WDW Daily News

In just a few weeks, the epic Marvel Day at Sea returns to the Disney Magic with a brand-new addition: Captain Marvel! Disney Cruise Line Guests will be the first to meet Captain Marvel when she makes her debut during Marvel Day at Sea in January.

This spectacular day-long celebration takes place on select five-night Caribbean and Bahamian cruises sailing from Miami in early 2019. In this video, see how your Clients can unleash their inner super hero during the ultimate day at sea.

Are your Clients eady to take a stand with some of Marvel’s mightiest? They can choose from 10 special cruises sailing from Jan. 6 through March 8.  

Effective Dec. 14, 2018, the following changes will be made to the price of ground transfers for Disney Cruise Line sailings out of Port Canaveral, Florida; Civitavecchia, Italy; and Copenhagen, Denmark. 

For Port Canaveral, all reservations with an effective date of Dec. 14, 2018 and beyond will have the updated transfer cost reflected on the reservation.

For reservations with an Effective Date prior to Dec. 14, 2018, the transfers will be priced at the current rate. Guests who are added to a reservation on or after Dec. 14, 2018 will be charged the new price. 

For Copenhagen and Civitavecchia, any existing reservations will be adjusted to the new price. An email be generated to any applicable reservations to advise of the pricing decrease.

Home Port	Individual Components	Booked Dec. 14, 2018 or Beyond (Cost per person 3 years and older)	Booked Prior to Dec. 14, 2018 (Cost per person 3 years and older)
Port Canaveral	Airport to PortPort to AirportResort to PortPort to Resort	$39 per person	$35 per person
Civitavecchia	Airport to PortPort to AirportAirport to ResortResort to PortPort to ResortResort to Airport	$55 per person	$70 per person
Copenhagen	Airport to PortPort to AirportAirport to ResortResort to Airport	$35 per person	$40 per person
Copenhagen	Resort to PortPort to Resort	$20 per person	$40 per person

If you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort for the ultimate girls’ trip, there’s one relaxing and Insta-worthy experience you must add to their plans – a visit to Disney Spas and Salons for the ultimate Disney-themed mani-pedis!

Guests can pull up a super comfy salon chair, and get their nails done in the style of their favorite Disney character. Inspired by over 100 character designs to choose from and 132 different colors, the team at Disney Spas and Salons can fulfill Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel manicure desires. And the pampering doesn’t stop there!

You can further customize your mani-pedi experience with signature aroma blends, made specifically for Walt Disney World Spas and Salons and named after iconic Disney songs.

A nail appointment is the perfect way to finish a fun-filled day of Disney. After the nearly hour long appointment, you will come away feeling rejuvenated and ready for the next day of Disney theme park adventures.

Disney-inspired nail services are available at Senses – A Disney Spa at both Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort as well as Salon by the Springs at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, La Vida Health Club at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Ship Shape Salon Massage and Fitness at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort.

For pricing information and to book an appointment, call (407) 939-7727.

When it comes to the holidays, Walt Disney World spares no expense, from their ever-expanding offering of magical snacks to the elaborate gingerbread houses throughout the parks and resorts.

In the Grand Floridian—Disney’s luxury, on-property resort just one monorail stop away from the Magic Kingdom—the pastry team has built their life-size gingerbread house inside the lobby for the 20th year in a row, and is giving a behind-the scenes look at how the whole thing comes together (video above).

The classically-designed edible structure was originally created in 1998 by Erich Herbitschek, the recently retired master pastry chef at Victoria & Albert’s, arguably Walt Disney World’s most acclaimed restaurant which is located inside the Grand Floridian.

It has now achieved landmark status for Disney-goers willing to brave the crowds of the holiday season, and is made with 10,000 pieces of real gingerbread that perfume the entire hotel. Overall, 1,050 pounds of honey, 800 pounds of flour, 700 pounds of chocolate, and 600 pounds of sugar go into the confection.

If you can’t make it to the Christmas festivities, you might want to try for the spring, when the resort is home to an equally-grandiose Easter egg display.

The market stalls of The Tropical Hideaway at Disneyland® Park will be opening for business soon. Today, we have a first look of this Adventureland outpost!

