Tag: HOLIDAY

  • A Dozen “Must-Do’s” This Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Resort

    A Dozen “Must-Do’s” This Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Resort

    The most wonderful time of the year is here, and it’s even more magical at Walt Disney World Resort! Delicious treats, joyous holiday spectaculars and all-around merriment bring the spirit of the season to life across all four theme parks, Disney resort hotels and Disney Springs.

    Here’s a list of 12 “must-do’s” during your Christmas vacation at Walt Disney World Resort.

    1. Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Guests can enjoy all-new spectacular holiday projections displayed on the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel! This new holiday experience runs continuously throughout the night and features animated scenes of Mickey, Minnie and other beloved Disney characters sharing their favorite Christmas stories. Keep an eye out for the billboards that come to life and the falling snow on Sunset Boulevard. Talk about magical!
    2. New Holiday Kitchens at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays: Experience the flavors of the holidays, as you meander through World Showcase stopping at each of the festival’s many Holiday Kitchens. These kiosks serve up food and drinks that take the words “warm and cozy” to a whole new level. There’s even a Holiday Kitchen that’s all about sweet treats like snowflake sugar cookies and warm apple fritters with cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce.
    3. S’mores, Hot Cocoa and Christmas Carols at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: Immerse yourself in the yuletide grandeur of the Pacific Northwest at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge where a majestic Christmas tree towers over the resort lobby. Cozy up to the fire and relax with a cup of hot cider or cocoa and holiday treats. For more frontier-style holiday happenings head over to Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground where carolers arrive by hay wagon spreading the sounds of the season.
    4. Winter Summerland Miniature GolfJoin Santa and his elves at their off-season retreat for two 18-hole adventures available all year-round! The indecisive elves built two courses, one that showcases the warm Florida weather and another that represents the arctic North Pole. What better way to create a new holiday tradition than with family games, Christmas melodies and festive décor?
    5. Exciting New Holiday Merchandise: Unwrap another holiday tradition – shopping! Disney Springs has almost as many gift options as Santa’s bag. Shoppers will find everything from top-name brands to one-of-a-kind specialty stores. Popular new merchandise items include three new holiday-themed headbands that, much like the highly popular rose gold Minnie Mouse ears, promise to be a holiday hit!
    6. Jolly Décor: Take in the glistening holiday décor that brightens all four Theme Parks, the Disney resort hotels and Disney Springs! Wreaths, garlands and more surround you with holiday cheer. Giant floating ornaments, sky-high Christmas trees and magical snow flurries create a winter wonderland all around the vacation kingdom.
    7. Holiday Entertainment at Disney Springs: Every corner of Disney Springs is wrapped and ready for the season with festive holiday décor and seasonal entertainment. This year an expanded Christmas Tree Trail features ten new trees inspired by Disney classics such as Sleeping BeautyPeter PanSnow White and Dumbo.
    8. Tasty Treats: Taste the newest Flurry of Fun confections at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From red velvet whoopee pies decorated with icing garland, ornament pearls, and holiday sprinkles to Olaf Cake Pops and apple cranberry cobblers, these holiday sweets will have you smiling from ear-to-ear!
    9. Candlelight Processional at Epcot: One of the most beloved Epcot traditions returns with new celebrity narrators. Disney legend Kurt Russell is among the newcomers, along with Pat Sajak, Matt Bomer and CCH Pounder who will join returning favorites Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Jaci Velasquez and others. The Candlelight Processional is a retelling of the Christmas story as told by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir. The show takes place at the America Gardens Theatre nightly at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 30.
    10. Gingerbread Houses: Explore stunning edible creations at select Walt Disney World resort hotels, like the life-size holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. A giant edible spinning carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, while a holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. New this year, Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be home to an 18-foot-tall Cinderella Castle, crafted with thousands of gingerbread blocks, rolled fondant and modeling chocolate.
    11. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: It’s a Christmas party like no other! Each special ticket, limited-attendance event features an exclusive performance of Holiday Wishes fireworks, and the very first performances of other spectaculars like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, the Frozen Holiday Wish castle-lighting ceremony and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show. The special party, complete with cookies, cocoa and snow flurries, begins at 7 p.m., after regular park hours. Parties will be held on November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26 and 28, and December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22.
    12. Meet Santa Claus: A cozy conversation with Father Christmas, himself, makes the holiday season complete. Santa Claus will park hop to greet guests at Disney Springs and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He’ll even make an appearance during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom Park.
  • Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail Debuts Extended Weekend and Holiday Hours

    Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail Debuts Extended Weekend and Holiday Hours

    It’s official. With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is here. And at Disney Springs, it’s not only here, but bigger and better than ever. That goes for everything from holiday shopping to entertainment, and of course, to the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail!

