A Magical First Holiday Season at Shanghai Disney Resort

We can't believe it's already time for Shanghai Disney Resort to celebrate its first holiday season! The festivities bring to life an authentically Disney holiday wonderland with unique flourishes guests can only find at our newest Disney resort.

Guests will feel the holiday spirit walking down a transformed Mickey Avenue at Shanghai Disneyland decked out with special decorations, festive music and warm greetings from Mickey and his pals in their holiday attire. There's even a chance to view a dazzling Christmas tree in Gardens of Imagination, which is magically lit every night of the celebration.

Disneytown, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel will all have shimmering Christmas trees for guests to enjoy, each with different styles that bring the holiday spirit to life across the resort. The pianist at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will also be available to play a few merry tunes.

In honor of the holiday season, guests will find more than 30 limited-release merchandise items around the resort, including special Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse plush toys, festive Christmas head wear and scarves, and beautiful holiday ornaments. There will also be holiday feasts and treats at several restaurants and shops throughout the park.

Happy holidays from Shanghai Disney Resort!

Pop Warner Super Bowl Gives Young Athletes Their ‘I’m Going To Disney World!’ Moment

A new NFL champion won't be crowned for another two months, but a Super Bowl is about to get underway at Walt Disney World Resort.

For the 20th straight year, the Pop Warner Super Bowl begins Saturday at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. And just like their NFL heroes, these young players battled through post-season competitions to achieve their "I'm going to Disney World!" moment by qualifying for the Pop Warner Super Bowl.

The week-long tournament features 64 football teams and more than 400 cheerleading squads from around the nation going head-to-head to be crowned national champions in various divisions.

For a few of these players, their football dreams are just beginning with this magical trip to Walt Disney World Resort. That's because more than 70 percent of active NFL players competed in Pop Warner, including Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos) and eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals).

If you're visiting Walt Disney World Resort between Dec. 3-10, stop by the sports complex and get a sneak peek at the NFL talent of tomorrow. You can get a look at the full schedule for the tournament here.

Daily admission is $12.50 (ages 3-9) or $17.50 (ages 10 & older), or you can purchase a length-of-admission pass for $37.50 or $52.50.

For updates on the Pop Warner Super Bowl and to keep up with all of the latest Disney Sports news and events, be sure check us out on Facebook and on Twitter, @DisneySports. For more information about sports events held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, visit www.espnwwos.com.

Make the Holidays Extra Charming With ALEX AND ANI from Disney Parks

If you'd like to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping this year, I have gathered a few charming gift ideas from ALEX AND ANI created especially for Disney Parks.

The Disney Parks online store is currently offering four unique gift sets created by ALEX AND ANI. The three-piece sets include a charm bangle and two beaded bangles, while the two-piece sets include a charm bangle and a metal beaded bangle. Designs include the following: Mickey Mouse Filigree in RAFAELIAN SILVER Finish; Mickey Mouse Filigree in RAFAELIAN GOLD Finish; Tinker Bell "Believing Is Just The Beginning" in Shiny Silver Finish; and Cinderella "A Dream Is A Wish…" in Shiny Silver Finish.

Celebrate the holidays with three charms featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Olaf from Disney's "Frozen." Each festive charm bangle is available in a choice of Shiny Silver or Shiny Gold Finish.

As we continue to make room for even more designs from ALEX AND ANI at Disney Parks, it means we are retiring select designs in the coming months. Some of the designs include park icons from Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts along with select Disney wrap designs. Look for new park icons bangles to arrive in 2017 (I've seen a sneak preview and they look outstanding!).

Finally, we are inviting Disney Parks Blog readers to help select new "Words Are Powerful" Color Infusion bangles inspired by Disney sayings and attributes of some of our most beloved characters! You may recall reading about this collection in June 2016 .

For the next five days, guests are invited to select one of their favorite phrases from choices below. The top three phrases with the most votes will be released as part of the ALEX AND ANI "Words Are Powerful" collection in spring 2017.

