WDW Daily News

If guests have ever been to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season, they know the true can’t-miss attraction – the incredible gingerbread displays! These are a staple of the most wonderful time of the year, and for good reason. The pastries teams on both coasts and at sea spend countless hours masterfully crafting these culinary works of art.  Let’s check out the wonderful displays on both coasts!

The pastry teams have been working tirelessly to brings these holiday traditions to life. Their passion goes into every detail – from the gingerbread shingles to the masterfully crafted chocolate work, and everything in between. This year marks the return of the display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and new additions to the Jambo House Lobby Display at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which may or may not be a life-sized baby zebra, as well as the classic and granddisplays at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

But enough waiting – let’s unwrap the entire list of gingerbread displays coming this year!

Within the walls of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park guests will uncover the Haunted Mansion Gingerbread House. For years, this display has added even more holiday flare to the Jack Skellington’s transformation of this classic attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday. The pastry team takes over 20 days to bring this nearly 300-pound creation with three moving elements to life. Be sure guests take a ride on the Haunted Mansion for some extra festive fun.

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The most wonderful time of year is almost upon us! Let’s take a sneak peek into the yummy yuletide delights guests can enjoy at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Magic Kingdom Park this year!

This event, which is held on select nights from November 8 through December 2022, is the ultimate holiday gathering filled with beloved characters, attraction overlays, magical entertainment, like the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and even an appearance from Kris Kringle himself! This party is a favorite, which may or may not be because of the treats. Speaking of treats – let’s get to them.

The culinary teams have acted as Santa’s foodie helpers this year and created a sleigh worth of goodies to indulge in. With plenty of new delights this year, like the adorable Mickey Mousse Ornament Treat at the Main Street Bakery, the sweet and savory Holiday Dinner Dog at Casey’s Corner, and the can’t miss Polar Bear Claw at Cool Ship, guests will be asking for treats on their list!

Let’s unwrap the Foodie Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

• Lock, Shock, and Barrel Sundae: Festive vanilla cake, vanilla ice cream, strawberry topping, whipped cream, and Christmas sprinkles with a Lock, Shock, and Barrel chocolate piece (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
• Sugar Plum Shake: Spiced sugar plum soft-serve topped with cherry syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

 Casey’s Corner

• Holiday Dinner Dog: All-beef hot dog with cranberry mustard, savory stuffing funnel cake, and cheese curds (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
• Christmas Tree Cake: Red velvet brownie cheesecake with eggnog buttercream and spiced caramel topped with mini sugar Christmas lights (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

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One of the greatest ways for families to kick off the holiday season is by watching the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together. 

Disney Cruise Line debuted an all-new cruise ship float during the turkey day tradition last year, and we are thrilled to share that the same stunning vessel will be returning to the parade later this month! This year, our majestic “ship” – inspired by the fantastical style of the Disney Wish – will float through the streets of New York once again, accompanied by an all-new performance in Herald Square.

This year’s live parade performance will be inspired by one of the new Broadway-style shows on board the Disney Wish, “Disney Seas the Adventure.” Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and Goofy will lead an incredible cast of performers and Disney characters in this show-stopping number, which has quickly become a guest favorite aboard our newest ship. 

Check out the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this magical float and its pixie-dusted debut last year.

Be sure to tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC-TV on Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones.

We’ll “see you real soon” on 34th Street!

Art and foodie lovers, mark your calendars! The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns Jan. 13 and runs through Feb. 20, 2023, at the Walt Disney World Resort. The festival is a global celebration of visual, culinary, and performing arts where guests can find inspiration and discover their own creativity in fun ways across the park.

Topping the “must-do” list: 16 delectable Food Studios will serve up art-inspired menus appealing to a variety of palates. The creations are not just delicious, but true works of art.

And this just in! The EPCOT Festival culinary team is putting finishing touches on two new Food Studios. Moderne, located near Test Track presented by Chevrolet, will feature new mouthwatering avant-garde menu items. The other new Food Studio, Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food, and Little Sparks of Magic, promises to deliver treats and beverages bursting with vibrant colors and flavors. We’ll share more details about these delicious new concepts in early 2023!

During the festival, more than 100 Disney and visiting artists will showcase their eye-catching works of art. Guests of all ages can express their creative side by learning to draw a Disney character at Animation Academy, leaving their own creative mark at Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural and helping Figment learn about art on a scavenger hunt around World Showcase.

Each evening, the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series will feature talented entertainers performing Disney songs live at America Gardens Theatre. A list of entertainers is coming soon.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is available with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date. And remember, there’s still time to enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort 50^th Anniversary celebration now through March 31, 2023.

If guests are looking for something “cool’’ to do this holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort, then they should consider a visit to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park because the popular polar paradise reopens next month for the holiday season. And for the first time in forever, the water park will include touches from the popular Disney film Frozen.

When the wintry water park swings open its gates on Nov. 13 there will be plenty of arctic adventures, including wintry water attractions for guests of all ages, frosty eats and treats and an atmosphere of glacial glee. As we like to say around here, there’s almost ‘snow’ better place to spend the day at Walt Disney World than at a water park!

Here are some of the best ways to chill out and enjoy Blizzard Beach’s return…

Frolic with Frozen friends at Tike’s Peak

A flurry of Frozen fun has come to Blizzard Beach and guests’ young ones can enjoy them among the kid-sized thrills of Tike’s Peak. Whether they are experiencing the miniature slides and attractions, splashing around in front of Anna and Elsa’s igloo castle or playing with Olaf and his Snowgie pals in the wading pool, this area is full of Frozen-themed fun for everyone!

