WDW Daily News

The special series on the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort continues today with an exciting look at some of the EARidescent magic Guests can now discover at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Whether it’s the iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel glowing brightly as a magnificent Beacon of Magic, delicious celebratory sips and bites or 50th anniversary celebration merchandise, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is glimmering like never before – calling Guests to experience new and once-in-a-lifetime offerings.

Disney chefs and mixologists have created an amazing lineup of celebratory treats made especially for the 50th anniversary celebration. The sips and bites are full of color, whimsy, and a touch of EARidescent shimmer and here’s where Guests can find each treat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Trolley Car Café

• Glimmer and Shimmer Pineapple Mousse – Golden pineapple mousse on a toasted coconut crisp with caramel cream and matcha sponge cake

The Hollywood Brown Derby

• Filet Mignon with Walt’s Hash topped with an egg (just the way Walt liked it!)
• 50th Celebration Baked Alaska – Layers of strawberry-basil sorbet, vanilla gelato, and sponge cake coated in toasted meringue and caramelized brownie bites

The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, Oasis Canteen, Sunshine Day Bar, Animation Bar

• Shimmer over the Moon – Apple pie moonshine, amaretto, falernum, pineapple juice, and club soda served with a souvenir glow cube

ABC Commissary

• Chocolate Mousse – Raspberry-dark chocolate mousse, chocolate-almond cake, and a layer of hazelnut crunch and whipped chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake
• Caramel Apple Tart – Spiced Caramel-Cheesecake Mousse, Apple-dusted in Gold, and served atop a Cinnamon-Apple Tart

Backlot Express and Fairfax Fare 

• Glimmer and Shimmer Blondie – Gooey toffee and toasted coconut blondie with salted caramel buttercream and festive gold nuggets

Epic Eats

• Glimmer and Shimmer Funnel Cake – Funnel cake with cookies ‘n cream and soft-serve vanilla ice cream topped with golden cookies and sprinkles

Rosie’s All-American Café

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios 50th Celebration Sandwich Cookie – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary with a pretzel shortbread cookie with strawberry jam and peanut butter-chocolate fudge

Trolley Car Café

• Pumpkin Mousse – Milk chocolate-chai mousse filled with pumpkin bread set atop a chocolate shortbread cookie and vanilla buttercream

In & Around The Park 

• Glimmer and Shimmer Churros
• Mickey Glimmer and Shimmer Brownie – Chocolaty Mickey brownie with celebratory shimmery sprinkles

During the 50th anniversary celebration, Walt Disney World Resort theme park icons are also transforming into magnificent Beacons of Magic at night, beckoning all to come and celebrate. And at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel is a sight to see!  

This magical destination is shining and evoking the glimmer and shimmer of the golden age of imagination and adventure!

In the park, Guests can also find the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection” – with each statue paying homage to the past 50 years of Walt Disney World while also ushering us into the next 50 years.

The beautiful golden statues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios include fan favorites R2-D2 and BB-8, Woody and Bo Peep, Sebastian and Flounder, Joe Gardener, Edna Mode and Frozone. 

For the 18-month celebration, dazzling decorations and magical touches can be found throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney teams have created all sorts of new decorations that shimmer and sparkle all day and into the night!

Also, be sure to look high and low at the park for even more EARidescent magic! Balloons have been a guest favorite since day one at Walt Disney World Resort and for the 50th anniversary celebration, Guests can enjoy special bouquets of balloons shimmering like never before at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

During their next visit, Guests can pick up a special edition park guide map created for the 50th anniversary celebration. The Disney Hollywood Studios guide map features the Hollywood Tower Hotel on the cover and includes great information on all of the celebratory food and beverages, special merchandise and more!

And don’t forget there’s even more magic to discover at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a thrilling and ever-evolving destination where Guests can let the adventure begin! From amazing attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway to out-of-this-Galaxy experiences at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and whimsical fun at Toy Story Land, excitement awaits every turn.  

Season’s Greetings!

We know we haven’t even finished trick-or-treating, but the Disney chefs and mixologists can’t wait to join in the reindeer games and share all the holiday deliciousness at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. To cover it all, we need multiple Foodie Guides this holiday season!

We are kicking off with the Foodie Guide to all the yummy holiday sips and bites offered in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom Park, and Disney Springs to get guests in the holiday spirit. (Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about EPCOT – the annual Foodie Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth will be shared soon.)