What phrase would you like to see in the ALEX AND ANI "Words Are Powerful" collection in spring 2017?

Look for ALEX AND ANI in select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. You may also find select designs via the free Shop Disney Parks app or on the Disney Parks online store.

“Moana” Sails Into Theaters – On the High Seas, Too!

When "Moana" sailed into theaters last week, Disney cruisers were among the first to experience this highly anticipated animated film that premiered on our ships the same day as on land.

Congrats to the film's incredibly talented cast and to Walt Disney Animation Studios on producing yet another blockbuster hit. The film delivered an estimated $81.1M over the five-day holiday weekend, making it the second largest Thanksgiving debut ever behind "Frozen."

Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Moana, recently sailed on the Disney Magic, making her part of the Disney Cruise Line family. Ryan March had the opportunity to interview this rising Disney star while onboard, and if you haven't already seen it, be sure to take a look. Better yet, if you haven't already seen the film, go see it in theaters now in 3D!

Wildlife Wednesday: Children Share Their Wishes for Wildlife

This is the time of year when families and friends gather to give thanks and celebrate the true spirit of the holidays. Every child has a wish for the holiday season, and we wondered what a child's wish would be for wildlife.

As you might have guessed, the kids had some great answers – some were heartfelt, and some were possible only in their dreams, but we loved them all!

Connecting kids and families with nature and animals is a core value of our company. We want to inspire kids around the world to become environmental stewards and care for nature, which may be our greatest contribution to the future of the planet.

Each week during the holiday season, we will share another video of a child's "Wish for Wildlife" on the Disney Parks Blog. We will also show you some of the more than 100 pieces of art they created to illustrate their wishes – everything from an origami rhino to a clay sea turtle! We will post the children's art on the Disney's Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page – so be sure to check it often!

December 2016 Disneyland Resort Merchandise Events

Celebrate the holidays at Disneyland Resort with several merchandise special events taking place in December 2016.

Downtown Disney District

December 2 – Ashley Eckstein returns to Disneyland Resort with the latest offerings from the Disney Parks collection by HerUniverse. Joining Ashley will be Ashley Taylor, the artist whose work is prominently featured on the Star Wars timeline skirt and coordinating Ewok cardigan. They will appear at WonderGround Gallery from 6–8 pm.

December 2-4 – The Precious Moments 2016 Holiday doll collection will be available at World of Disney from November 24, 2016, through January 2, 2017. Doll Maker Linda Rick will be available for special appearances and signings on December 2-4 and 16-18 from 12–10 p.m. in the location.

December 3-4 – Calling all paper art fans! Jackie Huang returns to WonderGround Gallery as our December Artist in Residence. Look for her from 5–9 p.m. on December 3-4, 9-10, 16-17 and 30.

December 3-4 – Temecula Olive Oil Company returns to WonderGround Gallery for olive oil tastings from 2–5 p.m. on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. If you are unable to attend a tasting, a unique assortment of olive oils will be available all month long at the location.

December 17 – WonderGround Gallery is pleased to welcome back artists Joe Corroney, Jackie Huang and Jerrod Maruyama. This Artist Showcase event will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Disney California Adventure Park

December 2-3 – Noah will be on hand for appearances and signings at Off the Page. On December 2, he will be at the location from 5–9 p.m., while on December 3 he will appear from 12–4 p.m.

December 3 – Renowned American folk artist Jim Shore returns to Disneyland Resort this month. On Saturday, Dec. 3, he will be appearing at the Festival of Holidays signing locations from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please note that merchandise for his appearance on December 3 will be found at Off the Page in Disney California Adventure park. Look for him on Sunday, Dec. 4, at World of Disney in Downtown Disney District from 10 a.m. – noon.

