Is Disney Open on Christmas?
As the holiday season approaches, many families and tourists are planning their winter vacation around the festive season. Disney is no exception, but whether the Happiest Place on Earth is open on Christmas is a question that has sparked debate among fans and enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll explore the Disney Christmas schedule, what’s open, and what’s closed to help you plan your trip.
Disney Christmas Schedule
Disney is open on Christmas Day, but the number of attractions and activities varies depending on the resort. Here’s a breakdown of what’s open and closed on Christmas Day at various Disney theme parks and resorts:
| Resort | Christmas Day Schedule |
|---|---|
| Disneyland Resort | Disneyland Park: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Disney California Adventure Park: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM | |
| Downtown Disney: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | |
| Disney World Resort | Magic Kingdom: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Epcot: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM | |
| Hollywood Studios: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM | |
| Animal Kingdom: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM | |
| Disney Springs: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM | |
| Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM | |
| Blizzard Beach Golf Course: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM | |
| Disneyland Paris | Disneyland Park: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM | |
| Disney Village: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM | |
| Hong Kong Disneyland | Hong Kong Disneyland: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Victoria Peak Skyride: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | |
| Shanghai Disney Resort | Shanghai Disneyland: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Disneytown: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
What’s Open
At Disneyland Resort, the following attractions and experiences are open on Christmas Day:
- Disneyland Park: Mickey’s Toontown, Festival of Fantasy, and Indiana Jones Adventure – all are open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Disney California Adventure Park: Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, Frozen Sing-Along Karaoke, and Cars Land are open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Disneyland Hotel: Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey are open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Disneyland Railroad: The funicular takes you on a scenic tour of the park.
- Disney Village: It’s a Small World and Disney Animation are open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
What’s Closed
Some attractions and experiences at Disneyland Resort are closed on Christmas Day:
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (specifically, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance)
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! (Disneyland Park only)
- Disney’s Minnie’s House and Meet and Greet Area
- Disney Junior Live on Stage! (Disney’s California Adventure Park only)
Disney World Resort
At Disney World Resort, the following attractions and experiences are open on Christmas Day:
- Magic Kingdom: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (private event only) and Country Bear Jamboree are open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
- Epcot: Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Hollywood Studios: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree and Country Bear Christmas are open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Animal Kingdom: Animal Kingdom Festival of the Lights is open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Disney Springs: Disney Springs Christmas is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
What’s Closed
Some attractions and experiences at Disney World Resort are closed on Christmas Day:
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (specifically, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance)
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! (Magic Kingdom only)
- Disney’s Minnie’s House and Meet and Greet Area
- Disney Junior Live on Stage! (Magic Kingdom only)
Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Paris, the following attractions and experiences are open on Christmas Day:
- Disneyland Park: Fantasyland and Adventureland are open from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
- Walt Disney Studios Park: Studio Tram Tour is open from 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
- Disney Village: Disney Village Christmas is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Hong Kong Disneyland
At Hong Kong Disneyland, the following attractions and experiences are open on Christmas Day:
- Hong Kong Disneyland: Festival of Lights is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Victoria Peak Skyride: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Shanghai Disney Resort
At Shanghai Disney Resort, the following attractions and experiences are open on Christmas Day:
- Shanghai Disneyland: Festival of Lights is open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Disneytown: Disneytown Christmas is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Important Notes
- Christmas Day Prices: Prices for accommodations, tickets, and dining are as usual, and won’t change on Christmas Day.
- Special Events: Some special events, such as the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom) and Disney’s Minnie’s House and Meet and Greet Area (Disneyland Park), may offer special hours or experiences on Christmas Day.
- Disney’s MagicBands: Disney’s MagicBands are available for purchase starting at 8:00 AM on Christmas Day, allowing guests to make purchases, get on attractions, or visit the Disneyland Paris website to purchase tickets.
Conclusion
Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a romantic getaway, Disney is a must-visit destination during the holiday season. While the Disney Christmas schedule may look familiar, there are some attractions and experiences that are closed on Christmas Day. By checking the Disney website or visiting the official Disney website, you can plan your trip and make the most of your vacation. Happy holidays, and we hope you have a magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth!