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“The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” kicks off the holiday season Thanksgiving night, Nov. 28, at 8/7c on ABC and on the ABC app! Join hosts artist Matthew Morrison, singer-songwriter and TV host Emma Bunton, and TV host Jesse Palmer as they present the two-hour prime-time special from Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in California. This magical celebration will feature celebrity musical performances among a flurry of Disney holiday entertainment. Check out what the artists had to share about the special: Viewers will also be treated to several Disney Parks sneak peeks, including an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opening in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Dec. 5, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Jan. 17, 2020, at Disneyland park in California. Musical performances include the following: GRAMMY® Award-winning icons Sting and Shaggy perform duets and solo numbers from Walt Disney World Resort, including a new festive reggae version of “Silent Night (Christmas is Coming).” GRAMMY Award-winning rock band Portugal. The Man performs “Happy Christmas” and “Merry Christmas Everybody” from Disneyland Resort. Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning group Pentatonix will sing a cappella renditions of “Deck the Halls” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” from Walt Disney World Resort. Singers Ingrid Michaelson and Andy Grammer perform an all-new original holiday song from Disneyland Resort. International pop star Ally Brooke sings “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” from Walt Disney World Resort. Singer-songwriter and TV host Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) performs “Santa Baby” from Walt Disney World Resort. The Tony, Emmyand two-time Golden Globe-nominated artist Matthew Morrison performs a medley from Walt Disney World Resort of “When You Wish Upon A Star” from the upcoming album “Disney Dreamin’ with Matthew Morrison” and the classic “Let it Snow.” Acclaimed two-time Billboard Award-winning electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling pulls all the strings at Walt Disney World Resort for “Carol of the Bells,” from her Christmas album “Warmer in The Winter.” Remember to also tune in to the “Disney Channel Holiday Party @ Walt Disney World” on Friday, Dec. 13, from 8-8:30 p.m. EST/PST, on Disney Channel and in the DisneyNOW app; and “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” on Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. EST, 9:00-11:00 a.m. CST/MST/PST; airtimes vary, check listings, on ABC and on the ABC app. View the full article

Whether you have been naughty or nice this year, there are gifts available at the Disneyland Resort everyone will enjoy unwrapping this holiday season. From playsets and Porgs to castles and clothing, here are some gift ideas for all the unique individuals in your life – or even for your own holiday wish list! A flashy entrance into any holiday party is guaranteed with one of the cozy Disney Parks Holiday Ugly Sweaters. Choose from designs featuring a frosty Fantasyland Castle with LED lights, Mickey, Minnie and mouse-eared snowmen. As you’re dashing through the snow this holiday season, jingle all the way with a Mickey Mouse Icon Jingle Bell Light-Up Necklace. This gift combines sight and sound to ignite the senses. A Mickey Mouse Snowflake Light-Up Wand is perfect for anyone who creates magic in your life. Watch their eyes sparkle as the wand lights up with rainbow-colored snowflake projections, allowing them to create their own winter wonderland. Do you want to build a snowman? How about wear one? The light-up Snowman Baseball Cap features a frosty friend with a plaid muffler and tiny ear hat topper. Add to the snow fun with a Mouseketeer Snowman Light-Up Tumbler. From R2-D2 to BB-8, droids have shown us what a true sidekick can do. At Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, give the gift of building an R2 or BB unit who can be by their side for the holidays and beyond. Love them, they will! While Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, an adorable Porg can be resting on your shoulder. The Porg Mini Magnetic Shoulder Plush is the perfect stocking stuffer for any Star Wars fan. The force can be with you and any padawan this holiday with the gift of a lightsaber. Choose a legacy lightsaber of a well-known Jedi such as Rey or Obi Wan Kenobi or follow the path of a Sith and wield the lightsabers of Darth Vader or Kylo Ren. Now is the time to shine with the “Frozen”-inspired Arendelle Aqua collection. When it’s time to let it go and relax, throw on the Mickey Mouse Metallic Sweatshirt with iridescent metallic accents. You can also add some sparkle to any outfit with the Minnie Mouse Icon Crossbody Bag by Loungefly. Sunglass Hut is launching a gift set that celebrates Mickey Mouse and includes a pair of co-branded Mickey Mouse Wayfarer Ray-Bans along with a limited edition Mickey pin. This gift set will make a unique addition to any fashionista’s wardrobe. Whether you’re dressing up or dressing down for the holidays, the Holiday Lounge Jogger makes it easy (and festive)! Comfort meets style with this holiday apparel featuring snow-covered trees, lights and Mickey donning his Santa hat. The Disney Parks Wishables collection is the perfect stocking stuffer for any Disney fan. Each set turns park favorites into adorable collectables, including the Holiday Disney Parks Wishables Collection featuring Santa Mickey, a toy drummer, reindeer, gingerbread man and snowman. Give the gift of exciting new play possibilities with the LEGO Minifigures Disney Series 2 featuring favorite characters such as Vintage Mickey, Jack Skellington, Hercules and more. Every collectible minifigure comes with an accessory, plus a unique display baseplate. A unique Disney Parks-inspired phone case by Otterbox is the perfect gift for the “Disnerd” in your life! Choose the case that pays homage to the iconic Partners statue in Disneyland park. Give the gift of Groot to be hooked on a feeling this holiday season. A Groot Mini Magnetic Shoulder Plush is the best companion for any Super Hero fan. Give the gift of a Disney+ subscription to create lasting memories by reminiscing on classics and watching new stories, including a few inspired by Disney Parks like “The Imagineering Story” and “One Day at Disney.” Visit the Disney+ kiosk in the Downtown Disney District to learn more and subscribe in person. Santa is coming to town with the Santa Mickey Mouse Mini Backpack by Loungefly. This gift brings holiday cheer wherever you go—from a day at the parks to a night at the movies. Celebrate holiday traditions and cultural festivities when you give the gift of Disney’s Festival of Holidays, the heartwarming celebration in Disney California Adventure park. Choose from a range of event-exclusive apparel and home goods! A traditional holiday advent calendar is given a Disney twist with the Holiday Park Foods 12 Days of Socks. Each day your loved one will get a treat that warms their hearts… and their feet! Every princess needs a castle of their own to call home. Make their holiday wish come true with the Frozen Holiday Wish Castle Play Set, bringing to life the magic of “Frozen” with sounds, music, lights and even a fireworks show. The special princess in your life can look the part when you give them the gift of Anna or Elsa Deluxe Roleplay Dresses, inspired by “Frozen 2.” They will be ready for any royal ball! All royalty-in-training children will love using their imagination to retell the stories of beloved princesses with the Princess Storybook Playsets. Choose from Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle and Jasmine and allow your princess to live her own fairytale. This holiday season, head on over to the Disneyland Resort and let the magic of the parks inspire your holiday shopping. Find these gifts throughout the Disneyland Resort or ShopDisney.com. View the full article