Disneyland Park

December 10-11 – Disney Artist Dave Avanzino will be on hand for special appearances and signings at Disneyana on Main Street, U.S.A., from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. each day. Stop by and order one of Dave's custom letter plaque designs or pick up your favorite Disney piece to take home.

December 17 – Guests are invited to celebrate the recent release of Disney Editions deluxe hardcover book, "Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai." During this event, guests can meet Imagineers Vanessa Hunt, Ray Cadd and Christopher Dylan Merritt along with artists Stephen Cargile, Nina Rae Vaughn and Chuck Ballew. They will appear at Disneyana on Main Street, U.S.A., from 9–11 a.m., and at World of Disney in Downtown Disney District from 1:30–3:30 p.m.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

December 10 – We will release a new collection of limited edition pins inspired by the Gingerbread houses found at the Disneyland Resort. Walt Disney Imagineering Art Director & Concept Architect Bo Bolanos and Executive Pastry Chefs Jorge Sotelo and Jean-Marc Viallet will be on hand for a special appearance and signing from 9–11 a.m. at Acorns Gifts and Goods in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Each pin has an edition size of 1,000.

For additional details about select events at the Disneyland Resort, please visit DisneyParksMerchandise.com.

VIDEO: The Making of Walt Disney World’s First Drones Show

Our new show drone experience at Disney Springs, "Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration" is setting the sky aglow this holiday season twice a night in the West Side of Disney Springs. The first aerial ballet of 300 Intel Shooting Star show drones choreographed to a specially orchestrated medley of classic holiday music with a Disney touch invites guests to wish upon a holiday star at Walt Disney World Resort.

The inspiration behind this new holiday experience: the iconic scene in the Disney animated hit, "Tangled," when the birthday lanterns are released over the kingdom. When Walt Disney Imagineers saw that moment, it sparked that magical, "what if" momentum.

Watch how our Imagineers and Walt Disney World Creative Entertainment worked with the experts at Intel to bring this experience to Disney Springs this holiday season:

I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Germany with the team as they developed "Starbright Holidays." Disney is no stranger to innovation, especially using technology to immerse guests in the fantastical.

You can wish upon a holiday star during "Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration" daily at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. until Jan 8.

What is your holiday wish?

Disney Parks Best Bites: November 2016

Pour yourself a cup of cheer at the new Holiday Tea at Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland Hotel! Classic Afternoon Tea receives a holiday overlay with White Chocolate Cranberry Scones, new tea sandwiches, and seasonal sweets like gingerbread cookies and holiday strawberries. New seasonal loose-leaf teas will also be available, including Mulled Spice Tea, Organic Pear Green Tea and a refreshing Peppermint Tea. Weekends December 2 through January 1.

If you're a Dole Whip enthusiast like I am, you'll be happy to know Dole Whip is now available at The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel. Dole Whip floats (with or without rum) are also available.

Special food offerings are now available at Disneyland Resort to celebrate the theatrical release of "Moana." Look for the Moana Bamboo Sipper at Bengal Barbecue and Tiki Juice Bar in Disneyland park, Chiller Cart in "a bugs land" in Disney California Adventure park, and Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, Tangaroa Terrace and The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel. Get a taste of the film with a Pineapple Parfait available at Bengal Barbecue and Tropical Imports, and Grilled Shrimp and Sausage Skewer at Bengal Barbecue.

Thanksgiving may be over, but you can still enjoy the Holiday Turkey Poutine at The Daily Poutine at Disney Springs for the rest of the holiday season. French fries are piled high with turkey, gravy, cheddar curds and cranberry relish.

Looking for festive sweets at Disney's Hollywood Studios? Sunshine Day Café on Sunset Boulevard has holiday offerings such as Gingerbread Pops, Stollen Bites and Gingerbread Almond Cookie. Adults can also enjoy the Evergreen Spritz (Midori, vodka, sweet-and-sour, Sprite), Winterberry Cooler (Chambord, vodka, cranberry juice, lime) and Bailey's Salted Caramel Cocoa.

Missing the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival already? The Craft Beers Marketplace will remain open at Epcot through Holidays Around the World, serving a rotating selection of holiday craft beers and snacks.

Dance the night away with themed music nights at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's BoardWalk during the month of December! Themed nights include Take Ya Back Tuesdays (90's), Way Back Wednesdays (00's) and Thump Thursdays (EDM, House, Club mixes), with nightly drink specials. Atlantic Dance Hall is open from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., no cover charge, must be 21 and older.

#DisneyFamilia: Conoce a Santa!

Our holiday cards are not complete without a photo with Santa. And this year, we took our photos with him very early at Disney Springs.

A few days ago, we were de compras at Town Center and decided to take a break and go for some ice cream at Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. Shopping with a toddler is not easy, so we didn't know if our son was going to do well in line for Santa.

However, you don't have to wait in line that much! We went to the check in podium and got a pager from one of Santa's Helpers. When the pager began to buzz, we knew it was our turn, and in less than 10 minutes, our son was taking his photo with Old St Nick! It was that easy!

We were able to take our own photos but there was also a Disney PhotoPass photographer there to snap those cute poses.

So if you want your foto with Santa, be sure to check into the virtual queue line and get your pager. Then shop, eat and play while you wait for your turn.

Santa will be greeting guests daily through December 24, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Santa Goofy takes over December 25-29 during the same hours.)

Disney Merchandise Events at Disney Springs in December 2016

Disney Springs is a fantastic place to shop for the holidays. If you are looking for special gifts this season, mark your calendars for these Disney merchandise events taking place in December 2016 in Disney Springs Marketplace.

December 2-3 – Meet Disney Design Group artists Maria Stuckey, Caley Hicks, Derek Lesinski, and Costa Alavezos at Disney's Days of Christmas. They will be meeting with guests and signing holiday products from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please note that Derek will only appear on December 2; Costa will only attend the December 3 event.

December 3 – Artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith returns to WonderGround Gallery inside the Marketplace Co-Op from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

December 4-6 – See the latest offerings from the Disney Parks collection by HerUniverse at the WonderGround Gallery in Marketplace Co-Op. Ashley Taylor, the artist whose work is prominently featured on the Star Wars timeline skirt and coordinating Ewok cardigan, will make an appearance at the location on December 4 from 12 Noon – 3:00 p.m. and December 5 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. On December 6, Ashley will be joined by Ashley Eckstein, creator of HerUniverse, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

December 8-12 – Artist David Doss will return to The Art of Disney from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. each day.

December 9 – Meet Disney Design Group artist Derek Lesinski at Disney's Days of Christmas from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

December 13-16 – Artist Greg McCullough will meet with guests at The Art of Disney from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. each day. He will return to the shop on December 19-22, and December 26 – January 2, 2017.

December 17 – Disney Design Group Artist Costa Alavezos will be at Disney's Days of Christmas to sign holiday products he designed from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

December 17-18 – Artist William Silvers will be at The Art of Disney from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. each day.

Be sure to check out these other unique product offerings in the following shops at Disney Springs in December:

• Marketplace Fun Finds – Precious Moments Dolls including the new "Christmas Blessings" collection.
• Tren-D – Jewelry pieces by Jorta made from nature such as orange peels, cantaloupe seeds, coffee beans, and more.
• Marketplace Co-Op – Stationary and art stained with real plants and flowers by Boiled Books, or a spectacular collection of fine diamond jewelry by Sophia Fiori Jewelry.

New ‘Moana’ Experiences at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Disney's newest heroine, Moana, has arrived at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Guests can experience the spirit of adventure and wonder of Hawai'i with fun-filled activities, enchanting storytelling, a special makeover, character greeting moments and more!

"Moana" is the story of an adventurous teenage girl who teams up with the demigod Maui on a daring mission to fulfill her ancestors' unfinished quest as she sails among the islands of Oceania to save her people.

