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Holiday Sleigh Rides Debut
at Fort Wilderness
The
same seasonal magic that brings “snow” flurries to central
Florida during Disney Parks holiday events now gives guests
the opportunity to experience a horse-drawn “sleigh” ride.
And where? Over the river and through the woods,
of course! This year, Disney’s Fort
Wilderness Resort and Campground at Walt Disney World in
Florida is offering sleigh rides through the secluded beauty
of the 700-acre backwoods resort. From Nov. 29-Dec. 30,
2009, four adults – or two adults and three small children
– can climb into a shiny, fire engine-red sleigh, decked out
with garland and twinkling holiday lights, and take a
relaxing, 25-minute sojourn into the lush forest. And
while the resort’s woodland paths may not be blanketed with
drifts of driven snow to glide through, the magic-makers at
the resort’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch utilize sleighs equipped
with tires to insure a smooth sleigh ride behind one of the
ranch’s gentle steeds. Cost is $60 per
sleigh. Children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by
an adult. Sleighs depart from the Blacksmith’s Shop
near the Settlement area inside Disney’s Fort Wilderness
Resort and Campground. Guests driving to the resort can
park at the entrance of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and
Campground and board a Disney motorcoach to be transported to
the Settlement area. For reservations and more
information, guests can call 407/WDW-PLAY.
Winter Holiday, Christmas
Season Walt Disney World
ENCHANTING TRADITION --:
On 18 select evenings in November and December, guests can
experience
the enchanting "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime
Parade" and the excitement of a
holiday-themed fireworks spectacular, "Holiday
Wishes--Celebrate the Spirit of the Season,"
during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This favorite
special after-hours party
takes place inside the Magic Kingdom theme park.
Trees
glisten and Cinderella Castle sparkles. “Snow”
flurries flutter, adding a sprinkle of magic to the scene.
The stage is set for the holidays at Walt Disney World
Resort – complete with the debut of a “very merry” stage
show and several new Candlelight Processional celebrity
narrators, plus the return of grand seasonal traditions. 
CELEBRATE THE SEASON --
Mickey Mouse presides over the holiday festivities
during
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom in Lake
Buena Vista, Fla.
The annual nighttime event features exclusive entertainment
such as "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade"
and a special edition of the Disney fireworks spectacular
"Wishes," as well as snow falling on Main Street,
U.S.A.
To
welcome the winter wonderland season, Stitch, Buzz Lightyear
and Mike Wazowski will host a rockin’ Christmas party in the
new stage show “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas!” as part
of Mickey’s
Very Merry Christmas Party
on select evenings at Magic Kingdom. This interactive
musical revue features “songs of the season” in the style
of today’s hottest Radio Disney hits. For
a more traditional holiday celebration, guests can get in the
spirit with the Candlelight Processional at Epcot where
Vanessa Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Anika Noni Rose and
Isabella Rossellini will join the lineup of 12 celebrity
narrators who will retell the joyous Christmas story on select
nights. 
CHRISTMAS WISH --
Fireworks set the night sky aglow with
festive cheer during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
By
late November, themed décor will blanket the Vacation Kingdom
as Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios,
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney and 24 resorts
unwrap their sleighs full of yuletide gaiety. Here’s a
closer look at the transformation into a winter
wonderland. Castle Dreamlights! at
Magic Kingdom – During this year’s “What Will
You Celebrate?,” guests can behold twinkling lights of one
of Disney’s newest holiday traditions – Castle Dreamlights!
– beginning Nov. 10 at Magic Kingdom. Donning their
holiday finest, Cinderella and friends take to the Cinderella
Castle stage daily for a dream-come-true, light-the-night
moment. With 200,000 sparkling, jewel-like crystals
adorning the iconic castle, the glistening light-show
spectacular signals the beginning of Disney’s seasonal
merriment. 
ICE CASTLE –
Shimmering lights illuminate Cinderella Castle in Magic
Kingdom during the holidays
at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The
Magic Kingdom icon is bathed
in more than 200,000 tiny white lights that add a special
sparkle to the season.
Mickey's
Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
– Nov. 10 marks the first of 19 select evenings when the
theme park hosts the long-running Mickey’s Very Merry
Christmas Party. During this popular special-ticket
event, guests are treated to the new stage show “A Totally
Tomorrowland Christmas!,” “Mickey’s Once Upon a
Christmastime Parade,” “Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the
Spirit of the Season” fireworks spectacular, plus special
shows featuring Disney characters decked out in their holiday
finest, carolers, festive tree lightings and more. Magic
Kingdom’s newest stage show, “A Totally Tomorrowland
Christmas!,” features Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski
and a jubilant cast of party-goers who discover the true
meaning of the season during their annual Christmas party. The
“Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” celebrates the
festivities with dancing snowflakes, marching toy soldiers, a
horse-drawn sleigh, enchanting floats and spirited characters
all proceeding through the streets of the theme park in a
merry and melodic calvacade. During “Holiday
Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season,” Cinderella
Castle beams brightly as the evening is capped with
eye-popping fireworks orchestrated to classic holiday tunes. 
HOLLY JOLLY HOLIDAYS:
Larger-than-life tin soldiers and "Florida Snow"
combine with sparkling lights
and holiday décor to celebrate the season at the Magic
Kingdom, one of four theme parks
at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Guests to Walt Disney World Resort
will find their 2009 holidays even merrier with a bigger,
brighter celebration.
New features include more nights of Mickey's Very Merry
Christmas Party, new celebrity narrators at Candlelight
Processional
at Epcot, and the The Osborne Family's Spectacle of Dancing
Lights
and added shopping options at World of Disney at Downtown
Disney Marketplace.
Select
attractions also are open throughout the evening. And
while forecasters predict the first snowfall of the season
will swirl a winter-like effect down Main Street, U.S.A,
guests can take heart: there’s hot cocoa and cookies to add
a warm spirit, plus apple slices and apple juice as the
perfect trimmings for a not-to-miss outing for the whole
family. Mickey's
Very Merry Christmas Party dates are: Nov. 10, 12, 13, 15, 17,
19, 20, 29 and Dec. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18.
Advance tickets are suggested as some nights are
expected to sell out. Advance tickets and information for
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are available now by
visiting disneyworld.com/christmasparty
or by calling 407/W-DISNEY. The
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s
Hollywood Studios – Bathed in bulbs of brilliance,
the Streets of America glow with millions of dancing lights
and animated displays Nov. 10 through Jan. 4, 2010. Amid
gently falling snow, guests will bask in the glow as twirling
carousels, melodic angels, colorful wreaths, marching toy
soldiers and Santa and his reindeer move to high-energy music
and 3-D effects, creating a dazzling symphony for the senses. The
spectacle actually starts behind the scenes while the summer
temperatures are still on the rise in Florida as dozens of
Disney “elves” begin their meticulous work on more than 10
miles of rope lights, 130 angels, 44 snow machines and more. 
WINTER WONDERLAND -- The
Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights sparkle with yuletide
cheer
at Disney's Hollywood Studios during the holiday season. What
began as a father's Christmas gift to his daughter
has grown into a holiday tradition for many Walt Disney World
guests with a dazzling display
of millions of colorful lights and animated displays.
Festival
of the Seasons at Downtown Disney –
There are enough toys to fill up Santa’s sleigh at stores
such as Once Upon a Toy, the World of Disney store, Team
Mickey Athletic Club and LEGO Imagination Center. Guests
can finish their holiday shopping at this one-stop mecca
featuring something for everyone on their list – Tren-D, the
newest designer boutique; Basin bath and body shop; Arribas
Brothers; Disney’s Days of Christmas holiday shop; Fuego by
Sosa Cigars and more– and enjoy the dazzling light display
and holiday décor that adorns the Downtown Disney streets
Nov. 17-Dec. 24. And at Downtown Disney Marketplace,
guests can meet Santa himself Nov. 17-26 from 5 to 10 p.m. and
Nov. 27-Dec. 24 from noon to 10 p.m. (subject to change). 
WINTER WONDERLAND -- The
Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights sparkle
with yuletide cheer at Disney's Hollywood Studios during the
holiday season.
What began as a father's Christmas gift to his daughter has
grown
into a holiday tradition for many Walt Disney World guests
with a
dazzling display of millions of colorful lights and animated
displays.
