Hello, Mousekefriends, and Happy Halfway to the Holidays! Today we’ll be talking about just that- the holidays! Tickets are now on sale for the after-hours holiday parties, and we’re ready for that festive feeling!
EPCOT
EPCOT is bringing back Festival of the Holidays, which is a fan-favorite. The Candlelight Processional, which will run from November 24th-December 30th will be returning. We won’t know the narrators for this until closer to the holidays, but we’re sure that classics such as Neil Patrick Harris will be returning. In the World Showcase, we’ll see guest favorites like storytellers, musical acts and performers and holiday kitchens.
Animal Kingdom
The Merry Menagerie of Winter Animals will be returning. This is returning, since it stopped during Covid, and includes beautiful artisan-sculpted puppets in winter colors.
Magic Kingdom
Home of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Magic Kingdom really brings the holiday magic that we’re looking forward to, being halfway to the holidays. On 25 select dates between November 9th-December 22nd. During this after-hours (separately ticketed) party, you can enjoy special stage-shows, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and of course, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Some of our favorite rides will be open as well, including the new TRON Lightcycle Run, using a virtual queue. Tickets are on sale now, and have been since July 6th. Tickets are $159-$199 per person, depending on the date selected.
The twinkle lights on Cinderella’s Castle have not come back yet, however we will have a Frozen surprise in front of the Castle with Elsa, Ana, Kristoff, Olaf and the Snowgies. They will be illuminating the castle in a whole new way!
Hollywood Studios
It’s been announced during Halfway to the Holidays that we will have a brand new after-hours party called Disney’s Jollywood Nights. We don’t have too many specifics, like menus yet, but they did describe it as “A Holiday vibe like never before. With modern beats over classic holiday songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes.” It does lead us to believe it will be centered around food and drink, and bringing back classic old Hollywood vibes to Hollywood Studios. It is only open for 10 nights, and seems to be geared towards adults. It sounds like Dapper Days meets Christmas, with keywords like glam, and “otherworldly soirée”.
Some of the things we do know is that Kermit and Miss Piggy will host a live Holiday special at the Theater of Stars. We’ll get to see two limited-capacity entertainment experiences, including a Jazz Lounge at the Brown Derby, and an “Otherworldly Soirée” at the Hollywood Tower Courtyard. We also know that Slinkydog Dash, Rock’n’Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror and Rise of the Resistance will be open. Rise will be on virtual queue, which will be open to book at 5pm the day of.
We also know that there will be plenty of delicious snacks and treats. For each of the parks, they definitely hit the sweets mark for the holidays, but we are seeing some awesome savory options here, which isn’t surprising considering they mention a Latin Street Fair here. One of the announced snacks is a sweet and savory combo, the Spicy Korean Chicken on a mini funnel cake.
Tickets range from $159-$179, and are available to purchase now. We do anticipate that since there is only 10 dates, nights will sell out quickly.
Other Disney Holiday Announcements
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise line has announced their 2023 Very Merrytime Christmas Cruises, which are on sale now! You can escape the craziness of Christmas while still enjoying Christmas!
They will have our favorite characters dressed in jolly new looks and fun-filled activities for the whole family! New activities will include a tree-lighting ceremony on the first night of every Very Merrytime Christmas sailing in the atrium, and sing classic holiday tunes.
They will also have a new event called Deck the Halls at Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party. Families are invited to the upper decks as Mickey, Minnie and friends as they celebrate friends, family and love as they sing classic holiday songs.
This cruise will be sailing from the NEW Disney Port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They will offer 4-5 night Verry Merrytime Cruises on the Disney Dream. This port will be the Dream’s new home port. The Fantasy and Wish will continue sailing from Port Canaveral for holiday sailing, and the Magic will be sailing out of San Diego for its holidays dates, and will wrap up the season in Galveston.
Disneyland
For Halfway to the Holidays, Disneyland has given us a preview of their new holiday attire, the cozy wintertime attire for Mickey and Minnie!
Today’s Mouseketip
There are so many events and offerings for the Holiday Season at Disney, so we recommend finding the event that interests you and looking at those dates, as not everything is offered every night. Be sure to plan your trip dates around the dates of your interests.
Ready to book your own Magical Holiday Vacation to celebrate Halfway to the Holidays?
Our friends at Kingdom and Cruise travel are more than happy to help you begin planning. Click here for your free, no-obligation quote to get started on making new, magical memories that will last a lifetime
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