Just got back from an 8-day visit to Walt Disney World! Much to report — we did a bunch of great signature events I want to share reviews on, but in the meantime, here’s a few seconds each day from our trip:
(I made this using 1SE — the 1 Second Everyday app on iOS. I love it and highly recommend it for all kinds of fun video projects!)
We did it: last week we made the two-day drive (not fun) from Long Island and moved into our new house in Florida. I’ve gone from being a born New Yorker to a transplanted Floridian. There are a lot of reasons I’m happy about that, but I cannot tell a lie: being close to Walt Disney World is definitely right up at the top of the list. We’re about a two hour drive away from the Happiest Place on Earth, and as anyone who’s ever lived in the tri-state metro NYC area can tell you, that’s a piece of cake. We’ve driven longer (but shorter distances) just to go to lunch.
We have a week-long Disney vacation coming up in December (planned before the move!) where we’ll get our annual passes. I can’t wait to start visiting WDW at the drop of a hat!
There’s plenty of festive spirit to go around this holiday season at Disney World, especially at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Planning your party visit can be daunting, but we’ve gathered together a lot of great information to help you right here.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (also known as MVMCP) takes place on select evenings at Magic Kingdom in November and December. It features exclusive holiday entertainment, snow falling on Main St., and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa.
Here’s everything you need to know to have a very merry time!
Buy tickets HERE! This is a special event with its own ticket. People with event tickets can enter Magic Kingdom at 4 PM to enjoy the park before the party officially kicks off at 7 PM. Park visitors who do not have a party ticket have to leave Magic Kingdom by 7 AM.
Tickets are non-refundable. Some party dates, especially close to Christmas, do sell out.
2016 event dates are:
November: 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27 and 29
December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 22
Tickets for 2016 went on sale May 5 and can be purchased online or by calling 407-WDISNEY. Prices vary depending on the date and whether or not you purchase in advance.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is a fun, festive experience that is one of the highlights of the Very Merry Christmas Party. Mickey and Minnie start the parade and Santa finishes it (of course), with all sorts of festive friends marching in between — marching toy soldiers, reindeer, gingerbread men, and classic characters dressed in their holiday best . And on Main Street USA, there’s even snow!
There are two parades at each party. The second parade will generally be less crowded than the first, so see that one if you can. If you would rather see the first one, grab your spot early. The parade starts in Frontierland, so you might consider looking for a good spot there.
The nightly castle projection show you love, but with a holiday twist. Past Christmas scenes have wrapped the castle in colorful bows and boughs, gift paper and ribbons, ornaments, candy stripes, strands of lights, and gingerbread.
Celebrate the Magic takes place at 9:15 PM, just before the fireworks begin.
The Christmas Party features a fantastic fireworks spectacular. Holiday Wishes is a festive show featuring a delightful score of all your favorite holiday and Disney songs.
There is only one performance of Holiday Wishes, at 10:00 PM.
A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show is a stage performance held near Space Mountain that lasts about 20 minutes and is held several times per night. It stars an eclectic mix of characters including Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc. and Stitch. Part entertainment and part dance party, this show will get you moving!
Times: 7:40, 8:30, 9:20, 10:45, 11:35 PM.
Queen Elsa from Frozen appears twice each evening to get the Castle Dream Lights lit up for the night in a 7-minute show called “A Frozen Holiday Wish.”
This special ceremony happens each night at Magic Kingdom from early November to January, not just on party nights, at 6:30 and 8:15 PM.
New for 2016! Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration will make its debut for the 2016 holiday season. From Disney:
It’s just days before Christmas and all through this house, excitement is stirring thanks to Mickey Mouse.
Mickey is thrilled that the holidays are here, and he knows the only way to make this season more special, is to share it with friends. So he’s throwing a Most Merriest Celebration and inviting lots of Disney pals—and you—to join the festive fun!
Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto are dropping by dressed in their Christmas best. Peter Pan is flying in from Never Land, Alice and the White Rabbit are hurrying over from Wonderland and Woody and Jessie from Toy Story are galloping in for this holiday ho ho hoedown. Plus, Snow White and Dopey, Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket and many more surprise guests will be stopping by.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration will feature medleys of holiday songs both old and new, special effects, projections and all of your favorite character friends. The new show will be presented on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Times: 7:40, 9:25,10:30 PM, 12 AM (midnight).
