Tag Archives: Christmas

Jul 19 2021

Disney Very Merriest After Hours Coming To Magic Kingdom This Holiday Season

If you have been eagerly awaiting the news on what the Christmas season will look like at Walt Disney World this year, Disney recently answered this all important question. Instead of the festive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, this holiday season Walt Disney World will be offering Disney Very Merriest After Hours as a fun and safer alternative. Here’s what we know about this jolly event so far, courtesy of Disney:

Christmas Mickey and MinnieMerry music fills the night air. Cinderella Castle is all aglow. Snow falls on Main Street, U.S.A. as Magic Kingdom park brims with excitement.

This Christmas season, join your loved ones and friends at a truly magical holiday festival—Disney Very Merriest After Hours—held during the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort. Offerings for this new event include Character sightings, fireworks, themed music and decorations, attractions and more.

Spot some favorite Disney friends as they spread their holiday cheer throughout the park. Thrill to Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, a dazzling fireworks display hosted by Minnie Mouse. Indulge in delicious holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages—all included with the cost of admission. Delight in some holiday-themed attraction overlays and Cinderella Castle projections. Plus, enjoy Magic Kingdom park for 4 hours after the park closes, and less time waiting in line for attractions!

Disney Very Merriest After Hours will take place from 9:00pm to 1:00am on select nights, from November 8 through December 21, 2021. Tickets will go on sale next month, so continue to check for updates. Event tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom park as early as 7:00pm, giving you time to enjoy even more of your park favorites before the event begins. These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation.

Event Highlights

Don’t miss this merriest of evenings, made merrier still when shared with those who brighten your holidays. Highlights include:

  • Character sightings
  • Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
  • After-hours access to Magic Kingdom park and less time waiting in line for popular attractions
  • Holiday-themed attraction overlays and Cinderella Castle projections
  • Snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages—all included with the cost of admission
  • Themed food and beverages available for purchase
  • Holiday-themed Disney PhotoPass photo opportunities (photos available for purchase)
  • Special lighting, music and more!

With very few details announced officially from Disney yet, we’ll have to wait until next month for exact dates, pricing information, and more specifics on what will be included. Be sure to check back often as I will share the details as soon as they are released!

Will you be attending Disney Very Merriest After Hours?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Christmas Mickey and Minnie
Jul 16 2021

First Look At A Magical 2021 Holiday Season At Walt Disney World

Holidays Return To Walt Disney WorldIf you are looking for some place to get away and spend the holidays this year, look no further than Walt Disney World. Recently Disney shared a first look at what is in store for guests to Walt Disney World this holiday season. According to Disney:

Beginning November 12, festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, special merchandise and more will all be a part of the 2021 holiday season across Walt Disney World Resort. Here is a first look at the merrymaking to come this year as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the resort’s 50th anniversary.

Holiday Cinderella CastleMagic Kingdom Park

  • Main Street, U.S.A., will be decked for the holidays with seasonal décor.
  • In the evening, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically throughout the night with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic as part of the park’s 50thanniversary celebration.*
  • “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new specially ticketed event, begins November 8 and continues on select nights through the holiday season. The four-hour experience with feature “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and much more. The event will be open to a limited number of guests after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times on more than 20 available attractions. Tickets will go on sale in August, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Disney Resort hotels.

Holiday Tower of TerrorDisney’s Hollywood Studios

  • The Hollywood Holiday Tower will twinkle anew at the end of Sunset Boulevard during Sunset Seasons Greetings. Projection effects will magically transform the park icon into snowy Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic.
  • “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” will feature a festive finale starring Olaf.
  • Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard.
  • Minnie Mouse will host a meal at Hollywood & Vine, joined by her pals in their holiday finest – and Santa, too!

Holiday Tree of LifeDisney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

  • The park’s centerpiece – The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50thanniversary celebration. During the holiday season, there will be even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.
  • Disney characters will set sail down Discovery River, accompanied by joyful songs of the season.

Holiday Disney SpringsDisney Springs

  • The Walt Disney World shopping, dining and entertainment district will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises.
  • The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll will feature elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees, including some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
  • A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers at surprise locations.
  • Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will become Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
  • Disney Springs is the perfect place for guests to make their holiday shopping lists and check them twice, with a wide array of Disney holiday merchandise, including ornaments, matching family pajamas, Spirit Jerseys and more.

Gingerbread 3Disney Resort Hotels

  • Iconic trees and other seasonal touches will turn Disney Resort hotels into holiday hideaways.
  • Select resorts will feature intricate gingerbread displays perfect for holiday photographs … and inspiration for holiday treats.
  • Select resorts will offer holiday menus at restaurants, as well as other specialty food and drinks.

Holiday Cookie StrollEPCOT

  • The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return November 26 – December 30 and will feature Holiday Kitchens around World Showcase, performances by Voices of Liberty, a Cookie Stroll and more.

