Holidays at Disney's Animal Kingdom

This holiday season, Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will have festive new entertainment and holiday décor throughout the park for the first time! Although it’s natural to want to see the iconic snowy castle at Magic Kingdom this time of year, now Animal Kingdom can’t be missed this holiday either!

The best part? Unlike Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, no extra ticket or money is needed outside of the general park admission.

About Holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Guide to Holiday's at Disney's Animal Kingdom

This year, ALL of nature sparkles with holiday magic!

From November 8 – January 1, each area and land of the massive theme park has new festive elements.

It all starts with the large Christmas Tree out by the entrance with traditional ornaments and hidden animals, while steel drums play tropical holiday beats to classic songs. Below is your guide to see and experience them all, so you don’t miss a merry thing.

Discovery Island

Crossing the bridge to Discovery Island, guests find themselves in the midst of a celebration of winter, hand-crafted by the eclectic community of artists who make the island their home. Life-size, artisan-sculpted animal puppets (including reindeer, foxes and polar bears) roam around by day while colorful rooftop luminaries and bird lanterns light up the night.

Holiday Décor by Night

As day becomes night, the rooftop luminaries and bird lanterns all around Discovery Island bring a warm and festive glow to the entire village.

Tree of Life Awakenings

At the center of everything, the iconic Tree of Life awakens each evening as a series of wintry tales emerge from within, complemented by a familiar and heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score.

We stayed for several performances and each one was different.

Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life continues to shimmer and sparkle throughout the night, alive with the magic of nature and the spirit of the holidays.

DinoLand U.S.A.

Throughout DinoLand U.S.A., all of Donald Duck’s friends gather for Donald’s Dino-Bash! Get into the spirit with colorful holiday decorations they have each chosen according to their own styles.

Even the giant dinosaur at the entrance to this land is covered in red lights and has on a Santa face.

TIP: Here you can also find Scrooge McDuck in his holiday finest for photos. This was my favorite part! Oh, and take a look at the $ details in his garland and wreaths — so clever!

Disney’s Scooge McDuck makes a holiday appearance for the Holiday’s at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Asia

The residents of Anandapur have decorated the theater district in celebration of Diwali, India’s holiday festival of lights. Glowing flowers, lanterns and more illuminate the square between Anandapur Theater and the waterfront stage, home to authentic and colorful cultural performances.

Africa

The village of Harambe welcomes visitors with a unique holiday presentation, blending the inspiration and style of Western traditions with the colors and textiles of authentic African celebrations.

Harambe Village gets an authentic holiday update

Pandora – The World of Avatar

The ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora bring a little holiday fun to their interstellar home, with a display at Pongu Pongu of holiday décor, combining vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from materials indigenous to Pandora.

Holiday Characters

Besides Scrooge, Wilderness Explorers Dug & Russell will have holiday decor in their clubhouse as part of the experience. Also, Mickey & Minnie at Adventures Outpost will also get into the spirit of the season with holiday decor and costume accessories.