Be sure to stay tuned for the various holiday Foodie Guides to find all the places at Disney to eat, drink, and be merry!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Restaurantosaurus

• Open-Faced Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich – Grilled multigrain bread with roasted garlic mayonnaise, cornbread stuffing waffle, sliced smoked turkey breast, herb gravy, cranberry sauce, and a fried sage leaf (available Nov. 25)

Satu’li Canteen

• Thanksgiving Bowl – Cornbread stuffing, sliced roasted turkey, cranberry boba pearls, gravy, and slaw (available Nov. 25)
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse – Pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate “dirt,” and cranberry boba pearls (available Nov. 25-28)
• Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse – Peppermint cream cheese mousse, peppermint sauce, peppermint candy pieces, and chocolate “dirt” (available Dec. 1-30

Read more

Take a look at some of the 50th Anniversary merchandise still available at the Disney Parks.

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One of Guests’ favorite holiday season traditions is curling up in front of the television to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

We’re beyond excited to share that there will be an extra sprinkle of pixie dust on the Parade this year as Disney Cruise Line’s brand-new cruise ship float embarks on its maiden voyage in New York City as part of the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The imaginatively designed “ship” has been christened “Magic Meets the Sea” and is inspired by the fantastical style of the Disney Wish, which sets sail in summer 2022. Our new float showcases the majesty of a Disney Cruise Line vessel and features iconic design elements including a Mickey Mouse-inspired color palette, towering red funnels and an intricate filigree motif along the hull. 

The float will also spotlight 15 favorite Disney friends who represent the stories and experiences on board the Disney Wish, including Captain Minnie Mouse, Princess Tiana, Aladdin and Jasmine, Cinderella and more.

We’ll be sharing even more magical details about Disney Cruise Line’s Parade appearance so Guests should keep an eye on the horizon!

Guests should be sure to gather their friends and family and tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC-TV on Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones.

The 50th anniversary golden statues (spread throughout the four theme parks…

Full Story & Photos

I know many of you hardcore Star Wars and Disney fans have already seen this but for those of you have haven’t check this out.

The Disney Imagineers placed a toy size Millennium Falcon underneath the large one. I have circled the location in each photo so the next time you visit Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge be sure to look for it.

Recently we had the opportunity to attend Wizard World Comic Con Chicago. It was a great chance to celebrate the return of one of our favorite fan events of the year. It seemed like forever since we were able to share our love for pop culture with other like minded people. Whether you are a fan of Marvel, DC, Star Wars, anime, Sci Fi, or basically anything under the pop culture umbrella, this event has something for you. We enjoyed the main floor the most because of the fun people watching. While we do not CosPlay, our daughter does so it is always interesting to see how creative adults and kids are with their unique CosPlay. Where else are you ever going to see Ursula talking to The Mandalorian and a Ghostbuster? If you are a comic collector then you would be in heaven at this event because there were thousands of comics to choose from at the different vendor booths. If fan art appeals to you, then you would enjoy the pieces created by some of the most talented artists around. One of the art booths had prints created by special needs individuals. We found out that this fan art is also donated to childrens hospitals in the area. Love that! We purchased some prints for the Anime Club at a school in our hometown. The kids were so excited and inspired by it that they want to work on their own artwork now. Wizard World Comic Con Chicago also had opportunities to meet celebrities, get autographs and photos. Michael Rooker from Guardians of the Galaxy and The Walking Dead had a huge line. Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast, was popular as well. Again, there is something for everyone. If you love all things pop culture or even just a specific genre, we highly recommend attending Wizard World Comic Con Chicago in the future. You won’t be disappointed.

There is no better place to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than The Most Magical Place on Earth – especially during The World’s Most Magical Celebration for the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! ‘Tis almost the season of enchanting holiday entertainment and yuletide-themed décor, so read on for more jolly details.

Even More Magic at Disney Very Merriest After Hours in Magic Kingdom Park  

Disney Very Merriest After Hours just got even merrier, with “Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merry Memories” joining the lineup of event-exclusive entertainment. Guests attending Disney Very Merriest After Hours, a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom Park taking place on 24 select nights Nov. 8 – Dec. 21, 2021, are invited to join Mickey and his pals for a celebration filled with music, dancing and nostalgic yuletide fun. Presented on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage, the show features nods to classic Magic Kingdom holiday stage shows, including “Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Celebrate the Season” and “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.”

