Disney unwraps early details for the 2021 Holiday season at Walt Disney World

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Posted: Monday July 12, 2021 8:21am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today unveiled some early details for this year's Christmas holiday season beginning November 12 2021 at Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom Christmas Holiday decorations 2020

Details announced so far suggest we will see another year of limited holiday offerings at Walt Disney World, similar to what we saw during the pandemic-hit 2020 season. Notable there is no mention of the Candlelight Processional, fireworks at the Studios, a full holiday parade or the Castle Dreamlights at the Magic Kingdom. The main change from last year is the introduction of an After Hours ticketed event at the Magic Kingdom.

Holiday cavalcades and entertainment at the Magic Kingdom 2020

At the Magic Kingdom, 'Disney Very Merriest After Hours' will take the place of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party beginning November 8, offering four hours of after hours access to attractions, and a performance of 'Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.' The event also includes Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and more. Tickets go on sale in August, with pricing to be announced.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Sunset Seasons Greetings returns with projection effects on the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel alternating with the 50th anniversary 'Beacons of Magic' scenes. Santa Claus will appear in a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard. You will also be able to experience “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” with its festive finale. No word yet on a return of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! fireworks.

Sunset Seasons Greetings show

Disney's Animal Kingdom will offer Disney character flotillas on Discovery River, and the Tree of Life will show holiday season projections in addition to the 50th anniversary Beacons of Magic projections.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Christmas Holiday decor 2020

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins November 26 and takes place daily through to December 30 with Holiday Kitchens and performances by the Voices of Liberty.

2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays entertainment

At Disney Springs, the Christmas Tree Stroll is back, along with Jock Lindsey's Holiday Bar.

Disney Springs Christmas holiday decor 2020

Jock Lindsey's Holiday Bar is back for 2021 at Disney Springs

Finally, Gingerbread displays will return this year at Disney Resort hotels, after being missing for last year.

The popular Gingerbread displays will return to Walt Disney World for 2021

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Disney AnalystJan 13, 2022

Actually super cool! Never knew.

gerararJan 13, 2022

Disney Parks posted some BTS on what happens with the Grand Floridian gingerbread house after the holidays... The bees eat it!! Already trending with 2.5m views^

YodaManJan 08, 2022

Sunset Season Greetings? That ended on Monday the 3rd with the rest of the holiday offerings.

disneygeek90Jan 07, 2022

Oh yikes I guess I meant the Holiday projection on ToT and how long into January that runs. I am blanking on the name 😅

wdwmagicJan 07, 2022

18 months from Oct 1, unless it gets extended.

YodaManJan 07, 2022

Do you mean what time at night? Or what date it ends? I assume it runs all the way through the rest of the 50th Celebration.

disneygeek90Jan 07, 2022

Does anyone know when Beacon of Magic stops at HS? I tried to google but I couldn’t find any confirmed dates.

mm52200Dec 29, 2021

They were recently allowed to start wearing them. Omnicron is ripping through cast members.

TikibirdLandDec 28, 2021

My DS plays French Horn. They had a mask with a velcro opening for the mouthpiece. So, it's possible to do that. But, he was very happy to have that requirement stopped at that beginning of this month.

MisterPenguinDec 28, 2021

I don't recall anyone masked for Candlelight the first week of December except for a few instrumentalists... obviously not the wind instruments, tho.

PuertoRekinSamDec 28, 2021

We went to Epcot yesterday and saw the early candlelight show and my wife noticed that some of the performers were wearing mask while singing. Not just the golden choir but some voices as well. They looked like a solid color and not the blue pixie ones the average Cast wear. Has this been happening all season? Or was this new? I watched a you tube video of it earlier this year and don’t remember them being there.