WDW Daily News

The Epcot® International Festival of the Holidays Presented by AdventHealth is BACK! Celebrating joyous holiday traditions from around the globe, this year’s festival is presented by AdventHealth and runs Nov. 29 through Dec. 30, 2019 and features a variety of yuletide decorations, flavors, family-friendly activities, and of course, the wondrous “Candlelight Processional.”

In addition to enjoying the stirring retelling of the Christmas story as told by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a choir and a 50-piece orchestra, special dining packages are also available for this experience every night throughout the festival. The Candlelight Dining Package allows you to enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner with guaranteed seating that night during the show. These reservations fill up fast, so be sure to book you today via the My Disney Experience mobile app or by visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort website.

The official Holiday Cookie Stroll is also returning this year with yummy cookies galore! You can purchase any five cookies from any of the official cookie stroll locations noted in their Passport, making sure to collect a matching stamp for each cookie purchased. Once they’ve collected 5 stamps, bring the stamped Passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats for a complimentary completer cookie!  This activity is great for the kids, and can be completed at your leisure. They can even bring back your stamped Passport to Epcot at any time during the festival to complete their stroll. And what’s more, there’s a variety of new cookies for Guests to enjoy this year!

Here’s a closer look at all the yummy details of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

GF indicates “Gluten/Wheat Friendly” items

KA indicates Kid-approved items

Feast of the Three Kings (Near the Mexico Pavilion):

Food Items:

• Pastelón: Sofrito-marinated Beef with Sweet Plantains and Olives (GF)  
• Queso Fresco-stuffed Arepa topped with Shrimp, Crushed Avocado Aji and Tomato Sauce (GF) 
• Arepas topped with Melted Queso Fresco (GF, KA)
• Tres Leches Rice Pudding with Pumpkin Seeds (GF)  
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookie 

It’s another exciting day for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products! In addition to the recently announced Thea Awards, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) also recognized Disney with four Brass Ring Awards for immersive products and atmosphere entertainment.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge hit it out of this galaxy with three Brass Ring Awards for the experiential merchandise items found on Batuu.

• Best Hard Good Item:The personalized lightsabers created by Guests at Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers. The experience is guided by ancient wisdom, yet crafted by the choices guests make before igniting it with a kyber crystal.

• Best Visual Merchandising: The custom astromech units built by Guests at the Droid Depot that interact with the land.

• Best Plush: The Porg was recognized not only for item itself, but also for the experience Guests have when choosing their very own Porg from the Creature Stall.

“Through outstanding products, we have helped create an entirely immersive experience that weaves the story of Batuu through every point in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” said Kareem Daniel, president, Walt Disney Imagineering Operations, Product Creation, Games and Publishing. “Experiential storytelling is at the heart of what we do, and I am so proud of what these teams have collectively brought to life.”

Additionally, in the live entertainment category, the Brass Ring Award for Best Atmosphere went to the Green Army Drum Corps — which marches through Toy Story Landat Disney’s Hollywood Studios®several times a day playing lively percussion sets with inspiring drum sequences.

“It’s incredible to see the effect that atmosphere entertainment has on our guests and the Green Army Drum Corps is no exception,” said David Lightbody, senior vice president for Disney Parks Live -Entertainment.  “We are thrilled to have been recognized by IAAPA for this talented group of musicians that help bring Toy Story Land to life and involve our guests in fun and memorable ways.”

Congratulations to all of the teams behind these incredible products and experiences!

Physical feats that amaze. Performances that require astounding athletic skill. A score that shakes the soul. A story that tugs deeply at the heart.

Each of these are qualities of a Cirque du Soleil production that together leave spectators in awe. 

Today we’re happy to share a first look inside the new, yet-to-be-named Cirque du Soleil show that is set to debut at Disney Springs® at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Spring 2020. This original creation coming to Disney Springs celebrates the art of Disney animation in Cirque du Soleil’s signature way, with a tribute to the craftsmanship that makes Disney so extraordinary. The show will transport the audience into the world of Disney animation with new original acrobatic sequences, dazzling choreography, musical masterpieces and whimsical characters.

Check out the video below for a behind-the-scenes peek into what your Clients can expect when the show debuts this spring.

Tickets for this show are now on sale via this Cirque du Soleil booking site, or by calling 855-473-7783.

Visiting Disneyland Resort during the holiday season has become a tradition for many guests. They discover a winter wonderland the moment they step into Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney District and the three on-property hotels. The holidays begin here at the Disneyland Resort, with festive décor and celebrations that transform the resort into to the Merriest Place on Earth from Nov. 8, 2019, through Jan. 6, 2020.

Two of the Disneyland Resort teams that work together to bring the holiday magic to life are the Resort Enhancement and Horticulture teams. They deck the halls throughout the resort, with their magical work spanning everything from the festive landscaping to the holiday storefront windows; from the façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday to the seasonal installations and décor that guests see throughout the resort.

Here are 19 fun facts about decorating Disneyland Resort for the holiday season, plus some  festive tips from the Resort Enhancement team for holiday decorating at home.

If you’re making the trip to Orlando to celebrate the holidays, here’s what you have to know.