Disney Very Merriest After Hours attendees can also expect lower wait times for favorite attractions! And favorite attractions including Jungle Cruise and Monster Inc. Laugh Floor will be receiving special holiday-themed touches during the event. Remember to check out additional entertainment offerings returning during Disney Very Merriest After Hours this season: 

• It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride down Main Street, U.S.A. in “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” Santa Claus, elves, reindeer and other friends from the North Pole join Mickey Mouse and his pals for the happiest holiday parade.    
• The skies above Magic Kingdom Park will sparkle to life with the return of “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” where Minnie Mouse invites everyone to come together in a celebration of the magic of Christmas. The show features fireworks, projections and beloved holiday songs. 
• Club Tinsel, located at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, becomes the coolest place to get down when denizens of the North Pole drop by for the holiday cheeriest dance party in the whole Magic Kingdom!  
• The Reindeer Wranglers bring their holiday hoedown to the streets of Frontierland, performing seasonal songs with a distinctive country flair.  

Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park during regular operating hours can still join in on the holiday fun! On evenings when Disney Very Merriest After Hours is not being held, Cinderella Castle takes on a festive appearance with special projection effects, providing a colorful backdrop for our Guests’ photos. Throughout the evening, bursts of holiday magic will transform Cinderella Castle with a rotating series of designs, followed by a stunning transition in which the iconic Magic Kingdom Park landmark will shine as a Beacon of Magic, illuminating the night with an EARidescent glow.  

Santa Claus is Coming to Town at Walt Disney World Resort

Guests will encounter Jolly Old St. Nick during special appearances across Walt Disney World Resort through Dec. 24 of this year. Catch sight of Santa cruising down Hollywood Blvd. in his candy-apple red convertible at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the Santa Claus Merry Motorcade or venture over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, to spot Santa voyaging across the Discovery River, spreading the joyous spirit of the season from a festive flotilla. Santa Claus will also pay visits to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney Springs, where Guests will have individualized time to wave hello and share their Christmas wishes.

Experience Disney-Themed Trees and Much More at Disney Springs

At Disney Springs, Christmas and holiday cheer can be found around every corner. The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth brings elaborately decorated Disney Christmas trees to the neighborhoods throughout Disney Springs. Each of the twinkling trees will be themed to personify beloved Disney characters, stories and celebrations.  

Special festive décor and live holiday performances will add an extra touch of wonder to holiday shopping. And in the evening, Guests visiting Town Center will experience a magical snowfall, bringing the spirit of the North Pole to Central Florida. For the perfect wrap-up to a holiday visit to Disney Springs, Guests can head to Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar; back by popular demand, this seasonal favorite has returned with yuletide touches alongside festive food and craft cocktails – there’s something on the menu for everyone!

Encounter The Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

During the holiday season and beyond, nature holds the truest magic at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As a part of this year’s yuletide entertainment, Discovery Island will spring to life with a Merry Menagerie of winter animals, realized in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets. Reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins and more interact with Guests, accompanied by serenading musicians as they create a whimsical display and playful atmosphere for Guests of all ages to enjoy.

As Guests explore the park, they may spot Goofy, Chip ‘n’ Dale and other Disney character friends bringing their own style of festive flair to the Discovery River, as they jingle through the jungle to the rhythm of the holidays.

And on nights when the park is open after dark, the Tree of Life awakens as a series of wintry tales emerge from within, complemented by a familiar and heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score. Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life joins the Beacons of Magic in celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, as magical fireflies gather to produce a warm and glorious light, calling forth the EARidescent magic of nature. 

Celebrate With Sunset Seasons Greetings and More at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where each evening holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a “Toy Story” toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”  As a part of the 50^th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort, the festive fun continues when Hollywood Tower Hotel becomes a Beacon of Magic at night, awash in an EARidescence evoking all the glimmer and shimmer of the golden age of imagination and adventure.

Just in time for the holidays, “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” adds a festive finale, featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, and celebratory songs of the season. 

Unlock Traditions from Around the World at EPCOT

Guests are invited to share in the sights and sounds of some of the world’s greatest holiday festivities during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, where time-honored traditions come alive through music, dance, and the storytelling heritage of the countries of World Showcase. Beginning on Nov. 26 through Dec. 30, Guests can celebrate with a spirited array of seasonal entertainment. Stay tuned for new updates about this year’s offerings.

With the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort now in high gear, there’s exciting EARidescent magic to discover throughout our four theme parks and beyond – especially at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!   

Right now, once-in-a-lifetime 50th offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom include new experiences, celebratory anniversary sips and bites, must-have merchandise, dazzling park decorations and more.  Today, we’re sharing a special look at our magical 50th anniversary celebration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

At the park’s Discovery River Theater, the magic of nature and Disney storytelling are hitting new heights with “Disney KiteTails.”  Several times a day, performers fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, including elaborate three-dimensional kites – some 30 feet long – that allow Disney animal friends like Simba and Zazu or Baloo and King Louie to soar like never before.

