DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Candlelight Narrators Revealed; Special Event Finally Coming Back; Complete Overview of Holiday Offerings; Epcot 40th Anniversary; Menu Updates & More
A lot has been going on as Disney World returns to normal following Hurricane Ian. We have a full overview of the upcoming holiday season offerings along with a big reveal of the Candlelight Processional celebrity narrator lineup. Epcot just celebrated its 40thbirthday, and we have a look at 40 years of amazing innovation. One of our favorite special ticketed events is finally coming back, and we have some new menu items coming our way. All this and more are below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators Announced for 2022
The Candlelight Processional is the highlight for many visiting the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. The entire celebrity narrator lineup has been announced. Visit the link below to see who’s back and who is new!
Click here for the 2022 Celebrity Narrators for the Candlelight Processional.
2 – Overview of the 2022 Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Revealed
It’s hard to believe, but the holiday season at Walt Disney World is just about a month away! All four theme parks, Disney Springs, and Disney resorts celebrate the holidays with special decorations, food and beverage items, events, and more. We’ve got an overview of everything you can experience this holiday season at Walt Disney World at the link below.
Click here for an overview of the 2022 holiday offerings at Walt Disney World.
3 – EPCOT Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation
On October 1, 2022, EPCOT celebrated its 40th Anniversary. We recently looked back at the park’s history and 40 years of innovation. Learn more about EPCOT at the links below.
Click here for A Look Back at 40 Years of Innovation at EPCOT – Part 1
Click here for A Look Back at 40 Years of Innovation at EPCOT – Part 2
4 – Disney After Hours Event Returning to Walt Disney World
Disney After Hours is a popular special ticketed event that has been offered in the past at Walt Disney World. The last time regular Disney After Hours events were held was in early 2020. While the event is only three hours long, the very low crowds offer guests the opportunity to get a lot done because wait times are much lower than during regular operating hours. Two Disney After Hours events are returning in January 2023 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom.
We are especially interested in the event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since that has not been offered since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019. Star Wars Rise of the Resistance will be open during the event, and it will be interesting to see the wait times for that attraction. The very popular Slink Dog Dash, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Tower of Terror, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are also included, making it an incredible lineup. Because so many fantastic attractions are included, we will not be surprised to see the events at Hollywood Studios sell out. Learn more about the upcoming After Hours events at the link below.
Click here for more information on the return of Disney After Hours to Walt Disney World.
5 – Menu Updates at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Two restaurants at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are getting their menus updated for new items for guests to enjoy. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for information on Menu Updates at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
6 – Disney Reveals Official End Date of 50th Anniversary Celebration
The 50th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World kicked off on October 1, 2021. While we’ve known the celebration would run for around 18 months, the exact end date was unknown. Disney has now officially stated the end date will be March 31, 2023. The celebration is celebrated at all four parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Learn more about the celebration at the link below.
Click here for details on the 50th Anniversary Celebration at Walt Disney World.
7 – Hurricane Ian Impacts Walt Disney World, Including Closures
One of the biggest news stories recently was the impact of Hurricane Ian on Central Florida and Walt Disney World. The four theme parks, Disney Springs, and more closed for two full days as the storm passed on Wednesday, September 28. Crews were on the scene cleaning up on Thursday, and all four theme parks reopened on Friday. Cast Members entertained and offered services to guests who hunkered down in their resorts. We want to thank every Cast Member who worked so hard to keep the storm’s impact to a minimum for guests. The storm moved across Florida south of Central Florida, and most of the impact to the area was flooding, although no significant damage was reported at Walt Disney World. Hurricane season officially ends on November 1, 2022.
8 – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates Continue to Sell Out
If you are planning to purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you probably want to do that sooner rather than later. More dates are selling out, and many speculate that, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, the Christmas Party will sell out for the entire season. Learn more about the party offerings at the link below.
Click here for details on the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
9 – Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to be Re-Themed
Disney has announced that the Pirate rooms in the Trinidad section at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort are being rethemed. Read the statement below.
In an effort to continually enhance the guest experience, some of the resort rooms in the Trinidad area of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be receiving a brand-new look and feel. These new rooms, which will include subtle nods to fan-favorite characters from under the sea, will accommodate more guests and feature updated finishings that can’t be found anywhere else at the resort.
As we prepare these new rooms, guests will be able to see and hear refurbishment work in and around Trinidad beginning October 3. We look forward to welcoming guests into these new rooms in 2023.
