Christmas Tips 2014

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's that time of year! Halloween is over and that means one thing at Disney: it's time for Christmas!

Every year, Walt Disney World transforms into a Winter Wonderland. This year, there are some new changes to look out for. This is a long one, so grab some cocoa and snuggle down by the fireplace.

Without further ado, let's get to the festive fun!

Without a doubt, the most exciting part of the holiday season at Disney is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! Unlimited cookies and cocoa, Christmas music, a parade and fantastic Fireworks display all go into this night. MVMCP is a separate, hard ticketed event, but it's well worth it. The park is less crowded, and the night really is wonderful.

 There are two shows to watch: A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas! and Celebrate the Season. The former is (obviously) in Tomorrowland, and features Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski, and Stitch. The latter stars Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald getting ready for Christmas.

NEW this year is a Frozen Holiday Wish. In years past, Cinderella's fairy godmother was called upon to make the castle sparkle with ice and lights. This year, everyone's favorite ice queen will takeover, along with Kristoff, Anna and Olaf. This is sure to be impressive! Note: This can actually be seen at 6:15 with regular admission, and then again at 8:00, during the party.

It wouldn't be a Disney party without characters! All the favorites make appearances in the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, as well as gingerbread men, toy soldiers, and of course, Santa. NEW this year to the parade will be a Frozen processional, as well as Ralph and Vanellope from Wreck it Ralph.

NEW this year characters can be found in dance parties. The Holiday Hootenanny! in Liberty Square will feature the Country Bears and Clarabel, Horace and Clara. At Club Tinsel in tomorrowland, Phineas and Ferb will be dancing the night away.

NEW this year guests will be able to meet Sandy Claws aka the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, in his Christmas gear! The seven dwarves, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy are also available to meet in their winter clothes, too!

Finally, snow on Main Street! While this is just a little thing, kids especially (or native Floridians :-p) will be amazed to see snow, especially at the Happiest Place on Earth.

While it's certainly amazing, not all fun at Magic Kingdom is at the Christmas Party! Many things are available with a general admission ticket.

Holiday decorations, for example, are up all day. On main street you can meet Santa, or even just take a beautiful Christmas themed Disney picture of your family.

Gift shops are all decked out too! You might even find a few things to add to your Christmas list.

NEW (from last year) is the Jungle Jingle Cruise! The ordinary boat ride is given a makeover, completely with holiday decorations, yuletide skipper nicknames, and of course, corny Christmas jokes.

 

Be Our Guest restaurant, as well all the other restaurants, also gets in the spirit. Featuring the tree and angel from Beauty and the Beast: An Enchanted Christmas. 

 

Liberty Tree Inn is all dressed up.

Finally at Magic Kingdom, keep your eyes open! You may come across the Citizens of Main Street dancing to Christmas songs, or the Dapper Dans singing your favorite carols.

Pop Century Christmas Tree

Of course, there's more to WDW then the Magic Kingdom. The Resorts go all out too, and they're definitely worth seeing. Grand Floridian builds a life sized gingerbread house! Even the Values have gorgeous trees. Drive, hop on bus or monorail, and check it out!

Pere Noel in the UK at Epcot.

Holidays Around the World at Epcot are a fun way experience how different cultures celebrate. Also at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional, featuring Disney Cast Members, student choirs, and celebrity hosts telling the Christmas story. Candelight Processional dinner packages can be purchased for an additional fee, which includes a reserved dinner, priority seating for the show, and a reserved area for that evening's Illuminations!

Rumor: ENDING this year is the Hollywood Studios Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The Streets of America is covered with Christmas lights, which are set to music. For this year, a Frozen premium package will be available for purchase. With the package, you'll get preferred seating to a performance of the For the First Time in Forever sing-a-long show, as well as a dessert party during the Osborne lights, and a collectable pin and lithograph. Todd and I have done many of these premium packages, and they are well worth it.

Well, that about wraps about this post! There is so much to see and do this Christmas at Disney, so look out for some reviews!

Until then, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

In your Easter bonnet...at Magic Kingdom!

Every holiday, families from around the globe decide it would be amazing to make the day even more special by visiting Magic Kingdom, and Easter is no exception! And who could blame them? Todd and I have made WDW our own Easter tradition for the past few years, too! However, before your family decides on this course of action, be warned: holidays with a little extra magic are not for the faint of heart.

The wait just after the park was open just to get onto the monorail, ferry, or bus at the TTC.

People go crazy! That being said, we actually saw lighter crowds a bit compared to previous years, but that could have been due to the three hour wait to see Anna and Elsa (more on that next update). It's also worth noting the Tables in Wonderland card discount is not valid on any holidays.

All things considered though, it's a pretty cool experience. After all, the Azalea Maids were all over Main Street, you could meet Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, and there was a special Easter parade only shown on Easter! So I say, definitely go for it next year if you get the chance!

And now, photos!

Anxiously awaiting the Bunnies of the hour!

 

Photo op!

 

Butterflies ushering in the parade.

 

Daisy in her Easter finery.

So many ruffles!

That's all for today! Happy Easter everyone, and see ya real soon!

Festival of Fantasy Review

      For those of you who follow the happenings of the Walt Disney World Resort, you know that Sunday was the premiere of a brand new parade called Festival of Fantasy at Magic Kingdom. Todd and I visited WDW on Monday, and made a trip to Magic Kingdom so we could see the parade. We absolutely loved it! The music was great, the costumes and floats were beautifully colored and detailed, overall it was great to watch!
      My favorite float by far was Tangled. From the sun lanterns, to the various Snuggly Duckling singers, and the over sized swinging axes, you could see the parade a dozen times and notice something different with each viewing. Not to be outdone, however, was the huge Maleficent dragon, who breathed fire and was flanked by some terrifying crows. I definitely recommend making time in your next Magic Kingdom visit to see it. Without further ado, here are the photos:

The parade is led off by Belle and the Beast

On the same float is Cinderella's dress being made, and Cinderella herself on the opposite side.

Reigning darlings Anna, Elsa, and Olaf round out the title float.

Like Cinderella, they only stay on one side (the right), so keep that in mind when picking your spot. The other side is Tiana.

See what I mean about details?

Rapunzel grinning up at Flynn's smolder.

Coral covered dancers precede the Little Mermaid float.

Ariel being driven by Sebastian and combing her hair with a Dinglehopper.

Bonus: Can you spot the Hidden Mickey?

The Lost Boys usher in Peter Pan's float.

On second thought, maybe this float is my favorite. Look at all those colors!

Captain Hook swinging menacingly on an Anchor, next to the Neverland map on Pride Rock.

Peter Pan and Wendy, always exploring.

Of course, you can't have Peter Pan without Tinkerbell.

Merida clapping joyfully atop her giant bagpipe.

Above her head you can see the plate of pastries and her little brother as a bear cub.

These frightening creatures are nothing compared to what they bring with them...

Maleficent in all her winged glory. 

The sheer size of this amazing.

The Alice in Wonderland and Snow White character strangely don't have a float.

More beautifully costumed dancers in front of Pinocchio and Monstro.

Riding Monstro's tale is Dumbo, followed by Daisy, Donald, and the Fantasia crew.

Fantasia animals.

And Pluto brings up the back!

Goofy, Chip, Dale, and these adorably costumed performers dance behind Pluto...

And then lead up to...

The grand finale! Mickey and Minnie themselves.

I thought they made a greater last float than an introductory one.

And with that ends the Festival of Fantasy!