Throughout the Magic Kingdom, Cast Members will hand out all kinds of treats to guests. (If you have a particular food allergy, Guest Services at City Hall has allergy-free options.)
Tortuga Tavern: Hot Cocoa and Snickerdoodle Cookies
Heritage House: Eggnog and Ginger-Molasses Cookies
The Friar’s Nook: Snow Cone and Sugar Cookies
Pete’s Silly Sideshow: Apple Cider and Sugar Cookies
The Lunching Pad: Hot Cocoa and Peppermint Bark Cookies
Special goodies are available for purchase only during the party. These can be found at the following locations and include:
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor: Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundae
• Gaston’s Tavern: Holiday Tree Cupcake
• Main Street Bakery: Frozen Snowflake Cupcake, Peppermint Cupcake, Holiday Cookies
• Sleepy Hollow: Pumpkin Waffle Sundae
Sweeten your night with this holly-jolly premium experience. For $79 per adult and $47 per child (age 3 to 9), this package includes a reserved viewing location for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade on Main Street USA, followed by a private dessert party on Tomorrowland Terrace. The party features a host of holiday-themed cupcakes and desserts freshly prepared by our pastry chef, along with a bountiful buffet of sweet treats—like chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate mousse, ice cream, cheeses and fresh, seasonal fruits. Raise a cup of good cheer with sparkling cider, signature lemonades, specialty Christmas drinks, hot chocolate, coffee or tea, and then marvel as the sky above explodes with color, music and light with your reserved viewing of Holiday Wishes from the terrace.
For reservations, please book online or by calling (407) 939-3463. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Please note: a separate ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is also required and is not included in the price of this package.
Each year a special new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card is available only to partygoers. This year’s card features Goofy!
From the Disney Parks blog:
Just in case you’re new to Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, this interactive game allows guests to team up with Merlin in defeating Disney Villains who are scheming to take over Magic Kingdom Park. Guests search for villain hideouts throughout the park, visit magic portals and use special spell cards to defeat villains. Each spell card stars a different Disney character, each with their own unique powers. The game begins at the Firehouse on Main Street, U.S.A., where you can pick up complimentary key cards, spell cards and maps (additional cards can be purchased at select merchandise locations).
This year’s party-exclusive card is “Goofy’s Festive Fiasco” and, according to Imagineer Jonathan Ackley, “celebrates the glorious holiday chaos created by Goofy as he attempts to decorate for the season!”
Click to see the full-sized map.
Special holiday entertainment shown during this party will be shown daily after the last party of the year. Beginning December 23, you will not need an extra ticket to see all of the special holiday events listed here. Be aware, though, that crowds during Christmas week tend to be extremely heavy.
Q: If I purchase a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, do I need to have a Park ticket for the Magic Kingdom for that day as well?
A: No. You do not need a park ticket in addition to the special event ticket to attend the Christmas Party, which officially begins at 7 PM — however party guests have traditionally been allowed into the Magic Kingdom starting at 4 PM.
Q: Can I enter the Park at 4 PM, leave and come back?
You can, because you’ll be given a special Party wristband. But you’ll be giving up valuable Park time if you do.
Q: Do they really make non-Party guests leave Magic Kingdom at 7 PM?
Yes. As it gets closer to 7 PM, Cast Members will start reminding everyone not wearing a wristband that they must leave before the Party begins. Once 7 PM comes, Cast Members will start escorting anyone without a wristband out of the Park. You’ll always hear stories of people who claim they were able to sneak past the CMs and stay, but some of those may be exaggerated, and besides, you don’t want to be that guy, do you?
Q: What if I’ve got an ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) at a Magic Kingdom restaurant like Be Our Guest at 6 PM? They’re not going to cut my dinner short, are they?
Definitely not. But when you are finished and leave the restaurant, you’ll be escorted to the gate.
Q: Will I be able to make FastPass+ selections for attractions during the Christmas Party?
No, but also kind of yes.
No — there are no FastPass+ selections available during the Party, between 7 PM and Midnight. The good news is, you won’t need them. Ride lines tend to be much shorter during holiday parties because guests are busy with other activities, like special character meet and greets, trick or treating, and the parades. So it’s a great time to ride your favorite attraction an extra time or two.
