WDW Daily News

We have an update on some of the festive experiences coming to Walt Disney WorldResort. Building off of their recent experiences of operating in a new environment, they’ve reimagined the holidays which will, of course, apply current health and safety measures while still keeping the joy and magic of the season. And while things are looking a bit different at Walt Disney World and beyond, they can’t wait to celebrate with you.

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Disney knows how much our Guests love the holidays, so from Nov. 6-Dec. 30, they will be able to enjoy festive décor, themed merchandise, seasonal food & beverage offerings and entertainment all across Walt Disney World Resort. Holiday magic will be in full force at the four theme parks and Disney Springs, and Santa Claus will make time for special pop-up appearances at each location, waving and exclaiming holiday wishes to all. 

Guests will be delighted by the sight of festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Character cavalcades at Magic Kingdom Park will take on a special holiday twist, with Christmas friends on festive floats in their holiday finest. Gingerbread Men? Check! Elves and Reindeer? Check, check! And the Toy Soldiers will join the Main Street Philharmonic as they march through Magic Kingdom Park, bringing musical holiday cheer for all to hear.  



When night falls, special projection effects will give a festive look to Cinderella Castle this year, providing a colorful backdrop for Guests’ photos. The appearance of the iconic castle will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. This will be in place of the Castle Dream Lights. Other holiday experiences that draw big crowds will be on hiatus this year as well, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. Disney knows these experiences are a cherished part of holiday traditions that will be missed by Guests and Cast Members alike, but they’re glad to be able to bring holiday magic in other creative ways.  



Of course, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a meal among friends and family. Minnie Mouse will be hosting a yuletide gathering for all her friends at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting Nov. 6. Santa Goofy will be there, along with Minnie and more in their holiday best.

Shifting gears to Disney Springs, Guests will discover Christmas around every corner as they come across a collection of elaborately-decorated Disney Christmas trees spread throughout this retail, dining and entertainment destination. In the evening, Guests visiting areas within Town Center, West Side and The Landing will encounter a magical snowfall, adding an extra touch of wonder to their holiday shopping. And to top it off, Jock Lindsey will once again be turning his hangar bar into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar complete with delightful holiday décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.

Disney Resort hotels will also be decked out for the holidays, with their lobbies featuring iconic trees and other festive flourishes. One thing to keep in mind is that the gingerbread displays will not return to the Resort hotels this year. While they are a favorite of people taking in the holiday décor, theyre not able to include those displays due to physical distancing guidelines.

Starting a bit later in the season, on Nov. 27, we’ll celebrate highlights from the EPCOTInternational Festival of the Holidays. Holiday kitchens will return around World Showcase promenade with favorites like American Holiday Table featuring Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Bavaria Holiday Kitchen with dishes like Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl.

Guests will be invited to step inside World ShowPlace to enjoy the returning group, JOYFUL!, who present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary and traditional Christmas and holiday music. Also, the Voices of Liberty will bring their incredible 8-part harmonies to the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season. There are plenty more details about this festival to come, so stay tuned.

We’re all looking forward to creating new holiday traditions with our Guests and Cast Members this year, as we introduce unique ways to enjoy the season together. There’s a lot of holiday fun to see and do here at Walt Disney World Resort!

The Force will soon be flowing once again inside Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Beginning Sept. 20, the Gatherers will invite Guests into this mysterious shop in Black Spire Outpost to train them in the ways of constructing a lightsaber.

Savi’s Workshop is packed with unusual parts and whimsical pieces collected from the far reaches of the galaxy. Under the mystical Gatherers’ guidance, Guests construct a one-of-a-kind lightsaber and bring it to life through the power of a kyber crystal. They can build their lightsaber along one of the following themes: 

• Peace and Justice– Utilize salvaged scraps of fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in Republic-era lightsaber designs that honor the galaxy’s former guardians.
• Power and Control– Originally forged by warriors from the dark side, objects used in this lightsaber style are rumored remnants from the Sith home world and abandoned temples.
• Elemental Nature– Craft a lightsaber from special components born from the Force, such as Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones or Rancor teeth.
• Protection and Defense– Incorporate hilt materials bearing mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect a lightsaber’s wielder with the ancient wellspring of the Force.

