A global gala, a gingerbread feast: Walt Disney World wraps holidays in light, music and more

So much holly-jolly is going on at Walt Disney World Resort parks and hotels this time of year, it truly might just leave one in a holi-daze.

So where to start? Veteran park lovers agree: Consider the magical wishes of all ages in your party, but be flexible enough to go with the flow and the glow.

Annual passholder Lisa Spring of Warrington, Pennsylvania, has the right attitude: Just enjoy it all, and expect to come away smiling.

Whether you're headed to just one park for the day, hopping from park to park on a multi-day journey or stopping by Disney Springs for an afternoon, there's something you're going to love, Spring and other passholders from around the country and Florida agree.

"I love seeing the gingerbread houses, learning about how all the different countries celebrate in EPCOT, the candlelight processional at EPCOT and the Christmas parades at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party," Spring said.

"And of course just all the decorations and music throughout all the parks. It really helps to get you in the spirit for the holidays!"

Whichever park you land in this holiday season, here are a few much-loved, don't-miss moments.

Animal Kingdom

While it's not as gung-ho as, say, Magic Kingdom, because real and treasured animals do live here and fireworks would definitely not fly, Animal Kingdom is fun and festive in an entirely different way.

Look high and low for decorations, some of which are made from recycled material, and see them draped around familiar spaces.

Photo ops are abundant — watch the water for beloved characters floating by on decorated boats — and there are chances to pose with Mickey and Minnie in holiday garb.

Those squeals you'll hear are for real. The puppeteered, sculpted animals prancing around Discovery Island, from polar bears to foxes to reindeer, have been a big hit for several years now, but it's not just kids who are delighted by them.

"One of my favorites is the Merry Menagerie," said annual passholder John McClung (who, though his oldest granddaughter swears he lives at Walt Disney World, resides in DeLand).

"I love watching the cast members/puppeteers interact in so many ways with guests."

Don't think about leaving before dark.

Starting at dusk, The Tree of Life's "nighttime awakenings" blooms, with winter scenes and holiday music. It's reminiscent of how over at Magic Kingdom, it's Halloween one night and then voila! Like magic, those decorations are down and it's time to tinsel it up. Here, the Tree of Life is green and serene and then, it's boasting a laid-back but sweetly seasonal vibe.

EPCOT

Get ready to travel: EPCOT's International Festival of the Holidays is one global gala.

And a sure-fire bet for getting into the holiday groove is a journey through the nations featured in the World Showcase.

Cast members are incredible about sharing traditions from their homelands. It's almost guaranteed that you'll find out something you didn't know about traditions just as beloved by other nations as ones treasured over time in the USA.

Those stories never get old, even for passholders who've heard them before.

"Taking time to stop and listen to the holiday storytellers around the World Showcase always puts me in a festive mood," said Emily Griffin Hayes of Orlando.

Sing along with the stage shows: At World Showcase Plaza, Christmas and Kwanzaa are celebrated by the JOYFUL! ensemble, sharing gospel, R&B and holiday songs four times daily.

And making its triumphant yearly return: The Candlelight Processional, with the hope-filled Christmas story, shared by a celebrity narrator and with a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets and the Voices of Liberty. This year's narrators include Ann-Margret, Simu Liu, the always popular Neil Patrick Harris, Marlee Matlin, Brendan Fraser, Sterling K. Brown, Jordan Fisher and Tony winner Audra McDonald. The 2023 processionals run through Dec. 30.

Reserved seats are available through dining packages (check for availability. The spots are going fast). Even if you don't get a reserved seat, there's always the treat of walking or standing in the area near the America Gardens Theater and hearing those glorious voices ringing out.

"For us, the Candlelight Processional is a must-see," said Jeff Kays of Celebration.

"We love the stage decorations and lighting, and really enjoy the narrator and wonderful choir. It's pretty rare I don't tear up at some point during the show."

And stop by the Odyssey Pavilion for family photos with Santa.

Magic Kingdom

Let's get ridiculously real: There's no missing the merry here, and it's magical for all ages.

From the first sight of the majestic tree (it's lovely in the daytime but don't miss it at night) to the music, the sweet treats and the bonanza of seeing families young and old in holiday attire, it's a feast for all the senses.