Ring In the Holiday Season

Feel the holiday cheer with limited-time food and beverage offerings such as Orange Bird DOLE Whip cone and Peppermint Milkshake. Through Dec. 31, guests can immerse themselves in a merry atmosphere that has a daily snowfall, holiday music, festive inner tubes and even a tropical-dressed Santa.

Take the Plunge Down Summit Plummet

Calling all thrill-seekers! Did you know that the fastest attraction at Walt Disney World is right here at Blizzard Beach? Descend Mount Gushmore in a near-vertical drop on the tallest and fastest freefall body slide in town.

‘Luge’ Yourself in New and Returning Culinary Creations

Guests can savor brand new bites like Cajun Shrimp and Grits, and sip on new beverage options like a Watta-Melon Passion Lemonade from Lottawatta Lounge. Returning favorite flavors include seasonal DOLE Whip offerings, a Double Bacon Cheeseburger and the iconic 50^th Ice Dream Sand Pail Sundae.

Kick back in a Polar Patio

Need time to unwind? Guests can rent a private patio space complete with polar perks like comfortable seating options and refillable drink mugs for a relaxing break from the action.

Ready, Set, Snow at Toboggan Runners

Guests can sleigh the day away as they zoom down the water slide toboggan style. In a course filled with dips, hills and fierce competition, guests can race against their friends and family to see who will take first place.

Family Fun at Teamboat Springs

Team up with friends and family to experience one of the longest whitewater raft adventures in the world. Guests can expect twists and turns, unpredictable rapids and drenching sprays of water along the way as their oversized inner-tube raft ventures down this thrilling waterslide.

The Ski-riffic Way to the Top of Mount Gushmore

Guests can take in the view of the snowy setting as they embark on a leisurely journey to the top of Mount Gushmore on Blizzard Beach’s own chairlift. Dressed in bright colors, this lift will effortlessly transport them to some of the iconic attractions at the park, including Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher and Teamboat Springs.

You’ll ‘Glove’ Runoff Rapids

Propel down Mount Gushmore on three unique slides with thrilling twists and turns along the way, ending in a huge splashdown at the bottom.

In celebration of Walt Disney’s World’s 50^th anniversary, Disney has launched Extended Evening Theme Park Hours as a benefit for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts or other select hotels, to enjoy a few extra hours at select theme parks. Today, they shared that this popular benefit will continue beyond the 50^th Anniversary celebration throughout all of 2023!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Currently, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are available at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select dates.
• They are extending this benefit throughout all of 2023 for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, or other select hotels, for select nights at select theme parks.

“Welcome to Fantasmic! …”

We could not be more excited to share that “Fantasmic!” returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Nov. 3. Back and better than ever, the larger-than-life, open-air nighttime musical will boast the live performers, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics you know and love – complete with a brand-new show sequence!

“Through this entire sequence, we go on a journey with our heroes. We see them faced with a decision, and how hard that can be for them, then watch as they find that strength within themselves to push through in a truly spectacular way,” says Disney Live Entertainment Show Director, Matthew Hamel.

And spectacular it is. The new heroes sequence features a high-energy Aladdin chase with stunts never before seen on the “Fantasmic!” stage, a powerful scene with Elsa set to the song  “Show Yourself” that is sure to thaw the most frozen of hearts, and stirring moments with Pocahontas, Moana and Mulan. Fun fact: To help choreograph the authentic Chinese martial arts you’ll see in Mulan’s scene, the creative team brought in Mimi Chan – the original muse and model animators used when bringing the character of Mulan to life for the 1998 animated film.

“We know this show means so much to people, and we’ve kept that in mind every step of this journey.” says Disney Live Entertainment Producer, Laurice Marier. “Even beyond the new scene, we’ve taken this time to upgrade the lasers, the lighting, the sound, all to bring this show back even more beautiful than it’s ever been. We’re all really just so excited for guests to see it.”

So, will the powers of Mickey’s incredible imagination still be strong enough, and bright enough, to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey’s dreams? We are about to find out. See everyone there!

And don’t miss out!  Beginning Oct. 26, “Fantasmic!” dining packages for select restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be available for performances Nov. 30 and beyond

Take a look at some photos from Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Dream

We’ve got some very exciting news to share with you. Three, yes three, restaurants are getting some exciting updates in the coming weeks – Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at EPCOT.

These favorite foodie spots offer unique dining experiences and delicious cuisines that take everyone’s tastebuds to different cultures across the globe. Not to mention, guests may even find some of their favorite characters at two of them.

Beginning November 1, Tusker House Restaurant will be transitioning to an all-you-care-to-enjoy, buffet style dining experience! That means guests can go and grab all the food they can handle. What makes this spot nestled in the Harambe Marketplace so special is its menu filled with African-inspired flavors.

There are plenty of dishes to keep guests’ eyes (and tastebuds) on when this location goes back to a buffet. From breakfast to dinner, they will be more than satisfied. Guests can kickstart their morning at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with tasty plates, including an assortment of pastries like the Zebra Coffee Cake, breakfast classics like Simba Waffles and Mickey Waffles, and a variety of breakfast meats.

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Most people only look at the large pumpkin figures as they enter Main Street USA but check out the details and theming of the rest of the smaller pumpkins that line the street.