Christmas

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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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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!

candle

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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Living with the Land – at Christmas!

Published December 15, 2012 by Disneyways.com

December 9, 2012 we took a ride through Living with the Land. I loved how they managed to decorate for Christmas – even inside the greenhouse! Click on any photo to get a larger view and scroll through the gallery by clicking the > on either side. To read more about this ride click here.

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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Holiday Highlights at Walt Disney World!

Published November 7, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Disney elves blend yuletide traditions and Christmas cheer to create a wintry wonderland ready for holiday revelers at Walt Disney World Resort as early as November 9.  There’s an extra night of merry at the Magic Kingdom with 20 nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party; and at Epcot, Candlelight Processional.

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Highlights:

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will have its longest-ever run with 20 magical nights from November 9-December 21. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World guests have been mesmerized by this must-see event, a grandly festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit.

Dates for 2012:

Nov. 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30

Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21

Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows, spectacular fireworks, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. For more information, visit http://www.Disneyworld.com/Christmasparty.  NOTE: this is a hard ticket special event after regular park hours; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Entertainment, Fireworks and More: Santa’s elves have transformed the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland with festive wreaths, bows, garland, sparkling lights, parades and towering Christmas trees.  The fun includes the Holiday Wishes nighttime spectacular: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, plus live entertainment with Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays.

Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle: Cinderella Castle transforms into a glimmering ice palace for the holidays — thanks to a special effects spectacle bathing the castle in 200,000 shimmering white lights. Magic Kingdom guests are treated nightly to the dramatic castle celebration and stage show.

Epcot

Candlelight Processional is a timeless holiday offering at Epcot that combines seasonal music with the poignant reading of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a mass choir performing seasonal melodies, and a 50-piece live orchestra nightly November 23 – December 30, at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. Crowd favorites Neil Patrick Harris and Gary Sinise return to America Gardens Theater stage on select nights.  Guests can purchase a Candlelight Dining Package, which combines lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional and VIP viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.  For more information and reservations: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/candlelight-dinners/

Holidays Around the World: Storytellers from around the world share traditions and lore from their homeland throughout World Showcase.  The merriment continues with meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus the nightly “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” laser, light, fireworks display capped with a seasonal finale.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights: This massive seasonal display features millions of dancing lights, plus animated displays and 3-D effects perfectly synchronized to electrifying holiday tunes amidst snowfall.  The rich tradition takes place on the Streets of America, dazzling guests from Nov. 9, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Celebrate safari style as Disney’s Animal Kingdom is wilder than ever this winter season. Mickey and his pals rejoice in traditional holiday music with a world beat twist during the daily “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.”

Downtown Disney

Get all your Christmas shopping done at Downtown Disney during Festival of the Seasons. The shopping mecca is draped with yuletide cheer, plus live entertainment, holiday carolers, a lively street party, plus photo ops with Santa and Santa Goofy.

Walt Disney World Resorts

The resorts are dressed up for the holidays with festive décor, gingerbread houses and more.

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Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – Secrets and History

Published October 27, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Usually when I tell people I am headed to Hollywood Studios to catch the  Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, folks will ask, “OZZY Osborne?” I usually just laugh and reply, “no, not those Osbornes.” Although that would be a hilarious twist!

In fact the Osborne families could not be more different. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights started modestly in Arkansas as a single home’s annual display.

osborne

This festive display of lights and sparkling holiday bulbs was designed by Arkansas businessman and philanthropist, Jennings Osborne. This tradition began years ago when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter, Breezy. Soon, their 22,000 square-foot home was covered in millions of lights.  Every year, Jennings Osborne and his family set up an elaborate collection of holiday lights and over the years, the collection of lights grew, and grew… and grew! In 1995, the Osborne family decided to share their magic with the world, and Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort happily offered to become the new permanent home for this exceptional exhibition of holiday cheer.

Approximately every 10 minutes, the lights “dance” to holiday music, while “Florida snow” falls in the background, making this the perfect Christmas setting. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is a CAN’T MISS if you will be anywhere near Disney’s Hollywood Studios around Christmas time.

You will want to look for  the infamous mannequin leg lamp from “A Christmas Story” (and check out what show is on the TV!) You’ll also find the more obvious hidden Mickeys at EVERY turn.

There are also surprises that sometimes the cast members are not even aware of! Each year a black cat is hidden somewhere among the lights. The story goes that when the lights were unpacked back in 1995, a Halloween Cat decoration had been mistakenly packed in, and was still used anyway. Each year it gets placed in a different location for guests to hunt. Here are pictures of him from years past so you know what to keep your eyes open for!

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This is NOT your grandmother’s Christmas lights – it may be one of the most amazing things you’ve seen in your life. Come bask in the glow of one of the most popular holiday traditions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Come see the trees, spinning carousels, 3-D and motion-based displays. Delight in the flying angels, toy soldiers and giant Santa Claus light creations all strung along the high-rise backlot cityscape of Streets of America.

The best part?? The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is included with standard admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park! Video does not do it justice but it gives you an idea. Please let me know if you will be coming to see this event!

 

Candlelight Processional Narrator Change!!

Published October 20, 2012 by Disneyways.com
English: Lea Salonga in New York

English: Lea Salonga in New York (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Disney has announced that Olivia Newton John, the celebrity narrator scheduled to appear in the Candlelight Processional December 14-16 is no longer available to participate in this year’s performances. Award-winning singer and actress, Lea Salonga will now be the celebrity narrator for December14–16. Ms. Salonga’s credits include roles in Miss Saigon and Les Miserables. She also provided the singing voice of two official Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan. 

