New Holiday Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom  

We’re just about a month away from the most wonderful time of the year at the Most Magical, Merriest Place On Earth, and I’m going to present you with some holly jolly news to add to your “Reasons To Visit Walt Disney World For The Holidays Starting November 12” list. In fact, we’re going to gift you totally tinsel tidbits all week long! 

Over the last few years, you may have seen Kris Kringle waving to guests as he sailed around the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the holiday cavalcades. This year, you can meet Santa Claus at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party on the patio at Restaurantosaurus. As the guest of honor himself, Santa’s checked his list twice and invited everyone to join him in this festive new location as the students and faculty of the Dino Institute celebrate the season in (pre)-historic fashion from November 12-December 24. Bring the whole family, because a Santa sighting is perfect for the little ones! 

After stopping by Restaurantosaurus to say “ho ho ho” to Santa, be sure to hoof it back to Discovery Island for the return of the happiest little animal herd around – the Merry Menagerie. These enchanting puppets feature winter animals of all sorts … and I need to boop each creature gently on the nose to start my holidays off right. 

You can also meet the holiday hosts with the most, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, dressed in their festive finest together at Adventurers Outpost. 

And, after a full day of shopping for your gift list (Merry Menagerie merch, anyone?) and sampling delicious goodies (stay tuned for a holiday Foodie Guide coming soon!), stop by after dark for sensational, seasonal Tree of Life Awakenings that bring the spirits of winter animals to life. 

We all know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a festive place to be with the cutest retro holiday decorations – and this year, there are three new entertainment acts to fill the whole family with joy, all starting November 12! Be sure to check My Disney Experience for days and showtimes to catch the new acts. 

Marvel at the skills of Juggling Elves – these holiday helpers deliver festive cheer with a side of shenanigans as they show off their skills of juggling, comedy and more! 

Catch the jaunty jolly tunes of the Holiday Spirit Band. This dynamic brass group will make everyone in your party want to join in the fun and stroll into Santa’s good graces. 

And pick up your feet and march along with Seasons Jukebox as they bring all the performance and pep of a collegiate marching band. Hard-hitting horns, rocking drummers, and dazzling dancers will bring to life everyone’s favorite holiday classics and more.   

Of course, other beloved Disney’s Hollywood Studios holiday fun also begins on November 12 – like the holiday overlay to For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration; another fabulous place to find Santa greeting guests at It’s A Wonderful Shop; and Sunset Seasons Greetings – with festive projections on The Hollywood Tower Hotel and magical snowfall – all along Sunset Boulevard once the sun sets on Tinsel Town.  

And you get all of that with your park ticket to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! If you’re looking for even more razzle dazzle in your holiday celebrations, don’t forget about all the extra entertainment and festive fun at the separately ticketed event, Disney Jollywood Nights. 

As we count down to the start of holidays at Walt Disney World, I hope you’re making plans to visit with the whole family for some holly jolly memory making. Stay tuned for even more reasons to visit during the holidays all week!