WDW Daily News

Not everyone is OK with Disney’s acquisition of companies like Marvel or Lucasfilm but Kevin Feige, the newly minted chief creative officer of Marvel, welcomes his media overlords. “If Disney hadn’t bought us,” he said, during an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast released Sunday, “you wouldn’t have seen the movies we’ve made since then.”

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Starting today, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will “unwrap” and introduce the biggest holiday season in the park’s two-decade history, with festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land. 

Discovery Island will play host to life-sized animal puppets during the day. As the sun sets, the Tree of Life will boast a shimmery new look and will periodically “awaken” with a series of wintry tales accompanied by a holiday musical score. 

Over in DinoLand, U.S.A., all of Donald Duck’s friends gathered for Donald’s Dino-Bash! get into the spirit with colorful holiday decorations that they have each chosen in their own style.

The Asia section of the park is celebrating Diwali, the Holiday Festival of Lights in India. Here, guests can see glowing lanterns and more illuminating the main square that leads to the waterfront stage – home to authentic and colorful cultural performances.

The Africa section of the park will welcome guests with a unique holiday presentation that fuses Western traditions with the colors and texture of authentic African celebrations.

Starting today, guests can also find out-of-this-world holiday fun at Pandora – The World of Avatar. Ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora have rolled out holiday cheer with a display of whimsical holiday décor, pairing vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from Pandora.

Happy holidays!

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.