Disney World News – Holiday Happenings At Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios Holidays

It’s that time of year again when each of the Walt Disney World theme parks goes all out for the holidays! Let’s check out some of the holiday happenings being offered at Hollywood Studios:

Osborne Family SpectacleOne of the most beloved traditions at Hollywood Studios is The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights which features millions of dancing lights, plus animated displays and 3-D effects perfectly synchronized to electrifying holiday tunes amidst snowfall. This dazzling show is running from now until January 4, 2015. This year there are over 80 hidden Mickeys to be found throughout the display. Here’s a video giving a behind-the-scenes peek:

Frozen Summer Fun

Frozen Holiday Premium Package is available from now until January 4, 2015. This package includes reserved seating for a performance of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at the Premiere Theatre, reserved Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights viewing with a Frozen-themed dessert party (which will feature mini Anna cupcakes and mini Elsa cupcakes among other delicious treats) in the evening, a holiday themed lithograph and a Frozen pin. The package costs $89 per adult and $59 per child (ages 3 – 9) plus tax (gratuity is included). Valid theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required and is not included in this package price. For more information or to purchase tickets, please click here.

Comedy WarehouseBeginning December 20 through January 4, 2015, the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special will return. Here’s the scoop from Disney: Back by popular demand, it’s the Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special—an interactive improv extravaganza where anyone in the audience could find themselves reigned in as part of the funny. Come join in the hoots as holiday-seasoned comedians field suggestions from the crowd to compose knee-slapping Christmas songs, put their own spin on classic stories and poems, and invent absurdly hilarious scenarios—all festive, all on the fly and all family-friendly, of course. The show is 20 minutes in duration and takes place in the Superstar Television Theater. Show times are scheduled at 12:45pm, 1:45pm, 2:45pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm and 7:00pm daily (subject to change) and Fastpass+ is available.

Gingerbread CupcakeAnd what holiday celebration would be complete without some festive food and drink? You might want to try a delicious gingerbread cupcake or maybe a specialty Christmas cocktail. There’s the Gumdrop with Stoli Razberi vodka, Chambord, Sprite, pineapple and cranberry juices garnished with candy gumdrops. Plus other favorites such as a Winter Berry and Torched Holiday Cider, the Very Merry Cherry, and the Holiday Delight – a tasty combination of Bacardi Razz rum, blue curacao, orange juice and a splash of Sprite with a souvenir glow cube.

(all photos & video courtesy of Disney)
Happy Holidays!

Star Wars Weekends 2015

Star Wars Weekends

Have you heard the exciting news? Disney just released the dates for Star Wars Weekends in 2015. Here’s the schedule:

Star Wars Weekends will be held every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from May 15 – June 14, 2015.

  • Weekend I: May 15 – 17, 2015
  • Weekend II: May 22 – 24, 2015
  • Weekend III: May 29 – 31, 2015
  • Weekend IV: June 5 – 7, 2015
  • Weekend V: June 12 – 14, 2015

More details will be coming over the next few weeks and months, but we know there will be yummy treats, special shows, parades, presentations, autograph sessions and chances to meet the characters and celebrities. There are already three dining experiences available for booking. They are:

  • Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast – This breakfast is being served at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre restaurant and includes characters such as Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Greedo, Jawas and Stormtroopers. The meal is offered from 8:00am to 11:00am and the price is $49.99 for adults and $31.99 for children ages 3 to 9 years old.
  • Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine – This dinner is being served at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant and includes characters such as Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Vader Goofy, Storm Trooper Donald and Ewoks Chip ‘n’ Dale. The meal is offered from 4:15pm to 8:00pm and is complete with special music, décor and a themed menu. The price is $57.99 for adults and $34.99 for children ages 3 to 9 years old.
  • Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine Including Fantasmic! Dining Package – This package includes the dinner at Hollywood and Vine as well as reserved seating at the first Fantasmic! show. The price is $63.99 for adults and $38.99 for children ages 3 to 9 years old.

These dining opportunities will book up quickly, so be sure to make your reservations right away by clicking the links above or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

I’m most looking forward to all of the yummy Star Wars themed cupcakes that they offer like this year’s Darth Vader and Yoda. Have you seen this adorable video from this past summer?

