WDW Daily News

Twinkling lights, festive décor, and magical celebrations will fill Magic Kingdom Park when “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” begins. The event will take place on 24 select nights Nov. 8 through Dec. 21 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. This year’s holiday celebration coincides with the Walt Disney World 50^th anniversary – “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” We can’t wait to unwrap all that festive fun!

Event dates are:

November: 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30

December: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21

We are so excited to let you know that “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will include the nighttime spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and the special holiday-themed parade “Once Upon a Christmastime Parade”. That’s right, a parade! Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be joined by pals from Disney’s “Frozen” and many other favorite Disney characters including the very popular Toy Soldiers. This festive parade will, of course, also feature Santa Claus himself!

Tickets for the festive 4-hour “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will grant admission to Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7 p.m., giving Guests more time to enjoy some of their favorite Magic Kingdom attractions. They can also take in some of the EARidescent magic that will be part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” from the brand-new fireworks spectacular “Disney Enchantment” to the transformation of Cinderella Castle into a “Beacon of Magic,” all in honor of the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. And, yes! That means Guests could be able to experience two different and unique fireworks shows in one night!

That’s not all that it’s in store. Here are additional details of what Guests can experience during this limited-capacity, separately ticketed event:

• Holiday attraction overlays are also making a comeback! The Jungle Cruise transforms into the Jingle Cruise, and Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor will get new jokes perfect for this joyful season.
• After the park closes to day Guests, event Guests can enjoy less time waiting in line for more than 20 attractions including favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain and more.
• Sightings of Disney characters throughout the park all dressed in their holiday best.
• While Guests are walking down Main Street, U.S.A. they should be sure to look up to the sky, they might catch some magical snowfall!
• Guests can dance and boogie the night away at themed Club Tinsel dance party in Tomorrowland.
• Guests can enjoy complimentary snacks like ice cream novelties and popcorn, seasonal treats and select bottled beverages.
• Specialty holiday food and drinks will be also be available for purchase.
• Disney PhotoPass will offer holiday magic shots throughout the night.

Tickets will go on sale Aug. 20, 2021 and can be purchased online via the Disney Travel Agents website, or by calling 407-939-7947. Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort can book their tickets as early as August 17 (online via the Disney Travel Agents website, or by calling 407-939-7947). Tickets range from $169 to $229 plus tax for select November/December nights, and $249, plus tax on December 19 & 21. These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic Concert at Magic Kingdom Park will undergo a refurbishment from Oct. 11 through Nov. 11. The attraction will reopen on Nov. 12 with several new enhancements, including a digital projection system to provide the highest-quality viewing experience for our Guests. And, as was announced earlier this summer, a new scene from Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” featuring the song “Un Poco Loco” will join in on Donald’s musical misadventures. Guests will enjoy this new scene alongside all of the show’s current fan-favorite musical numbers.

The beloved Electrical Water Pageant joins in the fun of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” with new celebratory scenes featuring a towering castle, swirling pixie dust and a version of the celebration anthem song, “The Magic is Calling,” bookending the full traditional show as it sails nightly across Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Stay tuned for more on the EARidescent updates to the Walt Disney World Resort classic.

From bright suns to rising moons, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge continues to call travelers to the magic of Batuu, especially with the excitement of Walt Disney World Resort’s 18-month anniversary celebration getting closer and closer. As Disney ramps up to The World’s Most Magical Celebration honoring our 50^th anniversary, they’re continuing to enhance experiences thanks to the feedback from Guests. 

They know Guests love choice and flexibility when planning their time in a theme park—which is why, starting September 23, they will pause the use of virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios may experience this incredible attraction using a traditional standby queue for the first time since it opened in 2019.

Virtual queues continue to be helpful with attraction access, merchandise launches, grand openings and more, and Guests should continue to check the My Disney Experience app for the latest on how we’re using virtual queues across Walt Disney World Resort including its potential use at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at a later date, or from time to time.  

In addition to virtual queues, we’ve been investing a lot into the Guest experience in other ways, including exciting new attractions on the horizon like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opening soon at EPCOT, and coming this fall, the new Disney Genie complimentary and convenient digital planning service designed to create your best Disney Day.

So, are you ready to rise up with the Resistance like never before? Whether it’s their first time vising the Black Spire Outpost or their 50^th, we can’t wait to welcome our Guests on their next trip to a galaxy far, far away. 

