Tag: holidays

2018 Complete Guide To Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park

Are you planning a visit to Walt Disney World Resort for the holidays? Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park is an absolute must-do event during the holiday season. This in-park party celebrates the season with lovely decor, glittering holiday lights, special photo opportunities, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., and entertainment you have to see to believe!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which requires a special ticket to attend, will be held on the following nights: November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27 and 29; and December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21. Party fun takes place from 7 p.m.-midnight, although party ticket holders may enter the park as early as 4 p.m. to enjoy regular park offerings.

The must-see offering, “A Frozen Holiday Wish,” kicks off the fun each night at dusk. Guests arriving early for the party can watch as royal sisters Anna and Elsa lead a celebration for their friends on the Castle Forecourt Stage that culminates in Queen Elsa using her incredible powers to transform Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace for the holidays.

The “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” stage show brings in Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto, and many others who drop by on Mickey’s party dressed in their Christmas best, ready to ring in the season with holidays with carols, old and new.

Another can’t-miss moment is the “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” This enchanting holiday procession features marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread men, Disney characters, Santa Claus and more!

Then the highlight of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party night is “Holiday Wishes Fireworks– Celebrate the Spirit of the Season,” a special fireworks show set to holiday tunes that light up the sky above Magic Kingdom Park.

The party also offers guests complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, party exclusive character greeting opportunities – with familiar faces like Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Scrooge McDuck – plus event-exclusive merchandise and special holiday treats.

August 24, 2018
Disney Cruise Line Setting Sail for Magical Winter Holidays This Year

‘Tis the season… to come aboard! This winter, get ready to unwrap some holiday magic with Disney Cruise Line.

Beginning in early November, the Disney cruise ships will transform into glittering wonderlands as they are “decked out” for another season of Very Merrytime Cruises, these special holiday sailings packed with festive events for the whole family!

During the most wonderful time of the year, you can join us for a jolly lineup of winter parties and themed entertainment unlike anything else on land or at sea. Special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic, where Mickey and his pals lead carols and the lighting of the ship’s three-deck-tall Christmas tree.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, a magical welcome party for the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, featuring Broadway-style entertainment and favorite Disney characters… including a pair of royal sisters whose appearance causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium!

Deck the Deck Holiday Party, a tropical celebration up on deck where Disney friends lead hula hooping, limbo under oversized candy canes and high-energy family dances like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.

Holiday activities for the whole family, like building gingerbread houses, meeting Santa Claus and singing along with Dickens-inspired carolers. Plus, special activities just for kids include decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.

Sea-sun’s greetings ashore at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, where the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and merry island music.

And guests sailing on each holiday will have even more festivities to enjoy, like Thanksgiving Day feasts and football games on the ship’s jumbo screen, Christmas morning surprises from Santa Claus and daily Hanukkah services.

So give your family a gift that can’t fit under the tree this year — and set sail for a different kind of holiday celebration with Disney Cruise Line!

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

July 18, 2018
Complete Guide To Holiday Experiences At Disney World
From captivating décor and unique character experiences to delicious treats and magical moments, there is something for everyone during the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort, starting Nov. 8. Here is a complete guide to all the festivities that await guests.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Guests will experience a Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Nov. 8-Jan.6, with festive entertainment and exciting holiday touches around the park.
- The new Toy Story Land will feature special seasonal fun, such as holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers.
- Sunset Seasons Greetings returns this year with impressive new laser effects and “snow.” Guests will witness spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Olaf and others – sharing their favorite seasonal stories as holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season.
- The nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will combine state-of-the-art projections, fireworks, special effects and music to create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
- Guests will meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop Nov.10-Dec. 24, and Santa Goofy after he steps in Dec. 25.
Magic Kingdom Park
Charming decorations, holiday treats, a sparkling icy castle and more will await guests at Magic Kingdom Park, transforming it into an enchanting holiday wonderland.

The holiday festivities at the park will also include Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a specially ticketed, limited-attendance celebration that will take place on select nights starting Nov. 8. Each night of the event will feature an exclusive showing of Holiday Wishes fireworks and performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show. Guests will also experience the beauty of a scintillating Cinderella Castle, meet characters in their festive finery and even enjoy complimentary cookies and cocoa.

Epcot
Guests will discover joyous holiday traditions from 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Beginning Nov. 18, this year’s festival will deliver a yuletide extravaganza.
- Seasonal tastes from around the globe are served at special Holiday Kitchens.
- World Showcase pavilions come alive with the sights and sounds of special entertainment celebrating each country’s holiday heritage.
- Chip and Dale will be collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree. In Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree scavenger hunt, guests will purchase a map and stickers from select merchandise locations and travel around World Showcase looking for the famous chipmunks with their ornaments. Guests will then return their completed maps for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip and Dale. Maps are available for $6.99 (plus tax).
- The nightly fireworks display, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, will feature an additional holiday finale.
- One of the most popular Epcot traditions, the Candlelight Processional, returns. This retelling of the Christmas story will feature a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a choir. Performances will run three times each night from Nov. 22-Dec. 30.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
New this year, the magic of nature will receive a holiday touch with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Starting Nov. 8, guests will join fun-loving pals Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s “Up” in discovering some of the world’s most exotic birds.