Cheers, DFB friends! While checking out Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, we spotted a BEARY interesting looking addition to the menu at the World Premiere Food Court — the Yummy Bear Alcoholic Milkshake with Tito’s Vodka! Yummy Bear Alcoholic Milkshake at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort The Yummy Bear Alcoholic Milkshake is described as a Rainbow Sherbet Ice Cream blended with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. It is topped with Whipped Cream, Rainbow Sprinkles, and Gummy Bears. Honestly, they had us at rainbow sherbet ice cream and gummy bears. We were ALL IN once we read the description and couldn’t wait to try it! Drink Menu at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort We had high hopes for this boozy milkshake, and I’m happy to report that we were not disappointed! It is absolutely YUMMY, just as the name implies. When we first saw the sign for this new milkshake, we thought it was going to be too sweet, but that was not the case at all! The rainbow sherbet ice cream had a delicious, citrusy flavor. Yummy Bear Alcoholic Milkshake We found that the rainbow sherbet ice cream had notes of orange, raspberry, lime, and pineapple! YUM! Yummy Bear Milkshake The milkshake itself was blended together nicely and was very creamy. Cast Members were very generous with the gummy bears and whipped cream, which really balance out this unique drink. I loved finding even more gummy bears at the bottom of the milkshake. Yummy Bear Milkshake at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort The Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a great addition to this drink, and really tones down some of the sweetness. We were definitely able to taste the vodka in this drink, which is always a plus in my book! Yummy Bear Milkshake At $15.00 a pop, I don’t want them to be stingy with the Tito’s Handmade Vodka! Yummy Bear Milkshake We don’t know how long this yummy, gummy creation will be around, but we think it is a wonderful addition to the drink menu at the World Premiere Food Court. We look forward to having our next one! Do you think you would enjoy the Yummy Bear Alcoholic Milkshake? Why or why not? Please let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Review: NEW Chocolate Covered Strawberry Milkshake at Disney World’s All-Star Movies Resort NEW! Fall Cupcakes and Treats Arrive at Disney World Resorts! New Menus and Updates at Disney World Value Resorts: September 6, 2018 View the full article

There are a few things we NEED when traversing the Disney parks – a water bottle, our MagicBand, and CAFFEINE! Joffrey’s One of our favorite coffee spots in the parks has to be Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co., who have kiosks everywhere you need ’em throughout the World! This holiday season especially, Joffrey’s will be THE place to be, because they’re offering TONS of holiday specials that will make it easier than ever to get a jolt of caffeine! Starting on November 29th for Black Friday, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. will be offering an especially great deal both online AND in-store at Disney Springs! Online, they will be offering 30% off gifts, gift sets, single-serve cups and pods, while at Disney Springs you can receive 20% off and a free latte art until 12 PM EST! Joffrey’s Gift Sets ©Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Fittingly for Cyber Monday on December 2nd, Joffrey’s will be a great online promotion for 30% off blends, flavored bestsellers, the Disney specialty coffee collection, and organic coffees and teas. It’s the perfect time to pick up a Disney specialty coffee for any of your Disney-lovin’ friends or family! Joffrey’s Holiday Blend ©Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea On December 3rd, Joffrey’s will be celebrating Giving Tuesday with a joint online/in-store special! For purchases made both online and in-store, Joffrey’s will give a double donation to organizations they support. Additionally, they will be offering Valor Blend, Rise and Shrine Blend, and Wish Maker’s Blend available for purchase in-store at their Disney Springs location for a limited time (these are usually only available online!). ©Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea But, that’s not all! There will be SEVERAL limited-edition blends available for purchase at the Joffrey’s Disney Springs location. Their Holiday Blend is a first for Joffrey’s, a nutty blend of 100% Arabica beans from Honduras and Kenya. They’ll also be offering a gift set of a Boded Stainless Steel French Press, paired with Joffrey’s Kona Blend from the Disney Speciality Coffee Collection. French Press Gift Set ©Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea If you’re looking for a frozen treat, for a limited-time Joffrey’s (at all kiosk locations at Disney Springs) will have the Happy Snowman Beverage, a blend of cool frozen lemon and blue curaçao syrup. They will also offer the Peppermint Mocha Latte and White Chocolate Gingerbread Latte! Happy Snowman ©Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Finally, to celebrate the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, from November 29th to December 30th, 2019, Joffrey’s will be offering the following specialty drinks at Epcot! Future World East Choco-Latte, a latte with chocolate sauce and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur Canada Pavilion Ginger Chai Madness, a Chai latte with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Gingerbread Syrup Showcase Plaza Coconut Snowstorm, a latte with Rumchata and coconut syrup American Adventure Pavilion Toffee Coffee, a latte with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and sea salt caramel toffee sauce We’re so excited for all the special promotions Joffrey’s will be offering this holiday season, and can’t WAIT to get our caffeine on!! Will you be stopping by Joffrey’s to take advantage of some of these holiday specials? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Review: Joffrey’s Specialty Beverages at the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival NEW Eats, Merch, and Construction Updates: Disney’s Hollywood Studios What’s New in Disney World’s Epcot: Food, Merch, Kidcot, and Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Updates View the full article

Makin’ your list, checkin’ it twice, but still don’t know what to get for the people on your Christmas list? Your Besties Will LOVE This DFB Dole Whip Tee Well, DFB has got you covered this holiday season ’cause we’re GRAND OPENING our very own t-shirt store (and the crowd goes wild)! Whether you’re buying a gift for your dad, your sister, your kiddos, or even yourself, we’ve got your Disney and DFB fans covered! The DFB T-Shirt Store can be your one-stop-shop for tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, and tanks for each person on your list. Figment’s Favorite Tee You’ll be able to find the CUTEST Disney items featuring some of our favorite snacks, characters, and more for the very first time! Let’s take a look at some of the options! And remember — you can get these tees in TONS of COLORS and STYLES, so plan some time for fun mixing and matching! ChurroLand Tee You know that churros are a Disney snack staple. That’s why the Churroland Tee would pair perfectly with your favorite kind of churro in the parks! This adorable tee features the classic Disneyland signage…but make it churros! We know that’s what we’re there for anyway! Churroland Shirt Get the ChurroLand Shirt HERE! Dole Whip Tee Or, if you’re more of a Dole Whip kinda person, you’ll looove the Pineapple Whip Tee! Okay, how ADORABLE is that cartoon Dole Whip?! Pineapple Whip Tee SO KAWAII!! Dole Whip Tee Check Out The Dole Whip Tee HERE! Kristoff’s Ice Cream Company Tee Okay, so while Kristoff is the Ice Master in Arendelle, we think he’d also be a pretty hunky ice cream delivery guy. Rep your favorite fixer-upper with the Kristoff’s Ice Cream Company Tee (and maybe order a Carrot Cake Cone for Sven while you’re at it)! Kristoff’s Ice Cream Company Tee We love the subtle design. This is perfect for Disney and Frozen fans who were into it before it was cool. Kristoff’s Close-Up Customize YOUR Kristoff’s Tee Here! Heigh-Ho Mine Co. Tee This is actually our TOP seller right now, so you’re gonna wanna pick this one up for sure! The Heigh-ho Mine Co tee is perfect for…EVERYONE on your list (as long as they’ve ridden Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). Heigh-Ho Mine Co Tee Subtle and fun, this one goes with everything! Heigh-Ho Mine Co Tee close-up Get YOUR Heigh-Ho Mine Co Tee HERE! Figment’s Favorite Tee Aaaaah…classic! For those 80s kids who remember standing in line for HOURS to ride with Figment and Dreamfinder, this one is a no-brainer! The Figment’s Favorite tee! Figment’s Favorite Tee Not only is it a fun reminder of this classic Epcot attraction. It’s ALSO MOTIVATIONAL! You can accomplish EVERYTHING you want, friends! ;-D Figment’s Favorite Tee Customize YOUR Figment’s Favorite Tee HERE! Winning Disney World Tees Our job here at DFB is to help you “win” Disney World! And, you can rep your favorite YouTube slogan with the I’m Winning Disney World Tee! I’m Winning Disney World Tee Did we mention there are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom versions too?!? Winning Epcot Tee Check ’em all out here! Stay For The Snacks Tee Sure…you come for the mouse…but you STAY for the SNACKS! This gorgeous tee showcases what’s really important! It’s All Rosey Tee Customize your Stay for the Snacks Tee Here! DFB Around The World Tee You can even let everyone know what your favorite Disney themed website is with the DFB Around the World Tee! The front of the shirt has this cool global logo… DFB Tee …while the back has each Disney location around the world AND tells you everything DFB has in store for readers and viewers (’cause food is a theme park, you guys!). DFB Tee Get Your DFB Around the World Tee Here! More Designs In The Store! PLUS: Mix and Match Your Styles and Colors! Just remember: there are LOTS more designs in the store than what we’re showing you here! And ALL designs also come in different sizes for adults and kids, on top of the various colors and styles. Lovin’ that Churroland Shirt? You can get it in a sweatshirt too! Churroland Sweatshirt Grab your Christmas gifts (or treat yo’self) with the DFB T-Shirt Store here! What design will you be styling this holiday season? Is there a shirt you’d like to see in the DFB T-Shirt Store? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: You’re Going to Love This! “Cute Food Art” Featuring Iconic Disney Snacks! This ICY Danielle Nicole Frozen 2 Bag is Giving Us Major CHILLS!! Funko POP! Debuts New Disney Villains Makeup Line! View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video, and today we’re giving you guys 6 reasons for why you might not want to stay in a Disney World hotel. Tower of Terror While we LOVE to stay in that Disney bubble, there are a few reasons why you may choose to stay outside of it. If you’re looking to save money, cash in those rewards points, or even sleep in the lap of luxury, there are plenty of benefits to staying in a non-Disney hotel. We explore a few of them in our latest DFB Video!  And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: Your favorite off-property hotel near Disney World. Related posts: DFB Video: 7 Disney World Restaurants We Never Talk About…And Why! DFB Video: How to OUTSMART the Crowds in Disney World DFB Video: What Disney Cast Members Wish You Knew Before You Come to Disney World View the full article

