Month: November 2019

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (November 25, 2019) This holiday season, ABC and Disney Channel will transport the magic of Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line during the holidays to viewers with three magical specials featuring star-studded performances, merry entertainment and more. During the specials, viewers will get exclusive looks at upcoming Disney Parks attractions, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opening soon at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

ABC officially kicks off the holidays with “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration,“ THURSDAY, NOV. 28(8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on ABC; followed by “Disney Channel Holiday Party @ Walt Disney World, “premiering FRIDAY, DEC. 13(8:00-8:30 p.m. EST), on Disney Channel and in the DisneyNOW app. As part of the annual tradition, the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” airs Christmas morning, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25(10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EST, 9:00-11:00 a.m. CST/MST/PST; airtimes vary, check listings, on ABC and on the ABC app).

“The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” kicks off the holiday season Thursday, Nov. 28, from 8:00-10:00 p.m. EST, 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 on Thanksgiving night 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. During the prime-time special, viewers will be treated to several Disney Parks sneak peeks, including a 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 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^®, Emmy and 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 for “Carol of the Bells” from Walt Disney World Resort.

“Disney Channel Holiday Party @ Walt Disney World“ airs Friday, Dec. 13, from 8:00-8:30 p.m.  EST/PST, on Disney Channel and in the DisneyNOW app. Disney Channel’s “ZOMBIES 2” stars Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim will co-host this holiday party with artist Matthew Morrison, treating fans to a magical holiday celebration featuring performances from Shaggy,  Pentatonix and Disney Channel stars Issac Ryan Brown(“Raven’s Home“), Ruby Rose Turner(“Coop & Cami Ask the World”) and Kylie Cantrall (“Gabby Duran & The Unsittables”) broadcast from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and aboard the majestic Disney Fantasy – part of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. During the special, viewers will enjoy exclusive Disney Parks sneak peeks, including a first look at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida in spring 2020 and Disneyland Park in California in the future. Viewers will also get an exclusive look at the Disney Channel Original Movie sequel “ZOMBIES 2,” premiering on Disney Channel in 2020. Additionally, “BUNK’D” stars Scarlett Estevez and Israel Johnson will host a special family segment highlighting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.

Musical performances include the following:

• Disney Channel’s “ZOMBIES 2” star Meg Donnelly sings “Home for the Holidays” from Walt Disney World Resort.
• Disney Channel stars Issac Ryan Brown(”Raven’s Home”) and Ruby Rose Turner(”Coop & Cami Ask the World”) perform “12 Days of Christmas” from Walt Disney World Resort.
• Disney Channel’s “Gabby Duran & The Unsittables” star Kylie Cantrall performs “Santa Claus is Coming to Town“ aboard the Disney Fantasy.
• Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning Pentatonix performs an a cappella rendition of “Here Comes Santa Claus” from Walt Disney World Resort.
• Two-time GRAMMY Award-winning reggae star Shaggy sings “Jamaican Drummer Boy” from Walt Disney World Resort.

“Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” airs Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. EST, 9:00-11:00 a.m. CST/MST/PST; airtimes vary, check listings, on ABC and on the ABC app. Disney’s annual Christmas celebration airs Christmas morning on ABC hosted by artist Matthew Morrison, singer-songwriter and TV host Emma Bunton, and TV host Jesse Palmer. Joining as co-hosts are ABC’s “black-ish” star Marsai Martin with Hollywood Records Artist and Disney’s “The Lion King” star JD McCrary, who voiced young Simba in the live-action film. Presented from Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in California, the show features the Christmas Day Parade down Main Street U.S.A., heartwarming stories and amazing celebrity performances. Among the exclusive Disney Parks sneak peeks planned for this special are Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida in spring 2020 and Disneyland Park in California in the future, plus Avengers Campus coming to Disney California Adventure Park in California in 2020. Viewers will also get a special look at “the most magical flight on earth”: the newly opened Disney Skyliner gondola system, connecting Walt Disney World Resort guests to two Disney theme parks and four resorts, including the new Disney’s Riviera Resort, opening Dec. 16.

Musical performances include the following:

• Seventeen-time GRAMMY Award-winning Sting performs “Soul Cake” off his platinum-selling album “If On A Winter’s Night…” from Walt Disney World Resort.
• Two-time GRAMMY Award-winning reggae star Shaggy sings his new Caribbean-flavored original song “Christmas with Friends” from Walt Disney World Resort
• Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix performs “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” from Walt Disney World Resort.
• Singers Ingrid Michaelson and Grace Vander Waal sing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” from Disneyland Resort.
• GRAMMY Award-winning rock band The Man performs “White Christmas” and “Feel it Still” from Disneyland Resort.
• International pop star Ally Brooke performs “Christmas Through Your Eyes” from Walt Disney World Resort.
• The cast of the new Disney+ original “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” performs a high-energy medley from Disneyland Resort.