Disney Springs
Disney Springs will be the perfect destination for holiday shopping, dining and entertainment, with the chance to experience holiday magic along the way. Festivities run Nov. 8-Jan. 5:
- Guests will stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and view custom-decorated holiday trees, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme featuring characters like Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, among others.
- At Santa’s Chalet, Santa Claus will accept Christmas wish lists and welcome guests. From Dec. 25-Dec. 31, Santa Goofy will take over after Old Saint Nick heads back to the North Pole.
- Guests will take part in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt and discover where the mischievous Experiment 626 is hiding.
Holiday Fun at Resort Hotels
Resorts across Walt Disney World will be decked out for the holidays. Special offerings include:
- Life-size edible creations will take shape at select resorts. A holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be home to The Bake Shop, where guests will pick up holiday treats, including the namesake gingerbread. A life-size, 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.
- In the lobbies of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests will take in the grandeur of massive Christmas trees.
- No holiday is complete without a special dining experience. Holiday menus that celebrate the season will be found at restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. For holiday dining information and reservations, guests can call (407) WDW-DINE.
Ring in the New Year at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
To celebrate the New Year, guests will be able to choose between two New Year’s Eve celebrations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration and Disney Countdown to Midnight, including an option to purchase VIP access to the Ink and Paint Club. Both celebrations will feature entertainment, music, food and refreshments, plus a viewing of the Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks to cap off the night.
July 16, 2018
Ring In the New Year at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World
Planning ahead for big holiday events is very important, and New Year’s Eve is right there at the top of the list. This year, if you’re looking for a unique experience outside of the theme parks, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the place to be. But you’ll have to hurry, because party bookings are now available!

To ring in 2019, two New Year’s Eve celebrations are available at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (recommended for families) and Disney Countdown to Midnight, including an option to purchase VIP access to the Ink and Paint Club (recommended for adults without kids). Both celebrations will feature entertainment, music, food and other refreshments, plus a viewing of the Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks to cap off the night. Here’s what else to expect at each party:

Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (8 p.m.-12:15 a.m.)

This New Year’s Eve, welcome in 2019 with a festive, family-friendly frolic through some childhood joys during Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Sarge from Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films will welcome you as you arrive at the second floor of the resort. Once inside, you will discover spaces that have been transformed with scenes from beloved Pixar movies.

Highlights of the evening include:
- Being enveloped in the worlds of various Disney•Pixar films, like “Inside Out,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo” and “Up,” including meeting some of your favorite characters.
- Kids’ activities, including Boot Camp with Sarge, Pixar Face Painting and a balloon artist creating favorite Pixar characters.
- An interactive DJ spinning Radio Disney hits from his Cars-inspired DJ Rig, complete with tires and road signs right out of Radiator Springs.
- A delicious buffet dinner, including Woody’s Favorite Lemon Thyme Chicken Breast, Wall-E’s Pan Seared Mahi-Mahi, Rex’s Manhattan Filet, Sulley’s Beast White Cheddar Baked Mac & Cheese, build-your-own salad options, desserts, kids’ favorites like chicken fingers and more.
- A viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Tickets are $190 per person, including tax and gratuity.

Disney Countdown to Midnight (8 p.m.-12:15 a.m.)

This New Year’s Eve, dress up and party during Disney Countdown to Midnight – an evening of dining, dancing and enchantment in the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Come discover a world sparkling with magic – everything from a Mickey Mouse mirror ball to Disney Character topiaries – as you move and groove to the high-energy New Year’s Bash Band and a live DJ providing music all night long.

Other highlights of the evening include:
- A “cheftainment” station featuring a seasonal menu inspired by some Disney Signature Dining restaurants – with a touch of Disney magic.
- A special appearance by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
- At the end of the night, guests will be invited out to the porte cochère, where they will receive a Champagne flute and welcome 2019 with a viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Tickets are $275, including tax and gratuity.

Ink and Paint Club experience (7 p.m.-12:15 a.m.)

Offered only as a VIP enhancement to the Disney Countdown to Midnight party and located adjacent to the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this special reception begins prior to the opening of the main event. At the Ink and Paint Club, guests will step back in time into a vintage Disney Animation-inspired room with silver Chiavari chairs, metallic tables and references to classic Disney Animation filling the room. Ticketed guests can visit the lounge throughout the evening, starting with a featured reception from 7-8 p.m.

