WDW Daily News

November 22, 2022

This year, a brand-new light show debuts at Spaceship Earth. Our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering say the light display will invoke some of the sights of winter, including snowflakes, northern lights and warm candles.

Guests can also take a peaceful cruise through twinkling holiday light displays at Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses.  Topping off the Yuletide cheer, guests on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind can experience an all-new holiday remix with a Guardians twist on this intergalactic chase through space and time from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30.

EPCOT once again welcomes back “Candlelight Processional,” a Disney Parks tradition. This heartwarming production takes place nightly at America Gardens Theatre and features celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story accompanied by the Voices of Liberty a capella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra with herald trumpets, and glorious massed choirs comprised of Disney cast members and local community groups.

Celebrity narrators making their debut this year include Gloria Estefan, Josh Gad, Simu Liu, Mariska Hargitay, Raúl Esparza and Daymond John. To see the full lineup of artists, performance dates and dining package availability, guests can visit EPCOTholidays.com.

Other exciting festival offerings include:

• “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season,” a stirring and uplifting performance of music in celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa, returns to the World Showcase Plaza Stage with multiple performances daily.
• Holiday traditions of the world come to life around World Showcase with storytellers, musical acts and other performers. Unique presentations include Las Posadas Celebration featuring Mariachi Cobre at the Mexico pavilion, the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in the Canada pavilion, a Hanukkah storyteller along the promenade between Morocco and France, and other delightful holiday storytellers in France, Italy, Japan, Norway and United Kingdom.
• Holiday Kitchens will cook up treasured recipes and festive drinks from around the globe—from spiced pumpkin punch and cranberry mimosas to slow-roasted turkey with stuffing and pork schnitzel with braised red cabbage. An eye-popping selection of sweets and treats ranging from traditional linzer cookies and maple bûche de noël to chocolate-peppermint donuts will surely satisfy any sweet tooth.
• Latin-American heritage will be celebrated and savored at the all-new Nochebuena Cocina Holiday Kitchenfeaturing traditional dishes served throughout the holiday season, including Pernil: Mojo Pork with Tostones and Alfajores: Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with Dulce de Leche and Coconut.

• The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers guests the opportunity to embark on a sweet adventure. When guests purchase any five cookies from the official Cookie Stroll locations and collect matching stamps in their Festival Passport, they can bring it to Holiday Sweets & Treats to receive a specialty cookie.
• Guests of all ages can take part in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt to search for holiday traditions Olaf has gathered from around the world—and lost along the way!
• For those who want to check off items on their holiday gift list, EPCOT offers shopping around the world. From designer French fragrances and handmade treats to festive holiday wines and teas from around the world, there is something for everyone.
• No holiday celebration is complete without Jolly Old St. Nick himself. From Nov. 25 through Dec. 24, Santa Claus pays a visit to The Odyssey, giving guests the opportunity to say hello, pose for a photo and share their fondest Christmas wish.

To experience the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, guests need both a valid park admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Events and entertainment are subject to change without notice. For more details on this year’s festival, guests may visit EPCOTholidays.com.

Bob Iger has replaced Bob Chapek as Disney’s CEO, a shocking turn of events for the world’s largest media company that has been in turmoil ever since Iger stepped down as CEO in February 2020.

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It’s Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse’s birthday! In honor of this special occasion, the Disneyland Resort is pleased to announce the official reopening date of Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Park – March 8, 2023!

It was this time last year that we first announced Mickey’s Toontown would undergo an ambitious reimagining, and reopen with some all-new experiences for families and young children to have more opportunities to play together inside Disneyland Park. At D23 Expo in September, we shared a bit more about the interactive play areas and how we are stepping into a new era of inclusive experiences in this land for families of all ages.

We are all excited to see just how Mickey’s Toontown will become a vibrant symphony of sights, sounds and sensations very soon. Here’s a look at some of what you can expect when the land reopens on March 8!

The reimagined Mickey’s Toontown will provide open, grassy play spaces for everyone to unwind, starting with CenTOONial Park, the first space guests will see when they enter the land. CenTOONial Park will be anchored by two new interactive play experiences; a beautiful fountain featuring water tables designed for play that invite guests to have a sensory experience, plus a nearby dreaming tree with sculpted tree roots providing an opportunity for children to crawl and explore.

Mickey’s Toontown will be home to the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway! Inside the El CapiTOON Theater, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will put you in the wacky and unpredictable cartoon world of Mickey and Minnie, where Guests will board a train with Goofy as the engineer. One magical moment after the next leads you to a zany, out-of-control adventure filled with surprising twists and turns that the entire family will enjoy!

As you may have read, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open on Jan. 27, when the Disney 100 Years of Wonder Celebration comes to life at Disneyland Resort!

Over in Goofy’s neck of the woods, Guests will find Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard, as shown in this new aerial rendering of the area.

Dedicated to all things play, Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard incorporates a whimsical sound garden where kids will discover new ways to make wacky noises, as well as enjoy an all-new, elevated clubhouse.

When Guests step inside Goofy’s House, they’ll find a fun, interactive candy-making contraption that only Goofy could imagine! The confectionary contraption begins high outside of Goofy’s home, as drips of honey fall from a beehive onto a chute that slides the colorful drops around and down into the home. From there, junior candymakers will help Goofy make the candy, and the silly sounds of household appliances will combine to make a truly Goofy symphony.

Donald’s Boat will be perched in the duck pond of the Goof homestead. Imagine larger-than-life spinning water lilies, balance beams and rocking toys at Donald’s Duck Pond that will help little ones get the wiggles out. Kids will definitely love making a splash in this space! Guests can also look into the boat through the portholes to witness bubbles of fun inside the flooded vessel and interact with some familiar ducklings including Huey, Dewey, Louie and Webby.