BUT… you can make FastPass+ selections between 4 PM and 7 PM on those days, since Party ticket holders are allowed in the gates early at 4 PM, before the official event starts.
Q: Which special characters are available for meet and greets during the party? Do the lines tend to be long?
There are plenty of characters to meet, and some you can’t see any other time. In some cases, lines can get very long. The Seven Dwarfs, Santa Claus, and Jack Skellington are especially popular. If these character meets are important to you, get there early — as in, before the party starts early.
These are the characters scheduled to appear for 2016 by their locations. These are subject to change — this list will be updated as more information is available.
Main Street, U.S.A.: Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse, Tinker Bell.
Adventureland: Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie and Abu, Captain Jack Sparrow, Peter Pan (roaming).
Frontierland: The Country Bears (roaming) Liberty Square: Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws.
Fantasyland: Ariel, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle, Pooh and Friends, The Seven Dwarfs, Snow White and her Prince, Aurora and Prince Phillip, Princess Elena of Avalor, Minnie Mouse, Scrooge McDuck, Donald and Daisy, Santa Goofy, Mary Poppins, Bert, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
Tomorrowland: Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps
Q: Where is the best place to find exclusive merchandise during the party?
A: One of the easiest places to find items is The Emporium, but check out Big Top Souvenirs as well.
Found your Prince Charming? Picked out that perfect princess dress? Ready to say I do? Disney Weddings has always had plenty of magical experiences to offer for mouse-obsessed brides and grooms. Now you can say your vows in front of Disney World’s Cinderella Castle under a canopy of stars at night.
From the Disney Weddings YouTube channel:
Imagine saying “I do” inside Magic Kingdom Park in front of the iconic Cinderella Castle or celebrating your reception amid the beauty of Fantasyland at night. Mark your vows in this enchanting venue filled with fantasy and excitement where your every wedding wish can come true and your every heart’s desire can become a reality.
Disney World has just announced the Magic Kingdom After Hours Experience, which allows you to get married in the park after it’s closed to the public. At 11 PM, you can say your vows to your Prince Charming in front of the Cinderella Castle in front of up to 300 guests. The castle will be illuminated to create a magical backdrop. You and your guests will then dine by candlelight in Fantasyland.
This experience — available as part of the Disney Fairytale Weddings and Honeymoons Wishes collection – come with a starting price of $180,000.
Magic Kingdom celebrates its 45th Anniversary on October 1, 2016. Some great news for Disney fans who like to shop: in commemoration, there are some exciting new 45th Anniversary products releasing this month at Magic Kingdom and, for select items, the Shop Disney Parks app.
Two new Dooney & Bourke handbags in a special 45th Anniversary design will premiere through the Shop Disney Parks app on September 15, and will be available for purchase at the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. starting September 22.
More from the Disney Parks blog:
Many of the logo products, including apparel, open edition pins, home goods and more, will be released in select locations at Magic Kingdom on September 22. Best places to check for these logo items include the following locations:
Main Street, U.S.A. – Emporium
Tomorrowland – Mickey’s Star Traders
Storybook Circus Area – Big Top Souvenirs
Frontierland – Briar PatchWe will be releasing several items on October 1 at the Emporium. Guests and Annual Passholderswill find “I Was There” shirts. We will also have a limited edition pin (edition size of 3,000), and a limited edition retail MagicBand (edition size 4,500).
Have you always dreamed of living at Disney World? (Who hasn’t?) Well, at Golden Oak, you can — but at a steep price. Located near Disney Springs and nestled diagonally across from Disney’s Port Orleans resort, Golden Oak offers that dream to a very exclusive audience indeed — homes start at $2 million and go way past $10 million, which does not include over $20,000 annually in homeowner association and club fees.
So what do you get for that price, aside from a presumably beautiful house and proximity to Disney World? Lots of luxuries, it turns out.
Tastefully appointed Disney touches throughout the development: Golden Oak does scream “Disney”, but it whispers it ever-so-elegantly. This bronze sculpture of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a favorite.