Each 10-minute kite display is a gala performance of color and movement, with original, worldbeat arrangements of favorite tunes from “The Lion King” or “The Jungle Book,” filling the air in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family. 

As we have previously shared, each Walt Disney World Resort theme park icon is being transformed into a magnificent Beacon of Magic at night, beckoning all to come and celebrate during the 50th anniversary festivities. And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life is shining like never before!  

A warm and glorious light emanates from the Tree of Life on select nights as enchanted fireflies gather to call forth the magic of nature, inviting everyone to join in the celebration. The Tree of Life also continues to awaken from time to time throughout the evening, sharing its animal tales filled with whimsy and heart.

During the celebration, beautiful “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection” golden sculptures can be found throughout all four of the Resort’s parks paying homage to the past 50 years of Walt Disney World while also ushering us into the next 50 years and beyond. 

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Guests can find sculptures of special Disney characters, including Pumbaa, Timon, Simba, Bambi, Thumper, Dory and Nemo. As Guests encounter the golden sculptures in the parks, they can snap a photo and share on social with #DisneyWorld50.

And for the 18-month celebration, dazzling decorations and magical touches can be found throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom and our other theme parks.  Disney teams have created all sorts of new decorations that shimmer and sparkle all day and into the night!  

The magic is also calling all Foodies to the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney chefs and mixologists have created delights that include a touch of EARidescent shimmer – and here’s where to find them: 

Drinkwallah

• Hand-dipped 50th Celebration Mickey Premium Bar – Our classic Nestlé Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar dipped in blue raspberry-flavored coating with celebration sprinkles and a little bit of pixie dust

Restaurantosaurus

• Cheese Fries with Walt’s Chili – Crispy fries topped with Walt’s favorite chili and cheddar sauce
• Walt’s Favorite Chili on Foot-long Hot Dog – A foot-long hot dog served on a warm bun topped with Walt’s favorite chili and cheddar sauce 

Tiffins Restaurant

• 50th Celebration Chocolate Gâteaux – Almond praline, white chocolate crémeux, ganache, and chocolate-South African cream liqueur sauce

Special merchandise collections have been created for The World’s Most Magical Celebration and they’re now available at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.  The collections, which are filled with must-have mementos for Disney fans of all ages, can be found at several locations across the resort while supplies last, including Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Also, for the 50th anniversary celebration, the anthem “The Magic Is Calling” can be heard in special live entertainment moments across Walt Disney World Resort, including performances by the Discovery Island Drummers and as the EARidescent Mickey & Friends Flotilla cruises along the Discovery River at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  

Beginning Oct. 15, we’re introducing pin trading mystery boxes and Mickey-themed boards – a new, interactive and fun way to trade official Disney Trading Pins. 

As we commemorate the Walt Disney World 50^th anniversary celebration, these boxes and boards are designed for fun for the whole family. Guests can hunt for pins honoring their favorite characters, attractions and so much more on the Mickey-themed pinboards, or be delightfully surprised by choosing a numbered pin from one of our mystery boxes. 

Here’s how they work:

Guests can locate a cast member with a pin trading mystery box or Mickey-themed board and present an Official Disney Trading Pin to exchange. (up to two exchanges per location)

Mystery trading boxes: Guests can select a drawer from the pin box numbered 1-24. The cast member will open the drawer and present the Guest with their mystery pin in exchange for their Disney pin.

Mickey-themed boards: Guests can search the trading board for the Disney pin they would like to trade. The cast member will remove their desired pin from the board and give it to them in exchange for their Disney pin.  

It’s that simple! 

New pin boxes and boards can be found in locations across Walt Disney World Resort. To make pin trading even more convenient, these locations are designated in guide maps and include all four theme parks, Disney Springs and select resort locations.

While Guests search for their next incredible pin finds, they can keep an eye out for the Walt Disney World 50^th anniversary celebration pins, released throughout the 18-month celebration. Guests can get ready to celebrate the past, present & future of The Most Magical Place on Earth with these special pins available across the Walt Disney World Resort including select pins available on shopDisney.com.

If Guests want to take their pin trading to a whole other level, they can register for the Disney Parks Disney Heroes vs. Villains Digital Pin Experience, occurring Dec. 4, 2021. Guests can discover exclusive pins created just for this event, featuring our favorite heroes and villains from Disney, PIXAR, Star Wars, and Marvel. Get event details, browse the product catalog and register for this virtual event here.

Whether it’s searching for that special pin to add to their collection, connecting with other pin traders or the thrill of mystery pin selection, Disney Pin Trading is guaranteed to add a little adventure to any Disney vacation.