Thanksgiving is just a DAY away! Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland If you’re one of the (lucky!) folks spending their holiday at the Happiest Place on Earth, then make sure you check out the adjusted park hours that Disneyland just announced for today, November 27th, and November 28th! Today Disneyland announced on their Twitter that they will be adjusting their park hours, closing an hour earlier than planned for both Disneyland Resort and Disney’s California Adventure for both November 27th and 28th! Disneyland’s Frontierland Due to projected rainy conditions, Disneyland will be open 8 AM to 11 PM, and California Adventure will be open 8 AM to 10 PM on both days. Disney’s California Adventure While its one hour less, there’s still plenty of time to get in some Disney magic for the holiday so don’t fret too much! On Friday November 29th, Disneyland will return to its regular park hours, closing at midnight, while California Adventure will close at 11 PM. For more info about this, click here for Disneyland AP’s original Twitter thread! Will these adjusted hours be affecting your Disneyland trip? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney Announces 2020 Disneyland Resort Grad Nite Dates Flo’s V8 Cafe is Now Serving Up a Root Beer Float Shake in Disney California Adventure Say “Trick Or Treat” With The DFB Printable Halloween Snack Checklist For Halloween Time in Disneyland! View the full article

The opening of Disney’s Riviera Resort is ALMOST HERE! Disney’s Riviera Resort With less than a month to go until opening, we’re starting to get more and more details coming out Disney’s newest resort. From the food we can expect to eat, to the beautiful mosaic designs, to the hotel rooms, every preview has made us more and more excited for the grand opening! Today, Disney released a new detail that has us all kinds of anxious for the Riviera Resort’s debut! Disney gave us our first look at the Cast Member costumes for the resort and WOW! The Riviera-inspired aesthetics are really coming through in the bright colors and style of these costumes. Riviera Resort Cast Costume ©Disney To debut the new looks, there was actually a Cast Member runway fashion show at the resort! How fun! We love the blue caps that will be styled at the resort’s quick-service trattoria, Primo Piatto! Riviera Resort Cast Costume ©Disney See the FULL MENU for Primo Piatto here! According to Disney, the “costume designs were inspired by the landscapes, colors, and art of the European Riviera”. We really see that in the style here – the pop of blue and orange is gorgeous and so stylish! Riviera Resort Cast Costume ©Disney That same pattern and color design can also be seen in the men’s ties and pocket squares. We’re DYING over that beautiful orange flower on his lapel!! Disney described the ensembles a “stylish and sophisticated and contemporary to today’s Mediterranean Riviera”, and we couldn’t agree more. Riviera Resort Cast Costume ©Disney Here’s a closer look at that pattern, so you can see more of the intricate details. It really is something special! Riviera Resort Cast Costume ©Disney Um, where can we buy one of these fedoras? We LOVE the fun, bright pops of color! Riviera Resort Cast Costume ©Disney We don’t know about you, but we cannot WAIT for the opening of the Riviera Resort, and seeing these new details come out makes us realize just how soon that will be! Read ALL about Disney’s newest resort — here! Are you excited for the opening of the Riviera Resort? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: Look INSIDE Disney’s Riviera Resort With New Concept Art PHOTO TOUR! First Look INSIDE Disney’s NEW Riviera Resort Rooms Everything You NEED to Know About Disney’s NEWEST Hotel View the full article

We’ve seen rides come and go, both new and old, in Disneyland. Sleeping Beauty Castle But, sometimes the classics just happen to be our favorites! And, Snow White’s Scary Adventures — one of the opening day attractions in Disneyland — is getting a lil extra love with a refurbishment! While we already spotted Disney filing a building permit, we’ve officially been told what the updated Snow White’s Scary Adventures will entail! ©Disney Starting in 2020, the attraction will receive enhanced ways to tell Snow’s story as well as all-new scenes. Throughout the ride, guests will be able to experience new “state-of-the-art audio and visual technology,” music, laser projections, LED black lighting, and an animation system that will update the adventure we know and love. Plus, there will be NEW a scene featuring Snow White waking up from her sleep with true love’s kiss… ©Disney …and a new ending with Snow White being reunited with her animal friends and prince before starting her new life in the castle. The exterior of the attraction will also be getting a makeover with “fairytale-inspired details to complement the nearby charming Sleeping Beauty Castle.” Talk about a happily ever after! ©Disney Disney has announced that guests can enjoy Snow White’s Scary Adventures through January 6th, 2020, so we assume that the refurbishment will take place sometime after that. We cannot wait to see all of the new ride details and we will be sure to update you with new information as it is released! Check out more Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you looking forward to Snow White’s Scary Adventures’ refurbishment? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Indy Might Hate Snakes, But You’ll LOVE the New Play Disney Parks Game in Disneyland! FIRST LOOK!! Jessie’s Critter Carousel Has Been UNVEILED in Disney California Adventure! IT’S HERE!! The Candlelight Processional Ceremony Dates Have Been Announced for Disneyland! View the full article

With the grand opening of Disney’s Riviera Resort less than a month away, everyone is sharing in the excitement of the resort that celebrates European Riviera design and style. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you a first look at some of the fashionable new Disney cast costumes created to complement the resort’s Riviera aesthetic. Walt Disney Imagineering partnered with Costuming to create a fashion-forward collection that captures the essence of Disney’s Riviera Resort. The new costumes were revealed at a special cast member runway-style fashion show at the resort. The costume designs were inspired by the landscapes, colors and art of the European Riviera. The designers also looked to Hollywood stars, artists and creators, including Walt Disney, who visited the Riviera and reflected their travels in their style. Similar to the design of the resort, apparel pieces have a modern Riviera appeal, with classic and current nods. Ensembles are stylish and sophisticated and contemporary to today’s Mediterranean Riviera. Some of the design features that are key to the collection are a color palette of Mediterranean blues and whites with bright pops of color, clean silhouettes, modern tailoring and attention to layers of details including crisp piping, art inspired accents and themed accessories. Beautiful fabrics and rich details are tailored for cast comfort and take modern-day function into account. There are also customizable costume options, including a “mix and match” collection of pieces for some resort areas that can be restyled for individual flexibility and differentiation. It won’t be long before you’ll be seeing our cast in these costumes at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Let us know which looks you think are magnifique! Disney’s Riviera Resort, the newest upcoming Walt Disney World resort and Disney Vacation Club property, is under construction now and projected to open Dec. 16, 2019. For more information or to make hotel reservations, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or call 407-939-7762 or your travel agent. View the full article

