The holidays are here, and this week's updates can change a trip plan. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is down to five nights, Typhoon Lagoon finally has a reopen date, and Disneyland posted a winter hotel deal worth grabbing early. Here's what matters if you're planning Disney or Universal for the next few months.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party starts November 8, and every November night is sold out. December 8 sold out on November 5. That leaves five nights on sale: December 10 ($219), 11 ($224), 13 ($224), 15 ($224) and 17 ($229), plus tax. Kids ages 3 to 9 pay $10 less. No discounted Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club nights are left. Fan trackers say nights have been selling out about six weeks ahead, so these five may not last. (WDW News Today; BlogMickey; WDWMagic party tracker)
Trip tip: If a party night is on your list, buy tickets as soon as your dates are set, and don't count on one opening up later. If your night is already sold out, I can help you rework your Magic Kingdom days so you still catch the holiday décor and shows.
The free Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs runs November 11, 2026, through January 3, 2027. It has more than a dozen themed character trees, and Bluey, Monsters, Inc. and Hallmark trees are new this year. Grab a free map, find the trees, and turn in your finished map for a surprise. Santa is at Santa's Marketplace near Disney's Pin Traders from November 11 through December 24. Meeting him is virtual queue only in the My Disney Experience app, with join times at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. There's no standby line. You need to be at Disney Springs to join, and one person can join for a party of up to 10. (WDWMagic; Fantasy Land News)
Trip tip: Do the Tree Stroll on an arrival day or a rest day, and set phone alarms for the Santa virtual queue times. Spots went fast last year. My full Disney Springs Christmas 2026 guide walks through the trees, Santa tips and what's free.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass hit all-time highs for Monday, November 23, the start of Thanksgiving week, at all four Walt Disney World parks. Prices are $479 at Magic Kingdom, $369 at Hollywood Studios, $269 at EPCOT and $219 at Animal Kingdom, per person plus tax, and park admission isn't included. Later Thanksgiving dates weren't on sale yet when these were reported. Multi Pass also peaks on November 23, at $45 at Magic Kingdom and $39 at Hollywood Studios. Tiana's Bayou Adventure closed for refurbishment on November 2 and is scheduled to reopen Friday, December 18. That means it will be closed all of Thanksgiving week, and refurbishment dates can shift. (BlogMickey; WDWMagic Premier Pass; WDWMagic Tiana's refurbishment)
Trip tip: At these prices, Multi Pass plus one or two Single Pass picks is a much better value than Premier Pass for most families. On November 23, Multi Pass plus Single Pass for TRON and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train adds up to $88 at Magic Kingdom. My Disney World Thanksgiving 2026 guide covers hours, crowds and ticket strategy, and I can help you compare ticket options before you buy. Need tickets? Grab Disney World Discount Tickets at Get Away Today. If you book a package, use promo code FunParkGo for $10 off.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: Obligatory Holiday Overlay opened November 4 at Disney's Hollywood Studios and runs through January 6, 2027. It runs every day during regular park hours, not only on Jollywood Nights. The Electric Mayhem has four new holiday tracks: "Holiday Road" (with Kermit and Fozzie), "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (with Jennifer Hudson), "Silver Bells" (with Cyndi Lauper) and "Little Saint Nick." The courtyard, queue, pre-show and load area all have holiday touches, including Scooter in a Santa hat. (Disney Parks Blog; WDWMagic first ride; WDW News Today)
Trip tip: Your song depends on your ride vehicle, so it may take a few rides to hear all four. Details and tips are in my Muppets Rock 'n' Roller holiday overlay post.
Disney announced that Typhoon Lagoon reopens January 27, 2027. Blizzard Beach is open through January 26, so one Disney water park stays open through the switch. Disney is also selling the Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass for $89 plus tax (ages 10 and up) and $83 plus tax (ages 3 to 9). It's good now through May 15, 2027, except for blockout dates February 19–21 and March 20–28, 2027. You can use it at Blizzard Beach now and at Typhoon Lagoon once it reopens. It also includes one round of mini golf before 4 p.m. and 20% off same-day Polar Patio and Beachcomber Shack rentals booked in person. (Disney Parks Blog)
Trip tip: If you're visiting in early January, plan on Blizzard Beach. From late January through spring, you get Typhoon Lagoon. Check the March blockout dates before buying the seasonal pass, because they may overlap your spring break. More details are in my Typhoon Lagoon reopening post.
Disneyland Resort is offering up to 20% off select rooms at Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel. The discount covers Sunday through Thursday nights from January 4 through February 25, 2027. Book by February 17, 2027, and finish your stay by February 26. Disney Visa cardmembers can save up to 25% on standard rooms and up to 30% on premium and concierge rooms, and Magic Key holders can save up to 25% on select rooms. Rooms are subject to availability, and Friday and Saturday nights aren't part of the offer. (Laughing Place; Disney Tourist Blog)
Trip tip: A Sunday-to-Thursday stay gets you the biggest savings. Park tickets aren't part of the room deal. Full terms and booking tips are in my Disneyland hotel deals winter 2027 post. For park tickets, check Disneyland Discount Tickets at Get Away Today.
On November 5, Universal Orlando announced an all-new indoor thrill coaster for Dark Universe at Epic Universe, next to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. It will tell a new story inspired by the Universal Monsters. Construction is already underway, and Universal says only that it will open "in the years ahead," with no date yet. Universal also listed what's coming sooner:
(Universal Orlando press release; WDW News Today)
Trip tip: If you're visiting Epic Universe soon, plan your day around what's open now. Treat the Dark Universe coaster as something for a future trip.
My advice for a holiday trip is to choose your must-dos before you spend on extras. If Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a priority, check availability for your exact dates before booking the rest of your trip. For Thanksgiving week, compare Lightning Lane options against the rides your family actually wants rather than automatically buying the most expensive pass. Leave room for a lower-cost break at Disney Springs, too. A few well-chosen plans are more useful than trying to fit every holiday event into one vacation.
As of November 7, 2026, only five nights were on sale: December 10, 11, 13, 15 and 17, at $219 to $229 for adults plus tax ($10 less for ages 3 to 9). All of November and every other December night is sold out. Availability changes fast, so check Disney's site before you plan around a night.
No. It closed for refurbishment on November 2 and is scheduled to reopen December 18, 2026. Refurbishment dates can change, so check Disney's calendar close to your trip.
No separate event ticket is needed. The overlay runs every day at Disney's Hollywood Studios from November 4, 2026, through January 6, 2027, as part of the regular attraction.
Typhoon Lagoon reopens January 27, 2027. Blizzard Beach is open through January 26, 2027. The Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass ($89 plus tax for ages 10 and up) works at both parks through May 15, 2027, except for blockout dates.
No. It covers Sunday through Thursday nights from January 4 to February 25, 2027. Friday and Saturday nights are charged regular rates. Book by February 17, 2027.
Universal hasn't announced a date. It says only that construction is underway, with an opening planned "in the years ahead."
Planning a holiday or winter trip to Disney or Universal? I've been helping families as a Disney travel agent since 2010, and I'm a College of Disney Knowledge graduate. I've also completed Universal's travel agent training. My planning is free, and I help families all over the country compare dates, hotels and tickets.
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