Holidays at WDW
All posts in the Holidays at WDW category
Dates & Pricing for MNSSHP, NOJ, and MVMCP! Tickets Available Now!
Published May 1, 2013 by Disneyways.comTouringPlans.com just released information and pricing for all hard ticket events coming to Walt Disney World for the fall and winter season 2013! Tickets go on sale tomorrow and will sell out for the more popular dates, so don’t delay if you are thinking of attending any of these fun events! (Information, dates, pricing etc. are always subject to change without notice from Disney.)
Official Dates and Prices for 2013 Fall/Winter Hard Ticket Events at Magic Kingdom
Night of Joy
Described by Disney as a “contemporary Christian music festival,” Night of Joy will be held on September 6 and 7 from 7:30pm to 1:00am. Prices are $55.00 for one night in advance, $65.00 if bought the day of the event, and $99.00 for both nights if bought in advance.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
The 2013 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates are:
- September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, and 29
- October 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
- November 1
Pricing for the Halloween parties is as follows:
Advance Sale Tickets
Tickets may be purchased in advance (starting May 1) from Disney’s website or by calling 407-939-7211.
- September dates (excluding September 29): Ages 10 and up: $59.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9: $54.00 plus tax.
- September 29 and October/November dates (excluding October 31): Ages 10 and up: $62.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9: $57.00 plus tax.
- Advance sale pricing is not available for the October 11, 18, 25, and 31 parties.
Day of Event Tickets
- September dates (excluding September 29): Ages 10 and up: $65.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9: $60.00 plus tax.
- September 29 and October/November dates (excluding October 31): Ages 10 and up: $67.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9: $62.00 plus tax.
Premium Night Tickets
- October 31: Ages 10 and up: $73.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9: $68.00 plus tax.
Military Discounts
This year Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of National Guard or Reservists, may purchase discounted Halloween party tickets for select event nights. They may also purchase additional tickets for up to five family members or friends.
- These dates are: September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, and 27.
- Prices are $41.30 for ages 10 and up. Children ages 3-9 are $37.80 plus tax.
Military purchasing tickets at Shades of Green receive the same discount, but tickets purchased there are exempt from sales tax.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The 2013 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates are:
- November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, and 22
- December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20
Tickets may be purchased in advance (starting May 1) from Disney’s website or by calling 407-939-7211.
Pricing for the Christmas parties is as follows:
- Advance sale tickets: Ages 10 and up: $62.00 plus tax. Children ages 3-9: $57.00 plus tax.
- Advance sale pricing is not available for parties on November 22, December 6, 13, 19, and 20.
- Day of Event tickets: Ages 10 and up: $67.00. Children ages 3-9: $62.00.
- Premium Night (December 20): Ages 10 and up: $71.00. Children ages 3-9: $66.00.
There is also a military discount on select nights for the Christmas party. Dates are November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, and 21. Prices are $43.40 plus tax for ages 10 and up. Children ages 3-9 are $39.90. Military purchasing tickets at Shades of Green receive the same discount, but tickets purchased there are exempt from sales tax.
****All of the above information was re-posted from TouringPlans.com
More from Disneyways…
Click here to see information about 2012 Halloween events
Click here to see more on Christmas 2012
Click here to see more on Night of Joy 2012
Related articles
- Throw a Disney Halloween Party (spoonful.com)
World Secrets! Beyond the Birthday Basics: Grown-ups Like to Celebrate at Disney too!
Published April 5, 2013 by Disneyways.comAlicia is a Disneyways subscriber and avid reader who has a WONDERFUL “predicament”. She is celebrating her 27th birthday in Walt Disney World this year. This is her first time ever to blow out her candles in the most magical place on earth. Alicia was so sweet and persistent in asking me for some tips that might help her to make the day extra wonderful.
So…Alicia…this one’s for you…and everyone else reading this post who has wondered the same thing!
Thanks for your great question!

Can you tell Alicia is just a kid at heart?
This is definitely one of our longer posts, and I want to respect your time. If you are too busy to read all this – stop right here and call my friend Ramon from ThemeParkConcierges.com. (407-257-9973)
Ramon has been helping families and individuals create magical Disney birthday moments for years and he is VERY affordable for the amazing value he provides. Like some sort of Disney wish granter – Ramon has access to special meet and greet opportunities, VIP seating, holiday tours, and all sorts of things that he can customize just for you, and that are probably not even listed here. He can save you a ton of time and make your birthday celebrations a breeze!
Now let’s get the ball rolling and think out side the box for a little inspiration! We’ve got free, cheap and pricey ideas for grown-up birthdays!
Drinking or Snacking Around World Showcase
Planning is crucial here – so be sure to check out THIS LINK before you attempting this idea. Now take it a step further. Create something tangible before you leave for yourself or the person who is celebrating their birthday. Look up the drink and food menus at the World Showcase pavilions and think about the items you or they would most prefer. Print a map of Epcot and write your choices on each country to represent your plan of action. Create t-shirts with the countries and all the drinks or snacks listed. Bring a sharpie to mark each one off as you go! You can buy alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and food at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom if you like those parks better – or do a snack crawl around Magic Kingdom!
