Explore Disney's holiday magic with limited-time backstage tours

It may never snow in central Florida, but the holiday season brings an extra dusting of pixie dust to your favorite theme parks and resorts at Walt Disney World. The Disney Blog was recently invited to participate in a special backstage tour that highlighted Walt Disney World’s year-round efforts to make the holidays extra magical for guests.

With our hosts from Adventures by Disney, we explored offerings from two different limited-time holiday magic tours – Disney’s Holiday D-Lights and Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy. These tours are perfect for teens and adults and only available on select dates in November and December.

Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy

A 3.5 hour backstage tour that gives guests the scoop on the staggering logistics behind the transformation of Walt Disney World Resorts each and every holiday season. Highlights of the tour include:

Discover how Disney’s Holiday Services Cast Members use themes to design the unique decorations that dress up the Resort
Explore the Floral Department with a behind-the-scenes look at how they create special displays for the holiday season
Whip up an edible holiday treat with a Disney Springs culinary artist

On the tour you’ll get a special treat and a holiday keepsake.

Special photo ops backstage

See some of the holiday decor being prepared for the park

We learned about how fireworks shells are constructed

Saw some of the special decora available for stores and resorts

Took a class on creating holiday treats

A baker from Amorette’s Patisserie walked us through our creation

Disney’s Holiday D-Lights Tour

You’ll be led by a ‘holiday host’ on a magical tour backstage through two Disney theme parks to learn, firsthand, how Disney brings to live some of the most cherished holiday customs.

The tour starts with an early, family-style barbecue dinner (included) at Whispering Canyon Cafe, located within Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Interact with some of the talented cast members who put together these remarkable events. Get your questions answered by some experts in their fields.
Meet the gifted Event & Decorating Support team responsible for adorning Cinderella Castle in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Then, see the stunning display for yourself during our breathtaking lighting ceremony.
Put yourself in the action with exclusive photo opportunities.
Continue on to Epcot to witness the stirring Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the Christmas story brought to life by a 50-piece live orchestra, choir and celebrity narrator.
Finally, you will experience Illuminations: Reflections of Earth with a special holiday finale.