WDW Daily News

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.

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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.

If guests are fans of “Frozen”, they’re in for a cool time! Guests are invited to celebrate “Frozen 2” at Epcot® with all-new experiences starting on Nov. 22, 2019. 

You can kick off the day by stopping at Royal Sommerhus located in the Norway pavilion at Epcot to visit Anna and Elsa, who will be celebrating their new epic adventure. Both Anna and Elsa will have new looks inspired by “Frozen 2.”

Debuting that day at The Fjording Shop, Guests will have the opportunity to purchase brand new Elsa and Anna costumes for kids inspired by “Frozen 2.”  

An all-new treat will debut at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. Indulge in a cupcake filled with chocolate buttercream decorated with fire frosting and topped off with a white chocolate Bruni!  Treats inspired by “Frozen 2” unique to this location are also available.     

The fun doesn’t stop there! You will encounter other warm surprises exclusively available on Nov. 22, 2019 at Epcot.  

What’s the best way for guests to end their “Frozen”-fun filled day? Head over to AMC Movies at Disney Springs® 24 to enjoy the film, delicious treats and photo opportunities exclusive to Disney Springs. Watch the latest trailer here:

*All merchandise will be available while supplies last.

It’s a special day here – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are celebrating birthdays!  And to mark the occasion, we’re sharing a new poster for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in spring 2020.

On Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you will step through the movie screen and join Mickey, Minnie and friends like never before – bursting into a world where mouse rules apply.

And with mouse rules, anything can happen!  Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will transport you into the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy® Award-winning“Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts where you’re the star.  As we’ve shared, the park’s Chinese Theatre will serve as the magic portal through which Guests will step from the human world directly into the unforgettable cartoon world.

Today’s new underwater poster offers a glimpse of the zany fun you will discover on each adventure. 

Stay tuned for exciting updates on this immersive experience opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Spring 2020 and at Disneyland® Park in 2022.

Walt Disney Travel Company is now booking vacation cottages at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, located near Walt Disney World® Resort.

Bookable by phone only, these vacation cottages are offered by vacation home rental companies Rentyl and VStays. The cottages range in size from two to five bedrooms and offer many amenities, including daily housekeeping, full kitchens, washers and dryers, pet friendly accommodations and, in some instances, private pools.

 Guests staying at Margaritaville Cottages Orlando have access to everything at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, including the onsite Sunset Walk retail center, the fitness center, multiple pools and much more. Please note that this does not include the Island H2O Live! water park. Guests can also take Margaritaville Resort Orlando transportation to the Walt Disney World® Ticket and Transportation Center, where they can access Walt Disney World® transportation to theme parks and more.