PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom and EPCOT 12/26/2024 (Christmas Day, Chaotic Crowds, and More)

Bryce B.

A crowded Main Street at a theme park features festive decorations and a castle in the background under a clear blue sky.

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom and EPCOT 12/26/2024 (Christmas Day, Chaotic Crowds, and More)

Ho, Ho, Howdy! Yesterday was Christmas Day and the Christmas crowds are certainly here at Magic Kingdom and still arriving, meanwhile, Disney doesn’t slow down, there were plenty of fun finds, including new merchandise and reopenings.

Merry Christmas!

Collage of four images showing an empty parking lot at sunrise, a monorail station entrance, a monorail train, and a bustling street with festive decorations and a castle in the background.

Let me backtrack to yesterday, Christmas Morning. I hope you had a fabulous day yesterday I know I did. I started my day well before sunrise by making my way to the Magic Kingdom. I swear at this time of year no matter how early I wake up the crowds somehow are there already.

During the winter I opt for the monorail versus the ferryboat because I’m a wimp if the weather is below 75℉.

Santa Stitch in Magic Kingdom

Festive theme park scene with a decorated street, a person in a Santa costume resembling an alien character, and a holiday-themed postcard with a candy cane.

My first order of business was to meet Santa Stitch who has taken over Santa’s space in Storybook Circus. He gave me a small candy cane and a Christmas card.

Santa Goofy in EPCOT

Collage of a green monorail, a futuristic sphere building, and a person in a Santa costume with dog-like features at a theme park.

As soon as I was finished catching up with Santa Stitch I ran to EPCOT to see Santa Goofy. Santa Goofy has taken over Santa’s spot in the Odyssey. Obviously, these two are filling in as Santa needs some well deserved rest from delivering all those presents.

Day After Christmas from EPCOT

A large geodesic sphere stands at the entrance of a theme park, with people walking around.

A little bird told us that there was a very cool almost cosplay-like hoodie at ImageWorks featuring a certain purple dragon this company holds very dear. Any time there is any Figment related news we are on the case AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Moana Ear Headband – $34.99

A hand holds a Disney-themed headband with orange-patterned mouse ears and a brown bow.

But it is me so I am easily distracted by the shiny new things I spot along the way like this Moana Ear Headband. I found this new design at the kiosk near Spaceship Earth.

I honestly prefer these over the previous design. The colors are more vibrant and match the new Polynesian DVC Island Tower with the beige bow.

Figment Hoodie – $80.00

Purple dragon-themed hoodie with wing and tail designs on the back and orange claw patterns on the sleeves.

I made it to ImageWorks just in time to watch the last hoodie be purchased by another loyal Figment fan, but like she said, “We Figment fans stick together,” so she let me snag a few pictures of the detailed hoodie. You can get a more detailed look on our website. Unfortunately, the hoodie is sold out at this time, but stay tuned to our website for when they restock.

Disney Pins

A collage of Disney pins featuring Star Wars characters, Donald Duck-themed designs, and various rubber duck designs.

In the Creation Shop in EPCOT I found a few new pins. There were a set of three ‘Star Wars’ pins featuring each generation of the story’s movies. This set is available for $24.99. There were two new open edition Donald Duck pins available for $12.99 (silver).

The much anticipated Ducks of Disney mystery pin collection is also available for $44.99. There are 16 pins to complete the collection and five in each mystery pack. Each duck is styled to a different Disney character. My favorite is the Ducky Flounder pin, adorable.

Magic Kingdom Mahem

Collage of three images: red monorail interior, large doll with a teddy bear, and a crowded street leading to a fairytale castle.

After a pretty relaxed morning in EPCOT I prepared myself emotionally for the abosolute chaos that awaited me in Magic Kingdom. I boarded the monorail from EPCOT to the Transportation and Ticket Center, then transferred to the Express Monorail Red to Magic Kingdom.

The doll below the Christmas Tree on Main Street U.S.A. says it all. She used to spook me as a child, but now as adult I understand her blank expression amongst the chaos she resides.

2025 Collectible Medallions Debut

A person uses a collectible medallion machine in a store, surrounded by themed merchandise and displays.

In the Emporium I noticed that the 2025 Collectible Medallions have debuted. Stay tuned to our website for more details. We always do a big crawl for all the medallion machines on property to keep collectors up to date.

Anxiety Plush Restock!

