With Walt Disney Animation Studios gearing up to release their latest animated adventure, Gallery Nucleus has shared more than 35 pieces from their upcoming show that celebrates the long Disney history of Moana directors Ron Clements and John Musker.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and dozens of their other Disney pals help ring in the festive spirit of the holiday season during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park.
On select nights from Nov. 7 – Dec. 22, guests with tickets to this special, after-hours event can enjoy an evening filled with all the magic and wintry wonderment of the season, complete with complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, snow flurries falling on Main Street, U.S.A., a jolly parade, a breathtaking fireworks show and A Frozen Holiday Wish, where Queen Elsa from “Frozen” uses her powers to turn Cinderella Castle into a sparkling icy centerpiece.
New this year, Mickey and his pals invite some of their friends over for an unforgettable Christmas party filled with music, dancing, color and fun in a new castle stage show titled “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.” This spectacular show includes medleys of delightful holiday songs both classic and contemporary, along with special effects and magical projections.
Twice during party nights, guests can enjoy “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade” and watch as more than 160 performers, 12 floats and catchy Christmas music fill the streets of Magic Kingdom. Festive floats, toy soldiers, gingerbread men, skiers and ice skaters bring the sights, sounds and even the smells of the holidays to life at 8:30p.m. and 10:30p.m. each night of the party.
Sweet aromas of peppermint and gingerbread leap out of the kitchen and onto Main Street, U.S.A. from Goofy’s Candy Company and the Bake Shoppe floats, while the scents of fresh-cut evergreens and pine trees wafts from the Christmas Tree and the Ski Shoppe float.
Guests can dance with polar bears and gingerbread men at Club Tinsel Character Dance Party held at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café.
2016 party dates are:
For ticket prices* or to purchase tickets for this special holiday party, guests may visit Disneyworld.com or call 407/WDW-7679. The party starts at 7 p.m., but party guests with tickets will be allowed admission into Magic Kingdom beginning at 4 p.m. on party nights.
*Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party start at $86 for ages 3-9, and can range to $91 for ages 10 and up. This price may vary depending on the party night selected to attend, and does not include tax.
In 2017, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club brings a new roster of events for fans around the country to enjoy.
SCREENINGS ON THE DISNEY STUDIO LOT AND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT: Throughout the year, D23 will once again offer special screenings on both coasts of classic Disney favorites, including Tangled, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and more.D23 will also screen The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh exclusively for members in Orlando. Just in time for back-to-school, D23 will celebrate Disney Afternoon favorites such as DuckTales, Gummi Bears, and Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers, holding a screening event on the Studio lot with special guests, picture spots, and more surprises. And D23 Members will be invited to the lot for a spook-tacular Halloween screening event that will include a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives.
THE OFFICIAL WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TOUR—PRESENTED BY D23: D23 Gold Member-exclusive tours of the historic Studio lot return, including a look inside the Walt Disney Archives and a tour of Walt Disney’s office suite. The 2.5-hour tours offer fans a unique perspective on historic moments from Disney films, television shows, and theme parks.
D23 BEHIND-THE-SCENES EXPERIENCES: In January, D23 will host the first of several behind-the-scenes events at unique Disney locations, featuring special guests and gifts tailored to each experience. Following a year where members explored the Ink & Paint Department on The Walt Disney Studios lot and took an after-hours tour of the Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World Resort, there will be more surprises in store for members in 2017.
D23’S LUNCH WITH A DISNEY LEGEND: Beginning in February, D23 brings back these exclusive luncheons with Disney luminaries, where members will meet Disney Legends and hear their fascinating stories. The events return to both Walt Disney World Resort and The Walt Disney Studios, where members have already dined with Legends such as animator Glen Keane, Imagineering Ambassador Marty Sklar, and voice talent Kathryn Beaumont.
ADVANCE SCREENINGS: Members can expect a host of exclusive, advance screenings of what are sure to be some of 2017’s most popular releases from The Walt Disney Studios. This year, D23 Members saw previews of Zootopia, The Jungle Book, and Finding Dory in cities across the county, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland, and Seattle. Plus, D23 Members in Los Angeles attended the red carpet premieres of Moana and Pete’s Dragon. For those guests who don’t live in the cities where movies are screened, D23 Gold Members across the country will be selected at random to receive complimentary movie passes, which will be included in issues of Disney twenty-three, D23’s quarterly publication.
D23 DISNEY FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION—EPCOT 35: D23 heads to the parks in honor of Epcot’s 35th anniversary. Epcot, originally announced as the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow by Walt Disney in 1966, has continued to grow and evolve over the years. D23 Members can look forward to a treasure trove of video, illustrations, and photographs to complement a host of stories, both new and old, in honor of this landmark. Plus, D23 will hold a special member event at Walt Disney World Resort in honor of the anniversary.
