Filming Begins for ABC's 2025 Disney Parks Holiday Specials at Walt Disney World

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Mariah the Scientist Records Performance at Disney's Animal Kingdom for ABC Holiday Special

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Posted: Friday October 17, 2025 8:25am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Filming has begun at Walt Disney World for ABC's 2025 Disney Parks Holiday Specials.

Mariah the Scientist Records Performance at Disney's Animal Kingdom for ABC Holiday Special

This morning, production crews were spotted at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where filming took place at the Tree of Life featuring a performance by Mariah the Scientist.

Mariah the Scientist Records Performance at Disney's Animal Kingdom for ABC Holiday Special

The annual specials, which air across ABC and Disney-owned streaming platforms, traditionally include performances recorded from all four Walt Disney World theme parks and Disneyland Resort.

Mariah the Scientist Records Performance at Disney's Animal Kingdom for ABC Holiday Special

Disney has yet to confirm when the 2025 Disney Parks Holiday Specials will air or which artists will appear in this year's shows. In recent years, the specials have aired around Thanksgiving and Christmas, blending celebrity performances with scenes of holiday festivities from Disney Parks worldwide.

Mariah the Scientist Records Performance at Disney's Animal Kingdom for ABC Holiday Special

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Alice a1 day ago

Fairytale of New York is an interesting choice for a Disney Christmas… I’m going to watch that section, at least, just for the novelty of a Pogues song playing in a Disney park 😆

Touchdown1 day ago

When it comes to music taste you are already old, your music tastes mostly calcified by 25. By the time you’re 25 you know what you like, can pay to only listen to stuff you like, and stop listening to the hits for the most part. While you might like a few new songs here and there you’re still going to gravitate to what was played while you were in high school/college and “classics” that your parents and older siblings introduced you to when you were young, or your friends in college exposed you to.

coffeefan1 day ago

I'm still in my early 30s, so nah. The lineup is just lacking star power. Also, I checked, and most of these performers are over 40. So it's not an age thing.

Touchdown1 day ago

That’s because you’re getting older and aren’t as up on artists popular today. Welcome to the club!

coffeefan1 day ago

This lineup feels kinda lackluster compared to previous years.

Comped1 day ago

Should she have is probably a different topic of discussion, but she did win a Tony this year. I recognized her, Trisha, Gwen, and Derek (though I think his sister is more talented, but that's besides the point). The rest I had literally never heard of. Beyond musical theatre, Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman, and some Disney music, my musical tastes end when the 80's did, so naturally that plays a factor...

Chi841 day ago

What they really need is HUNTR/X.

wdwmagic1 day ago

Mariah the Scientist has two tracks in Apple Music's Today's Hits playlist, so seems to be very current.

mary20131 day ago

Didn't Nicole Scherzinger win a Tony award for best actress in a musical this year?

Comped1 day ago

Probably. Seems weird Disney is promoting her though, considering her fame is largely to an international audience who wouldn't watch either show normally.