From Disney:

We can’t wait to welcome Guests to Walt Disney World Resort as we kick off the 50^th anniversary celebration on Oct. 1! For Guests staying in the magic at one of our Disney Resorts Collection hotels, we have extra pixie dust waiting during this celebration.

We’ve previously announced theme park entry benefits for Disney Resort hotel Guests and Guests of other select hotels, which will give Guests the first chance to enjoy select attractions at every theme park, every day. And for Guests staying at one of our Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels, they can also enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks beginning in early October.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! In addition to this special access to our theme parks, our Disney Resorts will be serving up some special moments, with surprise appearances from some of our favorite Disney friends, donning their dazzling EARidescent best. These pals have a lot of character, and they’re not the only ones! With shimmering new nametags, our legendary Cast Members are the heart of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration and are eager to share a little bit of their world with you during this special time. 

To check out all this ‘world’ has to offer, Guests can enjoy the ease and comfort of complimentary on-site transportation. Soon they may even get to ride in sparkling style with new 50^th artwork on select Disney Skyliner cabins, Disney Transportation buses and one of our special monorails. Wave hello if you see these shimmering vehicles whizzing by!

Haven’t decided where to stay yet? Check out some of our newly reimagined Guest rooms at our two original hotels. There’s an all-new retro-modern flare at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. All rooms in the tower will feature a sleek Monorail motif with some favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ Incredibles films that will carry through Guest corridors. Meanwhile, the resort lobby will display a collection of modern art along with historical photographs of this beloved resort while under construction before opening to Guests in 1971.

Or for Guests looking for an iconic stay that will let them relax with the colors and vibes of the Pacific, consider sailing over to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, with newly reimagined rooms where Guests will find details inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Moana.” The resort’s brand-new entrance was completed earlier this week as well, welcoming Guests with Pacific island accents that they’ll notice in the newly decorated Monorail station before riding high in the sky to their next destination. 

And when relaxing back in a Guest room, take in the ambiance while enjoying a cup of coffee, brewed right from the comfort of your room with a special Joffrey’s Coffee blend made just for the Walt Disney World 50^th celebration! This blend is also available to purchase to keep the celebration going after returning home.

There are lots of special touches to be found at these and all our Disney Resort hotels during our Walt Disney World 50^th celebration. On behalf of our more than 65,000 Cast Members, we hope you choose to stay in the magic with us soon!

Welcome to Creations Shop, the new flagship merchandise destination at EPCOT! Officially debuting today, the grand opening marks another key milestone in the historic transformation journey of EPCOT.

Creations Shop celebrates Disney’s legacy of creativity by honoring the nostalgia of EPCOT’s past and the exciting promises of EPCOT’s future. Disney Imagineers used one-of-a-kind art installations, meaningful souvenirs and a contemporary architectural design to bring the story of EPCOT and Disney creativity to life. Each thoughtful detail within Creations Shop was purposefully chosen to represent story elements and foster a memorable shopping experience for Guests.

Mickey Mouse, who has inspired creativity for generations around the world, serves as a symbol of Disney’s creativity and can be seen prominently in a number of homages to him throughout the space, including large, dynamic murals and a collection of 10 original sculptures created by Disney Imagineers.

Creations Shop will feature unique merchandise dedicated to EPCOT. Exclusive to Creations Shop is the EPCOT Light & Color Collection, an assortment of futuristic gear inspired by EPCOT’s historic transformation. In the same way that Disney Imagineers implemented color, materials and light throughout the design of Creation Shop, the EPCOT Light & Color Collection explores the story of EPCOT through the whimsical application of light, the playful use of bold color and iconic EPCOT landmarks and characters. 

Guests can head towards the park’s newly designed World Celebration neighborhood to express their own creativity at Creations Shop!

“Finding Nemo — The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has been delighting our guests since 2007, and we’re excited to tell you a reimagined show, based on the same beloved characters, will debut in 2022. 

Although our Disney Live Entertainment team is still in the early stages of development for the show, the musical retelling of this underwater tale of family, friendship and kindness will feature new story material, as well as fan favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”

Stay tuned for updates on this new show as we get closer to its debut next year.

Guests can get ready to let their taste buds take (a simulated!) flight 220 miles above Earth’s surface as Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT officially begins virtual departures on Sept. 20 for walk-up diners. Reservations will be available to book on Sept. 20, with the first reservation date available on Sept. 27.

