Although it's hotter than the sun right now, in only a few short months, the classic holiday fun will begin to fill the Walt Disney World Resort. Here are the details on the holiday events to fill you with cheer:
Magic Kingdom:
At Magic Kingdom Park, the special ticketed event, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will kick off on November 8 and run through December 21 on select nights. When Mickey celebrates the holiday, Magic Kingdom lights up with excitement for guests of all ages. Cinderella Castle illuminates with icicles, holiday classic music fills the air, Disney characters don their most festive attire and your favorite attractions take on a holiday theme! Each night of the event will feature an exclusive showing of Holiday Wishes fireworks and performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show. Guests will also enjoy complimentary cookies and cocoa.
Epcot:
Guests will discover joyous holiday traditions from 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Beginning Nov. 18, this year’s festival will deliver a yuletide extravaganza.
Seasonal tastes from around the globe are served at special Holiday Kitchens
Special entertainment celebrating each country’s holiday heritage can be found in World Showcase.
Chip and Dale will be collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree. In Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree Scavenger Hunt, you can purchase a map and stickers from select locations and travel around World Showcase looking for the famous chipmunks with their ornaments. Guests will then return their completed maps for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip and Dale. Maps are available for $6.99 (plus tax).
The nightly fireworks display, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, will feature an additional holiday finale.
The Candlelight Processional is part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays and one of the most beloved events at Walt Disney World. This year’s event starts early than ever on Thanksgiving Day, November 22. The Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas with a 50-piece orchestra, a massed choir and a celebrity narrator. The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot.
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages go on sale July 10 for Annual Passholders and on Wednesday July 11 for the general public.
Hollywood Studios:
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will return, as well as Sunset Seasons Greetings.
The new Toy Story Land will feature special seasonal fun, such as holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers.
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns this year with impressive new laser effects and “snow.” Guests will witness spectacular projections of your favorite Disney Characters – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Olaf and others – sharing their favorite seasonal stories as holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season.
The nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will combine state-of-the-art projections, fireworks, special effects and music to create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
Guests will meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop Nov.10-Dec. 24, and Santa Goofy after he steps in Dec. 25.
Don’t forget Minnie’s Holiday Dine, which is the perfect spot to enjoy a dinner filled with holiday cheer.
Animal Kingdom:
New this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is the addition of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, to the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure. This will begin on November 8.
Disney Springs:
Holiday shopping is the best at Disney Springs! There will be festive holiday décor and food and you can also visit with Santa Claus at Santa’s Chalet.
Guests will stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and view custom-decorated holiday trees, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme featuring characters like Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, among others.
At Santa’s Chalet, Santa Claus will accept Christmas wish lists and welcome guests. From Dec. 25-Dec. 31, Santa Goofy will take over after Old Saint Nick heads back to the North Pole.
Guests will take part in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt and discover where the mischievous Experiment 626 is hiding.
Disney Resorts:
The holidays are also a wonderful time to tour through the decorated themed resorts. Garland, twinkling lights and Christmas trees are all a part of the festive decorations.
A holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be home to The Bake Shop, where you can pick up holiday treats, including a variety of gingerbread treats.
A life-size, edible spinning carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
A holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
In the lobbies of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests will take in the grandeur of massive Christmas trees.
Holiday menus that celebrate the season will be found at restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. For holiday dining information and reservations, guests can call (407) WDW-DINE.
News & Media Source: Walt Disney World News