PHOTOS: First Look at Merchandise for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2017

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

As Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom Park on select nights from November 9th through December 22nd, so does exclusive merchandise that captures the joyful atmosphere felt during this holiday event.

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Drawing inspiration from the whimsical spirit of the party, this year’s collection features festive elements guests may see during the event. Apparel and products range from T-shirts for adults and kids to a holiday ornament.

“We enjoy creating items that remind guests of their holiday event experiences because we know they love mementos that celebrate this special time of year,” says Cathy Dawson, merchandise product developer for special events at Disney Parks. Designed in a style reminiscent of holiday cards and graphics from the 1960s, the event artwork mixes images of wrapped gifts and Disney characters to evoke warm, nostalgic feelings of holidays past. “Shades of reds and greens serve as a nice canvas for fun images of Mickey and Minnie Mouse decked out in their holiday best,” says Dawson.

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There are subtle nods to holidays of yore. A great example is the hooded sweatshirt with a dancing reindeer, a playful character seen in “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” that guests’ have adored for years.

New this year, Goofy and Clarabelle Cow take center stage on holiday sweater-style shirts and a decorative mug inspired by “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” a live show in which Mickey and his pals hold an unforgettable holiday gathering celebrating friendship and music.

Disney pin collectors can decorate their pin lanyards for the holidays with limited edition pins and pin sets; while exclusive apparel and a limited release pin set give Annual Passholders more ways to celebrate the season during the party.

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Rounding out the event exclusive assortment, guests will find a MagicBand presented in a scented decorative box.

Find these products and more in Magic Kingdom Park during the party at the shops listed below. Please note all items will be available while supplies last.

  • Main Street, U.S.A. – Emporium (apparel, retail MagicBand, pins, ornament)
  • Storybook Circus – Big Top Souvenirs (apparel, retail MagicBand, pins, ornament)
  • Tomorrowland – Mickey’s Star Traders (apparel, logo pin, ornaments)
  • Liberty Square – Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe (apparel, logo pin, ornaments)
  • Fantasyland – Fantasy Faire (apparel, logo pin, ornaments)
  • Frontierland – Frontier Trading Post (pins and retail MagicBand)

For more information and to purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, visit Disneyworld.com/ChristmasParty.

Annual Passholder Previews of Sunset Seasons Greetings Begin Today at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is hosting an annual passholder exclusive preview of their new “Flurry of Fun” beginning tonight, November 5th, 2017.

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The preview event takes place 8:30-9:30PM and primarily features the all-new Sunset Seasons Greetings experience. Passholders will also have access to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock ‘ N’ Roller Coaster during this event. Select food & beverage and merchandise locations on Sunset Boulevard will also be available.

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A wristband is required to attend and are being distributed at the Annual Passholder entry line to park while supplies last.

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This event is likely to happen on additional nights between now and November 9th when the offerings officially debut.

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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.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Echo Lake Christmas Decorations Debut at Hollywood Studios, Santa Gertie & More

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

Halloween may have been last night, but Christmas arrived today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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Echo Lake is still refilling this morning, but guests have gotten their first look at the new decorations for 2017, including the new home of the park Christmas tree in the center of the lake.

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These giant ornaments will float on the lake once it has filled.

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My personal favorite is Santa Gertie the Dinosaur, wearing a festive hat and holding a large ornament.

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A number of 1930’s style decorations surround Echo Lake.

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Some large, vintage-style reindeer statues sit near 50’s Prime Time Cafe.

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Even the umbrellas have gotten in the spirit.

For a better look at all of the new decorations, check out our video overview:

Cast Members Now Get 20% Off Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2017

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

Now through November 11th, 2017, Walt Disney World cast members can enjoy 20% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

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The discount is in effect Monday through Thursday at 30 of the marketplaces:

The discount is only valid with accepted non-cash payments with presentation of a valid Cast Member I.D.

