Believe it or not, it takes a full 12 months to prepare for the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort! Cast Members are already busy planning for the most wonderful time of the year at the “Most Magical Place on Earth."

While I've already announced the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there is plenty of other holiday cheer that will spread through the other Walt Disney World parks, too! Keep reading for a preview of what you can look forward to, beginning November 11th!

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EPCOT

• The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin on November 25, 2022. The Holiday Kitchens will feature traditional and inspired adaptations of holiday dishes from around the world.
• The Holiday Cookie Stroll will return, inviting you to partake in a sweet scavenger hunt.
• Also starting November 25th, EPCOT will celebrate the return of Candlelight Processional! This beloved long-standing tradition of heartwarming holiday performances will take place at the America Gardens Theatre.
• Santa Claus will join storytellers from around the world.
• The Guardians will trade in their classic hits playlist for a mash-up of seasonal jams at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Blast off to the tune of an awesome holiday single, bringing joy to Xandar and Terra, too!

Animal Kingdom

• The park will come alive with the return of a Merry Menagerie of winter animals in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets.
• Santa Claus will voyage across the Discovery River as part of a flotilla.
  

Hollywood Studios

• Santa Claus will cruise down Hollywood Boulevard in his red convertible during the Santa Claus Merry Motorcade.
• “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at  Hollywood Studios will add a festive finale, featuring Olaf and celebrating songs of the season.​

Disney Springs​

• An opportunity to visit with Santa Claus.
• Guests visiting Town Center will experience a magical snowfall.
• ​Virtual holiday backdrops can be found at the Disney PhotoPass Studio.
• Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar becomes Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar and will feature yuletide touches alongside festive food and craft cocktails.​
• The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll will feature elaborately-themed Christmas trees inspired by beloved characters.

Across Walt Disney World

• Park icons will continue to transform into Beacons of Magic each night. As a special yuletide surprise, there will be a rotation of unique holiday-themed displays at each park.
  
• Resorts across Walt Disney World will feature artisan-made gingerbread creations displayed in select locations.
• Stunning Christmas trees and holiday decor can be found at all Disney Resort hotels.
• Select dining locations throughout Walt Disney World will feature tasty winter-inspired dishes.
• ​Disney PhotoPass photographers can help Guests enhance their Disney vacation photos with holiday-themed Magic Shots at all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

Stay tuned for more festive announcements!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns this year! On select nights from November 8th-December 22nd, this separately ticketed event will invite guests to Magic Kingdom for an evening of merriment!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

What can you expect at this very merry party?

• "Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration" castle stage show
• "Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks"
• "Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" featuring Santa Claus himself! 
• Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
• Holiday overlays on select attractions
• Dance parties throughout Magic Kingdom, including at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Tomorrowland's Rockettower Plaza Stage, Storybook Circus. Keep your eyes peeled for some of your favorite characters to join those dance parties!
• New photo opportunities
  
• Special 50th Anniversary commemorative holiday keepsake

Tickets for on-site Disney Resort Hotel guests will go on sale June 30th. Remaining tickets will go on sale to all guests July 7th.

Tickets range from $149-$199, plus tax. Pricing will be dependent on dates. These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation. The event dates are:

• November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
• December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22

This limited-availability event will sell out! To be among the first to get your tickets, join my waitlist!

The holidays are a favorite time of year, and it’s official – the merry season will begin Nov. 12 at Walt Disney World Resort during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” marking the 50th anniversary! You'll find magic, seasonal food & drink favorites, and more at each of the theme parks, hotels, and at Disney Springs!

We are seeing unprecedented bookings for the holiday season this year. To make sure that you and your family get to experience the magic, contact me as soon as possible!

Magic Kingdom
Not only will decorations return to Main Street, U.S.A., but in the evenings, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic.

Even more exciting is Disney's announcement of “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a BRAND NEW special-ticketed event. It will debut November 8 and run through select nights through December 21. The four hours of festivities will include fireworks, Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats, and so much more! Read more about that event.

EPCOT
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year from November 26 through December 30! Enjoy Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the fan-favorite Cookie Stroll and more! 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will feature special holiday projection effects, which will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic. In addition, Santa Claus will join a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard, Minnie Mouse is returning to host her holiday meal at Hollywood & Vine, and vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas will return to Animal Kingdom. The Tree of Life, another Beacon of Magic, will also feature a  holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings most nights. 

Disney Springs
The shopping, dining, and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center.

Disney Resort Hotels
Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. AND a fan-favorite will return this year....select gingerbread displays will once again be part of our holiday season! At select resorts, restaurants will offer holiday menus and specialty food and drink. 

Beginning June 15th, guests will notice some major changes at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland! Plus, Boo Bash tickets will become available to the general public and Laniwai Spa will reopen at Aulani! Read more for all of the major things happening on this major Disney date!

Just remember, while park reservation availability is opening up, resort hotel rooms are booking up at a record speed. For booking information or for further information about any of this information, contact me as soon as possible!

