WDW Daily News

The holiday season is here! It all kicks off tonight at Magic Kingdom Park, with the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. 

Debuting this year is the nighttime spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Returning favorites include the special holiday-themed parade “Once Upon a Christmas Time”, the Cinderella Castle stage show “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” and so much more!

In addition to the wonderful holiday entertainment guests can also ride Magic Kingdom Park classic attractions, savor complimentary treats and enjoy a magical “snowfall” on Main Street, U.S.A.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates are:

• November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24
• December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22

 Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are filled with magical entertainment, attractions, food and décor that guests will enjoy from Nov. 8, 2019, through Jan. 6, 2020. To extend that Disney magic beyond the winter season, our Holiday gift guide is filled with experiences and products that are sure to delight every Disney fan – from Disney-themed dining to entertainment in the theme parks, hotel stays and more. Guests may shop at the resort, online at shopDisney.com, and at Disneyland.com for tickets and hotel stays.

Disneyland Resort Holiday Gift Ideas:

1. Tickets to be among the first to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: Opening Jan. 17, 2020, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will thrill guests at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the immersive new land at Disneyland Park. A gift of theme park tickets will provide admission to the land and this new attraction, where guests will join the Resistance in the middle of an epic battle against the First Order. Guests who visit the planet of Batuu can also build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, create a personalized droid at Droid Depot, or purchase a Porg from the Creature Stall. The adventures continue back home with Star Wars-themed gifts, a reminder of the joy experienced at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. To purchase tickets online, visit com/tickets.
2. Tickets to experience the new “Magic Happens” parade in spring 2020: A gift of tickets to Disneyland Resort for the spring season are ideal for discovering the extraordinary new parade “Magic Happens” at Disneyland. Magic happens with grand storytelling as stunning floats, beautiful costumes, and beloved Disney characters fill the procession – led by Mickey Mouse and his pals. While watching this magical parade, guests may complement their viewing experience by waving a celebratory bubble wand  and displaying a magically-themed popcorn bucket, memorializing their first time experiencing this new parade. To learn more about “Magic Happens,” follow the Disney Parks Blog at com.
3. A Disneyland Resort Hotel stay: Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel will enjoy fabulous décor, themed restaurants and pools, legendary Disney guest service and more. Create a gift with a Disneyland Resort hotel stay and your loved ones will enjoy exclusive benefits such as Extra Magic Hour, easy access to hotel dining and close proximity to the parks and Downtown Disney District. For an added surprise, loved ones will be thrilled with the gift of a Holiday In-Room Celebration with Disney Floral and Gifts. These experiences open even more opportunities to create precious memories together. To book a hotel stay, visit com/hotels/.

1. The Frozen Dining Package at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge: Dining packages make great gifts for Disney fans, whether it’s for a nighttime spectacular like “Fantasmic!” or a fireworks show. To celebrate the debut of Disney’s new film “Frozen 2,” guests may enjoy the Frozen Dining Package: a royal three-course feast at Carthay Circle Restaurant that comes with priority seating for “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” at Disney California Adventure. Advance reservations for the Frozen Dining Package are highly recommended and can be booked at Disneyland.com up to 60 days in advance. Separate theme park admission is required. Guests may want to complement their experience with new products from the Frozen-inspired Arendelle Aqua color collection. “Frozen” fans will appreciate gifts from this line, including the Loungefly Minnie Mouse mini-backpack, Arendelle Aqua Ear headband and accompanying spirit jersey. This magical collection is the latest to debut in Disney Parks and online at com.
2. Disney Gift Cards for Holiday Shopping and Dining: Glistening ornaments, apparel, toys and more fill shop windows at the Disneyland Resort, and the gift of Disney gift cards will make it easy for family and friends to bring home a favorite item. Guests may choose from shopping opportunities inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure as well as the Downtown Disney District with its expansive World of Disney store. For dining, a Disney gift card presents a chance to enjoy a special meal or sample some of the fun treats throughout the resort. Guests are encouraged to make reservations for dining at table service locations, including Café Orleans in Disneyland, Golden Vine Winery at Disney California Adventure, and Naples Ristorante in Downtown Disney. To purchase gift cards, visit com/GiftCard.

The gift of an experience is a memory in the making. Friends and family are sure to remember these moments long after the 2019 Holiday season.

Disney+ has arrived to try and reshape the streaming landscape. CNN Business’ Frank Pallotta explains how and what it all could mean for Disney’s other businesses.

Recently Matt Martin, Creative Executive of Franchise Story & Content from the Lucasfilm Story Group, visited Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, and while he was exploring the planet of Batuu, he got an exciting look at one of the story elements from the highly anticipated attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

You can check out Poe’s X-wing in person along with the rest of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance when it opens at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Dec. 5 at Walt Disney World Resort and on Jan. 17 at Disneyland Resort! 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts this week at Magic Kingdom® Park. This special ticketed event occurs on select nights throughout November and December and features exclusive food and beverage offerings, special entertainment and character greetings, festive dance parties, complimentary holiday cookies throughout the park, and more. This year’s party begins on Nov. 8, 2019, and this Foodie Guide contains all of the delicious info you need to know!

And of course, you can always enhance your festive experience with two special add-ons this year: Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party (with reserved viewing for the holiday parade) and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party (with either Tomorrowland Terrace or Plaza Garden fireworks viewing). Both of these special events offer wonderful buffets of holiday eats and treats as well as a place to hang out, relax, and watch favorite holiday time entertainment. Reservations are available through Disneyworld.com.

