When most guests picture a holiday trip to Disney World, their minds immediately jump to Magic Kingdom – the garland along Main Street, U.S.A., Cinderella Castle glowing at night, and “snoap” drifting through the air. But what many don’t realize is that the very same festive spirit is also alive and well at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In fact, some of the sweetest, most charming holiday touches in the whole Resort are right inside this park.
Animal Kingdom might not be the first place you think of when it comes to twinkling lights or classic Christmas cheer, but the mix of natural beauty and thoughtful storytelling here creates a warm, meaningful kind of holiday magic you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re planning a visit to Animal Kingdom this season, keep this guide handy so you don’t miss any of the holiday fun waiting around every corner!
Merry Menagerie
If there’s one holiday moment at Walt Disney World that never fails to make me smile, it’s Animal Kingdom’s Merry Menagerie. As you make your way through Discovery Island, you’ll encounter beautiful, life-sized puppets of arctic animals roaming about. Polar bears, penguins, reindeer, and more are brought to life by incredibly talented puppeteers, accompanied by live musicians playing holiday music. The artistry is stunning, and the interactions with guests are so sweet to watch!
Festive Decor and Photo Ops
Animal Kingdom’s holiday decorations are some of the most creative across all of Walt Disney World. Each land features its own unique touches, inspired by nature and thoughtfully designed to reflect different cultural traditions. You’ll find rooftop luminaries and woven garlands in Discovery Island, glowing lantern displays in Asia, and bold, colorful handcrafted décor in Africa. Everywhere you go, there’s something new to admire!
Be sure to pause for plenty of photos, and keep an eye out for PhotoPass photographers offering special holiday Magic Shots near the Tree of Life, as well.
Mickey and Minnie Holiday Meet-and-Greet
It wouldn’t be a Disney World vacation without a photo with Mickey and Minnie, and during the holidays, you get the added bonus of seeing them decked out in their holiday best! At Adventurers Outpost, they greet guests in adorable coordinating holiday safari outfits. The backdrop here is colorful, festive, and perfect for a Christmas family photo!
Meet Santa in DinoLand U.S.A.
Yes, Santa makes a stop at Animal Kingdom, too! You can find him greeting guests daily on the patio of Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand U.S.A. through December 24th. It’s a really fun setting for a Santa meet-and-greet, and it makes for another great photo op – especially if you’ve got little ones who are excited to share their wish list before Christmas Eve!
Holiday Tree of Life Awakenings
At the end of every evening during the holidays, make your way back toward Discovery Island for the Tree of Life Awakenings. This nightly projection show on the park’s iconic centerpiece features peaceful woodland scenes set to holiday-inspired music. The awakenings begin after sunset, and run about every ten minutes until the park closes. It’s the perfect way to wrap up your day at Animal Kingdom!
Animal Kingdom during the holidays is really something special. Between the adorable puppets, festive music, thoughtful decor, and the park’s natural beauty, the whole season here feels extra joyful and full of heart. It’s an experience you won’t want to skip if you’re visiting Walt Disney World in November or December.
And if your holiday plans take you beyond Animal Kingdom, be sure to check out my guides for Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom!
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