For those wanting to get a little ‘nutty,’ Guests can head over to Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, where Mickey’s Toontown’s favorite tinkerer, Gadget Hackwrench, has created a one-of-a-kind, fun-sized coaster for the town’s tiniest citizens.

And at Mickey’s House and Minnie’s House, Guests will once again be able to step right into their homes and enjoy a self-guided tour as they discover special surprises in every room. They may even be able to visit with Mickey and Minnie while they’re there, should they be home!

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin will also return, where Guests can board Lenny the Cab and spin through the streets and alleys of Toontown as they follow the adventures of Roger Rabbit.

And when Guests feel a snack attack coming on, they’ll be able to turn to two new places to appease their appetites in the land: Café Daisy, where acclaimed culinary expert, Daisy Duck, serves up diner classics at her sidewalk table eatery; and the Toontown Farmers Market at Good Boy! Grocers, a friendly roadside stand, offering grab and go drinks and treats.

Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Travel News for more information about the transformation of Mickey’s Toontown as we get closer to March 8. And in the meantime, please join us in wishing our beloved Mickey and Minnie a very happy birthday!

Both a Theme Park reservation and valid admission for the same Park on the same day are required for Park entry. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed.  Visit https://disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort.

This week, we shared a first look at the new Cake Bake Shop coming to Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023! This sweet addition is just one of the charming enhancements coming to Disney’s BoardWalk as the location continues to add new offerings, refreshed spaces and more.

Today, Disney announced the acquisition of a partially completed ship that will bring the magic of a Disney Cruise Line vacation to new global destinations. Disney will work with the esteemed Meyer Werft shipbuilding company to complete the cruise ship previously known as the Global Dream in Wismar, Germany. The ship will be renamed with certain features reimagined under the world-renowned expertise of Walt Disney Imagineers and is expected to set sail in 2025.

The new ship, to be based outside the United States, will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. The exterior will be adorned in the iconic, Mickey Mouse-inspired colors of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels.

The 208,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available. Disney Cruise Line expects the passenger capacity to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members.

Construction will be completed at the former MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. The ship’s previous owner filed for bankruptcy before completing the vessel, enabling Disney Cruise Line to secure it at a favorable price and within the capital expenditure guidance The Walt Disney Company provided on its recent earnings call. The project also secures employment for hundreds of former MV Werften employees and will provide opportunities for numerous maritime industry suppliers in the region.

More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

In August, Walt Disney World rolled out updates to the Disney Park Pass system which allows guests to modify their theme park reservations and book with different admission types. As we continue to focus on providing guests with the best, most memorable Disney Experience, we wanted to share an update about what’s ahead, beginning with some changes coming on Dec. 8.

  

BEGINNING DEC. 8:

1-Day, 1-Park Tickets  

• Beginning Dec. 8, Walt Disney World will introduce park-specific pricing on 1-day, 1-park tickets.Moving forward, guests will select a date and theme park before purchasing their ticket. When you purchase a 1-Day ticket for a specific date and theme park, a theme park reservation will automatically be made at the time of purchase.
  • This change is only for those who purchase 1-day tickets for a specific date and park. Most guests will continue to make theme park reservations.  
• With the new park-specific pricing, Magic Kingdom Park will be priced at or above our other theme parks due to the incredible demand, as it remains the most-visited theme park in the world. A 1-day ticket for a specific date and park will range from:
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $109-$159 (same range as today)
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $124-$179
  • EPCOT: $114-$179
  • Magic Kingdom Park: $124-$189
    • Note: The $189 price point is specifically for the week of Christmas to New Year’s.

Park Hopper Add-on 

• On Dec. 8, we will update pricing on select add-on options, including the Park Hopper Option and Park Hopper Plus Option. 

  

Annual Passes   

• On Dec. 8,Annual Pass pricing for the Incredi-, Sorcerer and Pirate Annual Passes will increase between $43-100. The Disney Pixie Dust Pass will remain at its current price.
• The Disney Pixie Dust Pass remains available for purchase, as our other three Annual Passes remain unavailable for new sales for the time being as we stay focused on our current Passholders. As a reminder, All Annual Passes continue to be available for renewal.

Now playing in cinemas around the world, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” continues the legendary story of Wakanda as Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers following the wake of King T’Challa’s death. Experience the film yourself to see how our heroes embrace their next chapter and forge  a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

In celebration of the return to Wakanda, let’s explore some of the ways guests can commemorate the newest film in the history-making “Black Panther” franchise!

As previously announced, guests at Disneyland Resort won’t want to miss the new, limited-time experiences celebrating “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” taking place now through Jan. 8, 2023.

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LOOK WHO’S ARRIVED! The new warrior taking the legendary mantle of the Black Panther is here at Avengers Campus in #DisneyCaliforniaAdventure Park in celebration of #BlackPanther #WakandaForever 💜 #Disney #Disneyland #AvengersCampus

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

At Avengers Campus, meet M’Baku, chieftain of the Jabari Clan, and also witness the next warrior to take on the role of Black Panther.

In Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure park, guests can enjoy dishes inspired by African cuisine and drink offerings at the new Flavors of Wakanda marketplace. If they’re heading to the Downtown Disney District, make sure they strike a heroic pose in front of a special mural created by artist Nikkolas Smith, who previously created the art installation “King Chad.” And with MagicBand+ now at the Disneyland Resort, guests can show off their style with this limited release “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” themed MagicBand+.

Don’t miss out on these exciting new offers!

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!