I’ve never been aboard a Disney cruise ship at Christmas, but I hear it’s a special time. Beyond the decorations and specially costumed walk-around characters, there are special meals and holiday entertainment to enjoy. Here’s a fresh video with highlights from across the Disney Cruise Line fleet revealing how the Christmas holiday is celebrated. There are also a few wonderful shots of decorations at Castaway Cay and the Cape Canaveral terminal too.
As it’s the first Christmas Season for the Disney Fantasy, it’s the very first time decorations have been erected on the ship. Disney recently shared a video showing the installation of the big 20ft tall atrium lobby tree in Time-Lapse video. Which you can see below the jump:
The 2012 Edition of Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration is back and better than ever. They’ve expanded the Sea of Trees and added lots of little touches that make the evening special. Add to that all the returning favorites and it’s clearly one of the best deals… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration Joyous Family Fun
Part of the magic of EPCOT at Christmas time is the ability to visit each of the pavilions and learn a little bit about how that culture celebrates the winter holiday. Add to that the yuletide decorations and Voices of Liberty and you have a… Read More »Christmas Around The World at EPCOT
It’s the holiday season again and the Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom are once again wowing guests with their icy beauty. But how do they make that magic happen? Earlier this month, Disney went behind-the-scenes with Creative Director Reed Jones… Read More »How Disney Creates the Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle for the Holidays
Walt Disney World is out with its annual list of activities for the Christmas season at the parks and resorts. At first glance, it’s not all that impressive of a list. There’s nothing major that’s new and many of the favorite activities from former years remain retired. That said, there’s still nothing as magical as Walt Disney World when it’s decorated for the winter holidays. There may be less of it, but it’s still head and shoulders over what is offered by most of its rivals.
Visitors to Walt Disney World will be able to experience some of the yuletide glow as early as November 9. There’s also an extra night of merry at the Magic Kingdom with 20 nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party; and at Epcot, Candlelight Processional. Here are some additional highlights:
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will have its longest-ever run with 20 magical nights from November 9-December 21. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World guests have been mesmerized by this must-see event, a grandly festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit. Dates for 2012: Nov. 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30 and Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21. Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows, spectacular fireworks, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. For more information, visit www.Disneyworld.com/Christmasparty. NOTE: this is a hard ticket special event after regular park hours; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.
Entertainment, Fireworks and More: Santa’s elves have transformed the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland with festive wreaths, bows, garland, sparkling lights, parades and towering Christmas trees. The fun includes the Holiday Wishes nighttime spectacular: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, plus live entertainment with Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays.
With the recent expansion of Cars Land, the Disneyland resort is now bigger than ever and welcoming more guests than ever. Beginning November 12th, the holiday line up for the parks will include new holiday décor for Cars Land and Buena Vista Street in DCA, Ice Skating at Downtown Disney, special fireworks, the Christmas Parade, and Snowfall in Disneyland just to get started.
As we mentioned in August, three is a new expanded schedule for the 2012 Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony and Processional. Candlelight will now run a total of 20 nights with two performances each night. Below is the list of currently scheduled narrators for shows from December 1-20:
Dec. 1-2: Dennis Haysbert (actor)*
Dec. 3-5: Kurt Russell (actor and Disney Legend)
Dec. 6-8: TBA
Dec. 9-11: Lou Diamond Phillips (actor)
Dec. 12-13: Dick Van Dyke (actor and Disney Legend)
Dec. 14: Marcia Gay Harden (actress)
Dec. 15-16: Patricia Heaton (actress)
Dec. 17-19: Molly Ringwald (actress)
Dec. 20: Dennis Haysbert (actor)
*December 1-2 performances are by invitation only, as they have been since 1958, when Walt Disney first held these private celebrations to thank partners in the community for their support throughout the year.
More details of holiday offerings at Disneyland Resort below the cut:
Hollywood sensation Geena Davis will headline a list of a dozen celebrities scheduled to host one of the most beloved holiday traditions at Walt Disney World — The Candlelight Processional. This joyous retelling of the Christmas story is accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a… Read More »Celebrity Narrators Announced for 2012 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT
Once a year the Haunted Mansion’s 999 resident ghosts make way for a few extra ghouls and goblins. Disneyland has released this short time-lapse video of how the Haunted Mansion is transformed into a temporary homes for Jack and his pals from Nightmare Before Christmas.… Read More »Haunted Mansion Holiday Timelapse Video