I’m a big fan of Disney’s “Frozen” and everything related to it. Ok, let me be honest, I’m obsessed with it… So to celebrate the release of Disney’s “Frozen 2”, I visited my friends at Pandora Jewelry at Disney Springs to make a special design for my Pandora Jewelry bracelet to get these amazing “Frozen 2” inspired charms and also to honor the love that hermanas, like Anna and Elsa, share. By mixing initial letters charms, you can spell the word hermanas or sisters, and add charms inspired by “Frozen 2” featuring Anna and Elsa. You can even add an Olaf charm to make it even more especial! You can also get the new assortment of “Frozen 2” inspired Pandora charms, available at various retail locations across the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Locations include Uptown Jewelers featuring Pandora Jewelry at Magic Kingdom Park, Legends of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories and Pandora Jewelry at Disney Springs in Florida as well as the Disney Dress Shop and Pandora Jewelry at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim. Can’t make it out to the parks this holiday? Fret not! You can also get these “Frozen 2” inspired Pandora charms online at shopDisney.com! View the full article

Bonjour! If you were looking for a reason to visit Disneyland Paris in 2020, we have TWO exciting celebrations that you can check out in the new year! Disneyland Paris Starting in January, Disneyland Paris will highlight the Frozen and Star Wars franchises with shows, merchandise, and treats! Returning in 2020 is Legends of the Force, which celebrates all things Star Wars. From January 11 through March 15, 2020, Disneyland Paris will have two thrilling shows, “Legends of a Galaxy Far, Far Away” and “Star Wars: A Galactic Celebration“. The latter will take place at night and will feature projections and other special effects. © Disney Guests can also meet several of their favorite Star Wars characters like Chewbacca, Rey, and Kylo Ren. They will also have the opportunity to check out a new sequence that has been added to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. ©Disney NEW this year is a special celebration for Frozen. This event also begins on January 11 and will run through May 3, 2020. Meet Olaf! ©Disney This celebration will feature a new float which was inspired by Frozen 2 and is the tallest in Disneyland Paris. This new float will have Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, Sven, and even the mysterious Nokk waterhorse. Fans can also check out Frozen: A Musical Invitation, at Animation Celebration in the Walt Disney Studios Park. ©Disney On select nights, “Magic Over Lake Disney: The Frozen Edition” will dazzle and gleam. This event will take place on January 24, 27, and 29. All of this, of course, is in anticipation of the new Frozen-themed land coming to Disneyland Paris, which will begin opening in phases in 2021. © Disney And it wouldn’t be a celebration without the food and swag! Both celebrations will feature merchandise and yummy specialty treats found throughout the resort. Read more about Frozen: A Musical Invitation here! Are you planning on visiting Disneyland Paris in 2020? Would you like to see similar celebrations here in the US parks? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEW Avengers Campus and “Frozen” Area Details Announced for Disneyland Paris We Have NEWS On The Frozen Celebration at Disneyland Paris! Booking NOW OPEN For Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in Disneyland Paris View the full article

If you’re as excited as we are about Disney’s “Frozen 2,” then you’ll want to check out an amazing opportunity to join us at the Walt Disney World Resort and enjoy our many “Frozen”-themed experiences! Right now, you can enter the Disney Best Day Ever Sweepstakes for a chance to visit the most magical place on earth and join in our celebration of “Frozen 2” at the Resort! Two grand prize winners will receive 5-day, 4-night vacations for four at Walt Disney World Resort with roundtrip airfare to and from Orlando, theme park admission and more. Plus, the grand prize winners will receive $1,500 Justice gift cards! As many of you know, there are great “Frozen”-themed offerings to experience at the Walt Disney World Resort like the Frozen Ever After attraction at Epcot and the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And this year, we’ve even launched a special “Frozen 2” Foodie Guide Guide to get you prepared for the film’s highly anticipated release on November 22. To enter the sweepstakes, visit the Disney Best Day Ever Sweepstakes page right now through November 30, 2019. *BEST DAY EVER SWEEPSTAKES: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER/WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. BEST DAY EVER SWEEPSTAKES: Enter Sweepstakes between 11/2/19 at 12:00 PM PDT and 11/30/19 at 11:59 PM PDT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C. and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18+ at time of entry. Free Disney account registration required. Limit 1 entry per person per day. See Official Rules for full details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, odds of winning, prize descriptions and limitations. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. View the full article

Thirsty for a taste of adventure? During your next trip with your friends to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort make sure to book a reservation for Oga’s Cantina, Batuu’s local cantina where bounty hunters, smugglers, rogue traders and weary travelers of all ages come to refuel, enjoy music and conduct meetings — no questions asked. Did you know that at Oga’s Cantina you can order a bunch of fun drinks sourced with ingredients from across the galaxy that are inspired by some of your favorite Star Wars stories? For example, you can order a Jedi Mind Trick cocktail, the Toniray wine from Alderaan or the Bad Motivator IPA, inspired by the bad motivator that led Luke to purchase R2-D2 instead of a different droid! Plus, no one can forget all of the bold musical entertainment courtesy of droid DJ – R-3X, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot that some fans will recognize from some of their previous adventures on Star Tours. He’s searched the galaxy for all of the best tunes! Reservations for Oga’s Cantina at Walt Disney World are highly recommended and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Reservations at Disneyland Resort can be made up to 60 days in advance. Space is limited. Separate theme park admission is also required. View the full article

We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance our storytelling at the Disneyland Resort. I’m delighted to share that we have exciting changes coming to Snow White’s Scary Adventures in Disneyland park next year. This classic Fantasyland attraction, Disneyland park’s only ride-through princess attraction, will be updated with new magic inside and out in 2020. Walt Disney Imagineering is reimagining how the classic tale of Snow White lives happily ever after, and guests will be invited to follow along with her story. In addition to experiencing familiar elements of the attraction you know and love, you’ll discover enhanced story details and all-new scenes. For example, a new vignette will show Snow White in a beautiful forest setting waking up from her deep sleep. Also, the attraction will conclude when Snow White is reunited with her animal friends and a shimmering castle is seen in the distance. Imagineers are implementing state-of-the-art audio and visual technology throughout the attraction, including new music, LED black lighting, laser projections and a new animation system. The exterior of the attraction will be completely refreshed with new, fairy tale-inspired details to complement the nearby charming Sleeping Beauty Castle. This isn’t the first time the attraction has undergone a significant refurbishment. In 1983, as a whole new version of Fantasyland was unveiled, Snow White’s Adventures reopened with new technology and a brand-new facade, along with the new name. In 2020, this opening day attraction will celebrate 65 years at Disneyland! We’ll continue to share details with you here on the Disney Parks Blog. In the meantime, enjoy Snow White’s Scary Adventures through Jan. 6, 2020. View the full article