Full Story

The holidays are one of the most enchanting times of the year to visit the Disneyland® Resort and stay at one of three on-property hotels! Here are 10 merry and bright ways guests can immerse themselves in the magic of the season:

1. Festive Decor: The Craftsman-inspired design at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa extends to the towering tree lit with Arts and Crafts motif lanterns. The midcentury Disneyland Hotel gives a wintry nod to “it’s a small world” Holiday in its lobby décor. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has shells and starfish garland draped on an underwater themed tree for a beachy holiday setting.

It’s only one month until the grand opening of Disney’s Riviera Resort, the newest upcoming Walt Disney World® Resort! As we’ve previously shared, the art and décor at the resort will be truly distinctive and will reflect a European theme with a Disney twist. 

The one-of-a-kind art collection at Disney’s Riviera Resort will be comprised of more than 40 original pieces designed for the resort. The Mediterranean-inspired feature mural at Bar Riva, the open-air pool bar, is among these custom works of art exclusive to Disney’s Riviera Resort. 

This piece is particularly special as it’s painted directly on the wall. Here’s a sneak peek at the making of this beautiful mural and some secrets revealed about the creation of this one-of-a-kind work of art.

You can enjoy celebrating the sea and sun, and refreshing poolside at Bar Riva with European- and Mediterranean-style fare and beverages made to order.

The mural at Bar Riva is just one of many exciting and unique details at Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Disney’s Riviera Resort is under construction now and projected to open Dec. 16, 2019.

The Walt Disney World® Resort is bringing back their 4-Park Magic Ticket. This ticket is a great option for guests who are not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel as it cannot be purchased as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company package. As always, for Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, our traditional date-based package product is still the best option, giving them the flexibility and opportunity to experience all the magic that our theme parks have to offer. Walt Disney Travel Company packages are the premium choice for you.

Beginning today, Nov. 19, 2019, you will be able to purchase a four-day, Walt Disney World Resort 4-Park Magic Ticket from $89 per day (plus tax). The 4-Park Magic Tickets include one day of admission to Magic Kingdom® Park, one day of admission to Epcot®, one day of admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and one day of admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, for a total of four admissions over a 7-day usage window, with pricing now based on the first date of visit.

Guests who purchase the 4-Park Magic Ticket can also upgrade their ticket to include one admission to either Disney water park and one admission to the all-new NBA Experience at Disney Springs. The 4-Park Magic Ticket is valid through Sept. 30, 2020.

Important Details

• All tickets and options are nontransferable and nonrefundable and exclude activities/events separately priced.
• A 4-Park Magic Ticket includes one admission to each of the Walt Disney World theme parks (Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park), for a total of 4 admissions.
• Limit one admission per theme park, and one park per day.
• Water Park admission is valid for one admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. NBA Experience admission is valid for one admission to the NBA Experience.
• Water Parks subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures.
• To participate in NBA Experience activities, footwear is required; athletic footwear is recommended. Age restrictions may apply. Adults must sign a waiver when they arrive at the venue; for children younger than age 18, the child’s parent/guardian must sign the waiver for minors.

To commemorate the platinum anniversary of Walt Disney’s classic movie, “Cinderella,” Disney Early Morning Magic at Magic Kingdom® Park will receive a royal treatment perfect for princesses and princes of all ages! 

For eight magical event dates Feb. 11, 2020 through March 3, 2020, Guests who reserve Disney Early Morning Magic will enjoy early access to Prince Charming Regal Carousel in addition to other favorite attractions throughout Fantasyland. Other attractions available during the event are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan’s Flight, Princess Fairytale Hall, “it’s a small world,” Mad Tea Party and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. As an extra special treat, Guests may see some of their favorite characters from “Cinderella,” such as Suzy, Perla, Fairy Godmother, Drizella and Anastasia, and Prince Charming popping in to celebrate this special occasion.

The special Cinderella enhancements will also include themed food and beverage offerings that will be added to the all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. Breakfast is available from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.

Disney Early Morning Magic requires a separate reservation – $89 for adults and $79 for children (standard theme park admission is required). Admission will be limited as soon as possible! 

You can book this experience today by visiting the Walt Disney World Resort website or calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407)WDW-PLAY/ (407)939-7529. (Note: Disney Early Morning Magic will be offered on different dates than Extra Magic Hours.)

Guests can get their glow on in the Downtown Disney® District, where the holidays meet eclectic light in a whole new immersive experience! This week, our Disneyland® Resort Enhancement and Horticulture teams are installing an all-new display, “Let It Glow,” which will bring bright, bold, colorful trees to the promenade beginning Nov. 22, 2019.

A must-see, this vibrant showcase features 200 UV glow trees along the district and a distinctive new seasonal look for both day and night. The solid-colored trees in fluorescent shades of blue, green, yellow, orange and pink vary in size, with the tallest measuring approximately 15 feet, and the smallest at four feet.

Unlike traditional Christmas trees, there’s not a single ornament, as their brightness makes them brilliant. More than 70 glow rings adorn the ficus trees throughout Downtown Disney District, adding to the neon elements at night.

More than 10,000 individual plants and 30 topiaries will live around the trees to further enhance the planters, complemented by 24 hanging baskets filled with poinsettias, cyclamen and dusty miller.

The Downtown Disney District will leave you glowing with cheer this year!  “Let it Glow” will be on display through Jan. 5, 2020.