What I’m Thankful For At Disney World

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Is your turkey in the oven? Are you watching the parade or maybe one of the big games? I hope you have a wonderful day planned with family and friends. There are so many things to be thankful for this year, I thought it would be fun to create a list of what I’m most thankful for at Walt Disney World.

The Memories

I am thankful for all of the memories I’ve enjoyed with my family and friends throughout the years on our Disney World vacations. I’ve been visiting the resort since I was a baby and so have my kids. The special times that I have shared with my loved ones are priceless.

IMG_8789The Cast Members

It is the cast members that are really what makes Disney World unique. Without their smiling faces, hard work, and exceptional hospitality, Disney World would just be like any other theme park.

Magic Kingdom Holiday FireworksOther Guests

Sure, you might come across a few guests that drive you nuts, but for the most part, I find most of the people at Disney World to be friendly and just enjoying the magic. My family and I have had lots of fun talking with other visitors in line and while waiting for shows. Part of what makes Disney so magical is the shared experience. Imagine watching Wishes all by yourself with no other guests in the park…it wouldn’t feel the same, would it?

Pirates 1The Attractions

The Disney Imagineers have poured their hearts and souls into these attractions and it shows. Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror, Everest…the list goes on and on. These are not just “rides”.

The Treats

I am thankful for all of the Disney treats. I could spend my entire vacation eating nothing but desserts!

Epcot's World Fellowship FountainWhat It Represents

Lastly, I am also thankful for what Walt Disney World represents. To me, this resort is more than just attractions, food, and fun, at its heart Disney World embodies all that is good in the world. It is a symbol of family, fun, friendship, goodwill, charity, hospitality, love, peace, education, acceptance, hard work, determination, imagination, and dreams. During the holiday season and throughout the year, Disney World and Walt’s legacy demonstrate a “world” that we should strive to become.

What about Disney World are you most thankful for?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

More About Thanksgiving In Disney World

Liberty Tree Tavern

Will you be spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Walt Disney World? If so, you have lots of delicious choices for your Thanksgiving Day feast. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:


Walt Disney World Resort guests can indulge in a fresh take on an American tradition by enjoying their Thanksgiving feast November 26, 2015 with a bounty of Disney tastes. With more than 30 different dining choices at Disney theme parks and resorts, families and friends can come together for a variety of Thanksgiving lunch and dinner offerings.

Special holiday menus include roasted turkey breast with all the trimmings plus traditional Norwegian meatballs and pan-seared salmon at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, poppy seed lavash, house-made naan, and apple-cranberry achar at Sanaa, roasted heirloom beets with candied walnuts and mulled apple cider at Artist Point, and other unique dishes to enjoy with the holiday classics.

Disney World ThanksgivingAt Epcot, guests can dine on Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner seatings at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Restaurant Marrakesh, and Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.

Holiday menus also are offered at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine and The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Within the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, special Thanksgiving dining options are available at:

  • Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans Resort Riverside
  • California Grill, Chef Mickey’s and The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Captain’s Grille and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Citricos, Grand Floridian Café, Narcoossee’s and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Flying Fish Café and Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
  • Mickey’s Backyard Thanksgiving Feast and Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas-Disney’s Kidani Village
  • Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Sanaa at Disney’s Kidani Village Resort
  • Shutters at Old Port Royale at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Be sure to make your dining reservations as soon as possible, because availability is limited and dining events are subject to change. For more information or to make reservations, please click here or call 407-WDW-DINE.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World for Thanksgiving?

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

Have you celebrated Thanksgiving in Disney World before?
What was it like? Please leave a comment!

Celebrating Thanksgiving In Disney World

Disney World Thanksgiving

Are you planning on spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Disney World? If so, you have lots of delicious options for your Thanksgiving Day feast. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:


Walt Disney World Resort guests can join together for a joyous and delicious Thanksgiving Day dinner. With a variety of dining options at the theme parks and resorts, there is a cornucopia of exciting lunch and dinner offerings inspired by this American tradition.

Guests can enjoy menu options for Thanksgiving Day meals at Walt Disney World Resort featuring a classic turkey dinner, such as the hearty all-American eats and traditional family- style Thanksgiving feast at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom Park. For guests looking for a special spin on the traditional turkey dinner, try some of the more unique options, such as traditional Norwegian meatballs and pan-seared salmon at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall or roasted heirloom beets with candied walnuts and mulled apple cider at Artist Point.

At Epcot, guests can dine on Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner seatings at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Tutto Itlalia Ristorante, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Dining Room, and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.

Holiday menus also are offered at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom; Hollywood & Vine, 50’s Prime Time Café and The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Planet Hollywood, Portobello Country Italian Tattoria, Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, Fulton’s Crab House and Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Downtown Disney; and in resort hotels throughout Walt Disney World Resort.


Be sure to make your dining reservations as soon as possible, because availability is limited. For more information or to make reservations, please click here or call 407-WDW-DINE.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

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

Have you celebrated Thanksgiving in Disney World before?
What was it like? Please leave a comment!

Helpful Information For Your November 2015 Disney World Vacation

Disney World Thanksgiving

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in November 2015? November is a wonderful time of year to visit Walt Disney World. The weather is beautiful and the crowds are manageable.

Weather

The weather in Disney World during November is mild and mostly dry. The average high is about 78 degrees, the average low is about 58 degrees and the average rainfall is about 2.14 inches. The evenings can get a little chilly, so be sure to pack a few clothes for cooler weather, too.

Crowds

The crowds in November are fairly moderate with the exception of Thanksgiving week.