Disneyland Reopening for All Guests
As I had previously shared, Disneyland Resort will begin welcome out-of-state Guests beginning June 15. At this time they will also discontinue on-site temperature checks. The state of California has removed the physical distancing requirements, so guests can determine self-distancing.

Disneyland Resort Face Covering Update
Starting June 15, face coverings will no longer be required for fully vaccinated guests both indoors and outdoors. Guests ages 2+ who are not fully vaccinated must continue wearing face coverings indoors, except when dining. Guests will not be required to show proof of vaccination, but vaccinated Guests will self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry. All Guests will need to attest that they are aware of the State of California’s strong recommendation that guests be fully vaccinated or receive a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the theme parks when making their Disneyland Resort theme park reservations. When the Toy Story parking lot reopens on June 18, all Guests ages 2+, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while on the bus transportation from the lot to the parks.

Walt Disney World Face Covering Update
As I previously shared, beginning June 15, face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated guests in most areas. Face coverings will still be required of all guests on Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner. While they will not require proof of vaccination, guests who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, and upon entering and throughout all attractions and transportation. Physical distancing guidelines will also be reduced. Some experiences and entertainment may still be operating with limited capacity or may remain temporarily unavailable. Disney will continue the high standards for cleanliness and sanitation we’ve always set for ourselves. Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer stations will still be available. They do encourage people to get vaccinated.

Boo Bash Tickets On Sale to Public
Boo Bash will be taking place this fall at Magic Kingdom Park! This after hours event has already opened for booking for on-site guests staying at select resorts, but will open to the public June 15th! Tickets start at $129 - $139 plus tax for August/September nights and $159 - $169 plus tax for October nights. Halloween night has already sold out. Here are the dates for “Disney After Hours Boo Bash”: 

• Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021
• Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021
• Friday, Aug. 20, 2021
• Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021
• Friday, Aug. 27, 2021
• Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021
• Friday, Sept. 3, 2021
• Sunday, Sept 5, 2021 (available on 6/15)
• Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021
• Friday, Sept. 10, 2021
• Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 (available on 6/15)
• Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021
• Friday, Sept. 17, 2021
• Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021
• Friday, Sept. 24, 2021
• Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021
• Friday, Oct. 8, 2021
• Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 (available on 6/15)
• Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021
• Friday, Oct. 15, 2021
• Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021 (available on 6/15)
• Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021
• Friday, Oct. 22, 2021
• Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021
• Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021
• Friday, Oct. 29, 2021
• Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021 (sold-out)

Laniwai, a Disney Spa Reopening at Aulani
​Beginning June 15, you can reserve spa services, including newly added options, at Laniwai, a Disney Spa! A visit to the Kula Wai, an outdoor hydrotherapy garden can be reserved with any spa service. This garden retreat includes private vitality pools, a reflexology path, six rain-style showers, whirlpool jet spas and more. Laniwai’s full-service salon will be available for manicures, pedicures and hair services. The kids – or keiki – can also get ready with salon services and makeovers exclusive to children ages 3 to 12. If you enjoy a good workout before or after pampering, visit the Mikimiki fitness center which will also reopen for limited hours for all Aulani Guests, and has added new equipment to the state-of-the-art fitness facility. Please see the Aulani Resort website for the most up-to-date information on the resort’s health and safety measures.

Calypso music and island life...in Walt Disney World? You heard that right! We had the opportunity to stay at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort recently, and I couldn't have been happier with our stay!

Check-In
We opted to check in on My Disney Experience ahead of time, so we were able to bypass the front desk and had our room number texted right to us before we even arrived! The front desk was available and staffed should anyone need any assistance, but we were able to stay a little more distanced and skip this part.

The Room
We were in the Jamaica section in building 41. I had requested a room near bus and Skyliner transportation and we were very pleased with the location of these. It was a short walk to both a bus stop and the main Skyliner hub. (We didn't utilize the buses while we were in Walt Disney World this time around, since we were staying for such a short time. However, this would have been incredibly convenient. We did use the Skyliner multiple times, and I was thrilled at how convenient it was!) Our room was a standard 5th sleeper room. It was spacious, clean, and comfortable. We had 2 queen beds, a 5th pull down single sleeper bed, mini-fridge, and seating area. It was more than enough space for us and would fit a family of 4 or 5 comfortably.

Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line! It's been a busy news week, so let's dive in!

Universal Orlando Resort
Promotion EXTENDED!
Universal Orlando has relaunched its unprecedented Black Friday offer for a limited time! Due to popular demand, Universal Orlando Resort is giving you another opportunity to take advantage of its best package offer ever – SAVE 40% on a 4-Day, 4-Night vacation package. This deal was originally offered for Black Friday and sold out in record time. Limited quantities are now available until Friday, December 11, so act fast! Remember, this package includes:

• 4 day park-to-park tickets to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• Guests who plan to visit after February 28, 2021 can add access to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park to their tickets!
• 4-night hotel accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort