Why You Need to Think About Christmas Vacations in July
Planning your Christmas vacation as early as July gives you the widest choice of accommodations, the best rates, and guaranteed access to special events before they sell out. Popular resorts, cruises, and holiday parties often release dates and packages mid-summer, and waiting too long can mean losing coveted dates, higher prices, and fewer add-on perks like onboard credit or exclusive tours. By July, many travelers are still focused on summer getaways—so you’ll beat the rush, snag early-bird discounts, and have peace of mind all the way until December.
Christmas at Disney World
Disney World transforms into a winter wonderland every holiday season, even though you’ll never see real snow on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Magic Kingdom Decorations & Events
Town Square’s 65-foot “icon tree,” garlands, wreaths, and animatronic window displays at The Emporium set the scene. Don’t miss special overlays like Jingle Cruise—complete with holiday puns—or the seasonal makeover of Space Mountain: Holiday Run. - Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Held select nights November–December, this hard-ticket event includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, free cookies and cocoa, and sparse crowds for popular rides. Tickets often sell out weeks in advance. - Epcot Festival of the Holidays
Festival of the Holidays spans late November through December, featuring Holiday Kitchens, the Cookie Stroll, Holiday Storytellers around World Showcase, and the Candlelight Processional led by celebrity narrators with choir and orchestra. - Resort & Park Overlays
Animal Kingdom lights up with Merry Menagerie puppets and the Tree of Life Awakenings projection show. Hollywood Studios hosts Jollywood Nights with skating spectaculars and festive bands, plus Santa Gertie in Echo Lake. Resort hotels and Disney Springs join in with gingerbread displays, tree trails, and holiday photos with Santa Claus.
Christmas Cruises for Families
Cruising over the holidays offers an all-in-one vacation, combining festive décor, family-friendly activities, and winter sunshine—often at family-friendly prices if you book early.
- Disney Cruise Line
Decked-out ships feature holiday tree-lighting ceremonies, decked atriums, visits from Santa and the characters, plus exclusive events like Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic and gingerbread house workshops. Castaway Cay even hosts a “snow flurry” for island fun. - Royal Caribbean
Caribbean itineraries in December bring onboard holiday feasts, tree and menorah lightings, balloon drops on the Royal Promenade, and special winter-themed waterslide races at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Kids love meeting elves and taking part in cookie decorating. - Princess Cruises
Onboard happenings include the Lighting of the Lights ceremony, family gingerbread-house contests judged by the captain, ugly-sweater competitions, and holiday movie nights under the stars. Kids can enjoy PJs breakfast with Stanley the bear and supervised Hanukkah and Christmas services ashore. - Carnival Cruise Line
Known as Funtastic Christmas Cruises, they deck the ship bow-to-stern with wreaths, lights, live holiday shows (including a surprise Grinch visit), caroling around the tree, and onboard “snowfalls.” Plus, parents can sneak away to Serenity Adult-Only Retreat while kids party at Camp Ocean with holiday crafts.
Cruises to Christmas Markets in Europe
For a truly old-world holiday, consider a river cruise through Europe’s famed Christmas markets. These sailings sell out fast and require booking months in advance.
- Danube & Rhine Highlights
Sail through Germany, Austria, Hungary, and beyond, stopping at Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, Regensburg’s palace market, Vienna’s Rathausplatz tree, and Budapest’s handmade crafts stalls. Hot mulled wine (Glühwein), roasted chestnuts, and artisan gifts define each stop. - Top River Cruise Lines
- Tauck: Includes onboard tree trimming parties, traditional European Christmas dinners, and exclusive visits to private palace markets in Regensburg.
- Viking: Offers “Christmas Delights” itineraries with organ concerts in Bratislava, Vienna wine-cellar visits, and scenic Rhine Gorge cruising past 30 illuminated castles.
- AmaWaterways: Features themed holiday events both onboard and ashore, plus pre- and post-cruise extensions in Prague or Budapest to soak in city lights and nativity displays.
- Emerald Cruises: 5–11-day sailings highlight markets in Cologne, Strasbourg, Budapest, and Salzburg, combining gourmet food, local folklore, and festive performances ashore.
By July, the best Christmas vacations—whether at Disney World or on deck under twinkling ships’ lights—are within reach. Early planning means more choices, better pricing, and a stress-free buildup to the merriest time of the year. Start drafting your December itinerary now and watch your holiday dreams set sail before summer’s end.
Don’t let your perfect Christmas vacation sail away- cnew@vacationplanners.com