Rolling Into Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World

This week, November 26, 2025, we rolled into Thanksgiving with a full slate of holiday magic at Walt Disney World. From gingerbread displays and Santa meet-and-greets to new international park news and popcorn bucket previews, it was a packed pre-holiday show.

Gingerbread Houses Across the Resorts

Gingerbread galore across the resorts. The star this week is the 25th Anniversary Gingerbread Carousel at Disney's Beach Club Resort. The themed horses, spinning motion, and detailed craftwork make it a must-see for holiday touring. Other classic displays have also returned, including the contemporary holiday display at Disney's Contemporary Resort, and smaller but charming builds at BoardWalk and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Where to Find Santa at Walt Disney World

Next, we covered one of the most important holiday questions: Where can you find Santa this year? You can spot him at Magic Kingdom near Town Square, in EPCOT during Festival of the Holidays, and along Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Animal Kingdom features Santa on festive flotillas, and Disney Springs includes Santa stops as part of the Christmas Tree Stroll. With so many options, it's easier than ever to add Santa to your vacation plans.

A New Store Opens at Disney Springs

A brand-new store has opened at Disney Springs, adding to the district's holiday excitement. The new shop features seasonal merchandise, gift items, and several exclusive items available only at the Springs location, making it a perfect stop during the Christmas Tree Stroll.

Disney Adventure Park Paris Announces Opening Date

Disney shared big news for Disneyland Paris: Disney Adventure Park will officially open on March 29, 2026. The new park will debut alongside World of Frozen, bringing Arendelle to life in Paris. This major expansion marks a new era for Disneyland Paris and gives guests even more reasons to plan a European Disney vacation.

New Animatronic Olaf and Smugglers Run Details

Disney also released a new episode of We Call It Imagineering, showcasing a brand-new animatronic Olaf. The figure features smooth movement, expressive animation, and advanced storytelling capability. The same video revealed new details about the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which will feature upgraded visuals and refreshed story elements.

Universal Kids World Coming to Texas

Greg highlighted news from Universal, including fresh updates on Universal Kids World, the new family-focused park planned for Texas. The project continues to grow, and this week's details gave us a clearer picture of what guests can expect when the park opens.

Holiday Popcorn Bucket Bucket-List

It wouldn't be a holiday episode without popcorn news. We shared Greg's popcorn bucket bucket-list, highlighting the must-have buckets inside and outside the Disney Parks. New seasonal designs, movie tie-ins, and special releases make this one of the most exciting popcorn seasons yet.

Disney at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

We previewed what Disney has planned for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, including character appearances, themed floats, and tie-ins to upcoming releases. For many families, this parade marks the official start of the Christmas season.

Muppet Magnet #66

To close out the show, we added Muppet Magnet #66 to the ever-growing collection. The weekly magnet tradition remains a fun highlight for viewers.

Watch the Replay

Join us live every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. Eastern for This Week at Walt Disney World, where Sam and Greg cover the latest from the parks, resorts, cruise ships, and beyond. If you miss us live, you can always catch the replay and stay up to date on all the Disney news and holiday magic.

Gingerbread Carousel, Santa Guide & Major Disney Parks News from Paris to Florida