- Mar 13, 2024
- 8,672
- 36
Well, folks, it’s another holiday at Disney World, which means we need to check in on how many of y’all are in the parks right now. We all know holidays can get busy at Disney World since everyone has time off, but is this still true for 2025?
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Magical Guides-–-Crowds-–-Magic-Kingdom-Photo-Dec-23-2025-10-37-40-AM-5712-x-4284-2-700x525.jpg
Magic Kingdom crowds
We’ve seen some weird holidays this year where it should have been packed like it has in years past, only to find that we could easily walk around, take the best castle photos, and ride our favorite attractions without any waits. On the other hand, random days have been packed wall to wall with people, which is making us scratch our heads and wonder how everyone got this time off. Is Christmas Eve 2025 one of those days? Let’s find out!
Of course, we’re heading to one of the most popular Disney World parks, Magic Kingdom. This is the most iconic moment of a Disney trip, with the big, beautiful Cinderella Castle waiting to welcome us home.
Magic Kingdom
Transportation lines got pretty long, but there wasn’t much clutter at the entrance. To help the line go faster, make sure you have your MagicBands connected to your account or the ticket card for each person. You’ll need to scan your card or MagicBand and then your fingerprint, so make sure the ticket matches the person scanning in.
Magic Kingdom entrance with Christmas Eve crowds
Then we’re off! Under the tunnel and onto Main Street, U.S.A., where we found even more people (I mean, of course we did, but hey, we were hopeful for a minute there).
Christmas Eve on Main Street, U.S.A.
Yep, we were met with tons of people all here to celebrate Christmas Eve at Disney. Who can blame them? This is “The Most Magical Place On Earth!” Christmas is already magical, so it’s like double the amount of magic.
Spending Christmas Eve at Disney World!
The crowd levels are pretty high, but still not incredibly out of the ordinary for the most-visited theme park in the world.
Adventureland
Let’s take a look at some of the wait times, too. So far, it seems the wait times are pretty standard — long, but not too intimidating.
©Disney
Normal (yet hefty) wait times seem to be standard at the other Disney Parks today, as well.
©Disney
If you’re visiting during the holidays, you might want to purchase Lightning Lanes if riding attractions is one of your priorities.
Guests waiting to ride Space Mountain on Christmas Eve!
We also recommend adjusting your Disney World itinerary around the holidays, as having the intention of hitting all of the most popular rides could set you up for a letdown. The crowds are usually higher than normal, so limiting your ride list is generally a good idea.
Line for Pirates of the Caribbean on Christmas Eve
There are some rides that have different holiday overlays you’ll want to hit up, though. Yes, these are going to have long lines, but they are a little bit more special during the holiday season than the rest of the year. Those rides include:
The Jingle Cruise is back!
There are also lots of Christmas decorations to see around, like the massive trees, wreaths, and garland. Some characters even have special holiday outfits which you might want to see! My favorite this year was Figment, which you can meet after his ride in EPCOT. He looks so cute in his holiday sweater!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Figment-in-Christmas-Sweater-Meet-and-Greet-Imagination-Pavilion-Festival-of-the-Holidays-EPCOT-Disney-World-Photo-Nov-28-2025-2-55-52-PM-4032-x-3024-700x548.jpg
Figment in his Christmas Sweater
Okay, back to the crowds and away from my love of Figment (and yes, we are Figment stans here — sorry, not sorry to everyone who thinks he’s annoying). The parks are busy. Lines are long. People are everywhere.
Christmas Eve PhotoPass lines
So if you’re coming during the holiday season, even if you’re already planning that 2026 trip, be ready to minimize your list of “must-dos” and be ready to be a little bit more patient than usual, even though you should probably be ready to be patient all the time.
Christmas Eve crowds
Need help planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog, where we share the best tips and tricks so you can have the ultimate Disney World vacation.
Do you go to Disney World on holidays? Tell us your top tips in the comments.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Magical Guides-–-Crowds-–-Magic-Kingdom-Photo-Dec-23-2025-10-37-40-AM-5712-x-4284-2-700x525.jpg
Magic Kingdom crowds
We’ve seen some weird holidays this year where it should have been packed like it has in years past, only to find that we could easily walk around, take the best castle photos, and ride our favorite attractions without any waits. On the other hand, random days have been packed wall to wall with people, which is making us scratch our heads and wonder how everyone got this time off. Is Christmas Eve 2025 one of those days? Let’s find out!
Of course, we’re heading to one of the most popular Disney World parks, Magic Kingdom. This is the most iconic moment of a Disney trip, with the big, beautiful Cinderella Castle waiting to welcome us home.
Magic Kingdom
Transportation lines got pretty long, but there wasn’t much clutter at the entrance. To help the line go faster, make sure you have your MagicBands connected to your account or the ticket card for each person. You’ll need to scan your card or MagicBand and then your fingerprint, so make sure the ticket matches the person scanning in.
Magic Kingdom entrance with Christmas Eve crowds
Then we’re off! Under the tunnel and onto Main Street, U.S.A., where we found even more people (I mean, of course we did, but hey, we were hopeful for a minute there).
Christmas Eve on Main Street, U.S.A.
Yep, we were met with tons of people all here to celebrate Christmas Eve at Disney. Who can blame them? This is “The Most Magical Place On Earth!” Christmas is already magical, so it’s like double the amount of magic.
Spending Christmas Eve at Disney World!
The crowd levels are pretty high, but still not incredibly out of the ordinary for the most-visited theme park in the world.
Adventureland
Let’s take a look at some of the wait times, too. So far, it seems the wait times are pretty standard — long, but not too intimidating.
©Disney
Normal (yet hefty) wait times seem to be standard at the other Disney Parks today, as well.
©Disney
If you’re visiting during the holidays, you might want to purchase Lightning Lanes if riding attractions is one of your priorities.
Guests waiting to ride Space Mountain on Christmas Eve!
We also recommend adjusting your Disney World itinerary around the holidays, as having the intention of hitting all of the most popular rides could set you up for a letdown. The crowds are usually higher than normal, so limiting your ride list is generally a good idea.
Line for Pirates of the Caribbean on Christmas Eve
There are some rides that have different holiday overlays you’ll want to hit up, though. Yes, these are going to have long lines, but they are a little bit more special during the holiday season than the rest of the year. Those rides include:
- The Jingle Cruise — Magic Kingdom
- Journey Into the Imagination — EPCOT
- Glimmering Greenhouses — EPCOT
The Jingle Cruise is back!
There are also lots of Christmas decorations to see around, like the massive trees, wreaths, and garland. Some characters even have special holiday outfits which you might want to see! My favorite this year was Figment, which you can meet after his ride in EPCOT. He looks so cute in his holiday sweater!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Figment-in-Christmas-Sweater-Meet-and-Greet-Imagination-Pavilion-Festival-of-the-Holidays-EPCOT-Disney-World-Photo-Nov-28-2025-2-55-52-PM-4032-x-3024-700x548.jpg
Figment in his Christmas Sweater
Okay, back to the crowds and away from my love of Figment (and yes, we are Figment stans here — sorry, not sorry to everyone who thinks he’s annoying). The parks are busy. Lines are long. People are everywhere.
Christmas Eve PhotoPass lines
So if you’re coming during the holiday season, even if you’re already planning that 2026 trip, be ready to minimize your list of “must-dos” and be ready to be a little bit more patient than usual, even though you should probably be ready to be patient all the time.
Christmas Eve crowds
Need help planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog, where we share the best tips and tricks so you can have the ultimate Disney World vacation.
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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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Do you go to Disney World on holidays? Tell us your top tips in the comments.