The holidays are just around the corner and you already know that Disney does holidays like no one else. At Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, it is no exception, with a month of holiday magic, joy and surprises all done with a dash of delightful Hawaiʻi style. Around the resort on select dates throughout the month of December, the holiday fun includes events and activities for guests of all ages. Starting Dec. 1, our Disney friends – including Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy – will appear around the resort in their festive Aulani holiday attire for photos and jolly greetings. Plus, all around the resort, beautiful Hawaiian-inspired holiday décor will adorn the guest areas and deck the halls. Keiki (children) will have a fun with Santa Goofy during Keiki Holiday Cookie Decorating at Aunty’s Beach House. Keiki can show off their creativity making sweet treats from Dec. 2 all the way through Jan. 3, each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. There is a nominal charge for this activity. During ‘Ohana Disney Movie Nights (Dec. 5, 12, 16, 19 and 23) family-friendly holiday movies will be shown under the stars, on the Hālāwai Lawn. On select days in late December, harmonious holiday songs will resonate as strolling carolers perform in the Maka‘ala Lobby and Waikolohe Valley. If you’re lucky enough to be at Aulani during Christmas, you may look forward to a visit from Santa himself. On Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Santa Claus will be at Aunty’s Beach House Also on Christmas Eve, Holiday Cheer on the Kipuka Courtyard means complimentary hot cocoa and holiday cookies from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Dec. 25, there will be a very special Christmas Ka Waʻa Lūʻau – a culinary and cultural journey celebrating the legends, people and natural wonders of Hawaiʻi. Just for Christmas, there will be some additional delicious offerings on the menu. For the lūʻau, there is a charge and reservations are required. Throughout the season, our pastry chefs will bring a bit of cool “Frozen” fascination to our warm winter days, with a stunning, hand-made pastry showpiece. The display will include two giant macaron trees with over 400 glittering macarons. A white chocolate tree will be the centerpiece, decorated with over 100 Mickey Mouse gingerbread cookies. The top of the tree will be adorned with everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. The wintery scene will be complete with delicate sugar ice trees and snow babies frolicking in the “snow” with Santa Stitch. Of course, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without indulgent treats to eat. This year, we have more scrumptious sweets than ever with candy cane Mickey macarons, holiday caramel apples, gingerbread spiced cream cheese coffee cake, peppermint brownies and much more, available for purchase. Plus, we’ll have exclusive Aulani holiday merchandise, like ornaments, so you can have a keepsake of your Aulani yuletide memories on your Christmas tree for years to come. There are so many ways to celebrate the holidays here at Aulani in Hawai’i. We send you wishes of “Aloha Kalikimaka me ka Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou” — Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! View the full article

In just a few weeks, guests at Disneyland Paris can experience big-screen adventure in real life with two unmissable celebrations: Frozen Celebration and Legends of the Force – A Celebration of Star Wars! The return of Legends of the Force from January 11 to March 15 is a chance for Star Wars fans of all ages to immerse themselves in a galaxy far, far away just a few days after the release of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” including a new sequence from the film added to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Guests will experience two thrilling shows – “Legends of a Galaxy Far, Far Away” will take guests on a journey through the biggest moments of the Star Wars saga, while “Star Wars: A Galactic Celebration” is an homage to the Star Wars galaxy at nightfall with projections, special effects and heroes from the saga. There will also be an opportunity to meet your favorite heroes (and villains) including Rey, Chewbacca and Kylo Ren, as well as “The March of the First Order” with Captain Phasma and First Order Stormtroopers. And with the premiere of the first-ever Frozen Celebration from January 11 to May 3, guests can enjoy this global phenomenon like never before. In addition to the new “Frozen: A Musical Invitation” show which recently opened at Animation Celebration in Walt Disney Studios Park, fans will spot a brand-new float inspired by “Frozen 2.” Soon to be the tallest float at Disneyland Paris, it will feature the silhouette of the mysterious Nokk, as well as Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, Sven and dazzling dancers accompanied by the new music from the film. Every night, guests can spot their favorite Frozen characters during the Disney Illuminations show, and on select nights – January 24, 27 and 29 – guests can end the day in spectacular fashion with “Magic Over Lake Disney: The Frozen Edition” and relive amazing, iconic scenes from both films. During both celebrations, guests will discover unique merchandise collections and playful “EATertainment” treats themed to iconic elements from Frozen and Star Wars inside the parks, at Disney Village and in Disney hotel shops. There’s so much to do and see at Disneyland Paris in 2020! As always, keep your eyes on the Disney Parks Blog for all the latest news and planning tips. View the full article

It’s time to assemble your team of aspiring Super Heroes… In just over a month, Marvel Day at Sea returns to the Disney Magic! On special five-night Caribbean and Bahamian cruises sailing from Miami in early 2020, you can enjoy a thrilling, day-long adventure by immersing yourself into Marvel comics, films and animated series. With activities for the entire family, everyone can tap into their own, inner Super Hero. Journey into the Mystic Arts with Doctor Strange In the Walt Disney Theatre, learn the power of the Mystic Arts and join the battle against the Dark Dimension with the help of Doctor Strange. You can even try your hand at creating inter-dimensional portals. Train in the Marvel Super Hero Academy Your favorite Super Heroes are assembling to teach the heroic values of enlightenment, worthiness and loyalty through a variety of courses in the Marvel Super Hero Academy. Inside Disney’s Oceaneer Club, kids learn to summon their inner super strength, participate in special secret agent training sessions and visit with some of their favorite Super Heroes like Spider-Man and Thor. Assemble for the “Heroes Unite” deck show The entire family can assemble to witness this exciting battle at sea where Marvel Super Heroes and Villains face off in an epic finale. This nighttime spectacular features incredible stunts, special effects, pyrotechnics and music. Escape to the Ravagers Night Club Looking for a way to wind down after a day of Super Hero training? In this adult-exclusive experience, adults can dance the night away with favorite hits from Awesome Mix Volumes 1 & 2 and sip cocktails in Fathoms. Star-Lord and Gamora may even stop by to enjoy the festivities. Throughout the ship, there are even more exciting activities to take part in! Suit up as your favorite Marvel Super Hero or Villain in a costume celebration, test your Marvel knowledge with a game of family trivia and learn how to draw popular Marvel Super Heroes in the Animation Academy. For more information on all the activities available during Marvel Day at Sea, click here. View the full article

