While we have already seen most of the new merchandise for Christmas 2016 at the Disney Parks, Disney today shared a look at some limited release items that will be hitting store shelves next week.
The three Dooney & Bourke handbags – Tote, Crossbody, and Wristlet – will be released on November 11 at Cherry Tree Lane in the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs Marketplace, and in select Disneyland Resort merchandise locations. Guests may also find limited quantities available via the Shop Disney Parks app that day.
The limited release holiday t-shirts pictured above will be available on the Disney Parks online store from November 7-13, 2016. The shirt was designed by Disney Design Group artist Richard Terpstra. There will be both a Disneyland Resort and a Walt Disney World Resort version available. During this limited release offer, look for another t-shirt with artwork from the 1952 animated short, “Pluto’s Christmas Tree.”
In our latest photo report, we visit the Magic Kingdom as the Christmas holiday season kicks off early. The park is already fully decorated and new entertainment for the season has already debuted. There’s also plenty more new and exciting things happening around the park, so let’s check it all out.
Merry Christmas
November 2nd was the official start of the holiday season at Walt Disney World as the Magic Kingdom is fully decorated and several holiday offerings are now in full swing.
The Jingle Cruise poster is back under the train station. We’ll check in on that a bit later in the report.
IS IT ART?
IS IT? IS IT ART?
Be sure to take a look at our daytime video tour of the decorations below:
Uptown Jewelers Reopens
Uptown Jewelers has been closed for months but reopened over the weekend. The store was completely remodeled and now seems just jewelry and bags for women.
Baked Potato Moves
The baked potato is gone from Liberty Square Market, but don’t fear. It has moved to the nearby Sleepy Hollow Refreshments.
The Jingle Cruise Returns
The Jingle Cruise is back for 2016! The annual holiday overlay began its third season at the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday. We have a video of our first ride of the season for you below:
This and That
The lighting on the Storybook Circus sign is being replaced, so it is just some flat lettering right now.
A Snowman Tote is now available as a purchase-with-purchase gift for $19.95 when you spend $25.00 or more.
Pins from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party still linger in Big Top Souvenirs.
Elena of Avalor Meet and Greet
The Elena of Avalor meet and greet, scheduled to begin on November 24th, 2016, is already in a soft-opening phase. Elena can be found next to Cinderella at Princess Fairytale Hall at random.
We have video of our excellent experience with Elena of Avalor for you:
“it’s a small world” Merchandise
Some new “it’s a small world” merchandise is now available around the resort.
Mousecellaneous
Even though the crane is gone, work continues behind Cinderella Castle.
The holiday finale of Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire debuted yesterday. You can see video of the finale below:
When a new cup surfaced at the Disneyland Resort a few weeks ago, we speculated that the Disney Parks were returning to Resort-specific cups and plates at counter service dining locations. Well, look at what I found today…
The small cups have arrived at the Contemporary Resort already. Plates, larger cups, and more are still on the way, but it is nice to see this return to quality, even if it is something small.
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Walt Disney Parks & Resorts permission for “Night small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operations” and “Operations of multiple small unmanned aircraft systems within Special Security Notice Flight Restriction Areas and Class G airspace.”
This FAA Part 107 Waiver allows Disney to fly multiple unmanned drones at night over Disney parks in the U.S. Specifically, 14 CFR § 107.29, Daylight operation, is waived to allow sUAS operations during night, and 14 CFR § 107.35 Operation of multiple sUAS, is waived to allow a person to act as the remote Pilot in Command (PIC) or visual observer (VO) in the operation of more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time.
We first reported that Disney was seeking FAA permission to use this new technology back in January. Disney had conducted limited testing of its entertainment drone technology, dubbed “Flixels,” in preparation for incorporating these aerial vehicles into new nighttime spectaculars. As part of the waiver application, Disney submitted example flight paths at Epcot and Disneyland, and noted that these flight paths are not over guest-accessible areas for safety purposes.