SIGNATURE EVENTS: D23 will bring back foodie favorite Sip & Stroll during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and members on the West Coast will get to join the fun, as D23 debuts a new event in conjunction with Disneyland Resort’s culinary festivities. And after giving members a look inside the Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago in 2016, D23 will return to the Windy City next year to see the tremendous progress made on the home’s restoration. Expect special holiday events on both the East and West Coasts to make the season bright.
MEMBER MIXERS AROUND THE COUNTRY: After mixing and mingling at complimentary gatherings in Seattle, Chicago, Bridgewater, N.J., and even at San Diego Comic-Con, D23 will bring more mixers to cities around the country in 2017.
D23 EXPO 2017: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns. It’s D23’s biggest event of the year, as all of Disney’s wonderful worlds come together once again July 14–16, 2017, at the Anaheim Convention Center for three magical days of once-in-a-lifetime live performances, star-studded presentations, exclusive collectibles, and more.
Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2017 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at www.D23.com/events. All events and dates are subject to change.
Current event calendar:
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels atD23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
With its multi-year makeover from Downtown Disney nearly complete, Disney Springs at every corner will be unwrapping its very first full-on holidays gala. For the first time, the just-expanded shopping, dining and entertainment district will be filled with festive decorations, the merriest of special events, and fun for the whole family.
During the celebration — now through Jan. 8, 2017 — Disney Springs puts a big red bow around the season of cheer with three extra special events:
Holiday Shopper’s Paradise
Talk about shopping, Disney Springs will be the address for shoppers at holiday time – from name-brand retailers to unique boutiques stocking that special trinket for under the tree to everything in between.
Some of the most recognizable names in retailing have opened their doors in Town Center, newest neighborhood of Disney Springs. These include Anthropologie, Lucky Brand, kate spade new york, UNDER ARMOUR BRAND HOUSE, Tommy Bahama and Sephora – plus brands unique to Central Florida including UNIQLO, Melissa Shoes and UNOde50.
In Marketplace, guests can shop for seasonal offerings at Disney’s Days of Christmas, Art of Disney, World of Disney, Wonderful World of Memories, Marketplace Fun Finds, and Marketplace Co-Op.
At Art of Disney, shoppers can find sketch artists doing holiday artwork. Goofy’s Candy Co. for the holidays is a yummy wonderland of chocolate-dipped candy canes, Olaf caramel apples, Mickey Santa Krispy Treat, miniature fruit cakes and a Mickey Santa Cupcake.
Disney Springs also unwraps a special, hard-to-find present found on every shopper’s wish list: convenient, close-in and complimentary parking.
With the proximity of two “smart” garages where open parking spaces are readily identified, Disney Springs guests are spared the holiday angst of jockeying up and down rows of parked cars for the elusive slot. Disney Springs also is connected to Disney resort hotels by complimentary motorcoach or watercraft service. After 4pm, transportation is available from all four Theme Parks to Disney Springs.
Holiday Feasting at Disney Springs
When the holiday hungries strike, there is no need to pack back into the car. Great dining options abound at every corner of Disney Springs, whether it’s grab-and-go (food trucks at West Side), casual sit-down (Earl of Sandwich, Paradiso 37, Wolfgang Puck Cafe) or a memorable dining experience at venues such as STK and Morimoto Asia. At select locations such as The BOATHOUSE, Raglan Road, T-Rex Café, Rainforest Cafe and Splitsville, entertainment becomes an extra added attraction to holiday feasting.
Frontera Cocina, Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, D-Luxe Burger, Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine are new Town Center dining discoveries holiday shoppers will find. Also new for 2016: a holiday cocktails and craft beer in Marketplace.
Byways and stages filled with holiday entertainment
Between great shopping and dining, Disney Springs treats guests to a sleighful of holiday entertainment.
Best News of All
That would be the Jolly Old Man himself. Direct from the North Pole, Santa Claus invites the young and young-at-heart to share their Christmas wishes at Santa’s Chalet (Marketplace) Nov. 11-Dec. 24 (Noon-10:00 p.m.) and Black Friday Nov. 25 (8 a.m.-10:00 p.m.). Santa Goofy joins the fun Dec. 25-Dec. 30 (Noon-10:00 p.m.).
The Atlanta Braves’ 2017 spring training season at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort features matchups against four 2016 MLB playoff teams, a trio of three-game homestands and an afternoon matchup with the New York Yankees.
Gold Glove outfielder Ender Inciarte and the rest of the Braves report to Disney for two weeks of training in mid-February before games get underway.
