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NEWS ROUNDUP: Holiday News Galore, New Fireworks Show Sneak Peek, New Exhibit in World Showcase, Holiday Foodie Guide, Free Beignets & More

The holiday season has arrived at Disney World, and this week brought a ton of holiday news, debuts, sneak peeks, and of course, a food guide. Disney announced three specials airing this holiday season on its networks. We also got wind of a special chance to pick up some free beignets! A new exhibit opened in Epcot’s World Showcase, and there is a special Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card now available. All this and more below in this week’s Disney news roundup.





 

1 – The Holiday Season in Full Swing at Walt Disney World

You may still have Halloween Candy lying around your house, but here at Walt Disney World, the holiday season is in full swing. ‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ debuted last Sunday, November 3. Over the week, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios got all dressed up and ready for the holidays! (The Epcot Festival of the Holidays begins on November 29). We absolutely love the holiday season at Walt Disney World because there is so much to see and do! Wondering what you can enjoy? Head to the link below for an overview of everything there is to do at Walt Disney World during the holiday season.

Click here for amazing can’t miss 2019 holiday offerings at Walt Disney World.

2 – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

On Friday, November 8, the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was held. The party will run on select nights now through December 22. We’ll be attending the party on November 12 and will bring you a full review with lots of tips next week. For now, Disney cast member Sarah Domenech shares more on the party:

The holiday season is here, and it’s my favorite time of year! It all kicks off [November 8] at Magic Kingdom Park, with the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Credit: Disney/Kent Phillips

The event transforms Magic Kingdom Park into a winter wonderland for the most magical 23 days of the year!

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

Guests can buy tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party here or call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-939-1872.

3 – New Holiday Projections, Décor, & More Debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In years past at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday decorations were minimal. Yes, there was a Christmas tree outside the park and a few decorations, but nothing to really get excited about. This year all that has changed with holiday décor in every land and some fantastic holiday offerings sprinkled throughout the park. We enjoyed a family afternoon and evening at the park to check out the holiday offerings. Look for our review with tips in the next few days. For now, check out our Instagram Story with some highlights from our day!

Click here to see the highlights of our day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the holiday offerings!





 

4 – What We’re Packing for our Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream

We are so excited that our Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream is so close. From November 18-22, we’ll be enjoying a special holiday-themed cruise on the Disney Cruise Line! We’ve been preparing and packing for our holiday cruise, and we’re bringing along some fun items for the holiday week. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for what we’re packing for our Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream.

5 – Sneak Peek of ‘Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks’ for Magic Kingdom

One of the things we’re most excited about during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the brand-new fireworks show, ‘Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.’ This week, Disney released a sneak peek of the new show you can watch at home. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for a sneak peek at ‘Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.’

6 – Foodie Guide for Holiday Offerings at Magic Kingdom and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

There is no shortage of amazing treats while visiting Magic Kingdom. During the holiday season, there are even more options to choose from. Plan ahead and find out what’s available at the link below.

Click here for the foodie guide for holiday offerings at Magic Kingdom and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

7 – Everyone Goes Crazy Over the Holiday Popcorn Buckets and Sipper

When the Foodie Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was released, the excitement was high for the novelty popcorn buckets and sipper. While the Mickey Tree Popcorn bucket was originally announced to be a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party exclusive, the bucket showed up at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Wednesday. It quickly sold out. On Friday, it was available at the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and available at Magic Kingdom during regular operating hours. So, if you want a light-up tree popcorn bucket, they are available in a lot of different places.

The red mickey holiday sipper is also extremely popular this year! You can find it at most quick-service restaurants in each of the three parks. We expect these items to make their way over to Epcot when the Festival of the Holidays opens on November 29.

Click here for a photo of the Mickey sipper.

Click here for a photo of the Mickey Light-Up Tree Popcorn Bucket.

8 – Merchandise for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Heading to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year? As usual, there are a lot of fantastic merchandise options to commemorate the party. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for the merchandise guide for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.





 

9 – Three Holiday Specials Bring the Magic of Disney Parks to Your Living Room

One of our long-time family holiday traditions is watching the Disney Parks Christmas Day parade on Christmas morning! This year there will be a total of three holiday specials to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for more on the three holiday Disney Parks specials.

10 – Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

A fun family activity to enjoy at Magic Kingdom is the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Disney has released the special card that is exclusive to guests of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Disney cast member Jennifer Fickely-Baker shares all the details below.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park this Friday, November 8 – but we have an early sneak peek at this year’s party-exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card that fans can pick up only on party nights.

In case you’re new to the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom interactive game, guests can team up with Merlin to help defeat scheming Disney Villains who wish to take over Magic Kingdom Park. Guests locate villain hideouts throughout the park and visit magic portals where they use special spell cards to ward off the villain’s attack. Each spell card stars a different Disney character, each with their own unique powers.

Credit: Disney

The game begins at the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A., where you can pick up complimentary spell cards and maps. Additional cards can be purchased at select merchandise locations.

According to Imagineer Jonathan Ackley, “while gazing into his crystal ball, Merlin caught sight of the mischievous chipmunks Chip and Dale. The scampering scamps were playing a festive trick on the unwary Pluto the Pup,” he said. “When he finished laughing at their Holiday Hijinks, Merlin decided to create a magical spell in their honor. Now the Sorcerers attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can learn this spell, ‘Pluto’s Toppling Popcorn.’ With it, they can defend the realm of the Magic Kingdom…deliciously!”

11 – Special Treat at Scat Cat’s Club for DVC Members and Annual Passholders

Recently, Scat Cat’s Club at Disney’s Port Orleans-French Quarter was expanded and updated. Now through January, DVC members and annual passholders can enjoy a special treat when visiting. Disney cast member Ryan March has all the details below.

Like Tiana says, dreams do come true in New Orleans, or Port Orleans in this case. Scat Cat’s Club at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter recently expanded and is serving up southern favorites like Crawfish Étoufée and Sassagoula Crab Dip. They also offer tasty specialty cocktails like The Big Easy (made with Cognac, Grand Marnier, and Cane Sugar) and delectable beignets, made in-house daily.

Credit: Disney

Speaking of the ever-popular beignets, now through January 4, 2020, Disney Vacation Club Members and Annual Passholders can enjoy a complimentary order of three beignets with a purchase of a specialty beverage.

Jazz up your day with a trip to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter for lively music and Mickey-shaped beignets! If you haven’t been recently, you’ll want to stop by for a swinging good time.

To enjoy this offering, simply present your valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card or annual pass card and photo ID.

12 – New Exhibit Now Open Inside Epcot Morocco Pavilion Gallery

We love exploring the different country pavilions when visiting World Showcase at Epcot, and now there is a new gallery to explore in the Morocco pavilion. Disney cast member Jeremy Schoolfield shares the details below.

One of the many reasons Epcot is so special is the opportunity to experience art, history, and diverse world cultures firsthand. One of my favorite of these places in the park – the Gallery of Arts and History in the Morocco pavilion – just reopened with a new exhibit, “Race Against the Sun: Ancient Technique to Modern Competition.”

“Race Against the Sun” showcases two incredible modern-day competitions – Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands) and Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc (Rally of the Gazelles) – as well as the rich history of the ancient inhabitants of the Sahara, the Berbers.

Credit: Disney

The exhibit features immersive experiences, including a lifelike diorama of Marathon of the Sands with race gear and trophies from Moroccan competitors, and an interactive photo opportunity highlighting Rally of the Gazelles – the off-road, all-woman desert rally. Each of these intense competitions take place in the Sahara Desert, and guests can also discover how the Sahara’s original inhabitants, the Berbers, mastered the challenges of living in the formidable environment.

In celebration of the new exhibit, you can get a taste of what it’s like to participate in an intense desert competition. At Tangierine Café in the Morocco pavilion, discover “sellou,” a food highlighted in “Race Against the Sun” that marathon participants commonly eat during their race. With ingredients like almonds and sesame seeds, this energy-packed snack gives runners the boost they need to complete their journey.

“Race Against the Sun” is part of the continued evolution of Epcot, introducing fantastic experiences that extend the unique spirit and vision of the park.

13 – Poe’s X-wing from Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

We’re now less than a month from the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This week we got a close look at Poe’s X-wing from the attraction. Disney cast member Aubrey Gravante shares more below.

Recently we had Matt Martin, Creative Executive of Franchise Story & Content from the Lucasfilm Story Group, visit 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 December 5 at Walt Disney World Resort and on January 17 at Disneyland Resort!

Click here to learn more about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.





What’s New at Walt Disney World!

It’s a very exciting time growth and development at Walt Disney World. In fact, there are so many new things opening, coming and happening, it’s hard to keep track. Here’s a cheat sheet to help keep things straight and make sure you haven’t missed anything.

2019 Holiday Season at Walt Disney World – Now Through January 5, 2020

Click here for amazing can’t miss 2019 holiday offerings at Walt Disney World.

Click here for our guide to the holiday offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Now Open

Click here for everything you need to know at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – Now Open Through November 23

Click here for our 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Preview

Disney Skyliner – Now Open

Click here for what you need to know about the Disney Skyliner

Epcot Forever – Now Open

Click here to learn more about Epcot Forever.

The Epcot Experience – Now Open

Click here to learn more about the Epcot Experience.

Reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Now Open

Click here for our review and walkthrough with photos and video.

NBA Experience at Disney Springs – Now Open

Click here for our review and what you need to know about this fun new experience.

Coming Soon to Disney World!

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Opening December 5, 2019

Click here for what we know so far about Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Epcot Reimagined – Now Through Fall 2021 for Walt Disney World’s 50thAnniversary

Click here for a complete rundown of what’s coming to the new Epcot including closures.

New Cirque du Soleil Show – April 17, 2020

Click here for everything we know about this new show!

Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration – 2021

Click here for our rundown of everything that’s coming for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

Star Wars Hotel – unknown

Click here for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser-What We Know So Far About the Upcoming Star Wars Themed Hotel Coming to Disney World

Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Point – Disney’s 2nd Island in the Caribbean – unknown

Click here for everything we know about Lighthouse Point!

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.



 

 

Chad & Cindy Nykamp

After years of multiple Walt Disney World vacations, Cindy and Chad's dream of living in Orlando came true in 2010. After friends and family made them their go-to-people for Walt Disney World advice, Cindy and Chad launched DisneyLists.com in August 2015 to share their knowledge and love of Disney. Chad and Cindy have been Disney World Annual Passholders for years, DVC members, together have raced more than 70 runDisney races, and particularly love cruising on the Disney Cruise Line. Chad and Cindy also regularly represent DisneyLists.com at Walt Disney World media events. While attending these events, they get an insiders view of all the new things that have come to Walt Disney World. These experiences have helped them gain knowledge and expertise they happily pass on to their followers. They still can't believe how lucky they are to have such an amazing opportunity and will continue to share Disney with anyone who will listen!
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