This exotic marketplace is the go-to destination for discovering extraordinary eats from all corners of the world. Set along the Jungle River waterfront, it’s also the perfect spot to sit and relax in between adventures—perhaps with a refreshing Dole Whip! After sunset, flickering torchlights add to the evening ambiance.

Travelers can reach The Tropical Hideaway across its main bridge, through Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room or along “Skipper’s Walk,” a pathway leading from the Jungle Cruise loading dock.

Colorful wildlife can also be found at the Hideaway. The stars of the Enchanted Tiki Room live in small birdhouses that dot the roofline, each personally labeled.  One cockatoo who has packed up her bags and spreading her wings is Rosita. As she waits on the dock for her boat to arrive, this friendly bird makes small talk with visitors!

The trader’s market is filled with details to discover around every nook and cranny.

We look forward to welcoming world travelers soon at The Tropical Hideaway!

The musical film — a sequel starring Emily Blunt hits theaters Dec. 19 — topped the box office that year (and earned an Oscar for star Julie Andrews), allowing the mogul to buy 27,000 acres near Orlando for his theme park project.

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Walt Disney World updated its ticketing system, which has changed ticket prices on nearly all admission to the Florida theme parks through 2019. With multi-day park tickets on a sliding scale requiring guests to identify which day they’ll first visit the parks, your vacation planning approach will require a bit more finesse going forward.

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Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will enjoy a flurry of fun with holiday offerings inside the new Toy Story Land and throughout the park. Starting Nov. 8 and continuing through Jan. 6, 2019, seasonal experiences will include festive shows and entertainment, enchanting decor, specialty dining opportunities and even a chance to meet Santa Claus!

Here’s what awaits guests during this holly, jolly celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort:

• NEW! Toy Story Land Holiday Additions – Holiday fun arrives in a brand-new land where guests become honorary toys and enjoy attractions, food and entertainment inspired by Woody, Buzz Lightyear and friends. New decor will include an oversized cranberry-and-popcorn garland and a 10-foot-tall Hamm sugar cookie at Woody’s Lunch Box, as well as green alien ornaments near the entrance to Alien Swirling Saucers, just to name a few. Plus, guests will hear sleigh bells ringing on Slinky Dog Dash, while Alien Swirling Saucers will offer two holiday tunes with themed lighting. Toy Story characters will don new holiday looks for the season, too, as Woody and Jessie will wear special holiday vests and sprigs of holly on their hats, while Buzz Lightyear will sport a snazzy Santa hat.

• Sunset Seasons Greetings with New Laser Effects – This popular holiday experience returns with impressive new laser effects to complement the spectacular projections of Mickey Mouse, Olaf and other beloved Disney characters sharing their favorite seasonal stories. A snowy Sunset Boulevard twinkling with stunning holiday decorations is the perfect setting for this wintry display. Holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season – Mickey and Minnie reminiscing about a hometown Christmas, characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films guessing which new toys are coming this holiday and more. This stunning experience runs continuously throughout the night.

• Enhanced Holiday Decor Around Echo Lake – Echo Lake and the surrounding area will be the merriest of places this holiday season, with extra-large ornaments, colorful garlands and a giant Christmas tree. Even Dinosaur Gertie will be dressed for the occasion with a dino-sized Santa hat.

• “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” – Iconic music, fireworks, special effects and state-of-the-art projections will bring this holiday spectacular to life. The story follows animated elves from “Disney Prep & Landing” as they search for Santa Claus, who has gone missing. Guests will be immersed in scenes from Disney classics such as “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “Beauty and the Beast,” Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and more.

• “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Dessert Party – Guests can make a festive evening even more magical by taking part in this nightly party before settling in to watch “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” After enjoying holiday-inspired snacks, delicious desserts, wine, beer and specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, guests will enjoy reserved viewing for “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” and the nightly “Disney Movie Magic” projection show on the Chinese Theatre. A surprise Disney character will join the fun, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Book online at DisneyWorld.com/dining or call (407) WDW-DINE.

• A Frosty Friend Joins the Cast of “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” – Everyone’s favorite snowman from the hit Disney film “Frozen” will bring more holiday fun to the Hyperion Theater as Anna, Elsa and Kristoff welcome Olaf to this popular sing-along celebration. Just for the holidays, the show will include a seasonal finale featuring Olaf and three songs from the animated featurette, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.”

• Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood and Vine – Minnie Mouse and her pals will greet guests for a dazzling feast centered on seasonal deliciousness. Beginning Nov.9, Minnie will deck the halls for a banquet filled with holiday cheer and the joy of the season. To make a reservation, visit DisneyWorld.com/dining or call (407) WDW-DINE.

• Santa Claus Returns to the Once Upon a Toy Shop Nov. 10-Dec. 24 – Ol’ Saint Nick will greet guests and listen to holiday wishes in the vintage setting of the Once Upon a Toy shop. Santa Goofy will step in Dec. 25-Dec. 31.

Additional Fun Facts:
• The Christmas tree on Echo Lake is 65 feet tall, with a 25-foot-wide base.

• Dinosaur Gertie’s hat is so big, four people could stand inside it!

• Dinosaur Gertie decorates Echo Lake with 40 floating ornaments.

• All the holiday decorations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have a retro style and are inspired by the 1950s.Tinsel town takes on a whole new meaning!

• Walt Disney Animation Studios produced custom animation of Wayne and Lanny from ABC’s “Disney Prep & Landing” as well as Mickey and pals, exclusively for Sunset Seasons Greetings.

• Guests can enjoy a snowy evening on Sunset Boulevard. Talk about magical!

• 12 high-definition projectors are used to visually transform the façade of the Hollywood Tower Hotel during Sunset Seasons Greetings.

• 21 palm trees along Sunset Boulevard illuminate with programmable, color-changing LED fixtures.

• Exclusive food and beverage offerings crafted for Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios include:
o Gingerbread pops and gingerbread straws
o “Prep and Landing”-themed cupcakes
o An array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot chocolate beverages
o Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Tarts

Wide-eyed wonderment will wash over Disney guests this holiday season when they see gingerbread displays at select Disney theme parks and Disney resort hotels, as well as the ships of Disney Cruise Line.

So magical is the aroma of gingerbread at holiday-time that National Gingerbread Day is celebrated Wednesday, Nov. 21. In the spirit of the season, Disney chefs decked the halls (roofs, doorways and windows, too) to create life-sized, gingerbread houses yummy enough to eat.

Here’s a look at storybook houses, carousels and other confections baked with love by Disney chefs, with savory sweets for sale in most locations:

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – This year marks the 20^th anniversary of this resort hotel’s gingerbread house. A classic recipe from Austria inspires the ornaments, cookies and a house standing 14 feet tall in the lobby. Home to The Bake Shop, the gingerbread house is the perfect place to pick up holiday treats. Gingerbread house decorating demonstrations occur daily Dec. 1-25.
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Cinderella Castle is re-created with an “it’s a small world” backdrop depicting Cinderella and Prince Charming greeting guests in the castle forecourt. The 18-foot display is crafted from thousands of gingerbread blocks. A life-sized spinning carousel highlights the display.
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Donald Duck- and Daisy Duck-themed horses are decorated with chocolate, sugar and fondant in this scrumptious classic carousel.
• Disney’s BoardWalk Resort – A delightful gingerbread version of the resort’s BoardWalk features iconic locales such as BoardWalk Bakery, Flying Fish, Trattoria al Forno and more.
• The American Adventure – Patriotic flair meets pastry magic at Epcot, where gingerbread renditions of the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument (topped with golden Mickey ears!) are on display
• Amorette’s Patisserie – This sophisticated pastry shop at Disney Springs dresses up its front window with a miniature gingerbread replica of itself – right down to the gingerbread trees!
• The Haunted Mansion – Disneyland Resort turns to Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to create a wonderfully spooky gingerbread display inside this classic attraction. A giant spider with glowing eyes hangs over the Grand Hall Table, attempting to pry the edible gingerbread mansion from its foundation as gingerbread zombies watch in amazement.
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Disney artists, engineers and bakers teamed up on a gingerbread house that adds to the resort hotel’s festive lobby. With over 600 pounds of gingerbread and adorned with Hidden Mickeys, this grandly Californian gingerbread house is on display all season long.
• Disney Cruise Line – Aboard the four Disney Cruise Line ships, the chef competition is on! Bakery teams are challenged to create their own individual gingerbread houses for display throughout the holiday season in the atrium lobby of each ship. Taking weeks to conceptualize and construct, each features more than 600 pounds of gingerbread dough, 200-plus pounds of sugar and 5,000 gingerbread bricks.
• Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii gets its gingerbread on with “A Kakamora Holiday.” This festive display includes a chocolate tree, a Moana-inspired gingerbread hut, chocolate sleigh and merrymaking Kakamoras celebrating with a tropical twist.

