Disney is reshaping how guests experience the holidays.
EPCOT’s Global Celebration
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays has always been about culture and tradition. Storytellers share holiday legends worldwide, while kitchens across the World Showcase serve festive food and drinks. The Candlelight Processional, with its choir and celebrity narrators, remains a crown jewel.
But this year, Disney is rolling out three significant changes that guests can’t ignore.
Santa Finds a New Home
For years, Santa Claus was at The Odyssey building. Now, he’s moving to the all-new CommuniCore Hall.
Guests can visit him daily until December 24, posing for photos and making Christmas wishes in a fresh new setting. The location change will likely shift guest traffic and make CommuniCore a central holiday hub.
JOYFUL! Moves to a New Stage
Another significant move is happening at CommuniCore Plaza Stage, where “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season” will now perform. This uplifting show blends gospel, R&B, and holiday music to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa.
With its new location and daily showtimes, JOYFUL! is poised to draw bigger audiences and reshape the plaza used during the festival.
Olaf’s Scavenger Hunt Gets Pricier
Not every change brings cheer. Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt, a favorite for families exploring World Showcase, is increasing in price.
The new cost is $11.99, which aligns with similar scavenger hunts at other EPCOT festivals. For families buying multiple maps, that slight increase could add up.
What It All Means
Taken together, these three changes clearly show Disney’s vision: CommuniCore is becoming the heartbeat of EPCOT’s holiday season. From Santa to live entertainment and even scavenger hunts, the action is concentrated in one spot. That makes planning easier, but could also mean bigger crowds in a single area.
Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios remain reliable standbys, but EPCOT is where the boldest updates happen. Christmas at Disney in 2025 will be familiar, yet fresh—proving once again that the parks are constantly evolving.