Those who may have visited the shop in the past will notice the experience will be slightly adjusted. For instance, capacity will be reduced to allow for physical distancing between guests in accordance with the park’s guidelines during its phased reopening. 

Advanced reservations (highly recommended) for Savi’s Workshop will open Sept. 16 via Disneyworld.com or the My Disney Experience mobile app. Guests can also stop by the shop to check for walk-up availability on the day of their visit. Guests must have a valid Disney Parks Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios prior to making a reservation for Savi’s Workshop.

As part of the phased approach to reopening, Disney is adding more Guest-favorite dining choices this fall at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.            

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s some Halloween fun in store at Hollywood & Vine where Minnie’s Seasonal Dining is set to return Sept. 25. While it may look a little different than the last time you visited, you can get in the spooky spirit during Minnie’s Halloween Dine with a monster feast served to your table where you will be able to wave and snap photos of your favorite characters such as Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and their friends. It’s a boo-tastic time filled with Halloween décor and music, scary good food, and more! 

Beginning Sept. 24, Guests can enjoy dining in the enchanted, fairytale setting of Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park. Enjoy a delicious regal banquet with unforgettable main courses ranging from roasted chicken breast and tenderloin of beef to chef’s fish of the day. The princesses will be taking a break from their royal duties greeting Guests, but there will be plenty of delicious fare and fun to be enjoyed in this beautiful, one-of-a-kind restaurant. 

Both of these immersive dining experiences will be available for reservations beginning Sept. 11. 

Additionally, some more snack and quick-service options are reopening soon. Gaston’s Tavern at Magic Kingdom Park will return Sept. 4 and the ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens for walk-in quick service for lunch beginning Oct. 8.

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Adults usually aren’t allowed to wear costumes to the Disney World theme parks during regular operating hours.

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With a phased approach to reopening, Disney is continuing to welcome Guests back to Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs and have been thrilled to play a role in bringing back live professional sports.  

As they continue to reopen additional Disney Resort hotels to Guests, they are modifying the reopening date for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort which will reopen next summer. This schedule adjustment also allows them to complete some refurbishment work at the Resort hotel, including enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House and Guest rooms. They expect work to begin in early October and look forward to sharing more about these changes in the future. The Villas and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will remain open during this refurbishment. 

Disney Cast Members will be able to assist with modifying their reservations to other Disney Resort hotels.

We will continue to monitor the constantly changing environment and its impact on the state of Florida as we find the right time to welcome back even more of our Guests.  

n the interest of distancing, Disney World has already announced that its normal evening Halloween-themed festivities are canceled for 2020.

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It’s spooky season again at Walt Disney WorldResort, and that means it’s time for the highly-anticipated return of our yummy fall eats and treats! From pumpkin spice, apple, and cinnamon delights to sweet sips and fun novelties, each of our four parks is offering a wonderful assortment of autumn-themed items and guests won’t want to miss them.  

In addition, we’ll be featuring touches of fall décor at Magic Kingdom Park, a special cavalcade down Main Street U.S.A., and more! 

Below is our official Foodie Guide to 2020 Fall Treats at Walt Disney World Resort: Parks Edition. All offerings below will be available starting September 8 unless otherwise specified. Happy snacking!

Magic Kingdom Park

• Mickey Cinnamon Roll (Available at Main Street Bakery) – Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll drizzled with orange and white icing 
• Cinnamon Donuts (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café) – Served in a Hitchhiking Ghost Novelty container 
• Hades Nachos (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café) – Black bean nacho chips with “fiery” buffalo chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, and jalapeño 
• Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake (Available at Liberty Square Market) – Citrus cake with raspberry Bavarian cream, whipped cream flowers, and a chocolate axe 

• Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Sundae (Available at Sleepy Hollow) –Pumpkin spice-flavored waffled topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and sprinkles 
• Poor Unfortunate Souls Float (Available at Storybook Treats)– Cream cheese soft-serve, black raspberry syrup, and Coke 
• Pumpkin Spice Milkshake (Available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies) – Topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, sprinkles, and a Mickey-shaped marshmallow straw
• Pumpkin Spice Soft-Serve Sundae (Available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies) – Served as a sundae topped with whipped cream, caramel, and sprinkles

• Mickey Monster Mash Burger (Available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café) – Burger with Meunster cheese, potato barrels, bacon, and sriracha aïoli 
• Headless Horseman Rides Again (Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace) – Strawberry DOLE® Whip with Fanta Strawberry and a Headless Horseman Novelty Straw 
• Not So Poison Apple Cupcake (Available at Pinocchio Village House) – A spiced apple cupcake with pecan crunch buttercream themed after a poison apple 
• Orange and Black Sugar Churros (Available at Various Churro Carts and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café) 
• Oogie Boogie Dice Novelty Glow Cubes (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants) 

• Jack Skellington Sipper (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants and Outdoor Vending Locations) 
• Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts) 
• Mickey Pumpkin Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts) 
• Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts)

• Hitchhiking Ghost Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Liberty Square Popcorn Cart) 
• Hitchhiking Ghost Sipper (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants) 
• Madame Leota Sipper (Available at Sleepy Hollow) 

Epcot

• Halloween Cupcake (Available on Halloween Day Only at Sunshine Seasons) – Choice of vanilla or chocolate cupcake with buttercream and a Mickey Pumpkin garnish 
• Nemo & Squirt’s Noggin Concoction (Available on Halloween Day Only at Coral Reef Restaurant) – Chocolate brownie stuffed with a chocolate chip cookie topped with white chocolate-covered pretzels and a Mickey Pumpkin Garnish 
• Halloween Sugar Cookie (Available on Halloween Day Only at Traveler’s Café and Garden Grill) – Sugar cookie topped with Halloween Sprinkles 
• Liquid Nitro Cake Pop (Available on Halloween Day Only at Desserts & Champagne Marketplace in World Showplace for EPCOT Taste of International Food & Wine Festival) – Liquid nitro chocolate cake pop with Halloween sprinkles 
• Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available Canada Popcorn Cart and Fife & Drum) 
• Green Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Eats at EPCOT Experience and Mission Space Popcorn Cart) 
• Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at all EPCOT Popcorn Locations) 
• Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Sunshine Seasons and Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue) 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Scar Cupcake (Available at Creature Comforts, Flame Tree Barbecue, and Restaurantosaurus) – Red velvet cupcake with toasted marshmallow filling, chocolate marshmallow frosting, chocolate pebbles, white chocolate flames, and an edible icing image  
• Spooky Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) (Available at Flame Tree Barbecue and Isle of Java) – Sprite with Monin Apple Syrup poured over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a gummy worm, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and a sugar lime rim 
• Rotten Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Alcoholic) (Available Flame Tree Barbecue) – Angry Orchard and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and gummy worms 
• Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Tamu Tamu, Trek Snacks, Restaurantosaurus, TriloBites, and Outdoor Vending Ice Cream Carts)  
• Purple Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Trek Snacks) 
• Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at Trek Snacks) 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Poison Candied Apple (Available at Trolley Car Café) – Apple and caramel mousse covered in red glaze with a crunchy candy base 
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli (Available at PizzeRizzo) – Pumpkin cheesecake mixed with a hazelnut praline crunch in a cannoli shell 
• Pumpkin Tiramisu (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café) –Layers of cream mascarpone and spiced pumpkin cake 
• Box of Bones Chocolate Éclair (Available at Backlot Express)– Chocolate éclair with dark chocolate mousse and white chocolate bones 

• Frozen Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic) (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and PizzeRizzo) – Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube 
• Frozen Apple Cider with Crown Royal Regal Apple (Alcoholic) (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and PizzeRizzo) – Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube 
• Orange Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Anahiem Produce, Hollywood Popcorn, and Animation Popcorn) 
• Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, PizzeRizzo, and Anaheim Produce) 

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