Dec 16 2014

Disney World News – Holiday Videos From Around Disney World

The holiday season is by far one of the most magical times of year to visit Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, a lot of us have other commitments that prevent us from being able to travel during these months. So for all of you out there like me that would love to be in Disney World experiencing the holiday festivities, here’s a few videos to make you feel like you’re almost there. Enjoy!

Epcot’s Mariachi Cobre Plays “Silent Night”

Animal Kingdom’s Chakranadi Performs “Carol of the Bells”

“A Frozen Holiday Wish” At Magic Kingdom

Highlights From Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade

Behind The Scenes Tour Of Osborne Family Spectacle Of Lights

Looking for more Disney World holiday fun? Be sure to check out these posts, too!

Disney World Decorates For The Holidays
Frozen Gingerbread Castle At Contemporary
A Frozen Holiday Wish Now Appearing At Magic Kingdom
Jungle Cruise Transformed To Jingle Cruise
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014
Holiday Treats At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Holidays Around The World At Epcot
Holiday Happenings At Hollywood Studios
The Osborne Family Spectacle Of Dancing Lights Returns
Holiday Happenings At Downtown Disney
Disney’s Christmas Cookie Cocktail
Celebrating New Year’s At Disney World

(all photos & videos courtesy of Disney Parks Blog)
Happy Holidays!

Dec 15 2014

Disney World News – Holiday Happenings At Downtown Disney

It’s that time of year again when Walt Disney World goes all out for the holidays! Let’s check out some of the holiday happenings being offered at Downtown Disney during its Festival of the Seasons:

You can meet Santa now through Christmas Eve when Santa Goofy takes over from December 25 – 29. There are PhotoPass Photographers available to snap your picture from 12pm – 9:30pm daily. A nice addition this year is that you can check in at the Santa Chalet podium and pick up a pager that will buzz when it’s your turn to meet the big guy!
As we’ve come to expect there is plenty of shopping available all throughout Downtown Disney. Favorite stops are the World of Disney store and the Marketplace Co-Op. Each location is featuring lots of fun holiday merchandise.
There is also loads of holiday entertainment to enjoy at Downtown Disney including carolers, stilt walkers, live musicians and dance parties. Be sure to pick up a times guide so that you can join in on the celebration!
And no holiday extravaganza would be complete without some tasty treats and beverages. Stop by Ghirardelli for some rich hot chocolate or Starbucks for one of their famous holiday specialties. In the mood for a dessert? Venture over to Goofy’s Candy Company for one of their festive delights!

Looking for more Disney World holiday fun? Be sure to check out these posts, too!

Disney World Decorates For The Holidays
Frozen Gingerbread Castle At Contemporary
A Frozen Holiday Wish Now Appearing At Magic Kingdom
Jungle Cruise Transformed To Jingle Cruise
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014
Holiday Treats At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Holidays Around The World At Epcot
Holiday Happenings At Hollywood Studios
The Osborne Family Spectacle Of Dancing Lights Returns
Disney’s Christmas Cookie Cocktail
Celebrating New Year’s At Disney World

(all photos courtesy of Disney Parks Blog)
Happy Holidays!

Dec 4 2014

Star Wars Weekends 2015

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?

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

Nov 17 2014

Disney World News – Holidays Around The World At Epcot

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:

It’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!

Nov 5 2014

Disney World News – Elsa’s Sorcerers Card To Be Released At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

For fans of either Frozen or the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom interactive game, here’s some exciting news for you. A brand new exclusive card is being released at this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Here’s the scoop from DisneyParksBlog.com:

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park on November 7, and this year’s event-exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card will be “Elsa’s Icy Shield” and will let players harness some of Queen Elsa’s special “Frozen” powers. In case you haven’t played Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom yet, this interactive game allows you to join Merlin’s quest to defeat Disney Villains who are trying to take over Magic Kingdom Park. You use maps to find villain hideouts throughout the park, visit magic portals and use spell cards (like this one) to spoil a villain’s plan. Cards feature different Disney characters with unique powers. You can also use multiple cards to enhance your attack on the villains. The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom quest begins at the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A., where you can pick up complimentary key cards, spell cards and maps (additional cards can be purchased at select merchandise locations). The “Elsa’s Icy Shield” card will be distributed in addition to the regular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card packs. Guests must present their party ticket and event wristband in order to get one.

Anyone else excited about this news? Please leave a comment!