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed,and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (November 18, 2019) The magic of the holodays is already on full display at Walt Disney World. Here is a list of “Fun Facts” about the holidays at the Happiest Place on Earth:

Walt Disney World Resort

• The Walt Disney World Holiday Services team provides décor for 780 locations within 41 different properties, including Disney theme parks, resorts, Disney Springs and recreation and shopping areas. The team also decorates Disney Cruise Line ships and Disney Vacation Club resorts in Florida and South Carolina.
• 41 cast members work year-round to make the holiday transformation a reality, with an additional 119 cast members added during the installation period.
• Décor installation begins Halloween night and is finished by Thanksgiving.

Magic Kingdom Park            

• During the holidays, Magic Kingdom is home to 40 trees, 147 wreaths and 590 garlands that measure a total of 5,188 feet.
• Guests can celebrate the season at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on 23 select nights from Nov. 8 to Dec. 22. This year’s celebration welcomes the dazzling new nighttime spectacular, “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.”
• Tomorrowland Speedway joins in the merriment of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for the first time this year with a new holiday overlay that glimmers with 30,000 controllable lights and stylized décor. Guests racing around the track will spot 12 geometric trees ranging from 6 to 10 feet tall. It’s one of 4 Magic Kingdom attractions to feature holiday overlays.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom will celebrate the holidays in full for the first time in its history, with enchanting entertainment and décor in 3 new locations.
• 148 animal-inspired luminaries will cast a warm and festive glow throughout Discovery Island as a merry menagerie of 10 artisan-sculpted puppets resembling winter animals roam and interact with guests throughout the land.
• 2,600 light bulbs will adorn the DinoLand U.S.A. water tower, giving the land a festive new look for the holidays.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• The Christmas tree on Echo Lake is 65 feet tall, with a 25-foot-wide base.
• Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios includes 12 high-definition projectors used to visually transform the façade of the Hollywood Tower Hotel with holiday scenes.
• 21 palm trees along Sunset Boulevard illuminate with programmable, color-changing LED fixtures.
• Dinosaur Gertie is dressed in her finest holiday attire. Her hat is so big, four people could stand inside it!

Epcot

• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays takes place Nov. 29 through Dec. 30 and celebrates holiday traditions from around the world through storytelling and music presented throughout World Showcase.
• Holiday treats are also part of the festival, which includes 13 Holiday Kitchens serving more than 50 bites from around the world and 60-plus specialty beverages.
• The Candlelight Processional will be performed 96 times at Epcot this holiday season with a 50-piece orchestra, mass choir and 12 different celebrity narrators.
• The Candlelight Processional stage at America Gardens Theatre features 2 Christmas trees that are each 18 feet tall.

Resorts

• Guests will find a life-size holiday gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This elaborate 10-foot-wide,15-foot-long and 14-foot-tall structure is covered with more than 10,000 pieces of gingerbread and is the perfect place to pick up holiday sweets and treats.
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort is celebrating the 10^th anniversary of its iconic gingerbread Cinderella Castle. This 18-foot-tall display is crafted from more than 5,000 gingerbread shingles, 47 pounds of rolled fondant, 38 pounds of modeling chocolate and much more!
• This year also marks the 20^th anniversary of the Holiday Carousel gingerbread display at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This life-size spinning carousel features 20 “Hidden Mickeys,” 5 Peter Pan-themed horses and handcrafted gingerbread shingles.
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort is home to the tallest Christmas tree at Walt Disney World. This 70-foot-tall tree is adorned with 16,000 lights and more than 200 custom ornaments.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to a 45-foot-tall tree featuring authentic African décor and reproductions of traditional African masks.

Disney Springs

• Disney Springs is the epicenter of holiday shopping at Walt Disney World. It’s also the largest of all of the decorated Disney locations, with more than 2,000 pieces of individual décor, including a 45-foot-tall tree.
• Each piece of décor was custom designed to fit the classic Florida town theme that carries throughout the entirety of Disney Springs.
• Disney Springs is also home to the Christmas Tree Trail, a walk through wonderland featuring 23 unique Disney-themed trees.

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed,and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (November 6, 2019) Guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year are in for a special treat, as a brand-new fireworks spectacular, “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” will light up the night.

Disney will live stream the very first showing of “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” right here on the Disney Parks Blog November 8 at 9:55 p.m.

According to the announcement, the new show has Minnie inviting guests “to take in a sparkling, yuletide fireworks display as the sky above Cinderella Castle brightens to the tunes of “Deck the Halls” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The fireworks show is exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which guests can attend on select nights November 8 through December 22, 2019.”

To watch the live stream, simply visit the Disney Parks Blog on November 8 at 9:55 p.m. The live stream will be the lead story!

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed,and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (November 1, 2019) The folks over at Disney Parks Blog have just released news of a special November 3 Live Stream to celebrate the return of the holiday season to the Walt Disney World Resort with the debut performance of “A Frozen Holiday Wish.”

The new show will perform nightly at Magic Kingdom Park starting November 3. The show stars the royal sisters Anna and Elsa, and their friends Olaf and Kristoff. In the show, Queen Elsa uses her magical powers to present a gift to everyone in the kingdom by transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace for the holidays. 

The Live Stream will start at 6:10 p.m. EST. To watch, simply visit the Disney Parks Blog on Nov. 3. The live stream will be the lead story.

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed,and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!