    Now back for its second year, the Tree Trail now boasts 25 Disney-inspired trees, including ten additions featuring iconic characters.

    Wondering what’s new? Peter Pan, Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, Snow White, Dumbo, Fantasia, and Lady and the Tramp now take center stage with trees themed to these beloved stories. There’s also a tree featuring an assortment of ornaments that are all available at the nearby Disney’s Days of Christmas store.

    Here’s a tip…  Look for the featured ornament on ALL the trees, housed inside a special display lantern; most are available for purchase. And one of our favorites—the Disney Springs Tree—showcases the many retail brands on the property – one look reminds me that I can pretty much complete all of my Christmas shopping without leaving property.

    Based on the popularity of this new seasonal staple, hours have been extended an additional hour every Friday and Saturday and also on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Tree Trail is offered through the holiday season, and will run through January 7, 2018. The updated operating hours are as follows:

    Monday – Thursday: 12 pm to 10 pm
    Friday – Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm
    Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm
    Christmas Eve, 12/24: 10 am to 11 pm
    Christmas Day, 12/25: 10 am to 11 pm

    Have you visited the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail yet? If so, you can share your best photos on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag “#DisneySprings” for your chance to be featured on Disney’s social media sites. I’d also love to know which tree you love most, so feel free to let us know in the comments below!

  • Very Merrytime Cruises Bring Holiday Cheer Aboard Disney Cruise Line

    Very Merrytime Cruises Bring Holiday Cheer Aboard Disney Cruise Line

    This month, the entire Disney Cruise Line fleet transformed into a glistening winter wonderland for our Very Merrytime Cruises. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a special atrium celebration, fun-filled tropical parties on deck, carolers throughout the ship and Disney friends dressed in their holiday best.

    Check out some of the festive fun for you and your family on a Disney Cruise this holiday:

    1. Deck the Deck with Mickey and Friends
    Looking for a tropical holiday celebration? You and your little ones can join Mickey, Minnie and their pals for limbo, hula hooping and dancing around the pool. My personal favorite has to be the “Yuletide Slide!”

    Disney cruise line party

    2. Celebrate the Season in a Winter Wonderland
    When Santa and Mrs. Claus come to the ships, the atrium lobby is filled with classic holiday tunes, your favorite Disney characters and a flurry of “Frozen” fun with Anna and Elsa.

    Disney Cruise Line

     

    3. Savor Festive Feasts
    Prepare to indulge a plethora of tasty holiday treats and drinks along with a bountiful feast on Thanksgiving Day and a special dinner on Christmas Day. There are also speciality teas and coffees available throughout the entire season including my favorites, Egg Nog Mocha and Caramel Pecan Chai!

    Disney cruise line dining

    4. Carol Through the Decks
    Listen up for the spirit of the holidays ringing throughout the ship as Dickens-inspired carolers sing holiday classics and invite children to join them in a special farewell show.

    Caroling on the decks

    5. Build Your Own Gingerbread House
    From decorating stockings to making holiday cards, there are a ton of activities and crafts for your family. If that’s not enough gingerbread for you, each of our ships have a life-sized, edible gingerbread house right outside of the atriums.

    Gingerbread making

    6. Soak Up the Season
    When you visit Castaway Cay, the celebration continues with holiday island music,a special Christmas tree, Disney characters in their tropical holiday attire and even “snow” flurries!

    Need help booking your Disney Cruise, Walt Disney World, Disneyland vacation? Contact Travel Time with Vikki today. Let me me do all the work so you don’t have to. I’m a Disney Travel Specialist and my services are completely free.

  • STITCH’S HOLIDAY GIFT HUNT AT DISNEY SPRINGS

    STITCH’S HOLIDAY GIFT HUNT AT DISNEY SPRINGS

    Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt is not to be missed – it’s a scavenger hunt style adventure designed for families with kids of all ages.  Embark on a merry mission to locate all the items on Stitch’s lost list—November 10, 2017 through January 7, 2018.

    Solve clever clues to help everyone’s favorite galactic rascal track down gifts for his ‘ohana.

    Lilo’s little blue friend was up to his adorable ears in mischief again and, as a result, misplaced his holiday shopping list. But alas, it’s since been found and all set for you to inspect.

    Kick-start your alien adventure by picking up a pocket-sized Holiday Gift Hunt booklet containing a map, clues and stickers at any of the 16 participating locations—then let the detective work commence at each of the 12 sticker stops!

    Your job is to visit each gift hunt site, spot the hidden Stitch holding up one of his presents and then match the correct gift sticker to its corresponding location on the map. However, be forewarned—Experiment 626 is one tinsel-toting trickster.

    Once you’ve successfully filled out your booklet, head to a redemption center to collect your festive surprise.*

    12 Holiday Gift Hunt Stops:

    4 Prize Redemption Locations:

    *One prize per completed booklet.