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Disney Announces Full Celebrity Narrator Lineup for Candlelight Processional 2017 at Epcot

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

Disney has announced the remainder of the celebrity narrator lineup for the  2017 Candlelight Processional, now part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

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Emmy and Tony award-winning Actor Neil Patrick Harris narrates Candlelight Processional Dec. 1, 2015 at Epcot. The event is one of the most beloved holiday traditions at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. Epcot is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mariah Wild, photographer)

Disney Legend Kurt Russell, who has starred in Disney films from the 1960s to 2017’s “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” will read the Christmas story this year – as well as gold- and silver-medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Two veterans of the event – actress/comedienne Ana Gasteyer and Jodi Benson, voice of Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” – complete this year’s list.

As previously announced, new narrators for this year’s lineup include Matt Bomer (“White Collar,” “The Last Tycoon,”); Star Wars fan favorite Warwick Davis, who played Wicket the Ewok in “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi;” Daytime Television Legend Pat Sajak and TV star CCH Pounder, who was recently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the grand opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar. And returning this year are everyone’s favorite hard-driving Dr. Bailey from “Grey’s Anatomy,” Chandra Wilson – and newly-named Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s “The View.”

Here is the full list of narrators (everything subject to change, of course):

  • Nov. 24- 26 – Laurie Hernandez – NEW!
  • Nov. 27-28 – Matt Bomer – NEW!
  • Nov. 29 – 30 – Ana Gasteyer
  • Dec. 1-3 – Whoopi Goldberg
  • Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak – NEW!
  • Dec. 6-8 – Jodi Benson
  • Dec. 9-11 – Kurt Russell – NEW!
  • Dec. 12-14 – Warwick Davis – NEW!
  • Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
  • Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
  • Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder – NEW!
  • Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
  • Dec. 28-30 – Chandra Wilson

The Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a massed choir. 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. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

In addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at restaurants in and near Epcot like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and The Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk. Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $35 plus tax per person for adults and $21 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $44 plus tax per person for adults and $15.50 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

 

REVIEW: Cozy Cone Motel Snacks & More for Cars Land’s Haul-O-Ween Celebration

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

As part of Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, the Cozy Cone has a bevy of ghoulish-cious treats that will be offered only until October 31st, 2017. We tried them all (of course), and here are our thoughts on these seasonal offerings:

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Halloween Churro – $4.50 (Cone 1)

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How is it? Well, I’m not the biggest fan of pumpkin flavored snacks nor churros, so I was surprised and delighted when I enjoyed this one. The pumpkin flavor wasn’t overpowering and the churros tasted like it was fresh out of the oven.

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“Slow Burnin’ Mac and Cheese Cone” – $8.99 (Cone 3)

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“Pasta with spicy red pepper cheese sauce, topped with chili-cheese puffs, served in black cauldron cone”

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I wish this would stay all year long, because it is fantastic. A spicy version of the solid Disneyland counter service mac and cheese with a lot more flavor from red pepper cheese sauce. The bread cone wasn’t bad either.

“Spoke-y Cone Macaron” (Cone 4)

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A macaron filled with marshmallow buttercream and candy corn.

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This is super sweet, but I really enjoyed it, especially when I would find a hidden piece of candy corn in a bite. The marshmallow cream is rather pleasant between the two soft pastry pieces. Personally, this is a must order for me.

Popcone with “Junkyard JamBOOree Mix” – $5.49 (Cone 5)

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An optional add-on of M&M’s, candy corn, chocolate covered pretzels, boston baked beans, and ghost quins to any flavor of Popcone offered.

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I’m not sure there are many flavors here that would go good with the mix, but butter should be fine. We went for white cheddar, which I also thought was enjoyable.

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I really love snack mix and this one was absolutely delightful and a HUGE portion for the price. The Cozy Cone already offers a decent serving of popcorn, but it being mixed with all of these other items makes it much heavier, certainly enough for any family to share. The candy corn was the only item that doesn’t really mix well in a bite with popcorn, but otherwise, everything went together nicely. Again, I wish I could have this all year long.

16 ($10.99) or 32oz. ($12.99) Traffic Cone Sipper with Halloween Sticker (All Cones)

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It’s kind of disappointing that they just offer a sticker pack with the cone cups for you to customize it, but the cone cups also haven’t been available to guests since May 2015, so its a good time to pick them up if you don’t have them.

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I’m not going to lie, I did put some thought into buying 5 of these and decorating these like the actual Cozy Cones…

PHOTOS: Redesigned Hocus Pocus Merchandise Finally Arrives at Magic Kingdom Halloween Party

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

After the merchandise with the original intended artwork was pulled from shelves at the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2017, there is finally Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular merchandise for sale at the after-hours Magic Kingdom events.

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The t-shirt retails for $29.99, while the tank top is $27.99.

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The ornament was released at the September 26th party and retails for $14.99.

Of course, all of these items are only available to party guests. It remains unknown what the reason was for pulling the original merchandise, but it is said to have been some legal quarrel over the rights to the artwork in use. Here is what the merchandise would have looked like:

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Our thanks to reader Stephanie Jensen for the shirt photos above.

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UPDATE: Disney Confirms Jingle Cruise for Walt Disney World, Still Unknown for Disneyland 2017

WDWNT on October 7, 2017

A few days ago, we told you that it was being rumored that the Jingle Cruise seasonal overly of the Jungle Cruise would not return to either coast this year. Well, we now know it will at least be at one resort.

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Disney has informed us that the Jingle Cruise WILL return to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World for the 2017 holiday season. However, it remains unknown if it will return to Disneyland Park, but it at least sounds like, as of right now, that it will not be in Anaheim this year.

Despite not being promoted with all of the other seasonal offerings for this year, Magic Kingdom will add the holiday delight from November 2017 through January 2018. For whatever reason, California is looking to cut the offering, at least for this year. This is somewhat surprising as the Disneyland Resort relies on a mostly local audience who return every season for such overlays, as opposed to Walt Disney World where many guests are either first-timers or only return every few years.

REVIEW: The Cheese Studio in Future World, Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

WDWNT on September 19, 2017

Welcome to a marketplace review for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2017, taking place in the park from August 31st through November 13th, 2017. This review will cover “The Cheese Studio”, which is located in Future World West in the pathway to World Showcase near the Imagination pavilion.

The Cheese Studio

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Food:

  • Braised Beef “Stroganoff” with Tiny Egg Noodles, Wild Mushroom, and Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce –  $5.00
  • Savory Caramelized Onion and Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Tart with Cold Arugula Salad and Aged Balsamic –  $4.50
  • Cheese Trio: Profiterole topped with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese and Orange Apricot Jam, Smoked Salmon Pinwheel with Boursin Shallot and Chive Cheese and Everything Seasoning and Strawberry Macaroon with Boursin Pepper Cheese –  $5.50

Beverages:

  • Leth Steinagrund Grüner Veltliner, Austria –  $5.00
  • Liberated Pinot Noir, California –  $6.50

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Braised Beef “Stroganoff” with Tiny Egg Noodles, Wild Mushroom, and Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce –  $5.00

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I would say that is is a good dish, not great. The “stroganoff” isn’t very flavorful, but the egg noodles underneath were quite good.

Savory Caramelized Onion and Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Tart with Cold Arugula Salad and Aged Balsamic –  $4.50

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Not only is this a massive serving for $4.50, it is also as good as it is large. The cheese, arugula,balsamic, onion, and garlic all made for a pleasant combination that I will likely be back for. Well, at least if I leave plenty of room, because this thing is massive, likely as filling as your average counter service meal at Epcot.

Cheese Trio: Profiterole topped with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese and Orange Apricot Jam, Smoked Salmon Pinwheel with Boursin Shallot and Chive Cheese and Everything Seasoning and Strawberry Macaroon with Boursin Pepper Cheese –  $5.50

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Another new favorite, this interesting take on the cheese trio is a must order. While the profiterole was a little forgettable, both the salmon and the macaroon were bursting with flavor and both tasted incredibly fresh.

Leth Steinagrund Grüner Veltliner, Austria –  $5.00

The Gruner Veltliner is indigenous to Austria, where these specific grapes are grown and harvested. This white is worth a try if you’ve never had this variety of wine before, this is what Food & Wine is best at.

Liberated Pinot Noir, California –  $6.50

Named for breaking the trend of overly ripe fruit and high alcohol contents of other pinot Noir. $18 for a fairly common bottle, interesting enough if you’re up for $6.50 a glass, but the Gruner Veltliner is a more unique option

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