Disney is starting to get busy for the holiday season and 2020, so that means there is a lot of news to share this week!
Walt Disney World
Additional dates for Disney After Hours have been announced. Guests can enjoy extra time at the parks with lower wait times and complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages. The cos is $129 plus tax per person. Guests may enter the park as early as 7 P.M. The additional dates are:
Magic Kingdom Park
· January 23, 27 & 31
· February 3, 10, 17 & 24
· March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
· April 5, 13, 20 & 27
· May 5, 11, 18 & 25
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
· April 1, 7, 14 & 22
· May 2, 9, 16, 19 & 26
“Race Against the Sun”, a new cultural exhibit has opened in the Morocco Pavilion at World Showcase inside of Epcot. The exhibit spotlights Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands) and Rallye Aicha des Gazelles (Rally of the Gazelles) two modern day competitions, as well as the rich history of the ancient inhabitants of the Sahara and the Berbers. Guests can also enjoy an edible treat celebrating the exhibit, called “sellou” and energy snack that participants in the marathon enjoy. The treat can be purchased at the Tangerine Café counter service location.
Guests staying at select non-Disney World resort hotels can now select transportation via a “Minnie Van” to and from Orlando International Airport as part of a Walt Disney World vacation package. The available resorts include: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels (B Resort & Spa, Best Western Lake Buena Vista, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Orlando, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista), Bonnet Creek Resorts (Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, and Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort), and Flamingo Crossings Resorts (SpringHill Suites Orlando and TownePlace Suites Orlando).
Minnie Vans have a maximum capacity of six guests and six medium sized suitcases. Vehicles are pet friendly and car seats are available. ADA accessible vehicles are also available. Reservations must be made at least three days in advance Gratuity is not included.
Construction of the ever-popular Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian has begun. The official opening day is November 13, 2019. Visiting hours are 9 AM – 10 PM throughout the holiday season. A number of edible items will be available for purchase including gingerbread shingles and cookies, fudge, lollipops and an exclusive gift box with Gingerbread Cookies, Peppermint Bark, a shingle, Mickey ear, and a Gingerbread House ornament for $50.00
Disneyland
Visitors to the Disneyland resort can enjoy a sneak preview of the Disney+ series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” beginning November 12, 2019 at the Tomorrowland Theater. Disney+ launches everywhere on November 12.
Disneyland welcome the holidays beginning on November 8, 2019 with Holidays at the Disneyland Resort and Festival of Holidays at Disney’s California Adventure Park. New to Disney Festival of Holidays is “Mickey’s Happy Holidays”, a twice daily celebration featuring Disney and Pixar characters at Paradise Gardens Park Obelisk and Carthay Circle.
Also new this year are the Holiday Sunset Concerts on the Palisades Stage.
Disney Festival of Holidays runs through January 6, 2020.
Stephanie McNulty is a Vacation Planner with Coasters and Castles Travel. Contact her at smcnulty@coastersandcastlestravel.com for help planning your next vacation. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook under her username @magicaltravelwithsteph