Highlights of this special reception include:
- Photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse with a unique Disney Animation backdrop.
- A pianist providing live entertainment.
- Chef stations featuring king crab, tuna tartare, sheep’s milk ricotta gnocchi, cocktails, Champagne, cordials and more – all included with admission.
- Reserved seating in the Disney Countdown to Midnight Party when it opens at 8 p.m.
Disney Ink & Paint Club is only available as a part of an enhanced ticket that includes access to both the Disney Countdown to Midnight and the Ink & Paint Club for $450 total per guest. Access to Ink & Paint Club must be purchased concurrently with the Disney Countdown to Midnight ticket and cannot be added on at a later date.

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!
July 10, 2018
The Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort Return November 8

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We’ll not really, but still Disney announced today the return of the holiday season to Walt Disney World Resort.

Starting November 8, you will be able to celebrate this magical season with festive parties, captivating holiday décor, delicious treats, spectacular entertainment and enchanting experiences that make this season one of the most wonderful times to visit our theme parks, resorts and more!

A Flurry of Fun comes back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the return of Sunset Seasons Greetings. Featuring impressive new laser effects and “snow,” holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel with spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Olaf sharing their favorite seasonal stories.

Another returning favorite is the nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! The new Toy Story Land also gets special seasonal fun including holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers and more!

Magic Kingdom Park will transform into a world of holiday enchantment that includes the specially ticketed event Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, offered during select nights in November and December.

At Epcot you will discover joyous holiday traditions of 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 18. One of our favorite holiday traditions at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional and this year it starts performances on Nov. 22

New this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the magic of nature will receive a holiday touch with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure.

There is even more holiday fun at the resorts across Walt Disney World with festive seasonal décor as well as life-sized edible creations. And at Disney Springs you will find the perfect destination for holiday shopping, dining and entertainment, with the chance to experience holiday magic along the way.

July 9, 2018
2018 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages on Sale July 11
Part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, the Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved events at Walt Disney World. Many of our guests plan their holiday vacations around their favorite celebrity narrators. This year’s event starts on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, for the first time ever.

The Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a 50-piece orchestra, a massed choir and a celebrity narrator. The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. Also available, on select days and evenings, Candlelight Processional Dining Packages which include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages go on sale Wednesday July 11.

We have a couple of names to share on the celebrity narrator front. Returning favorites include actress/host Whoopi Goldberg; entertainer Pat Sajak; actors Neil Patrick Harris, Chita Rivera, Gary Sinise, Blair Underwood and Edward James Olmos; and Jodi Benson, who voices Ariel in Disney’s animated classic “The Little Mermaid.”

Here is the lineup so far. We hope to share more names soon.*
- 11/22 – 11/23 – Chita Rivera
- 11/24 – 12/2 – TBD
- 12/3 – 12/6 – Neil Patrick Harris
- 12/7 – 12/9 – Whoopi Goldberg
- 12/10 – 12/12 – TBD
- 12/13 – 12/14 – Blair Underwood
- 12/15 – 12/17 – Gary Sinise
- 12/18 – 12/20 – Pat Sajak
- 12/21 – 12/23 – TBD
- 12/24 – 12/25 – Edward James Olmos
- 12/26 – 12/27 – Jodi Benson
- 12/28 – 12/30 – TBD
Lunch and dinner packages are available at some favorite Epcot restaurants like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway pavilion); Biergarten Restaurant (Germany pavilion); Chefs de France (France pavilion); Coral Reef Restaurant (The Seas pavilion); The Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land pavilion); La Hacienda de San Angel** and San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico pavilion); Nine Dragons Restaurant (China pavilion); Restaurant Marrakesh and Spice Road Table (Morocco pavilion); Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (United Kingdom pavilion); Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining (Japan pavilion); and Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy pavilion).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Epcot-area resort restaurants at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages start at:
- For Breakfast: $38 plus tax per person for adults and $22 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.
- For Lunch: $50 plus tax per person for adults and $16.99 plus tax per person for children, ages 3.
- For Dinner: $55 plus tax per person for adults and $16.99 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.
Epcot provides an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase, and live performances enliven the park throughout the day.

To book a Candlelight Processional dining package or find out more information contact me today. If fact, if you need any help booking your magical vacation, contact me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!
July 8, 2018
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort Returns September 7
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is returning for even more days of wicked fun! Beginning September 7 through October 31, a spell will be cast at both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park, transforming the Disneyland Resort into a frenzy of happy haunts.

This limited-time seasonal celebration will include special attraction overlays, themed décor, seasonal treats and merchandise, plus spooky encounters with favorite characters.