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Christmas Mickey and Minnie
Sep 11 2020

2020 Holiday Fun At Walt Disney World

If you are looking for some place to get away and spend the holidays this year, look no further than Walt Disney World. Here’s everything you need to know to experience a fun-filled festive time with your friends and family at Walt Disney World this holiday season courtesy of Disney:

Christmas at Magic KingdomA reimagined holiday celebration will begin November 6, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort, with the four theme parks, Disney Springs and Disney resort hotels decked for the season. Through December 30, guests will discover seasonal food and drinks at The Most Magical Place on Earth, as well as special merchandise and enchanting new entertainment experiences.

When night falls at Magic Kingdom Park, projection effects will transform Cinderella Castle with a kaleidoscope of designs, including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. The iconic castle will provide the perfect colorful background for guests seeking a magical holiday portrait.

Highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin November 27. Holiday kitchens will return around the World Showcase promenade, offering favorite dishes such as Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing at the American Holiday Table.

Other highlights for the upcoming holiday season at Walt Disney World include:

  • Christmas GoofyAt Magic Kingdom, characters synonymous with the season – including gingerbread men and elves – will join Disney characters in cavalcades through the park. On Main Street, U.S.A., toy soldiers will march with the Main Street Philharmonic as they bring musical cheer for all to hear.
  • Favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday finest will appear in festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Minnie Mouse will host a yuletide dining experience at Hollywood & Vine, inviting some of her best pals – including Santa Goofy – to join the fun.
  • Inside World ShowPlace at EPCOT, JOYFUL! will take guests on a musical journey of holiday music, while Voices of Liberty will use their eight-part harmonies to share songs of the season at the America Gardens Theatre.
  • Elaborately decorated Christmas trees will spring up throughout Disney Springs, and a magical snowfall will occur within Town Center, West Side and The Landing. In addition, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with delightful décor and a limited-time menu of festive favorites.
  • Disney resort hotels will deck their halls for the holidays, including iconic Christmas trees in lobbies and other festive flourishes.
  • Santa Claus will wave to guests as he makes pop-up appearances at each park, as well as Disney Springs. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for example, he will sail down Discovery River on a special flotilla.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World this holiday season?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Dec 4 2019

Tasty Treats At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World this holiday season, you might be planning a special evening at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom. You might be planning on stuffing yourself with all of the complimentary cookies and cocoa you can get your hands on during the event, but did you know that there are several holiday foods that are available for purchase that are exclusive to the party. Check out these yummy options:

Carved Turkey Sandwich (Available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café)

Oven-roasted turkey with Applewood smoked bacon, smoked Gouda, chipotle garlic aïoli, lettuce, and tomato on a roll

Gaston’s Cheese Dip (Available at Gaston’s Tavern)

Beer cheese dip with smoked bacon bits served with breadstick antlers

An Orange Bird Christmas (Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace)

Orange-scented white chocolate mousse filled with orange curd on a citrus-almond cream cake with buttercream leaves and a white chocolate piece

Kakamora Float (Available at Aloha Isle)

Coconut soft-serve served on top of pineapple juice and non-alcoholic blue curaçao syrup topped with a chocolate Kakamora cake pop

Sven’s Carrot Cake (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café)

Carrot cake topped with cream cheese icing, sugar carrots, and a chocolate Sven piece

Jolly Tamale Christmas (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café)

Three house-made tamales filled with shredded chicken and your choice of toppings from the complimentary fixings bar

Tis the Season (Available at Cool Ship)

Chilled Fanta Orange mixed with cranberry juice and green apple popping pearls

To Be Jolly Float (Available at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor)

Peppermint iced coffee topped with vanilla ice cream, crushed peppermint, and a chocolate Minnie Mouse bow

Party-Exclusive Holiday Novelty Souvenirs (Only Available While Supplies Last)
  • Popcorn Carts – Mickey Light-Up Tree Premium Popcorn Bucket
  • Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café and Gaston’s Tavern – Sven Sipper

Remember once you run out of money to spend on treats (which can happen fast at Walt Disney World), you can fill up at all of the complimentary goody stations throughout the park. The snowman pretzel is my favorite!

Complimentary Goodies
  • Pinocchio Village Haus – Snickerdoodle Cookie, Hot Chocolate, and Fanta
  • Storybook Snacks Cart – Snowman Pretzel
  • Miner’s Cove – Peppermint Cookie
  • Friar’s Nook – Chocolate Chip Cookie
  • Lunching Pad – Ginger Molasses Cookie and Apple Cider
  • Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café – Peppermint Cookie, Hot Chocolate, and Apple Cider
  • Jungle Cruise – Ginger Molasses Cookie
  • Tortuga Tavern – Snowman Pretzel and Fanta
  • Golden Oak Outpost – Snickerdoodle Cookie
  • Diamond Horseshoe – Chocolate Chip Cookie and Eggnog
Nov 25 2019

Holiday Cookie Stroll At Epcot

If you’ve been following this blog for awhile or read some of my posts on TouringPlans, it’s no secret that I’m a BIG fan of desserts, so I am beyond excited about the Holiday Cookie Stroll this year during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Beginning November 29 and running through December 30, 2019, pick up a Festival Passport and stroll around Epcot’s World Showcase to find the five cookie locations. Purchase your sweet treats at the designated Holiday Kitchens and get your Festival Passport stamped. Once you collect all five stamps, bring your Passport to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen (aka Promenade Refreshments) to receive a free Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie…yum!