Interior design with a bolder Disney brush: While there are numerous architectural restrictions on the classically styled homes in Golden Oak (as with many gated communities), on the inside, owners can feel free to explore their inner Disney to the fullest, including Hidden Mickeys, murals, statues and all kinds of interior stylings reflecting favorite Disney characters. Some owners are restrained, but others let their imagination run wild. From The Huffington Post: “Rial Jones, whose construction company is one of eight approved to build in Golden Oak, has become accustomed to building full-blown Disney fantasies. One house under construction, for a single man in his 20s, will feature a drawbridge between the bathroom and bedroom and a submarine-themed basement with a porthole providing an underwater pool view. Jones is also building a 20,000-square-foot house that will include a Cinderella-inspired 50-foot-long ballroom, an “Alice in Wonderland” themed bunk room with singing cake platters, and a re-creation of the Haunted Mansion’s stretching room.”
Access to the Four Seasons: Golden Oak is also home to the five-star Four Seasons. Residents can access all of the Four Seasons’ amenities.
Transportation to and from the Parks: The complimentary shuttle and mini-coach service is dedicated to Golden Oak residents along with their guests, who can be dropped off at any of the four Parks, Disney Springs, or either of the water parks.
Concierge services: The Golden Oak Resident Services team brings Disney’s renowned guest service culture directly to residents and their guests. The team can help assist with select personal, residential and resort requests, for a fee. To name a few:
Sales of homes at Disney’s exclusive Florida community are doing quite well. Named after the Walt Disney Company’s California ranch, the original projections for the gated community expected these costly retreats to mostly function as vacation homes. But most buyers are moving to the Mouse full-time, prompting Disney to urge realtors to market the remaining properties in the 300-home development to families. (I can’t imagine it’ll be a hard sell — where else can Disney-obsessed millionaires live out their fantasies?)
For most of us, Golden Oak is far out of reach — but, I suspect, on quite a few “if I win the lottery” bucket lists!
Summer’s almost over but don’t be sad — that means it’s almost time for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. We’ve got a ton of information on this year’s party, as well as answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you’ve got more, please leave them in the comments.
Tickets are already on sale and Disney is beginning to release schedules for the Halloween festivities (with more to come the closer we get). Here’s what partygoers can count on so far:
The Sanderson Sisters are back! This year they’ll be joined by Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent and other Disney villains in this not-to-be missed show featuring songs, dances and spells. The show is scheduled to take place several times nightly, as follows:
Located in Frontierland and seen as part of the “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, the Cadaver Dans will take you through rousing renditions of spooky Disney classics like “Grim Grinning Ghosts”, “Cruella DeVil” and the “Oogie Boogie Song” among others.
Lead by the Headless Horseman, this eerie but fun parade featuring ghosts and ghouls from the Haunted Mansion takes place twice nightly.
Cinderella’s Castle will be magically transformed with Halloween-inspired scenes featuring Disney Villains.
Disney Villains and the Ghost Host from the Haunted Mansion welcome guests to a spooky version of the Magic Kingdom’s much-loved evening fireworks display, set to the soundtrack of Disney’s scarier songs.
Download the PDF here. Click on images below for full resolution.
Q: If I purchase a ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Spooky Halloween Party, do I need to have a Park ticket for the Magic Kingdom for that day as well?
A: No. You do not need a park ticket in addition to the special event ticket to attend the Halloween Party, which officially begins at 7 PM — however party guests have traditionally been allowed into the Magic Kingdom starting at 4 PM.
Q: Can I enter the Park at 4 PM, leave and come back?
You can, because you’ll be given a special Party wristband. But you’ll be giving up valuable Park time if you do.
Q: Do they really make non-Party guests leave Magic Kingdom at 7 PM?
Yes. As it gets closer to 7 PM, Cast Members will start reminding everyone not wearing a wristband that they must leave before the Party begins. Once 7 PM comes, Cast Members will start escorting anyone without a wristband out of the Park. You’ll always hear stories of people who claim they were able to sneak past the CMs and stay, but some of those may be exaggerated, and besides, you don’t want to be that guy, do you?
Q: What if I’ve got an ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) at a Magic Kingdom restaurant like Be Our Guest at 6 PM? They’re not going to cut my dinner short, are they?
Definitely not. But when you are finished and leave the restaurant, you’ll be escorted to the gate.
Q: Will I be able to make FastPass+ selections for attractions during the Halloween Party?
No, but also kind of yes.