Oogie Boogie will once again take over Disney California Adventure park with stylish Halloween decor along Buena Vista Street and a swarm of bats encircling Carthay Circle Theatre. Cars Land will celebrate Haul-O-Ween as Radiator Springs turns into Radiator Screams! For the occasion, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will transform into Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree while Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters changes into Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. In Hollywood Land, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will transform nightly into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.

Over at Disneyland park, the Pumpkin Festival will greet guests as they make their way down Main Street, U.S.A. Fan-favorite attractions will also return, including the eerily delightful Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.

Additionally, the highly anticipated Mickey’s Halloween Party will host 15 nights of fun. This separate-ticket, after hours event gives you the chance to make your Halloween Time experience even more fun with some exclusive entertainment, Disney characters in their Halloween attire and trick-or-treating throughout Disneyland park!

Be sure to purchase your Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets* early and mark your calendars for the dates below.
- June 5: Tickets on sale to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa card holders and Disney Vacation Club members
- June 12: Tickets on sale to general public
- Mickey’s Halloween Party 2018 dates: Sept. 19, Sept. 21, Sept. 24, Sept. 26, Sept. 28, Oct. 2, Oct. 5, Oct. 9, Oct. 12, Oct. 16, Oct. 19, Oct. 23, Oct. 26, Oct. 29, Oct. 31
For more information about Halloween events at the Disneyland Resort, contact me anytime. If you need any help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!
May 18, 2018
Dress Up Your Holiday Hot Cocoa Disney Style
When it seem like Queen Elsa herself is trying her hardest to show up Jack Frost and you can’t seem to escape the chill in the air, there’s nothing better than cozying up and sharing a warm drink with the ones you love. Just in time for this holiday season, here are three magical hot chocolate recipes featuring delectable delights all served in the perfect Disney Store Mug. Dig out the marshmallows, shake up the cream, and get ready to brew some hot cocoa the Disney way!

Star Wars: The Dark Side of Hot Chocolate

You won’t find rebel scum anywhere near this Imperial Scout Trooper Mug or this Stormtrooper Mug with a crack squadron of marshmallow TIE fighters on patrol. Being bad sure tastes ever so good.

1. Use icing to adhere thin chocolate wafer cookies and marshmallows to create bite-size TIE fighters.

2. Split a full size cookie and use a toothpick to etch a matching trooper helmet design.

3. Succumb to the dark side by making your favorite dark hot chocolate recipe.

4. Add finishing touches including a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of dark chocolate, and a burst of star sprinkles with cookie crumbs. Remember to send your troopers and TIE fighters out on patrol.

Icy Blue Frozen Hot Chocolate

If you can’t beat the cold, you might as well join it. This frozen hot chocolate recipe flips traditional hot cocoa on its head. You’ll have Queen Elsa Proud and wanting to join you.
1. Chill your Elsa Glass Mug and Anna Glass Mug in the freezer.
2. While you wait, bake snowflake sugar cookies and pipe snowflake detail with white icing.
3. Make your favorite white hot chocolate recipe, then add a drop of turquoise food coloring. After it cools, blend with ice.
4. Pull your Frozen mugs out of the freezer and pour in the iced cocoa.
5. Add a mountain of whipped cream capped with an icy blast of sprinkles, iridescent edible glitter, and snowflake cookies. The cold never bothered you anyway!
“it’s a small world”: International Confetti Hot Cocoa

¡Delicioso! Läcker! Délicieuse! If you like your cocoa to warm not only your tummy, but also your heart, the “it’s a small world” mug is perfect for you. Just add a little international flavor!

1. Find a new-to-you international hot chocolate recipe such as chai, Mayan, or Italian.

2. Top it with a snowy-white glob of whipped cream, then add rainbow marshmallows and confetti sprinkles.

3. Garnish with toothpick flags from countries around the world. It’s a small world after all!

A Mug for Every Cocoa

Whether you like your cocoa hot, cold, plain or overflowing with added goodies, Disney Store’s selection of themed mugs makes it easy to find one to warm up with. That means everyone on your couch can find the perfect mug and still have enough left for a matching blanket. What a perfect way to spend those cozy chilly holiday nights.
December 13, 2017
Twelve Days of Disney Socks

Disney is knocking our socks off with this magical holiday gift and these guys are in super high demand. Target has created the ultimate gift idea, an advent calendar filled with socks for adults, and priced it at only $15. And that’s not even the best part — the socks are Disney-themed, which means that the lucky recipient of the calendar will end up with a dozen pairs of socks inspired by their favorite characters!

As if you needed another excuse to head to Target around holidays, right? The 12 Days of Socks calendar is perfect for Secret Santa, white elephant gift exchanges, or simply to keep your toes warm during the Winter season. You definitely can’t beat the price, and one can never have too many socks! Now excuse us while we buy this calendar for everybody on our list.

November 12, 2017