7 EASY Ways to Survive Disney’s Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day

Are you planning to visit Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day and looking for the best tips for your trip?

If that’s you, then park your sleigh because you’ll want to curl up and read this essential guide to Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day.

Visiting the most magical place on Earth on Christmas Day is one of the best gifts of all but to have a holly jolly good time it will take a bit of planning.

The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year at the Disney theme parks.

So, get cozy while we go over the best Christmastime tips to visiting Magic Kingdom to help you prepare for the easiest and merriest Christmas trip like a pro.

Disney Magic Kingdom at Christmas Day Cinderella Castle with Chip n Dale 50th Anniversary Statues. Read for the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
Chip n Dale 50th Anniversary Statues

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Celebrating Christmas at Disney Magic Kingdom at a Glance:

  • Decorating for the holidays begins on November 2nd, 2023; although the festivities don’t officially kick off until November 11th, 2023.
  • Book all your tickets and reservations early before peak week has Disney Magic Kingdom reaching capacity
  • Get spruced up for the holidays in your festive-themed clothing showing off your Christmastime pride
  • Start your holiday shopping for Disney souvenirs early before the lines become too long, especially at Ye Old Christmas Shoppe
  • Bring an extra light layer so you don’t catch a chill during Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
  • Learn the basics of My Disney Experience and Genie so you don’t miss a minute of holiday fun

Keep reading to get a full guide on the best way to prepare for visiting Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas day like a pro.

1. Make Your Reservations Early

Being prepared is the key to having a successful and easy trip to Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day.

Disney Magic Kingdom at Christmas Theme Park Festival of Fantasy Parade with Princess Tiana of the Princess and the Frog

Make your reservations as early as you can!

Don’t expect to be able to show up at the theme park gates without one. This is definitely an example where the phrase the early bird gets the worm rings true.

Disney Magic Kingdom Christmas Day tree in the Florida sun

Peak week at Magic Kingdom runs from December 23rd until December 31st, and you can be sure that the park and theme park reservations will reach capacity.

Magic Kingdom typically becomes fully booked for Christmas Day to the point that reservations and tickets won’t be available.

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Once you have your Disney Christmas trip booked you should take care of all your reservations and tickets as soon as you possibly can.

Disney Magic Kingdom Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Outside with Santa sleigh in front of Cinderella Castle

And it goes without saying that when the magical day finally comes, arrive early to get a head start.

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2. Learn to Navigate My Disney Experience and Genie

Learning the basics of My Disney Experience and Genie will help you make the most of this special day.

Genie Walt Disney World App Planning Itinerary
Genie Plus Experience at Disney World

With so many ThemeParkHipsters visiting Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day can be very overwhelming to navigate the park.  

Disney Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Carousel of Progress entrance
Classic Carousel of Progress Attraction at the Magic Kingdom

Downloading the app and getting familiar with its fundamentals and how it works can save you a lot of frustration and time later on.

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3. Anticipate Larger Crowds and Give Yourself Extra Time

Disney’s Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day is one of the most magical days of the year, as long as you remember to pack your patience.

Disney Magic Kingdom NikkyJ on Main Street USA at Christmas
Disney at Christmas!

If you think you might end up on the naughty list, then you should not be planning to visit Walt Disney World Resort at Christmas.

In fact, you should probably avoid it altogether during the holiday season extravaganza so that you don’t find yourself unwrapping.

Cityhall Disney World Christmas decor in Magic Kingdom

I recommend checking out the Crowd Calendar and planning your trip to Disney World when the parks are less crowded and manageable. Especially if this is your first time visiting.

But for those that can keep their bah humbugs at bay then remember to go in with an open mind. 

To have a holly jolly good time you need to be flexible with your plans and embrace the joyfully unexpected.

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4. Slow Down and Embrace the Magic

Try not to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle, there is no shortage of holiday magic all around you. Disney is one of the happiest places on Earth!

Santa and Reindeers during Disney Christmas Day Parade Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Parade (Photo Courtesy of Disney Co.)

Visiting Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience so slow down and enjoy the pure Disney magic.

Magic Kingdom Christmas Day Tree with Cinderella Castle in Background

Disney is beautifully adorned in larger-than-life merry and bright décor. The atmosphere is electric and festive, it is a magical experience unlike any other.

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5. Dress for the Festive Forecast and Stay Warm

Visiting Disney in December it can be a delightful time to be out in the glorious cooler weather. 

Disney Magic Kingdom With NikkyJ during Christmas Day

But when deciding what to wear to Magic Kingdom in December, especially on Christmas Day you will want to dress for the festive forecast.

Although the December weather at Disney brings drier months it does feel chillingly cold to some, especially in the crisp mornings and cool evenings.

Main Disney Outfit What to Wear to Disney World in December for Christmas Day at Magic Kingdom.

You can feel temperatures of highs in the mid to low 70s and lows in the mid-50s.

And if you are standing around watching the magical parades, fireworks, and, shows then you will be happy to have that festive extra layer.

6. Don’t Wait Until the End of the Day to Buy Your Merry Merchandise

The Magic Kingdom Christmas store will rock your Christmas socks all year round but it is extra special during the holiday season.

If you were planning to bring some Disney magic back home with you, I strongly suggest you try to do your holiday shopping earlier in the day. 

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day.
Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Ye Old Christmas Shoppe isn’t the only place you will find your Disney Christmas items. But it is one of the most popular, so the line can get very long by the end of the day!

Disney Magic Kingdom Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty 2 Dalmatians Ornaments
Disney Magic Kingdom Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Christmas is the season of giving and there is an endless supply of merry merchandise to buy!

From Disney Christmas ears, limited edition collections, Disney Christmas spirit jerseys, ornaments, stockings, and, mugs, there are many more cool goodies to uncover.

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7. Plan for a Long Day of Festive Fun

Christmas only comes around once a year so you can rest any other day of the year. Christmas mode needs to be fully activated!

Here are a few of the holly jolly attractions that you can look forward to when visiting Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day:

  • One of the most popular attractions is The Jungle Cruise which becomes the Jingle Cruise for the holidays
  • The NEW Frozen Holiday Surprise show performed at the Cinderella Castle
  • Mickey’s Merriest Celebration
  • Character meet-and-greets
  • Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
  • Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
  • Limited edition and exclusive holiday merchandise

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My Final Thoughts on Visiting Disney Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day

Well, that’s a wrap! I hope these essential tips have helped you prepare for your Christmas Day at Disney Magic Kingdom.

Disney Christmas Day decorations in Magic Kingdom with Cinderella Castle in the Background

If you can head out early and celebrate the holidays from November to mid-December, you will find it a bit less hectic than Christmas Day.

Disney Magic Kingdom Holiday Christmas Trolley with Winnie the Pooh Tigger in front of Theater

However, let’s admit that celebrating Christmas Day at the most magical place on Earth is what dreams are made of!

So let me leave you with the best tip of all that will have you sleighing your Christmastime trip to Disney.  

7 Ways to Survive Christmas day at Disney World Magic Kingdom Theme Park
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Don’t forget to look for the magic within all the mayhem and you are sure to have a holly jolly day to remember!

Until Next Time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters… and Happy Holidays!

Sarah Jordan Theme Park Writer and Florida Travel Expert Writer

About the Author

Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.

With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.

After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings. 

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