2020 Christmas at Magic Kingdom will be different. Here’s what to expect.
Some experiences have been changed or paused, but there is still plenty of Christmas cheer to go around this holiday season at Magic Kingdom! Here is your complete guide with information confirmed by Disney Parks:
2020 Christmas Decor and Photo Opps
The Christmas Tree, wreaths, and garlands at Magic Kingdom signal the start of the holidays for many.
2020 PhotoPass and Magic Shot locations. We will update as soon as more 2020 info comes through!
- A MagicShot with Zero at the castle
- MagicShot with an elf hat or crown
- MagicShot with giant Mickey cookie on a plate
- See these MagicShots in action
The Christmas tree is on display at Magic Kingdom for Christmas in 2020.
Christmas decorations will be in place all over Magic Kingdom. Any spectacles that draw large crowds will be paused or have altered procedures.
Props that will be passed between guests will not happen as frequently this year, as they require cleaning between guests. This includes large PhotoPass signs, picture frames, and lantern props. We will have more details on these shot locations soon!
We will update soon on the state of Christmas backdrops at Sir Mickey’s and have suggestions for new spots to get that perfect shot this year!
PHOTOS: Christmas Decorations and Photo Opps at Magic Kingdom in 2020
PhotoPass Changes at Magic Kingdom
To promote cleanliness, physical distancing, and reduced contact, you will notice some temporary adjustments to Disney PhotoPass Service to provide an enjoyable environment for everyone:
- Handling Guest’s Personal Devices: Disney PhotoPass photographers will not handle Guests’ personal devices such as cellphones and cameras.
- Photo Prop Usage: Where photo props are in use, they will be thoroughly cleaned between Guests. For select props, your photographer may request that you stand next to or behind the prop without making contact with it. In these scenarios, your photographer will aim to capture your photos with the best angles and perspective in mind.
- Photo Linking:Â Before the photographer takes your photo, please have your MagicBand or Card ready for the photographer to scan so they can quickly link your photos to your account. Photographers will keep as much distance as possible during this process.
We will update on specific Magic Kingdom decor and photo opportunities as soon as the parks deck the halls!
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Christmas Snacks at Magic Kingdom
We’ve done the hard journalism and eaten the Christmas snacks so you can decide which are worth the price. Check out our Complete Guide to Christmas Snacks at Disney World to see what’s yummy at the other parks.”
- An Orange Bird Christmas ($5.99, Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace)—This was a party-exclusive treat last year. This citrus almond cream cake site under orange-scented white chocolate mousse, which is filled with orange curd. Orange bird’s face is made of white chocolate and his leaves are buttercream icing. See photos of the inside, and our full review here.
White Christmas Tree Popcorn Bucket with Mickey and Minnie at Disney World. Photo by Tina Chiu
- Mickey and Minnie Christmas Tree Popcorn Bucket (Available at popcorn carts at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) This popcorn bucket is huge, and lights up at night! This isn’t just a cute vessel for our favorite salty snack—it can also be used as a Christmas decoration around the house! If this looks familiar, there was a green tree version of this last year with just Mickey.
Twice Upon a Cupcake at Magic Kingdom. Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog
- Twice Upon a Cupcake – ($5.99, Available at Main Street Bakery) This vanilla cupcake has a confetti Christmas tree cake on top! Try your best to cut it in half as neatly as this promo photo to see that hidden Mickey inside! This cupcake looks monstrous, so you might be surprised to see how much we like it. See if it’s worth the price to you: Here are photos and our full review.
Let it Snow Taco at Magic Kingdom. Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog
- Let it Snow Taco – ($5.29, Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe) Yes, it’s a Christmas taco, but stay with us here. Salted caramel and spiced chocolate mousse fill a sugar cookie that is working this Christmas as a taco shell. Worth the price? Check out our full review for photos of the inside.. and a tip for trying to eat this!
Chip and Dale Christmas Churros at Magic Kingdom. Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog
- Chip and Dale Christmas Churros – ($6.19, Available at Westward Ho) Last year we had simple churros with green and red sprinkles… this year, Chip and Dale have really plussed the churro! Apple pie filling and chocolate chips top gingerbread churros this year. Worth the price? Check out photos and our full review.
- Holiday Mickey Cinnamon Roll—($6.49, Available at Main Street Bakery) We are predicting that this classic will be back! It’s your favorite warm bakery snack with red and green icing. Enough for two! Worth the price? See close-up photos and our full review.