No — there are no FastPass+ selections available during the Party, between 7 PM and Midnight. The good news is, you won’t need them. Ride lines tend to be much shorter during holiday parties because guests are busy with other activities, like special character meet and greets, trick or treating, and the parades. So it’s a great time to ride your favorite attraction an extra time or two. Make sure to visit Haunted Mansion, of course, which is extra spooky this time of year.
BUT… you can make FastPass+ selections between 4 PM and 7 PM on those days, since Party ticket holders are allowed in the gates early at 4 PM, before the official event starts.
Q: What is the costume policy for guests at Magic Kingdom and for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Can we dress up?
A: This is an important question, as Disney has changed their policy regarding costumes recently. Here are the guidelines — note that the rules for guests 14 years and older are stricter than they were in the past.
Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests.
All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.
For Guests ages 13 and under:
Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.
For Guests ages 14 and older:
Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g. full-length Princess dresses)
Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
May not wear masks of any kind.
Q: Are the special character meet and greet lines long during the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?
YES. In past years both the Seven Dwarves meet and Jack Skellington & Sally’s in particular had lengthy, lengthy lines. If these character meets are important to you, get there early — as in, before the party starts early.
Q: Where is the best place to find exclusive merchandise during the party?
A: One of the easiest places to find items is The Emporium, but check out Big Top Souvenirs as well.
Q: How do I get tickets?
A; Tickets start at $72 for adults and $67 for kids and rise closer to $100 as Halloween nears. Click here for more details, and to purchase tickets now.
UPDATED: as per the Disney Parks Blog, “The Main Street Electrical Parade, Magic Kingdom Park’s long-running nighttime parade, will officially end its historic run at Walt Disney World Resort on October 9 and then head to Disneyland Resort for a limited-time encore engagement.”
There was a rumor going around that Walt Disney World’s Main Street Electrical Parade is closing on September 10, 2016, based on this tweet —
Anonymous source tells me that WDW Entertainment Cast were informed today Main Street Electrical Parade will close 9/10/16 #unconfirmed
— Aaron Wallace (@aaronspod) August 8, 2016
Will the parade be replaced by the Paint the Night parade from Disneyland, as some are speculating? No definite information is available. The Disney Parks Blog has this to say about plans at Disneyland:
“Paint the Night” parade will continue nightly performances, just before “Disneyland Forever” fireworks, through September 5 as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. And I’m excited to share today that this popular parade will return on select nights during the holiday season later this year.
When questioned in the comments about the possibility of Paint the Night moving to Walt Disney World in Florida, the blog had only this reply:
There’s a limited-time character meet and greet going on for Memory Maker customers only in Walt Disney World this month, August 2016 — drat, I’m super sorry to be missing this one! Belle is my favorite princess.
From August 7th to the 31st, Memory Maker customers can meeting Belle in her formal gown at Heritage House at Liberty Square, in the Magic Kingdom. There is no FastPass for this experience and it is for Memory Maker customers only.
Belle will be available daily for at the following times:
More information:
Disney PhotoPass Service will offer a character experience at Magic Kingdom Park for Guests who have a Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day entitlement, including Annual Passholders. The Guest with the Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day entitlement will need to have his/her MagicBand or Park Ticket scanned prior to entering the character experience to verify that he/she has purchased one of the two products.
Update: This limited-time event is set to coincide with the DVD re-release of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Those rumors about The Muppets coming to Liberty Square in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom — they’re true!
From the Disney Parks Blog:
Beginning this fall, the Muppets will be visiting Magic Kingdom Park, where they’ll take part in an all-new live show, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.”
Sam Eagle, the fiercely patriotic American eagle who is forever trying to set a high moral standard for the Muppets, will join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson, town crier of Liberty Square, as they gather outside The Hall of Presidents to present historical tales in hysterical fashion as only they can. From the midnight ride of Paul Revere to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Muppets appear throughout the day to share with Guests, their own unique take on the founding fathers and the birth of the United States of America.
Featuring an original song and plenty of wacky Muppets humor, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” will make its debut in October 2016.
Listen up everyone: Disney is *not* replacing the Hall of Presidents with Muppets. This is an all-new addition that will happen outside the much-beloved attraction. As a Muppets fan myself, I’m thrilled. This also dovetails nicely to the recent news about PizzeRizzo replacing Pizza Planet in Hollywood Studios this fall.
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