A person holds a plush toy with wide eyes and a toothy grin in a store. Other toys are visible in the background.

If you haven’t seen ‘Inside Out’ or ‘Inside Out 2’ I highly recommend the films. The Anxiety plush has been restocked in the Emporium but I’m not too sure how long she will last. She was literally flying off the shelf. I’m still on the lookout for the keychain to be restocked.

‘The Lion King’ Swarovski Figures

Three glass figurines of animated characters are displayed on a yellow platform, each with a price tag: 230, 200, and 300.

In Crystal Arts, there were three Swarovski Crystal ‘Lion King’ figures for sale. Simba was available for $230, Timone for $200, and Pumbaa for $300. I love the Swarovski collaborations, and this one is no exception. Can you imagine how stunning an entire Pride Rock would look in crystal?

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe Countdown Restart

A festive sign on a red door reads "364 Days Until Christmas," featuring a snowman and a reindeer.

It was just yesterday this said 0 which is always wild to see. For whatever reason I find peace when the Christmas countdown restarts. Plenty of time to prepare.

Liberty Square Doll Update

A doll with painted face and brown hair wearing a vintage dress is behind a window, partly obscured by reflections.

In my last photo report, I said I wouldn’t update you until she moved. I lied. I have to show you the ladybug friend she made today. Although it is not quite clear if the doll is enjoying her new friend. I heard once that if a ladybug lands on you it’s good luck. Maybe this luck will give her a chair to sit.

Crowd Control

A busy theme park scene with visitors walking, colorful buildings, and a staff member holding a "Keep Right" sign.

You know it’s busy season when you see Cast Members out with these signs directing high trafficked areas that tend to get tight. These two were posted in between “It’s a Small World” and Peter Pan’s Flight.

Pinocchio Village Haus Restroom Reopens

Collage of three images: red restroom stalls, a women's restroom sign, and a small building with several people outside under a partly cloudy sky.

I was stoked to see the Pinocchio Village Haus restrooms had reopened with a new expanded design. You can visit our website for more details, but it was overall a well done utility expansion. There wasn’t much to the design other than function, but I am not mad.

I do think they could’ve done something a little nicer on the bathroom signage other than putting a styled sticker on top of a raised image, but that’s nitpicky.

Village Gifts Opens Early

Two images show Disney-themed items: a "Snow White" book and a "Sleeping Beauty" book. A third image depicts a person entering a rustic, decorated shop.

Village Gifts is usually closed until around noon so I was shocked when I saw the doors open at 11:30 a.m. I ran in and found a miniture Cinderella themed journal. I found the Snow White miniature journal in the Emporium earlier that morning, but both are currently in the Village Gifts shop for $34.99 each.

Bathroom Business

Three images showing restrooms in a theme park. One restroom has a cleaning crew at work with a caution sign. Another sign directs visitors to other restroom locations.

I guess I keep finding myself in the bathroom business today. In Storybook Circus there was some serious work being done in the men’s restroom. However, all restrooms were closed including the women’s and companion.

In Tomorrowland between Auntie Gravities and Star Traders there was a clapboard sign directing guests to other closeby options suggesting this spot has been getting very busy. This is always good information to have, no one likes using a busy restroom nor the fear of peeing your pants while waiting in extended bathroom queues.

Perfect Views

View of a theme park from a tree, showing a castle, various buildings, and a crowd of people, under a partly cloudy sky.

On busier days like today I find myself grateful for the Swiss Family Treehouse. It’s a perfect escape if you can ignore the people surrounding you up there. I recommend just taking this moment here to take a deep breathe before you begin your descent back to chaos.

For now the Swiss Family Treehouse remains only partially reopened and is still covered in scaffolding and scrim.

So Long For Now

Collage of Disney World featuring an outdoor park crowd, a green-striped monorail, and interior shots of monorail signage.

I took the express monorail back to the TTC then transferred back to the EPCOT monorail to get to my car. What kind of transportation do you take to get to and from work? I think perhaps that is one of the coolest parts of my job is all the transportation I get to take daily. Peep the crowds waiting to get into Magic Kingdom before I took off.

I hope you had a nice holiday with whatever you may celebrate. I had a wonderful Christmas with a start in the Disney Parks and an evening with my family. My favorite moment today was seeing the Liberty Square Doll make a friend with a ladybug. Let me know what you enjoyed the most from today in the comments below.

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