The out-of-this-world dining experience will take diners on a journey from Earth to the stars, a simulated 220 miles above Earth’s surface, for an immersive experience that will delight all the senses. This experience is unique to EPCOT, where the magic of human imagination and possibility come to life. 

Serving upscale, contemporary fare, Space 220 Restaurant offers a two-course prix fixe menu for lunch and a three-course prix fixe menu for dinner. Guests will enjoy a selection of “lift-off” appetizers, “star course” main entrées, and a choice of “supernova sweets” for dessert. “Satellite sides” will also be available à la carte.

Diners can expect unique beverages with a colorful lineup of atmospheric spirits, zero-proof (non-alcoholic) cocktails, big dipper brews, and worldly wines.

Below is a sampling of the prix fixe menus – the Space 220 crew favorites!

Two-Course Lunch

Includes one Lift-Off appetizer and one Star Course entrée

Lift-Offs

• Big Bang Burrata 
• Starry Calamari 
• Blue Moon Cauliflower
• Neptuna Tartare
• Space Greens

Star Course

• Bluehouse Salmon
• Centauri Burger
• Flat Iron Steak
• Seared Tuna 
• Baked Maccheroni

Three-Course Dinner

Includes one Lift-Off appetizer, one Star Course entrée, and one Supernova Sweet

Lift-Offs

• Big Bang Burrata 
• Starry Calamari 
• Blue Moon Cauliflower
• Neptuna Tartare 
• Space Greens

Star Course

• 8 oz. Filet Mignon 
• Slow Rotation Short Rib
• Florida Red Snapper
• X2 Duck
• Terra-Bolognese 
• Roasted Free-Range Chicken 

Supernova Sweets 

• Lemon Mousse 
• Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake 
• Chocolate Cheesecake

Drinks

Atmospheric Spirits  

• Stargarita
• Atmospritz – Served with a cotton candy cloud 
• The Big Tang – Served with “Astronaut Ice Cream”
• Planetary Punch – Served over dry ice
• Celestial Cosmopolitan

Zero Proof Cocktails

These drinks come in a special Space 220 collectible cup:

• Lightyear Lemonade – Made with butterfly pea tea
• The Milky Way – Served with a fun-size “Milky Way” garnish
• Moon Rocks – Served with a pack of popping candy garnish

With the purchase of any zero proof (non-alcoholic) cocktail or children’s meal, Guests will receive a pack of Space 220 Collectible Trading Cards. Designed exclusively for and only distributed at Space 220 Restaurant, these limited-edition packs of cards feature original artwork and trivia facts about space exploration, food in space, and the sky-high innovations at Space 220 Restaurant.

Space 220 Restaurant is another exciting milestone within the EPCOT transformation, showcasing that real worlds truly are made fantastic, and it will open just in time for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” on Oct. 1. Stay tuned for more details on reimagined EPCOT.

As part of Disneys Halfway to the Holidays celebration earlier this year, they shared a sneak peek of some of the magical experiences coming during a spectacular season of holiday joy during the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. That wasn’t everything they have in store, though, and today we’re thrilled to share that the “Candlelight Processional” will be back this year, Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth! 

“Candlelight Processional” is a long-standing Disney Parks tradition, dating back to 1958 at Disneyland park. Walt Disney World guests have enjoyed the annual “Candlelight Processional” since 1971, initially at Magic Kingdom Park and since 1994 at EPCOT. After being greatly missed during last year’s holiday season, this magnificent production will once again grace the America Gardens Theatre with a live orchestra, cast choir, and celebrity narrator retelling the traditional Christmas story in spectacular and heartwarming fashion.

Since all these performers – including cast members, musicians, singers, and narrators – will be required to be fully vaccinated, this year we are not planning to host choirs from different community groups and schools. Instead, to maintain the grandeur of the performance, we are expanding our cast member choir to fill the stage with voices. We’re optimistic that the guest choirs will be able to rejoin us next year for this special holiday opportunity.  

We didn’t want to wait another minute to tell you this exciting news. Of course, we’re still working to confirm the schedule of celebrity narrators and details about “Candlelight Processional” Dining Packages, so stay tuned. We’ll share all the information as soon as it’s available.  

After much speculation regarding the fate of Eternals, Disney announced on Friday that the massive MCU film will get an exclusive theatrical launch. The same goes for all its non-Marvel movies, too.

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