Up for some yuletide yuks? Sail away on the "Jingle Cruise," which is the ever-popular Jungle Cruise-gone-holiday. You'll wince — and laugh — at some of the seasonally inspired bad dad jokes. And you'll repeat them.

Don't miss Ye Old Christmas Shoppe, which is open year-round but is especially inviting when it's not 95 degrees outside. You'll find everything from pillows to picture frames to Hannukah decorations to personalized tree goodies of all sizes and featuring beloved characters.

If you're a "Frozen" fan, or even if you're just a sucker for sweet, the new "Frozen Holiday Surprise" is eye-popping and tear-inducing. Cinderella Castle glows, literally, during this special occasion, where you'll be regaled by Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the Snowgies. This show runs during regular park hours, and truly lights up the night. It's also featured during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, if you've snagged a date for that. It's an extra charge for this party and isn't included in park admission.

And if you are dropping by that Very Merry party (few reservations remain), you'll definitely want to sample all goodies, like the snickerdoodle cookies and cocoa at Cosmic Ray's, the apple cider at Pinocchio Village Haus and the Santa Claus cookie at Auntie Gravity's.

Hollywood Studios

There's so much joy to wrap yourself up in here.

The vintage decorations, for one. If you love a vibe that transports one back to yesteryear, this is the place for you, from lights with old-style reindeer and Santa Claus to statutes of carolers — and get a peek at the Hollywood Hotel, aka the Tower of Terror, through one of those sparkly stars lining Sunset Boulevard.

New this year: The Jollywood party (check for open reservations; price is not included in entrance fee). The party has upped its offerings since hiccups on the first night of the event, which invites guests to glam it up and stroll like stars.

"Jollywood was an absolute blast," said annual passholder Jennifer Gregory.

"The holiday show was great, but our favorite was the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' sing-a-long. The sign language interpreters at both shows were rock stars. I don’t even speak sign language, but they were on it."

More: Disney's Hollywood Studios celebrates in style with Jollywood Nights: Here's your guide

Don't miss the Santa-capped Gertie the dinosaur, the huge tree-style lights draped around Toy Story Land, the holiday-themed pastries and the incredible array of seasonal attire and housewares for sale at every turn.

And bask in the reflections of the lights on the ever-amazing tree, surrounded by huge ornaments floating in the water around it. Warning: People posing for holiday cards are everywhere here. Join in the fun and offer to take photos for families. The appreciation you'll get is so worth your time.

And there's more ...

Don't miss:

Disney Springs. It's holly-jolly over here, too, and you won't pay a park admission fee to simply stroll and take in the sights. Lots of family-friendly activities, dining spots and phot ops.

Resort-hopping. Take the monorail where it's available from resort to resort, or plan a schedule by bus or boat to get where you're going, because they're all bedecked with yule trappings.

"I love resort hopping to see all the resorts in their holiday finest," said passholder Cindy Hale. "So pretty!"

Speaking of pretty (and tasty) ... that brings us to gingerbread displays. The scrumptious house at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa lobby is a longstanding favorite for hotel guests and day-trippers alike (expect a line to buy gingerbread to take home. A long line). This life-size house, complete with edible snowflakes, is "built" with 1,050 pounds of honey, 140 pints of egg whites, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 700 pounds of chocolate, 800 pounds of flour and 35 pounds of spices.

'I love that they tell you how much sugar and chocolate and so on goes into each creation," said Nicole Kaplan, a passholder from Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Animal Kingdom Lodge has joined this sweet game, too. Life-size gingerbread baby giraffe (Ginger) and zebra (Debra) will pose for guests in the Jambo House lobby.

But there's more ...

"The best gingerbread display, in my opinion, is the gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club resort," said Jessi Winther of Kissimmee.

"Every year the carousel and horses have a new theme, and we love challenging ourselves to find all the hidden Mickeys. I know people love the house at the Grand, but the carousel is unique every year and moves."

Britt Kennerly is education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or bkennerly@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bybrittkennerly Facebook: /bybrittkennerly.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: It's a global, light-bright gala this season at Walt Disney World