Wear a HAT!
Any silly or customized hat can also be a great way to celebrate your birthday trip around the world, or any occasion really. Check out this photo my hubby took of Mike from MikeandTheMouse.com (and me!) from our last Disneyways meetup. Nothing beats a fashionable set of Mickey ears.
By the way…if you weren’t at the meetup these are the sort of shenanigans you missed. You need to come to the next one. The details will be revealed soon! 🙂
Watch the Fireworks during Dinner
Again, some planning ahead is important here. You’re going to need a list of restaurants where this is possible. Stay tuned to Disneyways for those. Better yet subscribe to get updates by email so you’ll never miss a post! Advanced dining reservations are also crucial! The good news is – fireworks viewing won’t cost you any extra if you are lucky enough to be seated for dinner in a good spot.
Take a Specialty Cruise
Check out the options for specialty cruises at Walt Disney World here. Check out this page for the phone numbers to call. Don’t want to sit on hold? Hire Ramon to do this for you.
Pick the Plan
Here’s one that won’t add any expense at all. You or the person celebrating their birthday gets to pick the general schedule for the day and maybe even invite a surprise guest. The attraction and show choices are endless, and giving or having this kind of power is fuel for some wonderful birthday memories.
Set up a Small Private Event
There are a couple of ways to set up a small private event at Walt Disney World.
One is to call Private Dining at the Grand Floridian (407-824-2474) and arrange to have dinner somewhere in the hotel or at the marina during the Wishes fireworks. If you are staying in some other Disney resort – then the way to do a small private event at Walt Disney World is to work with Disney Catered Events (321-939-7278). My recommendation? Use a travel agent or hire Ramon to do all of this for you.
Beyond Birthday Cake
Sure you can get cake at Disney, if you prefer. But I hope you will go to Norway for School Bread. Get Zebra Domes from Boma or Mara in Animal Kingdom Lodge. Order Crepes from Chefs de France, ‘Smores from the ’50s Prime Time Diner, or the Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe. Bring your own birthday candle and your server will bring it out singing. Try to conquer the Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream. Have Dole Whip or Mickey Bar at breakfast, lunch AND dinner. Sample every kind of fudge at the Main Street Confectionery. The more off-the-wall your sweet treat is, the more you or your special someone will remember the celebration.
Book some Extra Birthday Fun
Take the Characters in Flight balloon ride at Downtown Disney. Spend a day at the Saratoga Springs Resort spa or the new Senses Spa at the Grand Floridian. Take a backstage tour at the Magic Kingdom. Book a suite or stay in a different or nicer resort than usual. Plan a shopping spree. Stay at the park until it closes. Go parasailing or waterskiing at the Contemporary. Get tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba at Downtown Disney.
Decorate Your Room
A great way to add oomph to your celebration is to decorate your hotel room. You can do this with streamers and balloons brought from home. Don’t want to do it yourself? Enlist the help of the Disney Floral and Gift Basket team. Find them online or give them a call at 407-WDW-GIFT. They have a bunch of room decorating packages available. They can also customize a basket for you. If you have something very specific in mind, get on the phone and speak to someone directly. OR save time and money by…you guessed it…hiring Ramon to do it all for you. Do I sound like a broken record yet?
Another Freebie
Grab a blanket or extra towels and watch the Wishes fireworks presentation from the beach at the Polynesian.
Do the “Usual” but still Pretty Fantastic Disney Celebration Stuff
Of course Disney has their own official ways to make birthdays a little more magical in the World. Click here for more on that. Just don’t forget to come back to this page to reference all the cool extra stuff we’ve mentioned already.
I hope one or more of these ideas will help you get started. Let’s face it, you actually may not need to jump through any magical hoops to make a Disney celebration special. A trip to Walt Disney World is pretty special all by itself. Life really can’t get much better than feeling the wind in your hair on Test Track – or getting a hug from Mickey Mouse. I promise, you aren’t the only one who gets sentimental at Disney.
Please send me your ideas, dreams and memories of your favorite Disney birthdays! We would LOVE to hear from you!
Christmas at the Yacht Club
Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.comThe Yacht Club has one of my favorite Christmas displays of all, a meticulously crafted Christmas village featuring a working train. It reminds me of the train set in Germany at Epcot. Every time I look through these pictures I see something different. I have a real soft spot for this display! The tree and wreaths at Yacht Club are also very neat, as they are themed with boats and other nautical items. I hope you enjoy seeing these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.
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Christmas at the Beach Club Resort
Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.comIt’s not all gingerbread houses – how about an enchanting holiday carousel, crafted of gingerbread, chocolate, and fondant? The carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. There are also some sculptures to enjoy, and even a little shop where you can buy some Christmas goodies to take with you.
