Walt Disney World Holiday 2013 Events!

Walt Disney World

Holiday Season 2013 Events!

Here’s the latest information on a most wonderful time of year to visit.

Disney elves blend yuletide traditions and Christmas cheer to create a wintry wonderland ready for holiday revelers at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line as early as November 8. Highlights:

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will have 19 magical nights from November 8-December 20. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World Resort guests have been mesmerized by this must-see event, a grandly festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit. Dates for 2013:

Nov. 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22
Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20

Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows, spectacular fireworks, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. Guests can enjoy new experiences and attractions at New Fantasyland.
NOTE: this is a hard ticket special event after regular park hours; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Entertainment, Fireworks and More: Santa’s elves have transformed the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland with festive wreaths, bows, garland, sparkling lights, parades and towering Christmas trees. The fun includes the Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season nighttime fireworks spectacular, plus live entertainment with Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays.

Jungle Cruise Goes ‘Jingle Cruise’: For the holiday season, Jungle Cruise will temporarily transform into “Jingle Cruise” for Magic Kingdom guests with festive decor in the attraction queue and boathouse, holiday names for the Jungle Cruise boats and a slew of seasonal jokes from the Skippers to their passengers. This seasonal takeover of the attraction debuts Nov. 8 in Adventureland.

Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle: Cinderella Castle transforms into a glimmering ice palace for the holidays — thanks to a special effects spectacle bathing the castle in 200,000 shimmering white lights. Magic Kingdom guests are treated nightly to the dramatic castle celebration and stage show.

Epcot

Candlelight Processional is a timeless holiday offering at Epcot that combines seasonal music with the poignant reading of The Christmas Story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a mass choir performing seasonal melodies, and a 50-piece live orchestra nightly November 29 – December 30, at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. at America Gardens Theater stage on select nights. (Show times on December 8 are 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. only) Whoopi Goldberg and Ashley Judd highlight the list of narrators this season:

Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 - Gary Sinise
Dec. 2-3 – Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 4-5 – Ashley Judd
Dec. 6-7 – Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 8-10 – Sigourney Weaver
Dec. 11-13 – Dennis Haysbert
Dec. 14-16 – James Denton
Dec. 17-19 – Edward James Olmos
Dec. 20-22 – Trace Adkins
Dec. 23-25 – TBA
Dec. 26-28 – Blair Underwood
Dec. 29-30 – Amy Grant

Guests can purchase a Candlelight Dining Package, which combines lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional and VIP viewing of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.”

Holidays Around the World: Guests become immersed in the festivities, as they experience a celebration of the holidays from the various countries throughout World Showcase. A new addition in the Canada pavilion, the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs take guests on a musical journey across the Great White North, exploring unique holiday traditions from the various regions of Canada. Daily performances include spirited renditions of holiday favorite “The Christmas Jig,” a traditional mummer’s carol, a medley in celebration of the feast of Le Reveillon, and more.

The merriment continues with meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus the nightly “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” laser, light, fireworks display capped with a seasonal finale.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights: This massive seasonal display features millions of dancing lights, plus animated displays and 3-D effects perfectly synchronized to electrifying holiday tunes amidst snowfall. The rich tradition takes place on the Streets of America, dazzling guests from Nov. 8, 2013 to Jan. 5, 2014.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Celebrate safari style as Disney’s Animal Kingdom is wilder than ever this winter season. Mickey and his pals rejoice in traditional holiday music with a world beat twist during the daily “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” Nov. 7, 2013 to Jan. 2, 2014.

Downtown Disney

Get all your holiday shopping done at Downtown Disney during Festival of the Seasons. From Harley Davidson to gigantic toy stores like Once Upon A Toy, there’s something for just about every style and budget. The shopping mecca is draped with yuletide cheer from Nov. 15 – Dec. 29 featuring live entertainment, holiday carolers, a lively street party, plus photo ops with Santa and Santa Goofy.

Glow With the Show Ears Brighten the Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Resort

During the holiday season guests of the Walt Disney World Resort can enjoy a dazzling addition to festive favorites with Glow with the Show Ear hats.

