Fiona ClairSat, December 5, 2020, 9:20 AM CST
Since opening in 1971, Walt Disney World has introduced fans to some of the most well-known rides in the world.
Across Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, some attractions have elaborate histories and backstories, and others are so advanced that brand-new technology had to be created for them.
Need to freshen up your face masks for the holidays? Check out our Disney Christmas face masks & headbands which are only $4 this weekend.
They come in adult and child sizes, have a bendable nose piece, elastic ear loops, and are washable. We also have Star Wars, Marvel, Nightmare Before Christmas, some Non-Christmas Disney masks as well and some Harry Potter, Nintendo, TMNT, and more.
Check out what is available here and pick out your favorites!
One favorite thing to do during the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort is gaze at the elaborate store window displays, especially along Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom Park and World of Disney at Disney Springs.
For our merchandise presentation team, the holiday season is the culmination of almost a year of work – they start planning for the holidays in January! They start with the concept phase, talking with the product and merchandise development team that gives them a glimpse of what the next season will bring. Then in summertime, they start working on the details of the design from ornaments, ribbons and everything that will be used to create their magic. Talk about Christmas in July, right?
As soon as Halloween ends, the teams start to work on the actual install of the window displays. At that point, they can finally share with our Guests what they have worked on for the whole year.
Installing these window displays is no small task. There are around 30 windows on Main Street, U.S.A., and each one receives unique décor and theming. At the Emporium, for example, the team retells the story of the shop’s original proprietor, Osium Osh Popham, by re-creating how the windows would have looked at the turn of the 20th century.
At Disney Springs, the team ensures all of the displays continue the story of World of Disney, which is an artists’ loft. They “merried” the product and décor to the theming of the store, as well.
Check out this video to see how cast members bring these windows to life!
Pyrotechnic pixie-dust moments add occasional bursts of merriment each night at Magic Kingdom Park as projection effects transform Cinderella Castle with a flourish of holiday cheer. These magical holiday touches occur throughout the night as part of the seasonal celebrations happening across Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., through Dec. 30, 2020. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Searching for entertainment other than Marvel and Star Wars? Let’s round up the best gems on Disney Plus.
It’s the most wonderful time of year to visit Walt Disney World Resort, as the holiday season is in full swing across our Resort hotels. Whether Guests are staying with us on vacation or just stopping by for the day, these fantastic locales are merry and bright with yuletide décor that enhances the stories they tell.
From iconic Christmas trees to festive flourishes of garland adorning the front entrances and more, our resorts have decked their halls in celebration of the season for a fun holiday atmosphere. For instance, Guests can’t miss the massive and magnificent tree outside Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Or they can gaze in wonder at the tree stretching into the upper reaches of the soaring lobby at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Traditional tunes and holiday melodies fill the air in the classic setting of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, as a talented pianist performs live music most afternoons and evenings in the lobby. And while Guests are visiting one of these magical places, they may just spot a favorite Disney pal taking in the sights, as well.
The tinsel and trimmings make our resorts a wonderful way to check some names off the holiday shopping list, too. Guests will find great gift ideas for family and friends, especially anyone looking for an ornament from their favorite home away from home at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Resort gift shops offer exclusive pieces that can only be found here!
When it’s time to take a break from merry-making, Guests can treat their taste buds with jolly specialties across our resorts. Holiday flavors of eggnog, peppermint, pumpkin, chocolate and more dance across the dessert menus at all our resorts throughout the season. Here are just a few tasty morsels:
The triple-chocolate Happy Holidays Grand Cake Pop from Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
A Christmas Candy Drop from Le Petit Café at Disney’s Riviera Resort, filled with milk chocolate mousse, chocolate sponge, hazelnut custard and cherry reduction.
Plant-based macarons available at The Artist’s Palette inside Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
Cookie Trees featuring stacks of vanilla cookies decorated with royal icing, mini-pearls and snow sugar, along with a delightful miniature Gingerbread Carousel with hidden Mickeys and a sugar replica of this year’s gingerbread pin from Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort.
And speaking of sweets, our pastry chefs cooked up some holiday cheer this year for gingerbread fans with a lineup of delicious cookies, kits and more. Highlights include a classic Gingerbread Mickey available at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort’s BoardWalk Bakery and the Contemporary Gingerbread House Kit from the Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Guests will find all sorts of other special gingerbread items available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. If Guests aren’t staying at a Walt Disney WorldResort hotel, a dining reservation may be required to park at the resort. Depending on the location’s capacity, Guests without reservations may be redirected to park nearby and walk, or take Walt Disney WorldTransportation to the resort.
Just shared on ABC, check out this behind-the-scenes look of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure where guests will rendezvous with Chef Remy through Gusteau’s bustling Paris restaurant at the France Pavilion at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort! Coming 2021.
Walt Disney Co. is planning to shed 32,000 employees by the end of March — 4,000 more than previously announced — as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hammer its parks and resorts business.
Starting today, the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will bring seasonal fun from around the globe to the Walt Disney World Resort. Through Dec. 31, 2020, this magical event features delicious food, activities for the whole family, a chance to see Disney characters in their holiday finest and more.
We were out in the park today to chronicle some of the merriment as guests got their first taste of the festival. Check out the photos below for the seasonal fun already underway at EPCOT! 
There is plenty of festive merchandise available throughout World Showcase as part of this year’s festival, including fragrances, apparel, ornaments, dolls, stocking stuffers, tree trimmings and so much more. And don’t miss the special holiday collection featuring everyone’s favorite dynamic duo, Chip ‘n’ Dale. The mischievous chipmunks can be found playfully adorning apparel, cookware and more. 
Happy holidays from Walt Disney World!
