2024 Christmas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has really stepped it up when it comes to decorating for the holidays.

And just like the park, the decorations here are *very* unique.

Here’s everything you need to know about the holidays at Animal Kingdom:

Animal Kingdom holiday offerings for 2024

Tree of Life Awakenings (Holiday Edition)

The Tree of Life Awakenings projection show gets a holiday makeover in November and December with a colorful tableau of wintry tales accompanied by a musical score.

Mickey and Minnie in holiday outfits

During Animal Kingdom’s holiday season, you’ll be able to meet Mickey and Minnie in holiday attire at Adventurers Outpost on Discovery Island.

Decorations

If you are a fan of unique decorations, you are going to LOVE Animal Kingdom.

Not only are there plenty of decorations to see, you’ll be happy to know that they aren’t all concentrated in one area.

Instead, you’ll see decorations spread throughout the park. Here’s what you’ll find where:

Discovery Island

Once again, this heart of Animal Kingdom will become the centerpiece for the celebration of winter.

Here, guests will find the buildings transformed into a holiday village filled with sparkling white decorations.

At night, “rooftop luminaries and bird lanterns all around Discovery Island bring a warm and festive glow to the entire village.”

During the daytime, you can also find life-sized animal puppets:

And, after the sun goes down, guests will be entertained by gorgeous projections as the Tree of Life awakens for the holidays.

Dinoland U.S.A.

Dinoland goes full kitschy during the holiday season!

Asia

In Anandapur, you’ll find the theatre district decorated for Diwali (which is the festival of lights in India). 

Here, guests will be greeted with glowing flowers and lanterns that will illuminate the square between Anandapur Theater and the waterfront stage.

Africa

Guests visiting Africa will find a “unique holiday presentation” with a blend of western traditions and the colors and textures of African celebrations.

Pandora

And even the residents of Pandora get in on the holiday action:

Probably our favorite in this area is this Na’vi nutcracker!

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Although there isn’t a ton of stuff out at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you can even find festive trees in this area of the park, too!

Holiday Treats

Disney puts out a Holiday Foodie Guide every year with details on all the seasonal sweets, treats, and beverages you can find in each of the parks.

We don’t have updates for 2024, yet, but here is what was offered in 2023.

Creature Comforts (Available Dec. 22 through 31) 

• Mickey Holiday Mousse Dome: Amaretto-chocolate mousse, cherry-cranberry coulis, orange-chocolate cake, white chocolate glaçage, and chocolate Mickey ears

Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus (Available Dec. 1 through 29; mobile order available) 

• Merry Menagerie Cupcake: Gingerbread cupcake with cream cheese filling and frosting

Satu’li Canteen (Available Dec. 22 through 31; mobile order) 

• Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse: Peppermint-cream cheese mousse, peppermint sauce, peppermint candy pieces, and chocolate cookie crumbs

What are we waiting to hear about?

Holiday Character Dining

In previous years, Tusker House got in on the action, and you were able to find Mickey and his friends (complete with holiday-themed accessories) spreading holiday cheer to all who dined. We haven’t heard anything about the themed costumes coming back for 2024.

Holiday Flotillas

For the last couple of years, festive flotillas have graced Animal Kingdom. The daily character flotillas have ceased operating and Disney did not include Holiday Flotillas in their Halfway to Holidays announcement. Does this mean their time is over? We hope not.

Meeting Santa

Similarly, a flotilla carrying the jolliest of elves was part of recent holiday celebrations at Animal Kingdom. But we have yet to hear that Santa is returning for 2024.