Beginning in November with the premiere of Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom, the Glow With the Show Ear hats will place guests in the middle of the magic. With every dancing light, musical note and vibrant explosion in the sky, the Glow ears will illuminate, change colors and patterns to synchronize with every spectacular moment during these yuletide shows.

The new Glow With the Show Ear hats debuted at Walt Disney World Resort during the 15th anniversary of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and were added to Wishes and Celebrate the Magic castle projection show at Magic Kingdom.

These magical Ear hats glow in myriad colors, commanded with the latest technology to complement the imagery and beat of the fireworks and spectaculars. When not activated by these experiences, more surprises are in store for participants as the magical ears glow with other ears and settings around the Vacation Kingdom.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

The resorts are dressed up for the holidays with festive décor, gingerbread houses and more. And guests can experience even more magic this season with great pricing. For as little as $74 per person, per day, guests can enjoy a 6-night, 7-day vacation package with room and tickets valid at all four theme parks. Visit Disneyworld.com, for booking information. Rates are based on availability. Total package price $2,051.

*Sample package quoted is for a family of four – two adults, one junior and one child — in a standard room at a Disney All-Star Resort for stays most nights Nov. 8 – Dec. 12 (excludes Nov. 23-29, 2013). Tickets are valid for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship, beginning early November through the new year, with Very Merrytime Cruises that include traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries,” New Year’s Eve galas and Disney friends dressed for the occasion.

Special stem-to-stern holiday events include a nightly tree lighting in the atrium lobby, visits from Santa Claus and his elves, traditional holiday feasts, family holiday crafts, holiday storytellers and more. When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.

Guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire. On Christmas Eve, guests can leave milk and cookies for Santa when he visits the ship at midnight. Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and Hanukkah services will be held each day, Nov. 28 – Dec. 5. To celebrate the New Year, voyages include a special New Year’s Eve party to ring in 2014, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown with balloon drops.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.

Adventures by Disney

A Wyoming Adventure awaits those dreaming of a White Christmas adventure together. This December, Adventures by Disney is taking a frosty trip to a true “Winter Wonderland.” This five-day, four-night inspiring journey walks guests through a picturesque, snow-capped winter in the untamed terrains of Wyoming.

From the moment guests arrive, scenic views of glistening snow and the awe-inspiring Teton Mountain Range in Jackson, Wyoming, will greet them. Throughout the adventure, notable sights will follow, including a close-up view of Old Faithful in the Yellowstone National Park during its snow-covered season, complimented by both frozen and flowing waterfalls and a vast array of roaming wildlife.

As guests travel through your adventure, exciting seasonal activities await. Guests will learn the art of “mushing” through powdery white snow with a trusted team of eager sled dogs, guiding them through the Wyoming wilderness. After sledding, dip into the remarkable and relaxing Granite Hot Springs, a hidden oasis containing rejuvenating waters.

Throughout the trip, guests’ two Adventure Guides will take care of every detail.

For more information on this decidedly different holiday getaway, visit AdventuresByDisney.com/WinterWonderland.

New Year’s Eve Dining Across Walt Disney World Resort

From lunches and dinners to a New Year’s Day brunch, there are more than a dozen spots for ringing in the New Year.

At Epcot World Showcase:

Biergarten Restaurant in Germany is offering both lunch and dinner celebrations;
La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico is offering a New Year’s Eve dinner;
Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada has three seatings;
Monsieur Paul in France starts celebrating at noon with seatings throughout the day and evening.

In the Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland Terrace will feature a New Year’s Eve fireworks dinner and dessert party.

In the resorts, special dining for ringing in the New Year is planned at:

Disney’s BoardWalk – Flying Fish Cafe
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Citricos, Victoria & Albert’s and Narcoossee’s
Disney’s Contemporary Resort – California Grill and Chef Mickey’s (New Year’s Day brunch)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Boma – Flavors of Africa (New Year’s Day breakfast)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Whispering Canyon Cafe (Lunch and dinner)

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