A Tale of Two Resorts

Anyone else excited for Star Wars Weekends? Please leave a comment!
(all photos and video courtesy of Disney)

Disney World News – Holidays Around The World At Epcot

Holidays Around The World

Every year at Epcot, the holiday season is celebrated with a special event called Holidays Around The World. This year the festive happening will be held from November 28 through December 30. It is filled with yummy food, joyful music and wonderful traditions from countries around the globe. Here’s the scoop from Disney Parks Blog:

Holidays Around The WorldIt’s the most wonderful time of the year: Holidays Around the World at Epcot where the World Showcase countries reflect the seasonal traditions – including tastes of homelands far, far away. Starting our stroll at Promenade Refreshments, try the Turkey Waffle – a filling sweet potato waffle with roast turkey and green bean casserole (all-in-one holiday dinner). Then head to Canada for pecan-maple bark, a nod to our Northern neighbor’s bounteous maple sugar production. Next door in the United Kingdom, it’s hot applejack cider with whiskey and a blend of seasonal spices – sip while you listen to stories of Father Christmas. France sweetly celebrates with the classic bûche de noël au chocolate (chocolate cake shaped like a log) at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, and glace au apin d’epices (gingerbread ice cream) at L’Artisan des Glaces. Japan adds teriyaki chicken karaage, a Japanese version of crispy fried chicken bites with teriyaki sauce, at Kabuki Cafe, and you can hear the story of the hollow-round Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year. Up next, American Adventure, with freshly baked gingerbread men, chocolate chunk cookies and sugar cookies, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and peppermint bark at the Sugar and Spice Holiday Bakery (perfect snacks for the Candlelight Processional). Look for Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations throughout the holidays, plus our favorite Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers. At Italy you can meet La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who arrives on the eve of the Epiphany to grant gifts to good children – like panettone, the sweet bread loaf served at the Gelato kiosk, along with sweet moscato wine and ciocolata calda (hot chocolate). In Germany, listen as Helga tells the story of the first Christmas tree as you nibble on stollen fruit cake and sip glühwein (hot spiced wine). Learn about the Christmas gnome in Norway and indulge in the traditional rice cream at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (so popular they leave it on the menu year-round).

I hope you get the chance to enjoy this heartwarming Epcot tradition this holiday season!
Happy Holidays!

Disney World News – Holiday Treats At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Very Merry Christmas Party Gingerbread Men

Every year during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Disney offers special tasty treats and this year is no exception. Check out these yummy holiday desserts being served at select locations in Magic Kingdom (photos courtesy of Disney Parks Blog)!

As we head down Main Street, U.S.A., stop inside Main Street Bakery and you will find a reindeer cupcake. This delicious cutie is a vanilla cupcake with peanut butter and is adorned with peanut butter and mocha frosting.

Reindeer Cupcake

Also being served at the Main Street Bakery is the Candy Cane Cupcake. This scrumptious dessert is a peppermint infused chocolate cupcake topped with peppermint buttercream and sprinkles.

Candy Cane Cupcake

A little further down Main Street and you will come upon Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. They are serving up a holiday sundae that includes vanilla and mint chocolate chip ice cream topped with hot fudge, whipped cream and peppermint sprinkles piled high in a waffle bowl.

Holiday Sundae

Next up is Liberty Square, where we find a waffle sundae being offered at Sleepy Hollow. This treat includes vanilla soft serve and holiday sprinkles served a top a pumpkin infused waffle that has been dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

Waffle Holiday Sundae

And our last stop is in Fantasyland at Gaston’s Tavern, where you will find a Christmas Tree cupcake. This yummy dessert is a fine combination of spiced confetti cake, buttercream frosting, holidays sprinkles and of course, the all important star on top!

Christmas Tree Cupcake

Anyone else hungry now? For more information and to purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, please check out this link. If you won’t be able to attend the party this year, you can always make your own holiday cupcakes at home by clicking this link for a tasty Frozen cupcake recipe!

Happy Holidays!

Disney World News – A Frozen Holiday Wish Now Appearing At Magic Kingdom

Frozen Holiday Wish

Another great offering from Disney World this year is A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show! Here’s the scoop from Disney News:

New this year, Queen Elsa from Frozen will use her incredible powers to transform Cinderella Castle nightly beginning November 5 into a glistening ice palace for the holidays — thanks to a special effects spectacle bathing the castle in 200,000 shimmering white lights. Magic Kingdom guests are treated nightly to the dramatic Castle Dream Lights celebration and A Frozen Holiday Wish stage show.

In case you won’t be traveling to Disney World this holiday season, please check out the video below courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Holidays!