The all-new Disney+ streaming service debuts on Nov. 12, 2019 – giving you the opportunity to enjoy thousands of your favorite movies and shows all in one place.

Disney+ is the new dedicated home for streaming entertainment from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. Disney+ offers ad-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series and short-form content, along with unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment. 

Guests visiting Disney Springs® (near Paddlefish) at Walt Disney World® Resort or Downtown Disney® District (near Disney Home) at Disneyland® Resort can learn more about the new streaming service at new pop-up Disney+ destinations opening on launch day.

Disney+ is available in the U.S. for $6.99 per month – or $69.99 for a year. Subscriptions may be purchased at disneyplus.com.

As we recently shared, the Minnie Van Airport Service Add-On has expanded to include select off-site hotels. This new transfer option can be added to any available Walt Disney Travel Company Package from the off-site properties listed below. And beginning today, this option can be added online.

Select hotels include:

• Walt Disney World® Swan and Dolphin Hotels
• Four Seasons Resort Orlando
• Disney Springs® Resort Area Hotels (B Resort & Spa, Best Western Lake Buena Vista, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Orlando, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista)
• Bonnet Creek Resorts (Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, and Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek)
• Flamingo Crossings Resorts (SpringHill Suites Orlando and TownePlace Suites Orlando)

You can add one-way or round-trip Minnie Van Airport Service between Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Please note the Minnie Van Airport Service Add-On for these hotels can only be booked online by calling the Disney Reservation Center at (800) 327-2996. This product is commissionable.

Maximum number of Guests allowed per vehicle is six people. Maximum number of bags allowed per vehicle is six medium-sized suitcases. Gratuity is not included. Booking must be made at least three days prior to pick up. Guests needing ADA Accessible vehicles should reach out to Minnie Van team directly at (407) 828-3500. Vehicles are pet-friendly.

Disney Visa Cardmembers can save up to 25% on Premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa and the Disneyland_®Hotel¹.

Cardmembers can save when booking select rooms at the DisneylandResort for stays most nights from Jan. 5-April 16, 2020. They can take advantage of this offer with the Cardmember advance booking when they use their Disney_®Visa_®Card now-Nov. 11, 2019.

Number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel. “Premium” room types include Premium, Deluxe and Woods/Garden/Courtyard rooms; select Concierge rooms; and Artisan, Paradise, Junior and Family suites. Not valid on previously booked rooms. 1-night minimum stay. See important details¹

1. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel. Premium room types included in this offer are Premium, Deluxe and Woods/Garden/Courtyard rooms; select Concierge rooms; and only Paradise, Artisan, Junior and Family suites. Must mention the offer when booking and use a valid Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card to pay the deposit. Advance reservations required. Excludes applicable fees and taxes. Disney Visa Cardmembers must stay in the room. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation, and occupancy restrictions apply per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Not valid on previously booked rooms. One (1) night minimum stay. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Separate Theme Park admission required to enjoy the Parks.

It’s that special time of year, filled with family, friends and amazing holiday entertainment throughout Walt Disney World® Resort! One of my favorite experiences, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, kicks off Nov. 8, 2019 at Magic Kingdom® Park with the debut of a magical new fireworks show that can be enjoyed from across the park. 

The skies above Magic Kingdom Park will sparkle to life this holiday season as visions of fireworks dance in the air during “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Minnie Mouse is our host, inviting everyone to come together in a celebration of the magic of Christmas. The sky fills with fireworks, as we’re swept up in medleys of beloved holiday songs, from “Joy to the World” and “Deck the Halls” to “Up on the House Top” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” The music of the show evokes heartfelt moments of home and family, as well as the festive fun of the season, all building to an incredible finale. 

Our Disney Parks Live Entertainment team has been working hard behind the scenes to get “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” ready for its debut. Here’s a sneak peek! 

We’re just a day away from the start of Holidays at the Disneyland® Resort, and the return of the joyous Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure® Park. Inspired by the vibrant cultural diversity of Southern California, this heartwarming celebration brings the holiday season to life with music and dance performances, the colorful Festival Foods Marketplace, diverse crafts and plenty of beloved Disney characters who invite your Clients to delight in the festive spirit of the holidays.

This year for Disney Festival of Holidays, there’s an all-new character celebration, “Mickey’s Happy Holidays.” Twice daily, a cheerful celebration featuring favorite Disney and Pixar characters enters the park to a mix of high-energy music, as you are invited to dance along with Mickey Mouse and pals to the magically merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers. Guest can find them at the Paradise Gardens Park Obelisk and Carthay Circle, where everyone can sing and dance along!

Also new this year, the Holiday Sunset Concerts on the Palisades Stage feature The Suffragettes. This exciting festival cover band rocks the holidays on select nights, with chart-topping hits from some of your favorite musical artists. On other nights, the explosive energy of Phat Cat Swinger, the West Coast’s “Little-Big Band,” will showcase their swinging selection of irresistible holiday music, presented with a fresh new twist.

These great bands join other returning entertainment that honors the many cultural holidays celebrated at Disney Festival of Holidays. Blue13 Dance Company presents a spirited tribute to Diwali through traditional Indian folk dances and Bollywood. Mostly Kosher brings the spirit of Hanukkah in a concert that combines Klezmer, Jazz and Rock & Roll. A cappella performances by The Sound celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa, and the Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas bring the joy of Navidad to the party! Disney Festival of Holidays includes all that, plus the antics of the Holiday Toy Drummers, the incredibly fun Disney ¡Viva Navidad! with The Three Caballeros and Santa’s Holiday Visit at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Disney Festival of Holidays starts Nov. 8, 2019 and continues through Jan. 6, 2020.