It’s that time of year again, and our pastry chefs have outdone themselves! With displays at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as Aulani and aboard each Disney Cruise Line ship, there are dazzling gingerbread displays wherever you go! Here’s all the info you need to know on this year’s holiday gingerbread displays, from finding your favorite displays to purchasing holiday sweets. And be sure to look out for some exclusive merchandise, including limited edition pins, ornaments, mugs, headbands and more themed to each of the displays, which can be found at the merchandise shops in each resort’s lobby while supplies last. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa This year, Aulani is dreaming of snow with their “Frozen 2” gingerbread display featuring a giant white chocolate tree adorned with sugar snowflake ornaments and a Hawaiian Olaf tree topper. Along with the main tree, there will also be two macaron tower trees decorated with over 400 glittered macarons. The entire display will be decorated with more than a dozen snow babies getting into a snowball fight with Santa Stitch among a forest of sugar ice trees. In addition, you’ll find a few holiday treats for sale as well: Candy Cane Macarons Holiday Mickey Crispy Treats Holiday Caramel Apples Gingerbread-Spiced Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Seasonal Mickey Cupcakes Giant S’mores Pops DIY Fresh Gingerbread House Kits Mickey Monte Blanc Gingerbread Yule Log Peppermint Brownies Who wouldn’t want to make a trip to Hawaii for the holidays? If you’re interested booking a Hawaiian vacation with Disney or want to learn more about this resort, visit the Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa website! Disney Cruise Line Gingerbread Displays Each year, the Disney Cruise Line onboard pastry teams build unique displays in the atriums of each ship. These displays are part of annual holiday gingerbread competition between each of the ships’ pastry teams. This year, each of the four distinctly different displays features over 600 pounds of gingerbread dough, over 5,000 gingerbread bricks, and over 200 pounds of sugar! These displays take weeks to construct and move onto the ships, and each brick is individually aligned and placed with icing. You’ll find them throughout the holiday seasons on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Wonder ships! To book a cruise and see these amazing displays for yourself, visit the Disney Cruise Line website! Disneyland Park – Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House This year not only marks the 50th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland park, but it also marks the 19th time that Jack Skellington has visited the 999 Happy Haunts who dwell there, transforming it into a Haunted Mansion Holiday. And each year, the Walt Disney Imagineering and Disneyland pastry teams team up to create a wonderfully spooky gingerbread display in the Grand Hall of The Haunted Mansion. This year’s display celebrates the 50th anniversary of the beloved attraction, standing almost ten feet tall and featuring 15 different gingerbread cookies depicting the various residents of the mansion. You’ll find this display through the end of the holiday season in Disneyland park by visiting the Haunted Mansion Holiday, a merrily macabre makeover inspired by Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Disneyland Resort – Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Gingerbread Display Built by a team of talented Disney artists, engineers, and bakers, this gingerbread house, a replica of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, stands over seven feet tall and is decorated with over 600 pounds of gingerbread! If you look closely, you’ll even find a few hidden Mickeys sprinkled throughout the display. This gingerbread house is in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa through the end of the holiday season at Disneyland Resort. In addition, you can enjoy A Grand Gingerbread House Experience, a hands-on workshop that’s great holiday fun for the whole family! Meet the Disney pastry chefs who crafted the iconic gingerbread house and create one for your party or family. This experience occurs from 3:00-4:30pm on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 11, 15, 18, 21, and 22. For more information and to make reservations, visit the Disneyland Resort website or call (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463. You can also enjoy an array of sweets and treats at the Holiday Cart located nearby the display. Offerings include: Holiday Cookies – Mickey Poinsettia Cookie, Mickey Santa Cookie, Mickey Reindeer Cookie, Hanukkah Cookie Christmas Cookie Box Gingerbread Man Apple Caramel Pound Cake White Chocolate Brownie Pop Peppermint Bark Truffle Box Gingerbread Crispy Treat Hot Apple Cider Hot Chocolate Cookie Shots (with choice of milk, chocolate milk, rum, Irish cream liqueur, cinnamon cream liqueur, peppermint schnapps, peppermint syrup, caramel syrup, pumpkin syrup, or orange-flavored liqueur) Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Gingerbread Display New this year is a gingerbread display at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Escape to the rustic majesty of America’s Great Northwest! This gingerbread cabin is inspired by the turn-of-the-century National Park lodges and even features a familiar bear named Humphrey hanging out right in front of the display. Set inside the lobby, the cabin is nestled beside a murmuring creek among the resort’s towering totem poles right next to a stone hearth fireplace and the majestic seven-story Christmas tree. If you look closely, you might just find a few hidden Mickeys! Holiday Treats for Sale: Gingerbread Man Kits Gingerbread Pine Tree Chocolate Pine Cones Reindeer Food Gluten-Friendly Gingerbread Man Spiced Moose Cookie Hot Chocolate Apple Cider Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Gingerbread Display Another new display this year comes to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Here you’ll find a holiday village themed to the Saratoga Springs, New York complete with a carousel in the park. You’ll also be able to purchase sugar cookies and gingerbread man cookies! Walt Disney World Resort – Disney Springs Gingerbread Display Located in the popular Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs, this storefront display depicts a miniature version of the pastry shop and a miniature kitchen. This adorable gingerbread house will be on display starting Nov. 25, 2018, and will be up through the end of December. And when you stop by the shop to see it for yourself, you can indulge in one of the many holiday offerings available: Holiday Petit Cake – Morello Cherry, Chantilly, Chocolate Chiffon Cake, and Dark Chocolate Mousse Yule Log Dessert – Red Velvet Cake with Spice Cream Cheese Icing Ornament Macaron – With Milk Chocolate Peppermint Ganache Ornament Pastry – Bourbon Hot Chocolate Mousse, Marshmallow, and Chocolate Chiffon Cake For more info on all of the holiday sweets at Disney Springs – check out my recent blog with all the yummy details! Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s BoardWalk Resort Gingerbread Display Representing the fun restaurants and shops located along Disney’s Boardwalk, this gingerbread display is in the lobby of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. The display will be up through the end of December. In this display, the BoardWalk Bakery takes center stage with Chef Mickey at the helm! You’ll also be able to snack on festive sweets available for purchase nearby the display: Decorated Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookies Jumbo Coconut Macaron White and Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark Zimsterne Sugar Stars Spitz Kuchen Mini Contessa Cookies Spitz Lerkerli Stollen Drinking Chocolate Gingerbread Martini Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Castle For the 10th Anniversary of Disney’s Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display, Cinderella and Prince Charming greet guests as they come to visit the fanciful gingerbread castle set on an “it’s a small world” backdrop. This 18-foot tall display is located on the 4th floor concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The castle is crafted from thousands of gingerbread blocks, rolled fondant, and modeling chocolate and features a rolled fondant Fairy Godmother and a display box featuring Cinderella’s glass slipper. The display will be up through January 5, 2020. Be sure to come by and see it, and try to find the nine hidden Mickeys and ten images highlighting ‘it’s a small world’ and ‘Frozen 2’ to celebrate the 10th Anniversary! As a tribute to Mary Blair, you might even see the famous five-legged goat! And available for purchase at the Gingerbread Hut nearby are holiday sweets such as: Tree-Shaped Sugar Cookie No-Sugar-Added Cookie Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Chocolate Pecan Cookie Linzer Cookie Gingerbread Boy Gluten-Friendly Gingerbread Boy Gingerbread Shingle Frozen Hot Chocolate Frozen Apple Cider Alcohol Floaters available for Frozen Drinks Plant-Based Gingerbread Loaf 10th Anniversary Cookie Box of Assorted Guest Favorites Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gingerbread House As always, the iconic Grand Floridian Gingerbread House fills the resort’s lobby with sugary-sweet scents! This life-size gingerbread house will be up throughout the holiday season. Featuring hidden Mickeys, gingerbread shingles, and more, this 14-foot tall display also houses a little sweet shop selling freshly baked house-made items such as: Gingerbread Shingles Gingerbread Cookies Stollen Christmas Tree Brownie S’mores Cookie Chocolate-Peppermint Bark Gingerbread Ornaments Mini Gingerbread Houses Assorted Gingerbread Cookie Bags Lollipops Grand Floridian Combo Box Snowman Donut Aurora’s Gifts (petit fours) Grand Floridian Cake Pop Gluten-free Plant-Based Gingerbread Boy Gluten-Free Plant-Based Mint Cookie No-Sugar-Added Cookies You can also enjoy a Gingerbread House Decorating Demo conducted in front of the display daily Dec. 1-25, 2019. Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Beach Club Resort Gingerbread Carousel This life-sized spinning carousel is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year in the lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The display features Peter Pan-themed carousel horses decorated with hand-crafted chocolate, sugar, and fondant as well as hand-crafted gingerbread shingles and snowflakes. Can you spot all 20 hidden Mickeys? Treats for sale include: Gingerbread Shingles Gingerbread Mickey Cookie Paint-Your-Own Sugar Cookie Stollen Bread Loaves Holiday Cookie Bags Chocolate Peppermint Bark Plant-Based Chocolate Mint Cookie Plant-Based Gingerbread Cookie Chocolate Lollipops Walt Disney World Resort – The American Adventure Gingerbread Display at Epcot This patriotic gingerbread display features the United States Capitol Building as well as the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and a seven-foot gingerbread Washington Monument topped with golden Mickey ears. Located in The American Adventure at Epcot, the display contains six hidden Mickeys and is made with over 50 pounds of gingerbread and 20 pounds of icing! You can visit this display throughout the holiday season at Epcot starting on Nov. 29. For more information on the holidays, resorts, and theme parks on both coasts, visit the Disneyland Resort website or Walt Disney World Resort website. View the full article

