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Christmas at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Published December 24, 2012 by Disneyways.com

The 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.

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To check out Disneyways Animal Safari Sundays series click here.

Christmas at the Polynesian

Published December 23, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Mele Kalikimaka and welcome to the Polynesian during the Holiday season.

A tropical island Christmas? Sure, why not?

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Video of Christmas in Hawaii – for comparison purposes only.

Christmas at the Contemporary

Published December 23, 2012 by Disneyways.com

At 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).

Read more about the Contemporary here and here.

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New Limited Time Magic Info Source

Published December 22, 2012 by Disneyways.com

New info about limited time magic will be released beginning Friday! Check out this link from Disney Parks Blog or just subscribe to Disneyways by email so you’ll never miss an update!
Have a magical day!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/12/limited-time-magic-surprises-beginning-soon-at-disney-parks/

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Top 5 Ways to Get in the Christmas Spirit at Epcot 2012

Published December 17, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Holidays Around the World at Epcot – going on NOW through  December 30, 2012!

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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!)

scrooge

  • 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!

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Solving the Mystery surrounding the Rapunzel Tower in New Fantasyland…

Published December 13, 2012 by Disneyways.com

UPDATE ADDED MARCH 8TH 2013! Click here to see photos of the new tower!

Disney fans who have been to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World recently have noticed something new rising out of New Fantasyland. Located next to the “It’s a Small World” attraction, right where the old Fantasyland Skyway ride was, an adorable tower can be seen from Fantasyland, Frontierland and even from the Haunted Mansion cue. This addition comes as somewhat of a surprise to Disney fans as Rapunzel’s tower and village was never included in any concept art of New Fantasyland released by Disney. It all seems so mysterious because details have been hard to come by.

We are now able to see for ourselves, because the tower is peeping up from behind Imagineer construction walls. Despite the rumors, there will not be a meet and greet in this spot. Rapunzel will be found in the new Princess Fairytale Hall (where Snow White’s Scary Adventures use to be) when it opens in 2013. Therefore the tower area does not need to be a meet and greet because we will already have Princess Fairytale Hall for that purpose. In case you haven’t seen them, here are some of the beautiful concept drawings released by Disney of the new Princess Fairytale Hall scheduled to open in 2013.

fairytale hall princesses fairytale hall fairytalesign princess fairytale hall photos

So why the tower?  Believe it or not Disney sources say this is where they will be placing new BATHROOMS. It seems so funny now that we know the truth doesn’t it?  It actually makes a lot of sense if you think about it.  When nature calls, and the kids have to “go” – this tower will be like a beacon in the night – letting us know that relief is not too far away. The new facility will include increased handicapped and family bathrooms, and is meant to replace the current bathrooms in the area by the Peter Pan’s Flight attraction. With those older bathrooms gone,  my thoughts are that they will add an expanded interactive queue for Peter Pan, sort of like  the one Winnie the Pooh has (only Pan themed of course!)  Imagineers are also planning to expand the walkways to help with traffic flow between Fantasyland and Liberty Square on those crowded days. Having a meet and greet here would actually crowd the area with folks waiting to meet princesses. I hope this helps explain things – let me know if you have heard or seen any new information that I am missing!  Personally, my thoughts are that maybe Disney doesn’t believe it’s very magical to brag about new bathrooms, so we are going to have to keep each other in the know on this one as things develop. Have a magical evening!

Tower 1 Tower 2 tower from frontier land tower from haunted mansion cue

Video by Daniel Andersson and edited by Jeff Lange from MouseSteps.com

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l1nCjXt77A

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Top 5 Things You Won’t Want to Miss in New Fantasyland

Published December 11, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Enchanted Tales With Belle. Meet and greet with Belle like never before when you actually get to help stage a short play for her. If you’re like me you will marvel at the AMAZING animatronics of Lumiere and Madame Wardrobe.  You even get a walk through of Maurice’s cottage from “Beauty and the Beast.”

Be Our Guest Restaurant. French cuisine has arrived beneath the Beast’s Castle. Lunch is quick service with no reservation required. Reservations are needed for dinner, when guests can order wine and beer with their meals for the first time in Magic Kingdom history. Click here to see a whole lot more – including a photo of “the grey stuff!”

Gaston’s statue and fountain. A tribute to the man, they myth the legend. A plaque reads: “Tribute to Gaston. An extravagantly generous gift to the humble people of my village. From me, Gaston.” Nearby: Gaston’s Tavern, a tiny eatery that serves up savory pork shanks and warm cinnamon buns that are bigger then your fist!  Despite its name, Gaston’s Tavern does not serve alcohol. Here is a video.

Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid. This mild-mannered ride is great for princesses young and old.  You will not want to miss the virtual way that you are actually submerged under water while staying completely dry! One showstopping room features 128 aquatic animatronics in action. Click here for more on this attraction.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant. This attraction was transported to Fantasyland’s new Storybook Circus area, and DOUBLED. Yep there are two Dumbo rides now. You won’t want ot miss the fantastic new gift shop that smells like heaven. Throw in an air-conditioned cue that doubles as a playground – as well as pagers that blink when it’s your turn to ride – and you’ve got a fantastic addition to the New Fanatsyland line up!

So what do you think? What would be in your top 5 list of New Fantasyland fun not to be missed? Photos are ©Disney Parks Blog

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Candlelight Processional Mystery Revealed at Last!

Published December 3, 2012 by Disneyways.com
The holiday season is in full swing at Disney World! Our family has made the Epcot processional a family tradition. Thinking back to when I used to book Disney dining – I would often get asked “What time should I dine to see the ___o’clock show?” I haven’t seen this information in a lot of places, and it’s great to know. Times and availability are always subject to change but this is the general rule.
When you make your reservations for Candlelight dining packages – keep this in mind.

Dine 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.

For more information and details about this and all the holiday happenings at the Walt Disney World Resort – please click the links below.
I hope you’ll find this information helpful. Merry Christmas!!
Neil Patrick Harris
mickeyspaceship earth Christmas Tree
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Local Orlando News Station Covers New Fantasyland

Published December 2, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Click here to see the Fantasyland tour from a local Orlando news station!

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Schedule For Opening Day of New Fantasyland Dec. 6th

Published December 1, 2012 by Disneyways.com

New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World will officially open to the public on Thursday, December 6th. A few changes have been made to hours of operation for some of the attractions in preparation for the grand opening.

On December 5th:
The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9:00am – 7:00pm, with Wishes being shown at 6:00pm.

The Enchanted Forest area of Fantasyland will not be open to guests that day, but the Storybook Circus area will be open from 9:00am – 3:00pm.

Goofy can take a break from always getting electrocuted – because Mickey’s PhilharMagic will also be closed that day.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel will be open from 9:00am – 6:00pm. Watch for me in the giant honey pot.

On December 6th:
TheMagic Kingdom will open at 8:00am for Extra Magic Hours for resort guests and at 9:00am for the general public.

Both the Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus will be open from 8:00am – park close.

Be Our Guest Restaurant will be closed all day (but when you say the name of the place…that seems ironic!)

A grand opening ceremony will take place at 10:00am on the Castle Forecourt Stage. I can’t wait for that!

The park closes at 7:00 both nights for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Things are always subject to change without notice so please be sure to pick up a daily Times Guide when you get to the park to verify that these times are still correct.

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