PHOTOS, VIDEO: Jingle Cruise Returns for 2023 Holiday Season at Magic Kingdom

Shannen Ace

Updated on:

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Jingle Cruise Returns for 2023 Holiday Season at Magic Kingdom

Shannen Ace

Updated on:

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Jingle Cruise Returns for 2023 Holiday Season at Magic Kingdom

Jingle Cruise, Jingle Cruise, jingle all the way! Oh, what fun it is to ride in a no-horse open boat! The Jungle Cruise holiday overlay is back for the 2023 holiday season at Magic Kingdom.

Jingle Cruise 2023

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Garlands and Christmas lights are wrapped around the Jungle Cruise sign, which has an “i” placed over the first “u” to turn it into Jingle Cruise.

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There are also garlands and wreaths throughout the queue.

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Jingle Cruise skippers often wear Santa Claus hats that match their costumes.

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The wreaths are made of palm fronds and pieces of wood that the skippers may have found during their excursions.

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There are extra props and decorations in the queue’s scenes.

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A sheet has been painted with a chimney and reads “Santa please stop here!”

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The shipping office is covered in decorations, including a small silver tree.

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The first halves of the boat names have been covered to be turned into new seasonal names, like Icicle Irma.

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Even the tarantula is dressed up with a Santa hat.

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A banner on the dock reads “Here we go a wassailing…”

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Throughout the ride, many of the scenes have extra holiday props and decorations, like these Santa hats.

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Not every scene is dressed up, but more decorations may be added later.

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The gorillas have invaded this Christmas party.

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There are gift-wrapped presents below the trapped safari team.

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More presents have landed via parachute outside the temple (the other side of which is covered in nets and scrims).

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Inside, monkeys have gotten a hold of some of the presents and stockings.

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Trader Sam is ready for all your holiday gift shopping.

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The kiosk at the end of the ride has new Christmas decorations, like garlands, poinsettias, and a Santa figure.

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These are brand new for the annual holiday overlay, following the reimagining of the attraction last year.

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A sign reads:

Get a head start on your holiday shopping with Trader Samta! Hurry soon! Inventory is shrinking!

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We took our cruise on the Candy Cane Connie. A golden garland with baubles is wrapped around the lantern pole on the front of the boat.

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More presents and Santa props are in the exit area.

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There are a few garland bundles with burlap bows.

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Watch our video of the 2023 Jingle Cruise overlay below.

Holidays at Walt Disney World

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party parade float

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will begin on November 9 and take place on select nights through December 22. Four Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates are sold out, including the last party before Christmas day. Ticket prices vary depending on the date, from $159 to $199 for adults and $149 to $189 for kids (ages 3 to 9). Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket.

During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, guests can enjoy Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, character meet and greets, and holiday attraction overlays. There are also complimentary treats and exclusive merchandise.

Frozen Holiday Surprise artwork featuring Anna, Elsa, and Olaf

Beginning this year, a brand-new “Frozen”-inspired show called “Frozen Holiday Surprise” will be performed at Magic Kingdom, during regular park hours and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

The 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin on November 24. Storytellers will share winter traditions from all over the world. At night, celebrity narrators will host the Candlelight Processional. Seasonal dishes will be available at the Holiday Kitchens. And Living With the Land will be aglow with Christmas lights.

At various resorts and EPCOT, guests can enjoy annual gingerbread displays. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort will have a gingerbread display for the first time this year, either in place of or in addition to its usual train village. There will also be gingerbread displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which have all had them in years past.

Guests can also celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort with Disney Jollywood Nights, an after-hours party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; the roaming Merry Menagerie puppet show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll; Santa Claus meet and greets; and limited-time food, beverage, and merchandise throughout the resort.

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