Disneyland After Dark—the specially themed, after-hours park experience featuring unique entertainment, special food, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities, collectible merchandise and more—kicks off 2020 with four distinct events at the Disneyland Resort! These separately ticketed evening events grant you special access to either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure park after closing. Select attractions will also remain open exclusively for event guests, usually with shorter wait times! In addition, you’ll receive unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the party to capture all of your Disneyland After Dark memories. Here are the details: 80s Nite Jan. 29, Disneyland Park Stroll down memory lane during this throwback bash packed with totally tubular fun! Dust off those leg warmers, shoulder pads and other vintage looks for 80s Nite to enjoy: “Flashback To Videopolis!” takeover of the Fantasyland Theatre with a live VJ, music videos and dancers boogieing to the decade’s hottest hits. “Awesome After Dark – Fireworks To The Max!” fireworks show, high-energy musical entertainment and more. “Throwback”-style encounters with Disney friends of yesteryear. Immersive photo opportunities with a nostalgic twist. Decade-inspired décor, food, beverages and merchandise offerings. Access to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m. Sweethearts’ Nite Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, Disneyland Park The Happiest Place on Earth will once again transform into the most romantic—with an extra pinch of pixie dust! If you missed last year’s Sweethearts’ Nite, now is your chance to experience the ultimate date night in style with: Love song-themed dance parties throughout the park, as well as a glitzy royal ball. Encounters with darling Disney couples, including Cinderella and Prince Charming, Aladdin and Jasmine, and of course, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Romantic photo opportunities featuring sweet scenes from iconic Disney films. Lovely décor, food, beverages and merchandise offerings. Access to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m. PIXAR Nite Mar. 5, Disney California Adventure Park Spend an exciting night celebrating some of the world’s best-loved stories and characters from Pixar Animation Studios! Proudly wear your Pixar-best and check out all that Pixar Nite has to offer, including: Interactive dance parties themed to favorite Pixar stories, including the retro-cool Incredibles family and scare-tastic gang from Monsters, Inc. Encounters with crowd-pleasing Pixar pals, including Russel and Carl from “Up” and Joy and Sadness from “Inside Out.” Playfully fun photo opportunities. Whimsical décor, food, beverages and merchandise offerings. Access to Disney California Adventure park starting at 5 p.m. Villains Nite Apr. 30, Disney California Adventure Park Unleash your inner villain at a deliciously sinister soiree bursting with Disney’s most mischievous misfits! Villains Nite will summon you to come dressed in garb inspired by Disney Villains and experience: Villains Cabaret with a cast of outlaws singing and dancing their way through a riff-raff-lovin’ revue. Spellbinding DJ-hosted dance parties and sing-alongs throughout the park. Encounters with some of Disney’s famously nefarious fiends or their henchmen! Photo opportunities themed to popular villain lairs and thrones. Dastardly décor, food, beverages and merchandise offerings. Access to Disney California Adventure park starting at 6 p.m. Visit Disneyland.com for more details and pricing for these Disneyland After Dark events. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. A limited quantity of tickets for each event will be available beginning next week: Dec. 3: Tickets on sale for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders Dec. 4: Tickets on sale for general public Which Disneyland After Dark events do you want to attend? *The number of tickets available are limited and valid only for the specific event date and hours. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. Tickets can be purchased online, at Disney Desk locations in participating Good Neighbor Hotels, or by calling (714) 781-4636 until the day before the event, or at any Disneyland® Resort Ticket Booth. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, and no discounts apply. Tickets not required for Guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable and may not be resold. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive; please check special event costume guidelines at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress/ for restrictions. Offer and event elements are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice. View the full article

Tis the season to explore all the joy and beloved traditions Walt Disney World Resort has to offer for the Holidays. And with NEW holiday magic this year there’s never been a better time to visit, especially when you are a Florida Resident! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park For the first time ever, discover festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land! You will be fully immersed in holiday magic as you enjoy life-size, artisan-sculpted animal puppets in Discovery Island, pose for a photo with Donald and some of his favorite pals in festive settings in DinoLand U.S.A., and so much more! Magic Kingdom Park Indulge yourself in the holiday spirit as you enjoy the festive décor and ambiance of the day. By night, watch in awe as Elsa magically transforms Cinderella Castle with glistening ice during A Frozen Holiday Wish. Epcot From November 29 through December 30, 2019, discover a festival like no other, featuring the joyous holiday traditions of our 11 World Showcase nations during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. Plus, new this year, enjoy Living with the Land: Merry and Bright Nights, a festive holiday twist on the classic boat ride. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Discover magical merriment at every turn as you play big in Andy’s backyard and take in all the Holiday sights in Toy Story Land. When the sun sets, be sure to catch Sunset Seasons Greetings, a breathtaking yuletide experience boasting amazing projection effects, lasers and falling “snow” on Sunset Boulevard. Also, enjoy the larger-than-life nighttime spectacular, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Make your experience even more merrier this year by purchasing an additional ticket to the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party and enjoy a jolly spread of tasty treats and beverages at this yummy holiday celebration. Florida Resident Ticket Savings Florida Residents can join in the merriment when they save 40% on 4-Day Theme Park Tickets and 30% on 3-Day Theme Park Tickets compared to the non-discounted price a non-Florida Resident pays for the same ticket. 4-Day Theme Park Tickets expire 7 days after selected start date and 3-Day Theme Park Tickets expire 5 days after selected start date. Proof of Florida residency required. All tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable and exclude activities/events separately priced. Learn more about Florida Resident Disney Theme Park Tickets. View the full article

The 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth starts this Friday, November 29 and runs through December 30. During this spirited festival at Epcot, guests will encounter an international yuletide extravaganza with Holiday Kitchens, entertainment, and of course – merchandise! This year’s collection will feature our favorite dynamic duo, Chip ‘n’ Dale. Everyone’s beloved, mischievous chipmunks are featured on this year’s festive spirit jersey, long-sleeve adult T-shirt and MagicBand. My favorite item from this year’s collection is the light bulb crossbody bag below. It’s perfect for the holiday season! Commemorate your visit to this year’s Festival with a light bulb mug and dated ornament showcasing Chip ‘n’ Dale’s prankster personality. Dated limited edition pins will be available celebrating this year’s Festival and “Candlelight Processional” featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald! Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have an opportunity to purchase an exclusive adult tee, limited release pin and ornament, and they can use their 20% discount on all Festival merchandise! While at the festival, Passholders can receive the first-ever Chip ‘n’ Dale magnet set—a complimentary Annual Passholder exclusive available at Mouse Gear. Looking for more Festival fun? Chip ‘n’ Dale are on a scavenger hunt, collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree—and they need your help! To get started, simply purchase Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree map and stickers from select merchandise locations. Once you’ve spotted all of the ornaments, show your completed map for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip ‘n’ Dale! Be sure to check out Mouse Gear for all your Festival merchandise needs. What is your favorite item in this year’s collection? For more Festival information, visit EpcotHolidays.com. All merchandise available while supplies last. View the full article