The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort is a magical time where all four theme parks, Disney Springs and resort hotels come to life with festive decor, entertainment and other fun for the entire family.

With so much that goes into making the resort sparkle for the season, here are some fun facts about holidays at Walt Disney World Resort:

• The Walt Disney World Holiday Services team provides decor for 780 locations within 41 different properties, including Disney theme parks, resorts, recreation and shopping areas. The team also decorates Disney Cruise Line ships and Disney Vacation Club resorts in Florida and North Carolina.
• 41 cast members work year-round to make the holiday transformation a reality, with an additional 90 cast members added during the installation period.
• Decor installation begins Halloween night and is finished by Thanksgiving.

The Iconic Trees

• There are 29 custom-created iconic trees, ranging from 15 to 70 feet tall. Trees find their homes at all four theme parks, select resort hotels and Disney Springs.
• The tallest tree – at 70 feet tall – is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The tree is adorned with 16,000 lights and more than 200 custom ornaments.
• Stars and toppers for the trees are up to 7 feet tall and can weigh more than 200 pounds each.
• 596 smaller trees – ranging from 2 to 14 feet – decorate other areas across Walt Disney World.

In the Parks

• New this year, holiday fun will come to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Décor includes a 10-foot-tall Hamm sugar cookie at Woody’s Lunch Box, green alien ornaments near the entrance to Alien Swirling Saucers and much more.
• Magic Kingdom Park is decorated with 590 garlands (measuring a total of 5,188 feet), 40 trees and 147 wreaths.
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays includes 12 holiday kitchens serving more than 50 bites from around the world and 60-plus specialty
• The Candlelight Processional will be performed 117 times at Epcot this holiday season. It’s also the first year performances will occur on Thanksgiving!
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Dinosaur Gertie is dressed in her finest holiday attire. Her hat is so big, four people could stand inside it!
• Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios includes 12 high-definition projectors used to visually transform the façade of the Hollywood Tower Hotel with scenes of the season. 21 palm trees along Sunset Boulevard illuminate with programmable, color-changing LED fixtures.
• In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, nearly all lighting decor is LED. The park uses 25,000 C-7 shape LEDs and 40,000 mini-LEDs. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also home to 331 garlands and 40 wreaths.

Disney Springs

• Disney Springs is the epicenter of holiday shopping at Walt Disney World. It’s also the largest of all of the decorated Disney locations, with more than 2,000 pieces of individual decor, including a 45-foot-tall tree.
• Each piece of decor was custom designed to fit the classic Florida town theme that carries throughout the entirety of Disney Springs.
• Disney Springs is also home to the Christmas Tree Trail, a walkthrough wonderland featuring 27 unique Disney trees that include new themes this year such as Toy Story and The Haunted Mansion.

Resorts

• This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the classic gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The life-size house is made from more than 10,000 pieces of gingerbread and requires 560 hours to construct (400 hours to bake and160 hours to decorate). Located inside is The Bake Shop – the perfect place to pick up some sweet holiday treats.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to a 45-foot-tall iconic tree featuring authentic African decor and reproductions of traditional African masks.

Other Holiday Celebrations

• A storyteller on a stage between the France and Morocco pavilions at Epcot will tell the Hanukkah story during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

• Kwanzaa will be incorporated into performances of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season through Dec. 25. Beginning Dec. 26, the group will perform a full Kwanzaa show. The JOYFUL! vocal ensemble performs uplifting gospel, R&B and holiday songs daily at the Future World Fountain stage in Epcot.

• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays celebrates holiday traditions from around the world through storytelling and music presented throughout World Showcase.