Dates Pricing and Tips for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Published October 11, 2012 by Disneyways.com

I know it seems wrong to even mention this so soon but would you believe we’re only one month away from the beginning of the holiday season Walt Disney World Resort 2012?

Yes we are very close (believe it or not!) to the night where the elves will come in and transform the park from the fall theme – to the Christmas theme.

Today we will look a – just a bit into the future – at the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

In case you haven’t been to a party before, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that takes place on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park throughout the holiday season. The parties promise holiday fun, including snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, Disney characters in holiday attire, Holiday Wishes’ Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, and – my personal favorite – Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. How can you tell they are my favorite? The Dream Lights are the ones that  decorate the castle and are featured on the Disneyways blog year-round!

This year’s parties will take place on the following dates:

November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30;
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21.

Tickets have been on sale since May 1, 2012.

The festivities begin at 7 p.m.  and the purchase of an additional event ticket is required. Party attendees are welcome to enter the park as early as 4 p.m. on party nights, which is a great tip to follow if you’re attending with young children. If you aren’t attending the party and have only one day to go to the Magic Kingdom – AVOID the Christmas party dates – unless you don’t mind being kicked out (ever so gently and magically!) at 7pm.

The number one question people ask is if it’s worth the money to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If you are on a budget, I personally feel that you can skip it. Pretty much all the decorations inside the parks are displayed all season long. What you will end up missing without a MVMCP ticket (during the first half of December) is the Christmas parade and special fireworks.

DISNEYWAYS TIP: If you are really into Christmas decorations like I am – you can take a gander at all the beautiful decorations placed in the resorts – with no park admission required! But that’s a whole other blog…

Advance Purchase Prices for MVMCP:

  •  November 9, 12, 15, 25, 27, 29 and December 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 — Ages 10+: $58.95+tax / Ages 3-9 $53.95+tax

Day of Event Prices:

  •  November 9 – 30, December 2 – 20 — Ages 10+ $64.95+tax / ages 3-9 $59.95+tax
  •  December 21: Ages 10+ $67.95+tax / ages 3-9 $62.95+tax

Passholder/DVC Discounted Prices:

  •  November 9, 12, 15, 25, 27, 29; December 2, 4, 6, 11 — Ages 10+ $54.95+tax / ages 3-9 $49.95+tax
  • No advance purchase discounts November 16, 30; December 7, 14, 20, 21
  • Children under 3 are admitted free.

Buy your tickets early! A number of MVMCP events SELL OUT! For more information, call 407-W-DISNEY.

In previous years, the park would close and then reopen. Now the park stays open through regular closing time. But, be sure to get a special MVMCP wristband before 7 p.m. Again, cast members will direct guests without the bands to leave the park sharply at 7pm.

Call 407-WDISNEY (407-934-7639) to purchase tickets, or visit disneyworld.com. Disney Vacation Club members must call Member Services.

Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of the National Guard or Reservists, may purchase discounted Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets to select event nights. They may also purchase additional tickets for up to five (5) family members and/or friends. ID requirements are the same as the 2011/2012 Military Promotion. NOTE: Permanently Disabled Veterans are also eligible for this offer. These military personnel will have a Military ID with a DAVPRM status.

Discounted military tickets are available at all Vacation Planning and Guest Relations locations. (Not available at Shades of Green, military bases, disneyworld.com or at 407-WDISNEY.)

What do you get for the extra cost of the party? 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features:

– Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle
– Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
– Holiday Wishes Fireworks
– A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
– Celebrate The Season Show
– Meet and greet opportunities with Disney Characters
– Character Dance Parties
– Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
– Magical snow fall on Main Street
– Many of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions (see below for specifics!)

Times of MVMCP shows, parade and fireworks:

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade: 8:15 and 10:30 PM

Holiday Wishes Fireworks: 9:30 PM

“A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” Show: 7:45, 8:45, 9:55, 10:50 & 11:45 PM

“Celebrate The Season” Show: 7:45, 10:05 & 11:20 PM

Character Meet & Greets: 7:00 – 11:30 PM

Magic Kingdom attractions that will be in operation:

Adventureland:
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Swiss Family Treehouse

Frontierland:
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Country Bear Jamboree

Liberty Square:
The Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland:
Peter Pan’s Flight
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
It’s A Small World

Tomorrowland:
Astro Orbiter
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Stitch’s Great Escape
Tomorrowland Speedway
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

Where to purchase something to eat:

Main Street:
Casey’s Corner
Main Street Sweets

Frontierland:
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (closes at 10:00 PM)
Westward Ho
Turkey Leg Cart
Frontierland Churros & Pretzels

Liberty Square:
Sleepy Hollow

Fantasyland:
Storybook Treats

Tomorrowland:
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
The Lunching Pat at Rockettower Plaza

DISNEYWAYS CHRISTMAS PARTY TIPS:

Santa Hats with Mickey Ears and Reindeer Horns with Mickey Ears are available for purchase (if you are in to that sort of thing!).

Short lines for all the fast rides are during the first parade if you want to feel the holiday wind in your hair. Make time to attend the second parade instead.

Check out the special shows and leave some time to see the Florida “snow” on Main Street.

Visit the characters in Fantasyland later in the evening – after the little ones have nestled all snug in their beds.

DO NOT miss the special holiday fireworks!

Unless you fear turning into a pumpkin like Cinderella’s coach – the park empties quite a bit by midnight – and you may have most attractions to yourself!

I’d love to hear from you if you’ve been to the party, dream of going, or maybe have some more tips for first-timers! Have a magical day!

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