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 – 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!

Missing Disney

Magic Kingdom Halloween

Two weeks ago today I was so excited. I was busily packing for a long anticipated Disney World vacation. My two boys were off for Fall Break and the next day we would be heading for a week-long trip to Walt Disney World! Now just two short weeks later our wonderful vacation has come and gone and my kiddos are right back at school working away as I sit here home alone missing them and missing Disney. Does anyone else ever feel this way when returning from a Disney World vacation? I always find Fall Break the hardest vacation to return from. Since my boys are school-age now, our trips are limited to the traditional Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter breaks. We never really travel during winter break, because of the holidays and our unpredictable Colorado weather. When we return from spring break, I know that our weather will be improving in a couple of months and my boys will soon be out of school for the summer. When we return from a summer vacation, we still have lots of beautiful days and fun times planned. But when we return from fall break, a long, cold, snowy winter and several months of school still loom large ahead of us. So what is a person to do to get themselves out of the “Disney Blues?” Well, here’s what I am going to try:

  • Listen To Disney Music – I have my favorite Disney CD called Four Parks One World in my CD player right now. I also like to listen to MouseWorldRadio.com while I’m writing. Both have music from the parks that make me feel like I’m right back there!Four Parks
  • Watch Disney Movies – There’s nothing like watching a funny movie to lift your spirits! This weekend, it’s time for a Disney movie night. I’m thinking a little Monsters University will be perfect!Monsters University
  • Look At Photos – Since we returned a few days ago, I’ve been spending a little time each day looking through the hundreds (sorry, boys!) of photos that I took during our trip. It is so much fun remembering all of the great times that we had during our trip.Hollywood Studios Snowman
  • Make A Disney Treat – Also on the plans for this weekend is making some Disney cupcakes. A sweet treat like Mickey Mouse or Frozen cupcakes is sure to brighten our day!
  • Plan Another Trip – Getting my mind off the trip that is over and on to planning the next one is always very helpful to me! I’m starting to review menus and think about where to make dining reservations and which parks we will want to visit each day. Not to mention, the countdown for the next trip is already on the refrigerator and my phone!

Do you have any great ways to beat the “Disney Blues?” Please leave a comment!

Friday Favorites – Best Disney World Cupcake

Disney World Strawberry Cupcake

For today’s Friday favorites, I would like to share with you my pick for the best Disney World cupcake – the Strawberry Cupcake. If you have checked out my blog before, you have probably guessed by now that I am a huge cupcake fan! Cupcakes, in general, are one of my favorite desserts and this Strawberry delight is at the top of the list. This tasty treat is made up of a light yellow cake, a sweet strawberry compote-type filling and topped with a delicate, fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting. For an extra bit of pizzazz, they garnish it with red sprinkles and a strawberry slice. A chocolate lover at heart, I rarely choose a fruit dessert, but this little bit of heaven made me change my ways. To try one of these yourself, head over to Boardwalk Bakery located at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn in the Epcot resort area. I hope you enjoy it!

So there you have it…my pick for the best Disney World cupcake – the Strawberry Cupcake!

 What about you? Do you have a favorite Disney World cupcake? Please leave a comment!