Hidden Holiday Treasures at the Walt Disney World Resort

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

By Barbara Cash, Small World Big Fun Disney Authorized Travel Agent

So you are going to Disney World during the holiday season but, for whatever reason, you didn’t purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom. No worries! There is so much to see and do at Disney World to get into the holiday spirit.

Below are some “insider” tips and advice for things to do that are not always included in the standard maps and guides.  If you have any questions you can contact me anytime!

  1. Check out the resorts. Every Disney resort will be decked out in their themed holiday splendor. The Grand Floridian has a huge gingerbread house and a five-story Christmas tree.  Many nights, the deluxe resorts also have characters in the lobby taking pictures with guests and signing autographs.  Last year, after finishing dinner at ‘Ohana at The Polynesian, my family was greeted by Mickey and Minnie in the lobby decked out in their Hawaiian holiday attire. Most of these activities aren’t listed in map guides or schedule sheets. These are just special moments guests happen upon while visiting Disney World.
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  2. Visit Disney Springs. Grab a hot chocolate from Ghirardelli’s and take a stroll through the Disney-themed Christmas trees along the Trail of Trees. If you need to wrap up your holiday shopping, the options are almost limitless!  There is no cost to visit Disney Springs.  Take a stroll, have a snack, and take in all the decorations.
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  3. Explore the holiday decorations in the parks. At Epcot, Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree is a fun scavenger hunt around World Showcase. Be sure to visit the Santas Around the World and learn a little about his history and traditions in other countries.  In Hollywood Studios, there are special fireworks and throwback decorations from earlier eras.
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  4. Last but not least… the food!  The special treats at Disney World are always great but they are completely over the top during the holiday season. Everything from Christmas-themed caramel apples to the Holiday Waffle featured at the Holiday Marketplace in Epcot – It’s a sweet potato waffle base stuffed with roast turkey and topped with green bean casserole!
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The holiday season is a special time at Disney World.  You can visit resorts, take in the decorations at the theme parks, happen upon special groups sharing their cheer, and have some fantastic treats that are beyond the usual at Disney World.  Don’t let the lack of a party ticket keep you from getting into holiday cheer.

Barbara Cash is an Agent with WDWNT’s Exclusive Disney Travel Partner – Small World Big Fun. You can learn more about Barbara here. 

PHOTOS: Trader Sam’s, Great Movie Ride, and Haunted Mansion Cast Costume Bags Coming Black Friday

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

This Friday at Disney Springs in Cherry Tree Lane inside the Marketplace Co-Op, Guests will find bags made from authentic Walt Disney World cast costumes.

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The bags will be made using material from the cast costumes of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, The Haunted Mansion, and the shuttered Great Movie Ride.

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The totes will retail at $48 each, the cosmetic case at $18, and the zipper case at $14. Disney has not announced what the purchase limits will be on these items.

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VIDEO: Take A Ride Through the New Magic Kingdom Resort Area Entrance

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Last week, the new roadway passage to the Magic Kingdom Resort area opened, allowing guests to skip the toll plaza.

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The new road extends from a right lane exit on World Drive just before the Magic Kingdom toll plaza. Guests can them turn right or left onto Vista Blvd. depending on their resort destinations.

Below we have a narrated video drive-through of the new road to give you a better idea of how it works:

PHOTOS: New Outdoor Seating Area Opens at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

After months of work, the new outdoor covered seating area at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at the Magic Kingdom is complete.

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The new seating area features quite a few seats, which should help out the popular restaurant. It also has fans installed for the warmer times of year.

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In recent months, Cosmic Ray’s has also gone to a single menu for all bays and opened completely remodeled restrooms.

PHOTOS: Limited Edition Jingle Cruise Pin Released at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

With the 2017 seasonal return of the Jingle Cruise today at the Magic Kingdom, a limited edition pin was released to mark the occasion.

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The pin features the recently-returned rhino from the attraction, with fruitcake stuck to his horn of course.

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The pin is $14.99 and has an edition size of just 2000. It is available at the Frontierland Trading Post shop. The usual purchase limits of 2 per guest apply.

Houston Astros Celebrating World Series Win at Disney World on Saturday

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

The Houston Astros are coming to Walt Disney World this Saturday to celebrate their World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The celebration will take place at Magic Kingdom where at 12:45pm ET a parade will head down Main Street U.S.A., where guests will be able to watch the stars of the team celebrate their victory. Representing the Houston Astros will be World Series MVP George Springer, as well as Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.

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The Astros won with a 5-1 lead in Game 7, making it the team’s first World Series win in 56-years.

Springer, Altuve and Correa will not only be in the parade but also get to experience the iconic attractions at Magic Kingdom along with their families and friends, so keep an eye out if you’re in the park on Saturday.

 

Tomorrowland Terrace at the Magic Kingdom Returning for Mobile Order-Only Test

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

Tomorrowland Terrace at the Magic Kingdom Park will be open for lunch and dinner November 5th through the 11th using Mobile Order only.

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Using the My Disney Experience app, Guests can select menu items, customize their order and pre-pay for their meal. When they arrive at the restaurant, they tap an “I’m here” button in the app, which notifies the kitchen to prepare the meal. When ready, Guests are alerted through the app to pick up their meal at a designated window.

To see how mobile order works, please read our review.

Carousel of Progress Featured in 2017 Christmas Party Card for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park November 9, and this year Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom fans can pick up a special Carousel of Progress-inspired game card on party nights.

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This year’s party-exclusive card, “Rover’s Christmas Carousel of Progress” features trusty companion Rover from Carousel of Progress. According to Imagineer Jonathan Ackley, Carousel of Progress was chosen to be featured on this season’s card “because Merlin is inspired by the Carousel of Progress’ celebration of human innovation.”

RUMOR: The Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom to Remain Closed Into 2018

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

Here we are one year after the Presidential Election and the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom still remains closed. In fairness, Disney said it would open before the end of 2017, however, that is looking less and less likely at this point.

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According to guest relations cast members at the front of the park, the attraction is now set to open in “mid-2018”. When we reached out to Disney’s PR Department to clarify this, they stated that they had “no comment” on the time frame, even refusing to adhere to the pre-announced late-2017 opening. Cast members outside of the attraction are still saying it will open later this year, so I guess different departments have different answers at this point. Honestly, the bottom line is nobody knows.

Disney stated previously that the attraction would return as promised with Donald Trump in audio-animatronics form delivering a speech of some kind, as has been tradition in the attraction since the early 1990’s.

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