“Anyone with even a passing knowledge of animation history knows the name Ub Iwerks,” Leonard Maltin says, “He is the man who almost single-handedly animated Walt Disney’s pioneering sound cartoons ‘Steamboat Willie’ and ‘The Skeleton Dance.’ His granddaughter Leslie titled her documentary feature ‘The Hand Behind the Mouse’ with good reason.” In his Foreword to the entertaining and beautifully-illustrated new Disney Editions book, Walt Disney’s Ultimate Inventor: The Genius of Ub Iwerks, Leonard Maltin continues, “But this is where our general knowledge of Ub Iwerks winds down. We know he tinkered with technology at the Disney studio for decades but have little idea of his specific contributions.” Walt, Ub Iwerks, and Les Clark (Ub’s apprentice during the late 1920s) in 1966. © Disney Ub’s illustrious career consisted of dozens of innovative contributions, large and small, to both animated and live-action motion pictures, as well as the fields of optics, film processes, and special effects. Within this new overview of his lifelong identity as a “Disney Inventor,” readers will see, in a case-by-case study, how Walt frequently relied on the counsel, expertise, ingenuity, and creativity of this kindred spirit, lifelong friend, and fellow virtuoso——feats of technological magic that are still seen to this day in Disney Parks around the world. “Iwerks did not have an engineering degree,” Maltin says. “He was entirely self-taught, yet his creations were often masterpieces of ingenuity and practicality. He strove for perfection in everything he did…” From the earliest development of Disneyland in the early 1950s, Ub was involved in creative and technical problem-solving, ranging from techniques for realistically photographing scale models of attraction concepts to special cameras, projectors, electronics, and audio for attractions. Ub felt right at home engaging in what Walt called “Imagineering—the blending of creative imagination with technical know-how.” At Disneyland, Ub’s inventions could be simple, but sophisticated in their elegance: a wave projector gave the illusion that the submarine Nautilus was under water in the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction in Tomorrowland; a simple lighting effect gave the illusion of a mountain of burning spinning wheels in the original Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through. One of Ub’s most unique, distinctive, and groundbreaking concepts grew (as many of his innovations did) out of a hallway conversation with Walt. In the early 1950s, wide-screen pictures had become the latest craze in Hollywood. Walt had been impressed by the groundbreaking motion picture presentation and sound technology of “This Is Cinerama,” which had premiered in Hollywood in the spring of 1953. One afternoon shortly after seeing it, Walt casually asked Ub if it would be possible to photograph and project a 360-degree movie—a sort of “Cinerama in Surround.” “If we could do that,” Walt said, “we could find a sponsor and it could become an attraction at Disneyland.” Ub answered, “Yes, I am sure that it can be done.” Walt said, “Why don’t you check into it, and see what you can come up with?” The updated 35mm Circle-Vision 360° camera mounted on a dolly with a hydraulic lift for moving shots. © Disney Within a few days, Ub had worked out an idea for a circular camera and “surround” projection system. Over the decades, “Circarama,” and its successor technology “Circle-Vision 360,” was seen in Disney Parks around the world. Even today, Reflections of China screens in the China pavilion at World Showcase in Epcot, adjacent to another encompassing 360-degree motion picture, O Canada! which shows in the Canada pavilion. The Disney projection system and controls that originally produced the “singing headstones” in the Haunted Mansion Graveyard scene. © Disney Yale Gracey is fairly well-known by fans as the “illusioneer” behind so many of the eerie effects in the Haunted Mansion. But making those illusions technically viable—and efficient and durable enough for daily use—often fell to Ub. For example, Ub made the concept of several applications of moving faces on static objects, such as Madame Leota inside her eerie crystal ball, or “Little Leota,” who encourages departing visitors to “Hurry baaa-ack,” into a viable reality. The quartet of “singing headstones” in the graveyard, for instance, used a new Ub-designed Disney 16mm projection system, equipped with incandescent lamphouses and automatic bulb changers. All five projectors in the Graveyard scene are synchronized with the audio track, as the headstones sing their haunting harmony. Ub and Yale had everyone fooled. For years, people outside of Disney would ask questions like, “Which laser are you using for that effect?” The actual effect was a mystery—and a well-kept secret—for a very long time. The original panoramic painting of President Washington addressing his cabinet officers. The painting is mounted on a mechanism that allows it to be moved horizontally and vertically during the shot. © Disney Ub’s last major parks project was the immense technical need of the Hall of Presidents in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, with its epic combination of projection, lighting, and Audio-Animatronics techniques. In the show, before the curtains open to reveal the presidents, a film presentation described various historical challenges to the Constitution, and its importance to maintaining the Union. It was determined that to make the film in live-action film would have been cost-prohibitive, and would instead be best accomplished with artwork photographed a frame at a time, the way animation is filmed. Large detailed paintings in the same proportion as the long screen—which would be two stories high and 200 feet wide—were created under the direction of four-time Academy Award®-winner John DeCuir Senior, working daily for two years to create 85 masterpieces—some more than 40 feet long—in the style of the period when each specific action takes place. Ub’s last, but by no means least challenge—what kind of camera and projection system could be used to present a film on a two-hundred-foot-long screen? It would be impossible to project such a large image using one projector, so Ub decided that the screen could be filled by five adjoining 70mm projections—each forty feet in width with its own projector—to produce a continuous image. “Along with the entire Disney organization,” the book relates, “Ub had been under tremendous pressure to complete his work in time for the October 1971 grand opening of Walt Disney World. The machine shops and soundstages at the studio, WED Enterprises, and MAPO were alive and humming with the industrious activity of creating the hardware, technology, and mechanics of bringing imagination to reality. It had been a part of the culture that Walt and Ub had created as far back as Kansas City: Dream. Create. Solve problems. Make the impossible possible.” Ub reached the age of 70 in March of 1971, but in late June, he suddenly suffered a heart attack. Just as he seemed to be rebounding, on July 7, 1971, Ub suddenly passed away, ending an extraordinary life and remarkable career. “His mind and spirit were as strong as ever, but his heart could not carry him any further. Without Ub, his final project was now left to his dedicated coworkers to complete.” Walt Disney’s Ultimate Inventor: The Genius of Ub Iwerks has a unique perspective and erudition that no other book of its kind can claim—because the author of this fascinating work is no less an authority than Ub’s son, Don Iwerks, who followed his father to The Walt Disney Studios where Don also developed technology still used in Disney parks around the world. This never-before-told facet of Disney biography and technology is a worthy addition to the library of any Disney fan. “In writing and researching this book, Don Iwerks has not only done a great service to posterity and filled a void in Disneyphiles’ knowledge,” Leonard Maltin says, “he has also paid loving tribute to his father in a way his dad would have truly appreciated.” View the full article

Disney Celebrates Family Volunteering Around the World View the full article

Embark on an amazing culinary adventure and raise a glass to the new Winemaker Dinner Series coming to Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Resort in 2020! Steakhouse 55, the signature fine dining restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel, will offer one-of-a-kind, multi-course menus, expertly paired to selections from renowned wineries on select dates throughout the year. A visiting vintner will guide you through each wine’s journey from grape to glass and explain why it was chosen to accompany your meal. The first event on January 15, 2020, features Wente Vineyards, the country’s longest, continuously operated, family-owned winery founded in 1883. Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, the Wente family has drawn from their California estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. These include chardonnay, merlot, pinot noir and rosé, to name a few, which are currently exported to 75 countries around the globe. Aly Wente, senior brand manager and fifth generation wine grower, will share her family’s passion and stories about each wine. Steakhouse 55 Chef de Cuisine Marcel St. Pierre has created a delectable menu to complement Wente Vineyards selections for the evening: Amuse Bouche Green Vegetable “Meatball” Ossetra Caviar, Citrus Mango Gremolata, Olive Leaf Extraction Murrieta’s Well, “The Whip” White Wine Meritage, Livermore Valley 2019 1st Course Lobster & Beetroot Salad Artichoke Fritter, Blood Orange Vinaigrette, “Burnt” White Asparagus, Lemon Verbena Murrieta’s Well, “The Whip” White Wine Meritage, Livermore Valley 2019 2nd Course Crispy Kurobuta Porchetta Smoked Pork Jowl, Tonkotsu-style Polenta, Pickled Plum Croquette, Oyster Leaf Wente Vineyards, Riva Ranch, Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco / Monterey 2016 3rd Course Aged Eye of Ribeye Bone Marrow Whipped Potato, Golden Raisin Agrodolce, Blue Foot Mushroom, Brown Butter Ketchup Murrieta’s Well, “The Spur”, Red Wine Blend, Livermore Valley Vineyard 2017 4th Course Savile Row Stilton Blue Dried Cherry-Peppercorn Chutney, Poached Walnut Tapenade, Drizzle Honeycomb Wente Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Wetmore Vineyard 2016 5th Course White Chocolate-Satsuma Gâteau Dark Chocolate Streusel, Satsuma Orange Sorbet, Vanilla Cardamom Tullie, Muscat Reduction Wente Vineyards, Orange Muscat, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay 2014 Whether you are new to wine or a wine connoisseur, you won’t want to miss this! Make your reservations* now for the January 15 Wente Winemaker Dinner event. Stayed tuned for future dates and future menus, welcoming other vintners throughout the year! *All event elements including, but not limited to, prices, menus, services, date and time are subject to change or cancellation without notice. View the full article