Flixels Epcot Flight Path
Flixels Disneyland Flight Path
Flixels are to accompany entertainment at the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts, including during each resort’s nightly Fireworks Spectaculars. Deployed from a monitored platform designated as the launch/land area in restricted access areas of each resort, Flixels will be “magically” incorporated into Disney story elements that engage and inspire children and their families.
The Flixels’ fleet consists of four, six, or eight propeller multicopters. Flixels operate within assigned subnetworks for communication to the ground and each other, where each subnetwork comprises five multicopters. Each Flixels weighs less than ten pounds. Each multicopter includes a special effects element (e.g., LED lighting), battery, and wireless signal receiver/radio. Flixels will flyslower than six knots groundspeed during a short (e.g., five minute) airborne segment. All Flixels flights are restricted to an airspace no more than 600 feet in diameter and Flixels’ maximum flight level will be no higher than 150 feet AGL.
Disney is also developing a related technology, drones with projectors and screens. In August, Disney was granted US Patent 9,405,181 for these drones with attached projectors and screens.
From a gala dine-around at California Grill high atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort to celebrations around World Showcase at Epcot and waterfront at Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, there are lots of ways for you to ring in the New Year at Walt Disney World Resort.
New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World
California Grill New Year’s Eve Dinner – With spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom Park, this dine-around style gala features cooking stations throughout the restaurant. Plus, a host of favorite Disney Characters will make appearances.
The event takes place from 7:30 p.m.-midnight. The price is $650 per person.
Victoria & Albert’s New Year’s Eve Dinner – A luxurious evening in this AAA Five Diamond restaurant features gracious “butler-style” service, live harp music and personalized menus to remember the special evening. Seatings are available between 6-7:45 p.m. The price is $600 per person.
New Year’s Eve at Epcot World ShowPlace –This all-you-care-to-eat extravaganza is a real family affair featuring photo ops with fun vignettes for posing (but no Disney Characters) and Disney tunes. Seatings are available from 3-9 p.m. The cost is $72.90 for adults and $44.38 for children (ages 3-11). And, later in the evening, you can head out to the promenade for fireworks over World Showcase Lagoon to welcome 2017.
Monsieur Paul New Year’s Eve Dinner – In the elegant upstairs dining room at the France pavilion at Epcot, you can feast on a four-course, prix fixe menu of classical French cuisine. Six seatings are available on New Year’s Eve: 11:45 a.m., Noon, 2:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. The price is $110.81. Plus, a special late-night dinner with two seatings are available at 8:45p.m. and 9:45p.m. The price is $305.03.
Narcoossee’s New Year’s Eve Dinner – Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, this generous four-course menu is offered with seatings between 5 and 5:45 p.m. A five-course menu is offered with seating from 8:30-9:25 p.m. for a late-night celebration with live music. The first seating $150 for adults and $70 for children ages 3-9. The second seating is $255 for adults and $95 for children ages 3-9.
Book your Clients today via Disneyworld.com/Dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
For over 20 years, I have often thought the segregated menus between bays at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe were a pretty dumb concept. Having to separate your family if your interests differed between chicken or a sandwich of some kind just didn’t make a lot of sense. Finally, this suffering has been brought to an end…
We orginally ventured in to capture the Windows error screen in the closed Bay 1, but a walk over to the other bays revealed the change.
The two bays that were open sported identical menus, a first for the eatery. The menu was a combination of items from the previous separated menus.
Hopefully this change will stay in place, simplifying the ordering process for guests. I would love to visit the biggest little star in the galaxy more often…
Starting today, guests can book a private water taxi service from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Private watercraft service now be offered to and from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The Walt Disney World Resort has always offered complimentary watercraft service to and from the resort, but will now offer an additional paid program. The service departs from the Grand Floridian and can be used by guests traveling to any destinations around the Seven Seas Lagoon. It is however warned that private return service from the Magic Kingdom may not be available due to the regular boat traffic in that area.
The service can accommodate up to 10 passengers per boat and costs $20 each way per family. The private experience is available throughout the day, based on availability. Reservations can be made by calling the recreation team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort between 8AM and 6PM at 321-318-8212.