The Braves have trained at Disney since 1997 and are celebrating their 20th season at Champion Stadium. Their 2017 spring season will be highlighted by marquee matchups against 2016 playoff teams – the Toronto Blue Jays (Feb. 25), the American League East champion Boston Red Sox (March 3), the Baltimore Orioles (March 28) and the New York Mets (March 10, 25 and 29).
The Philadelphia Phillies, Yankees and Mets will be part of a three-game homestand March 8-10, one of three homestands for the team this spring. They will host the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins on March 18-20 and the Tigers, Orioles and Mets to close out their spring season March 27-29.
Disney character appearances and special moments such as kids running the bases after every game are some of the in-game entertainment opportunities that make Braves spring training at Disney a unique experience.
Individual spring training game tickets go on sale December 12 at www.espnwwos.com/braves, through Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office. Tickets range from $15 (general admission berm seating in left field) to $59 (lower level reserved seats).
Information on Braves spring training season tickets, suite/hospitality, group tickets and mini-plans is available by calling the premium sales team at (407) 939-GAME (4263) and online at www.espnwwos.com/braves. The popular mini-plans will be available again this season, featuring two three-game options.
2017 Atlanta Braves Spring Training Home Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Saturday, February 25 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday, February 26 | Houston Astros | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday, February 28 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday, March 3 | Boston Red Sox | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday, March 4 | Miami Marlins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday March 8 | Philadelphia Phillies | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday, March 9 | New York Yankees | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday, March 10 | New York Mets | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday, March 13 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday, March 16 | Detroit Tigers | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday, March 18 | Detroit Tigers | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday, March 19 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday, March 20 | Miami Marlins | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday, March 23 | Detroit Tigers | 6:05 p.m. |
| Saturday, March 25 | New York Mets | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday, March 27 | Detroit Tigers | 6:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday, March 28Wednesday, March 29 | Baltimore OriolesNew York Mets | 1:05 p.m.1:05 p.m. |
This week marks the 88th anniversary of the premier of “Steamboat Willie,” the fist cartoon with synchronized sound, at New York’s Colony Theater. The short is considered so important in Disney history that its November 18th release date has long been considered the official birthday of its star, Mickey Mouse.
When John Musker and Ron Clements told Disney Animation chief John Lasseter that they were interested in creating a new story based on the Polynesian demi-god Maui, Lasseter had one response: “Go research.”
As we previously shared on Disney Travel News, there are two additional performances of La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® taking place this Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. And now, your Clients can take advantage of a special limited time offer – any seat (excluding Golden Circle) for one low price of $49 for the 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows only*.
Guests can enjoy the vibrant music and whimsical characters with daring acrobatics and dazzling choreography. Plus, catch the newest acts including aerial bamboo artists and break dancers.
*Guests may purchase discounted Front & Center, Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, and Category 4 Adult and Child tickets for themselves and up to five (5) Guests per show. Sales are valid from 11/11/16 through 11/20/16 for both show performances on Sunday, 11/20/16 (both performances). Tickets must be purchased at the Box Office, Disney Reservation Center, or online.
With the emergence of Disney Springs as a world-class shopping destination, merchants throughout the retail, dining and entertainment district are taking part in that great American tradition of holiday shopping: Black Friday on Nov. 25, 2016.
In fact, the fun is being extended to a second day, Saturday, Nov. 26.
More than 60 stores are planning special Black Friday sales and promotions. And children of all ages will have a chance to meet Santa as early as 8 a.m.
While supplies last, World of Disney and other Marketplace favorites will offer special savings on popular items, such as Vera Bradley “Midnight with Mickey” hipster bags for $24.99 at Marketplace Co-Op. Star Wars fans will find Storm Trooper Action Figures for $14.99 at Star Wars Galactic Outpost, and a holiday wreath with lights is available at Disney’s Days of Christmas for $16.99.
Other deals include savings of up to 40 percent on select merchandise at Curl by Sammy Duval, a free bangle with $125 purchase at Pandora Jewelry, 40 percent off all merchandise, excluding “rare finds,” at Lucky Brand and up to 60 percent off original prices of select styles at APEX by Sunglass Hut.
All stores will open at 8 a.m. – two hours earlier than normal – on Black Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26. Adding to the festivities, the Disney Springs waterfront promenade will feature bars offering mimosas for purchase, while Bloody Marys will be available for purchase at nearby Dockside Margaritas.
For a full list of participating locations, shoppers can visit DisneyWorld.com/BlackFriday.
Beyond the Black Friday specials offered by merchants, a whole world of entertainment awaits shoppers at Disney Springs to make for a most unique day of fun for the entire family. Here’s a dozen diversions for shoppers to Disney Springs:
