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The Disneyland Report > Disney News > Walt Disney World Resort dazzles with magical holiday celebrations Disney NewsWalt Disney World Resort dazzles with magical holiday celebrationsLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort is the most magical time of the year as the Vacation Kingdom transforms itself into a winter wonderland. It's enough to cheer the soul of even the biggest bah-hum-bugger. In the Vacation Kingdom, Santa sprinkles his own holiday fairy dust to create a magical landscape of Christmas cheer complete with breathtaking light displays, jubilant caroling, holiday storytelling, 100 percent chance of nightly snow flurries, massed choral concerts and more. A spectacle of festive events and beloved Disney traditions continues this year with the return of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney-MGM Studios and the extraordinarily popular Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. Quite simply, there's never been a better time to visit Walt Disney World Resort when -- in the midst of the most magical time of the year -- it transforms itself into a winter wonderland. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights Back by popular demand at Disney-MGM Studios is one of Disney's biggest holiday spectacles -- The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. This Disney holiday tradition returns to Disney-MGM Studios bigger and better than ever before. After eight years of holiday cheer on Residential Street, Disney-MGM Studios took a short break from the tradition last year to begin construction in the area on the new "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" (opening 2005). Now the lights will once again brighten the Streets of America backlot inside the theme park. Illuminating everything from trees to spinning carousels, some of Jennings Osborne's original creations include 3-D and motion-based displays, a giant holiday-light Mickey Mouse, dozens of flying angels and several giant Santa Claus light creations. Plus, "Florida snow" and other surprises are in store for guests. The holiday light display on the theme park backlot features millions and millions of sparkling holiday bulbs designed by Osborne, an Arkansas businessman and philanthropist. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights display started at the Osborne home 18 years ago when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter Breezy. Soon their 22,000-square-foot home was covered in millions of lights. By 1995, the display had made its way to the guests of Walt Disney World Resort when it made its first appearance at Disney-MGM Studios. Dates for the sparkling spectacle are Nov. 24, 2004, through Jan. 2, 2005. Included in Disney-MGM Studios admission. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party A winter wonderland of holiday fun awaits guests on 12 nights in 2004 -- Nov. 28 and 30, Dec. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17. Separate admission to the event is required. Each date will feature "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade," holiday storytelling, live music, unique merchandise and exclusive Disney character shows including "Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Celebrate the Season." Every night, the sky above Cinderella Castle will sparkle with the dazzling fireworks spectacular "Wishes." Plus, families can receive a complimentary photo and enjoy cookies and cocoa plus unlimited admission to popular attractions such as "Mickey's PhilharMagic," Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel and many more. Guests can also be among the first to experience the new E-ticket attraction Stitch's Great Escape! in Tomorrowland. But that's not all: The weather forecast calls for snow to fall on Main Street, U.S.A. and guests may even get a greeting from Santa Goofy! Advance tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are $36.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $26.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. (Children under 3 are admitted at no charge.) Tickets on the day of each party are $42.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $32.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. For more information, call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com. Special Parades at Magic Kingdom Guests visiting Magic Kingdom can get a full dose of holiday glee by strolling along Main Street, U.S.A. where Disney has decked the halls with towering Christmas trees, colorful lights and garland. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, toy soldiers, giant gingerbread men and more greet guests during special daytime runs of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade." Included in regular park admission, guests can experience the holiday parade Dec. 18, 2004-Jan.1, 2005 (parade dates subject to change). Holidays Around the World World Showcase at Epcot presents international holiday lore and legends during the Holidays Around the World celebration, from Nov. 26-Dec. 30. Not only do guests get reacquainted with Old Saint Nick in the American Adventure showcase, but they also have the opportunity to hear storytellers detail the adventures of Pierre Noel in France, LaBefana in Italy and other legends from around the world. The fun also includes a nightly tree lighting ceremony with Mickey Mouse and friends in World Showcase Plaza at 6 p.m., plus a luminous light bridge that snuggles the breezeway to World Showcase Plaza. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah observances are also featured. Candlelight Processional As part of Holidays Around the World, Epcot presents its famed Candlelight Processional from Nov. 26 through Dec. 30. Staged each evening at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. at America Gardens Theatre, Candlelight Processional treats guests to a massed choir and a 50-piece orchestra joined by celebrity narrators who retell the Christmas story. (Dates and celebrity narrators subject to change without notice.) The celebrity lineup: * Nov. 26-28 - Rita Moreno Special Candlelight Processional dinner packages are also available to guests, which include a dinner at an Epcot restaurant plus preferred seating for the nightly choral performance. For more information, contact 407/WDW-DINE. A Holiday Parade and More at Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomes the holiday season with "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade." The parade blends the spirit of Disney's Animal Kingdom with the spirit of the holidays. Included in regular park admission, the holiday parade kicks off Nov. 30 and continues through Jan. 2, 2005 (parade dates subject to change). Gathered around a towering 65-foot Christmas tree at the park's entrance, carolers will greet guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom with renditions of favorite seasonal classics. At Camp Minnie-Mickey, guests may meet Santa Goofy and other Disney characters dressed in their holiday garb at Santa Goofy's Holiday Village featuring festively dressed holiday trees, live entertainers and photo opportunities. The songs of the season resonate as carolers round out the scene. Fine holiday décor dresses up DinoLand U.S.A., and Donald Duck lends a hand to create a special holiday version of Donald's Breakfastosaurus, the daily character breakfast presented at Restaurantosaurus. For more information or priority seating, guests may call 407/WDW-DINE. Sensational Shopping and Photos (Including Pets!) with Santa Festival of the Seasons is Downtown Disney's answer to where to shop for the holidays. Guests can stroll the bustling sidewalks of Downtown Disney and fill their holiday stockings with treats and treasures from some of the 50 unique stores and merchandise locations in the shopping, dining and entertainment district. Guests can enjoy the holiday celebration complete with festive window displays and décor, The Dickens Carolers, nightly tree lightings, concerts by visiting Magic Music Days musicians at the Dock Stage at Downtown Disney Marketplace, a strolling brass quintet, toy soldier stilt walkers and more. Taking a break from his busy work in the North Pole, Santa Claus will be in front of World of Disney at Santa's Village for special photo opportunities from 5-10 p.m. daily, Nov. 20-25 and from noon to 10 p.m. daily, Nov. 26-Dec. 24. Good little boys and girls aren't the only ones who can expect a visit from Santa. Guests can bring their pet cats and dogs to Santa's Village for a photo with Old Saint Nick Dec. 4-12 from noon-10 p.m. daily. Disney's Delicious Décor Disney pastry chefs have once again been very busy in their kitchens whipping up jaw-dropping confectionary creations for display at Disney resort hotels throughout the holiday season. Though all are edible, guests will have to make it a feast for the eyes as they marvel at a life-size carousel, a miniature chocolate African village, and a giant gingerbread house boasting more than 1,000 pounds of honey. Holiday Feasts Walt Disney World guests can sink their teeth into mouth-watering holiday dinners with all the trimmings. From a down-home country-style Thanksgiving buffet featuring sliced roast turkey and giblet gravy with cranberry relish, yams and squash at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground to a traditional Christmas dinner at Concourse Steakhouse in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, there is a holiday menu to suit every palate. For more information or to make reservations guests may call 407/WDW-DINE. Return to Disney News. |
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