10 – Disney100 Celebration Kicks off at Disneyland in January 2023
Beginning January 27, 2023, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., will celebrate Disney 100 Years of Wonder – the largest cross-company global celebration in the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Parks around the world will celebrate the 100th anniversary, with the heart of the celebration at Disneyland Resort. Throughout the resort, guests will enjoy special limited-time offerings taking place all year long, including new platinum-infused decor, two new nighttime spectaculars, new sparkling looks for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals, special food and beverage offerings, merchandise and more. Learn more about the celebration at the link below.
Click here for details on the Disney100 Celebration at Disneyland!
11 – Edison at Disney Springs Launches a Series of Spooky Spirits & a Breast Cancer Awareness Cocktail this October
This October, The Edison at Disney Springs is debuting a signature set of Halloween-inspired cocktails for guests to enjoy all spooky season long. With four expertly curated beverages, created by The Edison’s team of mixologists, guests will leave feeling festive.
As October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month, Patina Restaurant Group has teamed up with Florida Breast Cancer Foundation to offer guests a special cocktail, with a portion of the proceeds from each drink to be donated to the charitable organization. Available from October 1-31, “The Pink Ribbon” was inspired by The Edison’s Mixologist, Alana Sullivan, in honor of her mother’s triumph in her battle against breast cancer. A nonalcoholic version will also be available. Participating restaurants include The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s and Enzo’s Hideaway.
Here’s a look at the drinks being offered:
The Pink Ribbon
The Pink Ribbon is made with Herradura Reposado (Top Shelf Spirit), watermelon juice, lime juice, fresh muddled raspberries, and mint leaves. A mocktail version will also be available, including watermelon juice, lime juice, muddled fresh raspberries, and mint leaves.
Pumpkin Spice Forever
Inspired by fall’s iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, The Edison has created a delicious high roller cocktail for the season. Made with The Edison’s blend of Stoli Elit vodka, Borghetti espresso liqueur, Faretti biscotti liqueur, pumpkin spice and black walnut bitters — froth and all — the Pumpkin Spice Forever will leave guests feeling warm and fuzzy at first sip.
Blood Donor
Served in a blood bag, the Blood Donor combines Aperol, Solerno, Espolòn Silver, lime juice and simple syrup to make a vivid crimson concoction — eerie, yet delicious.
Eye Drop
The Eye Drop includes a blend of Absolut Citron, Cointreau, acid-adjusted simple syrup and cherry juice, garnished with a spooky eyeball.
Red Rum
While the name of this cocktail brings back visions of one seriously creepy kid from America’s favorite cult classic horror flick, The Edison’s Red Rum cocktail, featuring Cruzan rum, orgeat, and hints of lemon, honey and cinnamon finished with muddled berries, promises easy drinking and only the sweetest dreams.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
The New Disney World Normal: Visiting Post-Pandemic – What You Need to Know
Click here for what you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World post-pandemic.
Now through October 31, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Click here for our review of the 2022 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Click here for the can’t-miss entertainment at this year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Now through November 19, 2022 – 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Click here for details on the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
Click here for photos of the menu boards for the Global Marketplaces with pricing for easy planning!
Now Open – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Now Through March 31, 2023 – The Most Magical Celebration – 50 Years of Walt Disney World
New Openings at EPCOT – As Part of the Historic Transformation of EPCOT
Click here for what’s new and coming to EPCOT as the Historic Transformation Continues.
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Now Open – Drawn to Life
Click here for our review of Drawn to Life the new Cirque du Soleil show now open at Disney Springs.
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
November 8 – December 30 – Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
Click here for an overview of offerings of the Holiday season at Walt Disney World.
November 8-December 22, Select Nights – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
Click here for dates, pricing, and details for the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
November 25 – December 30 – EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Click here for the lineup of Celebrity Narrator Lineup for the Candlelight Processional.
Spring 2023 – Tron Lightcycle Run Coming to Magic Kingdom
Click here to learn more about TRON / Lightcycle Run coming to Magic Kingdom in spring 2023.
2023 – Happily Ever After Returns to Magic Kingdom
Click here about Happily Ever After and its return to Magic Kingdom in 2023.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish
Click here to learn more (and watch) the Christening Ceremony Celebration of the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn about staterooms and our room review on the Disney Wish.
Click here to learn about upper deck fun and the AquaMouse – the first Disney attraction at sea!
Click here for an overview of family dining on the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn more about stage show entertainment on the Disney Wish!
Itineraries in 2022 and 2023
Click here to learn about early 2023 itineraries on Disney Cruise Line!
Click here for information on Pixar Day at Sea coming in early 2023!
Click here for information on Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Cruise Line in 2023.
Click here for information about Disney Cruise Line’s Summer 2023 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line Fall 2023 Itineraries.
Coming to Disney Cruise Line
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