- Pistachio Chai Tea Float ($6.49 Available at Aloha Isle)–Replacing the Cherry Pistachio offering last year, this treat features pistachio soft–serve, spiced chai tea, and a red velvet cake pop ornament. Worth the price? Check out additional photos and our full review.
In 2019, we saw lots of special treats during MVMCP and a lot of delightful snacks available every day to park guests. There are sure to be more released in the coming days, and we’ll update here as we review them!
- The Other Parks: Our Complete Guide to Christmas Snacks at Disney World
MVMCP Exclusives
Some party exclusives at Magic Kingdom will be open to all guests in 2020.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) was canceled this year, but that just means we all get to attend a toned-down version!
Guests visiting Magic Kingdom during the 2020 holidays can experience some exclusive elements of the party every day without an additional hard-ticket purchase.
While at Magic Kingdom, try to hit up all the exclusive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party foods, events, and characters to get the most serendipity out of the party’s cancellation.
- Check back here for our complete guide to taking advantage of all those Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party exclusives during your Magic Kingdom visit.
Christmas Cavalcades
The Christmas Cavalcades at Magic Kingdom bring some of our favorite floats and characters out into the streets for a brief burst of music and frantic waving.
There are four Christmas Cavalcades at Magic Kingdom this year.
- Mickey and Friends Christmas Cavalcade
- Disney Princesses Christmas Cavalcade
- Goofy’s Scrumptious Cavalcade
- Toy Soldiers and Main St. Philharmonic
- Santa Claus and his Reindeer
While showtimes are not posted (to prevent crowding), you can bet the swell of the music will let you know when they are near.
Click here to see videos of all the Christmas Cavalcades! We also have tips on how to see each one.
Holiday Characters
Characters will say hi from afar this year. Photo by Courtney Reynolds
Special characters come out to see the guests during the holidays at Magic Kingdom. Santa, Mickey, and the Seven Dwarfs have been known to stop by MVMCP.
2019 MVPCP Characters:
- Santa
- Ariel and Eric
- Gaston
- The Seven Dwarfs
- Jack Skellington (as Sandy Claws) and Sally
- Aladdin and Abu
- Jasmine and Genie
- Moana
- Country Bears
- Mary Poppins and Bert
Those are the 2019 characters to give you an idea of who we may see in 2020. We’ll have more details on specific character appearances, soon!
Ride Overlays
Space Mountain in red and green. Photo by Brett Svenson
Certain rides at Magic Kingdom are transformed each year for the holidays. We don’t have info just yet on the 2020 changes to the rides at Magic Kingdom, but as soon as we get into the parks, we will update!
2019 ride overlays included:
- Jingle Cruise
- Tomorrowland Speedway lights and music
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (not returning in 2020)
- Mad Tea Party
- Space Mountain
What we know for 2020:
The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor holiday show will not be returning this year. Space Mountain ride vehicles will hole one party each.
Parades, Fireworks, Dance Parties
2020 Christmas at Magic Kingdom will be sans big productions. Photo by Rich Ramos
All activities that typically attract a crowd will be paused this year. So anything that you’d “stake out a spot for,” will be on hold until next year.
The following Christmas events at Magic Kingdom are paused for 2020:
- Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
- Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- A Frozen Holiday Wish
- Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
- A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas
- Club Tinsel at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
See our Guide on Everything Canceled for Christmas at Disney World in 2020
Christmas Shopping
Christmas Pajamas for the whole family. Photo by Julie de la Fe
Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of gift shopping. Magic Kingdom’s Emporium and Ye Old Christmas shop get a lot of foot traffic this time of year.
Items you see at Walt Disney World are sometimes not available on the shopDisney site, so be sure to get what you like while you’re at the parks.
But of course, 2020 just has to be different, right? With store capacity limits and long lines due to social distancing, There is a bit of strategy behind Christmas shopping this year.
Christmas at Magic Kingdom 2020
To keep everyone safe this holiday season, Disney World will continue the health and safety requirements implemented in the summer when parks reopened.
- Guests will be required to wear a mask at the parks. Guests may remove masks only while standing stationary and eating, while socially-distanced.
- Guests who do not have a mask will be asked to purchase one from the available vending machines at the security check.
- Guests who refuse to wear a mask will not be permitted entry.
- No-touch forehead temperature checks will be administered to all guests prior to park entry.
- Social distancing markers have been placed throughout the parks. Lines may look long, but they are likey snaking into another land to allow for social distancing.
- Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are stationed throughout the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.
