Is Disney World Open on Christmas Day? Crowds, Hours and Tips

Yes, Walt Disney World is open on Christmas Day. All four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom) operate on December 25, and the week from Christmas through New Year’s Day is traditionally the most crowded time of the year at the resort. Families who go should expect long lines, full parking lots and the possibility that a park reaches capacity, so planning ahead matters more than on almost any other day.

What are Disney World’s hours on Christmas Day?

Park hours on Christmas Day are set by Disney for each year and are usually published several weeks in advance on the Walt Disney World website and in the My Disney Experience app. During the holiday peak Disney often extends hours, with earlier openings and later closings than on a typical December weekday.

Hours can still change close to the date. Check the official calendar the week before you go and again the night before.

How crowded is Disney World on Christmas Day?

Christmas Day falls in the busiest stretch of the year, when schools across the US, Canada and the UK are on winter break at the same time. Typical results:

• Waits of an hour or more for popular rides by mid-morning.
• Crowded walkways, especially on Main Street, U.S.A. around parades and fireworks.
• Busy buses, monorails and Skyliner gondolas at opening and closing.
• Restaurants without reservations fully booked or running long waits.

Magic Kingdom tends to be the most crowded park on Christmas because of its holiday decorations, castle lighting and parade. When a park fills, Disney can limit entry, and that has happened at Magic Kingdom during past holiday weeks.

What holiday events happen on Christmas Day at Disney World?

All four parks are decorated for the season, and Magic Kingdom normally runs a Christmas-themed parade during the holidays. EPCOT usually hosts its holiday festival, with storytellers from different countries around World Showcase and the Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, choir and orchestra.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed evening event at Magic Kingdom on select nights from November into December. In recent years the party has not run on Christmas Day itself, so a regular park ticket is what you need on December 25. Confirm the current year’s dates on the official site.

The Disney Christmas Day parade shown on US television is recorded in advance, so the filming does not take place on the holiday.

How can families plan a Christmas Day visit?

A few steps make a peak-day visit easier for parents and kids.

1. Buy date-based tickets early, and check on the official site whether your ticket type needs a park reservation for that date.
2. Book table-service meals as soon as the booking window opens. Christmas dinner and character meals fill quickly.
3. Arrive before the official opening time. The first hour usually has the shortest waits of the day.
4. Pick a short list of must-do rides and shows, and leave room for breaks.
5. Decide on a meeting spot for older kids in case anyone gets separated, and take a photo of each child that morning to show staff if needed.
6. Pack snacks, refillable water bottles, layers and rain ponchos. Central Florida weather in late December can range from cool mornings to warm afternoons.
7. Plan a midday rest at the hotel for young children, then return for evening lights or fireworks.

If you are driving to Orlando, a cooler and some no-mess road trip snacks help on the long stretch, and they cut down on park food costs for the first day.

Is it worth going to Disney World on Christmas Day?

Going on Christmas Day is worth it for families who value the holiday atmosphere more than riding as much as possible. The decorations, music and seasonal entertainment are in place, and some families enjoy spending the holiday at the parks.

Families focused on rides and short lines usually do better visiting in early December, when decorations are already up and crowds are often lighter. Ticket prices at Disney World vary by date, and late December dates are generally among the most expensive, so compare prices for nearby dates before booking.

If you stay home instead, a list of simple Christmas traditions for families or a Christmas bucket list of free and cheap ideas can fill the holiday without a long trip.

What else is open around Disney World on Christmas Day?

Disney Springs, the resort’s shopping and dining area, is open on Christmas Day, and its restaurants are busy. Disney’s water parks may be open or closed depending on the year and weather, since Disney sometimes closes one for winter maintenance. Disney resort hotels operate as usual, and many offer holiday decorations and special menus.

Outside the resort, hours for other Orlando attractions vary. Check each attraction’s own website before you plan around it.

Quick answers

Is Disney World open on Christmas Eve?

Yes. The parks are open on December 24, and crowds are high, though Christmas Eve is often slightly lighter than the days right after Christmas.

Is Disney World open on New Year’s Eve?

Yes. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days of the year, with extended hours and fireworks at several parks. Parks can reach capacity early in the day.

Does Disney World close for any holiday?

The theme parks are open every day of the year, including Christmas and Thanksgiving. Individual rides and water parks can close for maintenance or weather.

Can you see Santa at Disney World on Christmas Day?

Santa Claus usually appears in the parks during the holiday season, including Christmas Day, often after the Magic Kingdom parade. Times and locations are listed in the My Disney Experience app on the day.