Christmas in July – How to Plan Now for Your Holiday Trip

With blazing heat consuming much of the U.S. this past week, the holidays might be the furthest thing from your mind. But if you’ve been thinking about a trip to Walt Disney World this holiday season, the time to plan is now. Here’s a short list of must-do’s to make sure you’re heading toward a magical holiday trip.

Know What’s Different

If you’re a WDW first-timer or you’re traveling with someone who is, then the holidays might not be your cup of tea. All that beautiful seasonal decor, music, and events and activities don’t make for the classic Disney World experience some travelers might be looking for. Likewise, shorter days and cooler temperatures at this time of year might even be a turnoff for some. But if you’re up for something a little different or you’re simply a holiday-season junkie, proceed!

Book Early

Booking your Walt Disney World trip in advance is a must-do pretty much all of the time, but this year it’s especially true. This is because Disney World will celebrate its 50th Anniversary beginning October 1, 2021, and will continue that celebration for 18 months. This means that on top of the usual holiday rush, park-goers will be vying for spots on newly unveiled rides and at brand-new shows and experiences. Park reservations and Disney World resorts are already filling up quickly for this fall, so hop to it and reserve your travel party’s place at the most magical place on Earth this holiday season.

Plan for Crowds

It’s no secret that Disney World is crowded over the holidays. While this can change things up a bit, it doesn’t have to put a damper on your trip…if you know how to plan for it. Keep in mind that your flight may be full, ride queues will probably be long and you may not get to as many attractions each day as you had hoped. What to do? Do yourself a favor right now and subscribe to TouringPlans. (Did you do it?) You can utilize our crowd calendars, create optimized Touring Plans for each park, and even nab the best resort rooms and dining reservations so you’re MUCH more likely to be able to check off the most important things on your list. And don’t worry, TouringPlans makes sure to include all of Disney’s special offerings at this time of year on its website and app so you won’t miss a thing when creating your perfect itinerary.

Familiarize Yourself with Special Park Offerings

Disney World presents some pretty spectacular experiences over the holidays that you won’t find at any other time of the year, and we’re hopeful that many, if not all of these, will return to the parks in 2021. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom is an amazing way to experience shorter queues for attractions, unique character interactions, delicious food and drinks, and themed entertainment such as parades and fireworks. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays brings a diverse array of holiday celebrations, as do each of the country pavilions along the World Showcase. Hollywood Studios presents holiday character dining and a projection show on the Tower of Terror. And Animal Kingdom finally introduced some fun, festive offerings right before the pandemic which we can’t wait to see again. Disney even ups its game every year with limited-time treats, merchandise, and ride overlays (seasonal, themed ride decor) which can make a trip to the parks a new experience altogether. Knowing what’s going on throughout all four parks will ensure that you take advantage of everything that appeals to you over the holidays.

Reserve a Day Away

The Parks aren’t the only place where you can celebrate the holidays in Disney World, not by a long shot. Many of the resorts decorate for the season, have special retail, food and beverage offerings, and even provide interactive entertainment. Consider the amazing gingerbread displays at deluxe resorts across Disney World property. Or the HUGE Christmas tree in Fort Wilderness Lodge alongside a roaring fire. Disney Springs also boasts a Christmas Tree Trail, live music performances, and even Santa visits. With so much going on outside the parks, taking a day to explore the Disney Resorts and Disney Springs can be just the breath of fresh air – and reprieve from the crowds – everyone needs.

Consider Using a Disney Travel Agent

Are all of these Disney World holiday travel considerations making your head spin? Well, you’re in luck because TouringPlans has its own travel agency! Yep, we’re staffed with highly experienced Disney travel agents ready to take on all of the stress of planning your perfect Walt Disney World trip. For example, exact dates and details for this year’s Disney holiday offerings haven’t been announced yet, but you can bet our agents will be among the very first to know AND alert their clients. And did we mention it’s FREE? It’s true, there is no cost to you to use TouringPlans’ travel agency services. Why not give these amazing humans a shot at curating your upcoming trip to Walt Disney World?

Time to Plan

Walking down the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A. to Disney versions of holiday classics, with “snow” falling around you and sparkling Christmas ornaments everywhere is a pretty special experience, one that many Disney fans won’t want to miss. If you’re ready to be in the heart of the Disney holiday magic this year, think Christmas in July and get planning…either on your own or with the help of a TouringPlans agent. After all, the holidays will be here before you know it!

Have you taken a trip to Walt Disney World for the holidays? Let us know what your favorite part is about the holiday season at Walt Disney World.