November 1 – November 7 – Average Crowd Level 4.9 out of 10
November 8 – November 14 – Average Crowd Level 5.6 out of 10
November 15 – November 21 – Average Crowd Level 3.9 out of 10
November 22 – November 28 – Average Crowd Level 7.4 out of 10
November 29 – November 30 – Average Crowd Level 5.0 out of 10

Park Hours

Magic Kingdom ClockThe Parks continue to be open several hours per day during the fall season.

  • Magic Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Epcot: Open from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Hollywood Studios: Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Animal Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 6pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during November, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

HalloweenOn November 1, the final Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party of 2015 will be held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a lively, light-hearted, family friendly event. There are special parades, exciting dance parties, stunning fireworks and tons of trick-or-treating stations filled with candy for everyone! Adults and children alike really get into the spirit of the event by dressing in costume, trick-or-treating and dancing the night away with all of the characters. For more information including pricing, please click here.

Wine and Dine Half MarathonOn November 6 and 7, the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend will be held. This event includes kids races, a 5K run, an expo, a finish line party, as well as the half marathon. The big race itself has little impact on other non-running visitors to Disney World, because it is held at night. For more information, please visit the runDisney site by clicking here.

ChristmasBeginning on November 8 and running through December 18, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held on select nights at Magic Kingdom. This party is a festive and heart warming experience for the entire family. There is a special holiday parade, entertaining shows, spectacular fireworks, hot chocolate and cookies, character dance parties, and even snow on Main Street! For more information including dates and pricing, please click here.

Epcot International Food & Wine FestivalOne of the best things about visiting Disney World in November is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This fabulous celebration runs through November 16 and features more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations, and music concerts. The first details for the 2015 event have been released; please click here for more information.

Turkey LegFor Thanksgiving, several Disney World restaurants serve a traditional holiday feast. For more details and information about this year’s celebration, please click here. If you have your heart set on eating at a particular restaurant for Thanksgiving, be sure to make your dining reservation right away, because holidays do fill up quickly. Disney World dining reservations can be made by clicking here. If all else fails, you can always grab one of those famous Disney turkey legs. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Check out this article!

Disney World Holiday DecorationsEvery 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 27 through December 30. It is filled with yummy food, joyful music and wonderful traditions from countries around the globe. For more information and reservations, please click here! 

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the scheduled closures during November (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom

  • Diamond Horseshoe: August 2 – November 19, 2015
  • Liberty Tree Tavern: July 6 – November 20, 2015
  • Peter Pan’s Flight: November 2 – November 7, 2015
  • Walt Disney World Railroad: October 12 – November 20, 2015

Epcot

  • Frozen Ever After: October 5 – May 1, 2016
  • Sum of All Thrills: November 30 – December 4, 2015

Hollywood Studios

  • Catalina Eddie’s: October 11 – November 19, 2015
  • Jedi Training Academy: October 5 – November 30, 2015
  • Rosie’s All-American Café: October 11 – November 19, 2015
  • Star Wars Land: Opening TBD
  • Toy Story Land: Opening TBD
  • Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (Finale only): October 16 – December 5, 2015

Animal Kingdom

Water Parks

  • Blizzard Beach: Park Closed October 4 – January 2, 2016

Downtown Disney

  • Downtown Disney is undergoing a major transformation to become the reimagined Disney Springs. Construction will be finished in phases with the final completion date set for Fall 2016.

Resort Hotels

  • All Star Sports: Grand Slam Pool October 26 – December 18, 2015
  • Boardwalk Inn: Exterior Painting August 17, 2015 – May 5, 2016
  • Caribbean Beach Resort: Bridges Connecting Aruba and Jamaica to Old Port Royale October – November 27, 2015
  • Coronado Springs: Ranchos Village Quiet Pool November 2 – 3, 2015
  • Polynesian Village Resort: Polynesian East Pool To Be Completed In 2016
  • Pop Century: Computer Pool November 30 – December 3, 2015
  • Port Orleans French Quarter: Kiddie Pool September 8 – December 23, 2015
  • Walt Disney World Swan: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015
  • Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit To Be Completed In 2017

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in November 2015, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here, especially if you are trying to book a special dinner for Thanksgiving.
  • Magic Your Band 1If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
  • Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your November 2015 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Join The Fun

Next Disney VacationDisney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!

Disney World News – Celebrate Thanksgiving At Disney World

Disney World Thanksgiving

If you are fortunate enough to be in Disney World on Thanksgiving Day this year, you have several places to choose from for your special Thanksgiving meal. Here’s the scoop from Disney:

Walt Disney World Resort guests can indulge in a fresh take on an American tradition by enjoying their Thanksgiving feast November 27, 2014 with a bounty of Disney tastes. With more than 30 different dining choices at Disney theme parks and resorts, families and friends can come together for a variety of Thanksgiving lunch and dinner offerings.

Special holiday menus include roasted turkey breast with all the trimmings plus traditional Norwegian meatballs and pan-seared salmon at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, poppy seed lavash, house-made naan, and apple-cranberry achar at Sanaa, roasted heirloom beets with candied walnuts and mulled apple cider at Artist Point, and other unique dishes to enjoy with the holiday classics.

At Epcot, guests can dine on Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner seatings at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, and Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.

Holiday menus also are offered at Be Our Guest Restaurant and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Hollywood & Vine and The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Within the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, special Thanksgiving dining options are available at:

  • Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • California Grill and The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Captain’s Grille and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk
  • Mickey’s Backyard Thanksgiving Feast and Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Grand Floridian Café, Narcoossee’s and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Sanaa at Disney’s Kidani Village Resort
  • Shutters at Old Port Royale at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Availability is limited and dining events are subject to change. For information and reservations, please call 407-WDW-DINE.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

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