Christmas Comes Early to the Magic Kingdom with the 2021 Jingle Cruise

Walt Disney World wasted no time saying farewell to fall and hello to the holiday season, as the Christmas celebrations at the Magic Kingdom have already kicked off in Adventureland with the debut of the updated 2021 Jingle Cruise attraction overlay.

Mere hours after the final After Hours Boo Bash event of 2021 concluded at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 31, Halloween decor had been stripped from Main Street USA and was replaced with Christmas cheer. We visited the Magic Kingdom on November 1 and were delighted to discover that the holiday season was already in full swing, at least in terms of festive decoration.

2021 Magic Kingdom Christmas Decor

From the moment you pass through the Magic Kingdom’s front gates, you’ll notice that traditional wreaths and garlands have already been hung around tunnels leading under the park’s iconic train station.

Once you’ve entered Town Square, the towering Christmas Tree makes a big impression, as always. Guests were already lining up on November 1 to have PhotoPass photographers capture their picture with it.

All along Main Street USA, wreaths and garlands adorn the lampposts and store facades. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Of course, the seasonal decor is even more spectacular after sunset, when the colorful lights come on.

2021 Jingle Cruise at Walt Disney World

Main Street USA isn’t the only area in the Magic Kingdom that’s already marking the holiday season. Explore the wilds of Adventureland, and you’ll discover that the World-Famous Jungle Cruise has now been converted into the Jingle Cruise, with corny holiday-themed jokes and scenery temporarily incorporated into the classic ride.

The seasonal changes start with the outside of the the boat house and continue throughout the queueing area and loading dock, where the skippers promise to “Jungle All The Way.”

Of course, the 2021 Jingle Cruise is the first since the vintage attraction received a major overhaul earlier this year, which removed some objectionable scenes and added new elements.

This year’s Jingle Cruise integrates several of those new scenes, including the recently added Trader Sam’s shop that serves as the attraction’s new finale.

Check out all the 2021 Jingle Cruise updates for yourself with this POV video of the attraction:

The Jingle Cruise can be even more popular than the standard Jungle Cruise, and it consistently had the longest standby wait in the park on the day we visited. If you are using Genie+, be sure to make your Lightning Lane selection for the Jingle Cruise before all return times run out for the day!

For all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, or to plan your family’s trip to Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.