Christmas
Confections Sweeten Vacation Kingdom – Each holiday
season, Disney chefs deck the halls in fanciful fashion,
creating larger-than-life displays from edible ingredients all
across Walt Disney World Resort. The sweet scent of
gingerbread fills the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian
Resort & Spa, where a life-sized Victorian gingerbread
house is constructed for the holidays. To create the
16-foot-high dream house, Walt Disney World pastry chefs use
1,050 pounds of honey, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 800
pounds of flour, 140 pints of egg whites and 180 pounds of
apricot glaze. Meanwhile, at Disney’s Beach Club
Resort, a life-size carousel silently spins in the lobby,
featuring ponies made of chocolate
and fondant, giant candy cane poles,
handcrafted poinsettias and hand-painted portraits of famous
Disney characters. 
You Can't Ride This
Carousel But You Can Eat It! - This life-size, edible carousel
is a holiday tradition at
Disney's Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena
Vista, Fla.
Featuring ponies made of sugar, giant candy cane poles,
handcrafted poinsettias
and portraits of famous Disney characters on a lighted roof of
gingerbread,
the spinning carousel is created by Disney Pastry Chef Stefan
Riemer and his talented team.
Sail
Away to a Magical Winter Holiday with Disney Cruise Line
– For a gift that’s both nautical and nice, Santa’s
wish list could include a cruise on the Disney Magic or the
Disney Wonder, both decked “to the rafters” with holiday
cheer. From
Thanksgiving through New Year’s, Disney Cruise Line adds
sparkle to both ships, with traditional “turkey day” fare
to Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve
galas. Beginning Nov. 21, special stem-to-stern events
on both ships include: nightly King Triton’s Tree Lighting
of a glittering, three-deck-tall tree; family crafts such as
decorating stockings, making holiday cards and creating
animation cels; storytellers sharing tales of diverse holiday
traditions; feasts in Disney’s three themed dining rooms;
and “Til We Meet Again,” a special seasonal edition of
Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of
each cruise. Epcot Presents
Holidays Around the World – International holiday
traditions unfold throughout World Showcase Nov. 27-Dec. 30
when storytellers such as Pere Noel in France, La Befana in
Italy and Santa Claus in The American Adventure share the
traditions of the season and spread the message of goodwill. As
a “nightcap” to each day, “IllumiNations: Reflections of
Earth” – a kaleidoscope of lasers, lights, fireworks and
music – takes on a spirited holiday finale. Candlelight
Processional at Epcot – A heartfelt holiday
tradition led by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra
showcases the reason for the season Nov. 27-Dec. 30. Presented
at America Gardens Theatre at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. nightly,
Candlelight Processional features celebrity narrators who
retell the joyous Christmas story. The narration is
interspersed with memorable music. 
CHRISTMAS BY
CANDLELIGHT -- Candlelight Processional is a moving
presentation
of the traditional Christmas story told by celebrity narrators
who are joined
by a mass choir and 50-piece orchestra. Performances take
place nightly at Epcot.
Scheduled
celebrity narrators include (subject to change):
Nov.
27-29
Isabella Rossellini
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1-2 John O’Hurley
Dec. 3-5
Steven Curtis Chapman
Dec. 6-8
Anika Noni Rose
Dec. 9-11
Andy Garcia
Dec. 12-14
Vanessa Williams
Dec. 15-17
Abigail Breslin
Dec. 18-20
Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 21-23
Brian Dennehy
Dec. 24-26
Edward James Olmos
Dec. 27-30
Angela Bassett / Courtney B. Vance Performances
are included with Epcot admission and guests are advised to
arrive early. Entertainment is subject to change without
notice. Special dining packages that include guaranteed
seating for this beloved event and reserved fireworks viewing
are available for booking by calling 407/WDW-DINE. Holiday
Happenings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom –
“Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade” gets a holiday
makeover Nov. 27 through Jan. 3, 2010, when it is magically
transformed into “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.” This
whimsical spectacle is a theatrical showcase of characters,
floats and puppetry with a holiday world-beat twist. Guests
can meet Disney characters decked out in their holiday best at
Camp Minnie-Mickey, which also features live seasonal
entertainment, holiday photo opportunities and decorative
Christmas trees. 
MICKEY'S JINGLE JUNGLE
PARADE – Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World
Resort in
Lake Buena Vista, Fla., celebrates the holiday season with
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.
The parade blends the spirit of Disney’s Animal Kingdom with
the spirit of the holidays.
To
make arrangements for a holiday vacation at Walt Disney World
Resort, guests can visit disneyworld.com/holidays,
call the Disney Reservation Center at 407/W-DISNEY, or consult
with a local travel agent. |
