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The holiday season begins this week at Disney World in Orlando. While many other Orlando theme parks and attractions are delaying the start of this festive time, Disney is not. It is full steam ahead with the holidays and all that glitters, sparkles, jingles and glows!

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade’s first appearance at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will kick off the season this weekend. If you’ve been to this Orlando theme park, you’ll be familiar with their regular afternoon parade. This will take its place through January 2nd. The parade will be filled with puppets, stilt walkers, tricked-out safari vehicles and more. You’ll be able to jingle along without spending a single ‘jingle’ more – the festivities are included in regular park admission.

Also starting this weekend is the massive seasonal display of lights known as The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This Orlando theme park will step it up a notch this year with the new “Glow With the Show” ear hats. Your family can purchase the hats ($25 each) and be a part of the show! The ears sync up to the music and choreography, blinking in time and changing colors to add an entirely new experience during the nightly celebration. This seasonal experience features millions of lights – not to be missed. The holiday show is included in regular park admission and runs through January 5th.

If you love Mickey and Christmas and Parades, stick around after normal theme park hours, pay a little extra during your visit to the Magic Kingdom and enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You’ll get to experience a special parade, stage shows and fireworks. Looking for snow? Grab some hot chocolate and see the “snow flurries” on Main Street USA. Tickets run between $57 up to $71 and are available only on certain dates (Nov. 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22 and Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20). Tickets to this event often sell out, so purchase yours early!

Have you ever wondered how the holidays are celebrated in other parts of the world? You don’t have to be a contestant on The Amazing Race to find out. Just visit Epcot in Orlando, Florida! Epcot is filled with warmth during the holiday season as Holidays Around The World begins officially on November 29 and runs through December 30, 2013. Experience diverse cultures, customs and celebrations from a host of other countries at this wonderful Orlando theme park!

If you will be attending Epcot after Thanksgiving, you’ll not want to miss Epcot’s Candlelight Processional. This holiday concert features a mass choir, live orchestra and a celebrity narrator sharing the Christmas story. Held nightly at the American Gardens Theatre this special holiday attraction begins November 29th and runs through December 30th. A Candlelight Dinner Package is available for an additional cost which will guarantee seating for the Candlelight Processional and VIP viewing of the special holiday edition of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at select restaurants within the Orlando theme park.

Other Orlando theme parks will be starting up their holiday festivities soon. Until then, enjoy it all a little early during your visit to Disney World. Remember, if you have a free evening during your Orlando vacation that you’d like to fill with a hilarious dinner show, visit Capone’s Dinner & Show! It’s affordable, entertaining and full of surprises. The holiday show at Capone’s will begin on Thanksgiving Day and runs through January 2nd.

Last Updated on November 6, 2013