Disney World's Official Holiday Travel Guide For Black Women
The Official Black Woman’s Guide To An Unforgettable Disney World Holiday
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and nothing beats spending the holiday engulfed in the magic of Disney World for former employee-turned 2024-2026 Walt Disney World ambassador Shannon Smith-Conrad.
Shannon Smith-Conrad. Courtesy of Aysa Watkins/ Disney Global Public Relations
As a Black woman who has no shame in nurturing her inner child by engaging in all that the park, dubbed the greatest place on Earth, has to offer, Smith-Conrad is on a mission to spotlight all of the fun that a Christmas at Disney can entail for those looking to ditch the traditional time with loved ones at home.
“Originally coming from California, I have a totally different appreciation for the holiday season when it comes to traditions that my family and I did while growing up,” Smith-Conrad told Madamenoire. “A beautiful thing about Disney is, as a company, we embrace our cast members to share their true, authentic stories and their upbringing and bring those stories to life for our guests to experience.”
She added, “So to be in this space, especially as a Walt Disney ambassador, and highlight my upbringing and my own family traditions, like singing Christmas carols on Christmas morning or eating some delicious food on Christmas Eve, because listen, for me, the holidays are all about food and bringing people together. It’s a beautiful thing to be with this company that really does invite us to bring our authenticity into every single room that we enter, into every story that we tell, to really form that genuine connection with our guests.”
If you’re a Black woman looking for a Christmas Disney World getaway, look no further, because as the expert, Smith-Conrad gave us the rundown on how to have a holiday to remember courtesy of the park!
Ciara and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson celebrate their son Win’s fourth birthday with Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It was Win’s first visit to Magic Kingdom Park and the family spent the rest of his magical day enjoying iconic attractions including the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Source: Olga Thompson / Disney
First things first, she says downloading the My Disney Experience app is the absolute first order of business as this will be your one-stop shop for all park-related information, as well as your digital guide to conquering Disney World like a pro.
“There’s so much to experience here for the holiday season at Walt Disney World,” she expressed. “We have truly transformed our parks and resorts with dazzling decorations, incredible live entertainment offerings from our resorts to our parks.”
Here’s the official Black woman’s guide, with nine difference experiences to make your Christmas at Disney World one for the books.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party @ Magic Kingdom
Source: Gerardo Mora / Getty
As one of the top favorite traditions among guests, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom park is a special-ticketed holiday event held every November and December.
The experience has everything from holiday cookies to hot cocoa, cider, and Mickey and friends adorned in their most festive attire along with additional appearances from characters like Cinderella and Elsa.
International Festival of the Holidays @ Epcot
Source: Gerardo Mora / Getty
This annual event celebrates holiday traditions from around the globe!
Everyone’s approach to the holiday is not the same, which is why this is a top recommendation from Smith-Conrad to immerse yourself into various cultural storytelling, learning how each culture celebrates their own. The immersive experience features everything from food to music and entertainment, along with interactive storytelling across a variety of cultures like Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, and more.
Candlelight Processional @ Epcot
Source: Gerardo Mora / Getty
In a signature Disney event, a celebrity narrator retells the biblical story of Christmas while accompanied by a full orchestra and mass choir.
A personal favorite for the Disney World ambassador, this experience comes equipped with a full cast choir, an orchestra, and high-level narrators who, alongside actors and actresses, tell the story of Christmas. Celebrity narrators like Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg have been responsible for helping to spread Christmas joy and knowledge, making this attraction much more than a performance, but both an emotional and spiritual celebration of the holiday season.
Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs
Source: Disney World / Disney World
A free and festive holiday tradition, the Christmas Tree Stroll transforms the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment district into a magical holiday wonderland.
Once you’ve gotten your quality time and retail therapy out of the way, the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs features 21 beautifully decorated Disney-themed Christmas trees included ones dedicated to The Princesses, Star. Wars, The Lion King, and more! It is also important to note that 17 of them come with a little extra Disney magic if you upgrade your package to include the magic band.
World of Disney
Source: Disney World / Disney World
As a magical experience blending the joy of the holiday season with the enchantment that fills the streets of Disney World, this immersive shopping experience is located in Disney Springs and offers Disney-goers exciting options to explore while finishing up their holiday shopping.
Visit World of Disney to send your Christmas list to Saint Nick himself with a station set aside just for writing letters to Santa. Also located in Disney Springs, this is the largest Disney store in the world, giving fans access to festive decorations, exclusive holiday merch, photo opps, and a host of other activities that makes this the most memorable holiday shopping experience ever!
Chocolate Santa at Disney Springs
Source: Dragos Condrea / Getty
What’s better than a trip to Disney World and an appearance by the jolly man himself? For Black women, seeing a Santa that’s representative of us is the icing on the cake, so a trip to Disney Springs to tell Chocolate Santa what’s on your Christmas list, or find out if you made the nice or naughty list, is a must!
Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios
Source: Olga Thompson / Disney
This new, special-ticketed event is located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Walt Disney World Resort and introduces a fresh way to celebrate the holiday season through an after-hours experience that includes vintage glamor, exclusive entertainment inspired by the golden age of Hollywood, and, of course, holiday cheer.
This is only the second year having this experience over at Hollywood Studios, so Smith-Conrad says Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios is one of the newer, exciting attractions that offers a different way to experience the holidays. According to her, it adds a slinky twist to the holiday season as an after-hour ticketed event exclusive to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Spa treatment at the Grand Floridian Hotel
Source: aamorim / Getty
When it’s all said and done, Black women deserve a life of luxury and fun, so it is highly recommended to round off your Disney World visit with a trip to the Grand Floridian Hotel for a spa day. It allows guests to hold space for self-care whether they need a break from family and friends or another experience for our solo travelers!
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