Related articles
- Christmas at the Contemporary (disneyways.com)
- Christmas at the Grand Floridian
Christmas at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Published December 24, 2012 by Disneyways.comThe most widely spoken language in Africa is Swahili. “Jambo!” meant the cast members over at Animal Kingdom were saying hello to me, NOT calling me fat, as I originally thought.
Visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas time means you may find the cast members saying “Kuwa na Krismasi njema!” – or – “Merry Christmas!” in Swahili. The decorations at Animal Kingdom Lodge are lovely, understated, and of course African themed, as you will see here.
To check out Disneyways Animal Safari Sundays series click here.
Christmas at the Polynesian
Published December 23, 2012 by Disneyways.comMele Kalikimaka and welcome to the Polynesian during the Holiday season.
A tropical island Christmas? Sure, why not?
Video of Christmas in Hawaii – for comparison purposes only.
Christmas at the Contemporary
Published December 23, 2012 by Disneyways.comAt Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Grand Concourse holds a 17-foot Gingerbread holiday tree, complete with edible ornaments and presents – and, of course, hidden Mickeys to spot. If those ornaments look irresistible, you can buy ones just like them to sample or take home, plus an assortment of holiday cookies and baked goods. If the look of this display seems familiar, it’s because it was inspired by the art of Disney Legend Mary Blair (you can see her style in the it’s a small world attraction, and in the mural that dominates the Grand Canyon Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort).
Top 5 Ways to Get in the Christmas Spirit at Epcot 2012
Published December 17, 2012 by Disneyways.comHolidays Around the World at Epcot – going on NOW through December 30, 2012!
Here is your Disneyways list of top 5 events to enjoy for Holidays Around the World at Epcot this year. These wonderful events are known to get even Scrooge MdDuck in the holiday mood.
(See…look how happy he is!)
- Candlelight Processional
World Showcase, America Gardens Theatre – 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.
One of the most beloved holiday traditions at Epcot® is the Candlelight Processional – a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. Read more important information about Candlelight here.
- JOYFUL! A Gospel Celebration of the Season
Future World Fountain Stage – Daily: 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 and 4:15 p.m
Joyful! uniquely blends the soulful expressiveness of Gospel and Inspirational music with the sounds of Jazz, R&B and urban music. The music will touch, uplift and inspire you! Click here to see some video and enjoy this music right now!
- IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
World Showcase Lagoon– Nightly: 9:30 p.m.
The World Showcase Promenade comes alive nightly with the brilliance and splendor of music, lights, lasers, water fountains, and custom pyrotechnics in the signature nighttime spectacular, llumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Disney presents a unique finale to celebrate the season ONLY during Holidays Around the World! With the song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” at its center, this special musical finale features the voice of Walter Cronkite who offers a special message of peace and good will.
- Holiday Storytellers
World Showcase – Daily: 11/23 – 12/29
Throughout the holidays, World Showcase comes alive with the legends and lore of the season. Come listen to the stories of France’s Père Noël, Italy’s LaBefana, and the United Kingdom’s Father Christmas. You will want to pick up the Times Guide, once you are in the park, for show times.
- Epcot® Holiday Merchandise
Tis the season for Gift Giving. Don’t forget friends and family as you stroll through World Showcase. Each pavilion is filled with unique gifts; there is something for everyone on your list whether you are looking for fragrances, chocolates or specialty dolls. Be sure to stop by Santa’s Village in The American Adventure where you can get your favorite gifts from toys to stocking stuffers and all your Christmas tree trimmings. No matter where you go in Epcot® you just might find the perfect holiday gift. Click here to see some recommended gifts from all over the resort.
For more on happenings at other parks throughout Walt Disney World Resort click here.
Do you have some favorite holiday memories that you enjoyed at Epcot? Please post them in the comments below!
Related articles
- Holiday Highlights at Walt Disney World! (disneyways.com)
- Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Lea Salonga and More Set for Epcot Candlelight Processional, Now thru Dec 30 (broadwayworld.com)
- My Favorite Epcot Pavilion is Germany (candoitmom.com)
- New Year’s Eve Events Around Walt Disney World Announced (disneyways.com)
- What is that Beautiful Smell in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion? (meetthemagic.com)
Candlelight Processional Mystery Revealed at Last!
Published December 3, 2012 by Disneyways.comDine time is 4:20-5:45 to see the 8:15 show
Dine time is 3:30-4.15 to see the 6:45 show
Dine time is 12:30-2:30 to see the 5:00 show (This will often be considered a LUNCH package. Usually it’s same exact menu as dinner – sometimes for a much lower price! The trade off is that the sun won’t be setting until around 5:30. If you prefer your entire candlelight processional in the dark – you may want to book a later time.)
If you call in your reservation, 407-WDW-DINE (407-949-3463) your agent will remind you what show time you will be getting. Make sure they specifically tell you this is a Candlelight booking – or you won’t get reserve seating for the show. They will ask you for a credit card number, just to hold the reservation (no charge for now!) so you will want to have that handy.
Related articles
- Holiday Highlights at Walt Disney World! (disneyways.com)