10 Reasons You Should Visit Disneyland Or Disney World This Christmas Season

Disneyland's parade has been around for a long time, but it is just as magical of an experience every year. Watch dancers, Disney characters, and decorative floats march along Main Street every afternoon and early evening during the holiday season.

Your daytime park admission will cover the Candlelight Processional with no extra ticket purchase required. However, finding seats can be tough since this show is incredibly popular, so many suggest making dinner reservations where you will be secured a seat and a meal as you watch the wonderful story of Christmas be told by special guests and an orchestra.

Every evening, a show is performed in front of Cinderella Castle where several Disney characters, including Minnie and Mickey (of course), light up the castle. It is a short show that all park visitors can watch. You do not need to buy special tickets for this; just stick around the park until 6 p.m. and make your way to the castle.

If you're not big on shows and events, the decorations themselves will mesmerize you. Magic Kingdom's Main Street is completely lit up at night and lined with garlands and wreaths all the way to Cinderella Castle. Many of the Disney resorts put together amazing decorations as well, such as the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

This event is a seasonal overlay that combines Halloween and with the holidays. It takes place at Disneyland combining Haunted Mansion characters with The Nightmare Before Christmas. This attraction is probably open the longest, spanning the period from September through the beginning of January.

Epcot's World Showcase puts on Holidays Around the World where visitors can see the holiday traditions of 11 different countries. Expect live music, storytelling, and seasonal holiday foods from around the world that you can try.  

"Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!" is a new show at Disney's Hollywood Studios this year. It tells the story of rescuing Santa Claus and taking him back to the North Pole through "state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks, and a rousing seasonal musical score."

The safari Jungle Cruise transforms into a holiday-themed "Jingle Cruise" for the season, where the skippers are homesick and a plane accidentally dumps holiday goods along the river. There are decorations throughout the ride that makes it fun and festive for the season.

MVMCP is put on by Disney World annually, and this year Mickey's party will run until Dec. 22, at the Magic Kingdom. Not only does the event have fireworks, but the spectacular parade will have a backdrop of a lit-up Cinderella Castle with gingerbread men, elves, snowmen, and wooden soldiers as guest characters in Mickey's parade. Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa will be provided as well.

Minnie hosts different themed dining experiences all year long, so it is no surprise that she has a holiday-themed meal.  You can dine on some holiday staples with Minnie and meet a handful of other Disney characters, such as Mickey and Goofy, dressed up in holiday gear.