Meet Moana
Look out for Moana, the adventurous teenage girl exploring her latest destination: Aulani Resort! Check the Daily 'Iwa for meeting times and locations.

Mo'olelo Fireside Stories with Moana
Gather around the oceanside fire pit as Moana and Aulani's beloved storyteller "Uncle" bring legends of Oceania to life. And get swept away as Moana recounts her own tales of way finding!

Uncle's Kahakai Canoe Race
Join Moana and Uncle as they swap seafaring tales and share the importance of the canoe—or wa'a—to the ancestors of Native Hawaiians. Then, unleash the explorer within as you build a wa'a model and participate in a fun and spirited canoe race at the lagoon.

Moana Makeover
Discover your inner adventurer with a Moana-inspired makeover in Painted Sky! Make a splash with a themed costume, styled hair, manicure, pedicure and makeup.

See Disney's "Moana" in theaters in 3D now, then plan your family's own island adventure to Aulani Resort.

Follow #25DaysofDS for Gift-Giving Inspiration from @DisneySprings

With Thanksgiving behind us, there's no denying it – it's officially crunch time for holiday shopping! I'm only halfway done with my gift-giving purchases this season, but with over 50 new retailers in Town Center, I'm feeling confident that I can find the perfect something for everyone on my "nice" list. If you need a little inspiration, follow @DisneySprings on Twitter and keep an eye out for tweets tagged with #25DaysofDS – each day from Dec. 1 – Dec. 25, 2016, we'll be sharing a new gift idea.

If you need some suggestions in the meantime, read on:

For the fashion-forward, ZARA, Anthropologie, and UNIQLO are top picks. For a more customized selection, the on-site tailor at the Levi's store can create something truly unique. Those that crave a year-round beach vibe will love the options at Shore, Everything but Water and Curl by Sammy Duvall. Know an athlete? UNDER ARMOUR BRAND HOUSE and Fit2Run, The Runners Superstore aren't to be missed. Of course, jewelry and accessories top many 'wish lists' each year, and Disney Springs delivers with PANDORA Jewelry, Alex and Ani, UNOde50, Na Hoku, Erwin Pearl and the new Luxury of Time by Diamonds International. This is in addition to the Disney mainstays found at the Marketplace – Once Upon a Toy, Marketplace Co-Op and Art of Disney offer countless surprises for Disney lovers of all ages – and that's on top of all the treasures available at World of Disney!

For a full list of retailers, visit http://ift.tt/1L2cxXJ. And follow @DisneySprings on Twitter now to ensure you don't miss a single tweet!

If you score a great find at Disney Springs, I'd love to see it – tag #DisneySprings in your Twitter or Instagram posts for your chance to be featured.

Happy shopping!

UPDATE: 2016 Candlelight Processional at Epcot Dining Packages On Sale Today

Call it a Christmas present come early! We are excited to announce that dining packages for 2016 Candlelight Processional are now on sale.

As a part of Holidays Around the World at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional presents the story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Regular readers of the Disney Parks Blog know that the Candlelight Processional is one of my favorite events of the year. It's a holiday tradition for my family dating back before I came to work for Disney sixteen years ago.

Celebrity narrators this year include some returning favorites like contemporary Christian music singer Steven Curtis Chapman, actors Whoopi Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris and newcomers like legendary baseball player Cal Ripken, Jr. Here's the list of confirmations we have so far:*

• 11/25-27 – Steven Curtis Chapman
• 11/28-12/1 – Neil Patrick Harris
• 12/2-12/3 – Whoopi Goldberg
• 12/4-12/6 – Edward James Olmos
• 12/7-12/9 – Anthony Mackie
• 12/10-12/12 – Robby Benson
• 12/13-12/15 – Meredith Vieira
• 12/16-12/18 – Jim Caviezel
• 12/19-12/21 – Joe Morton
• 12/22-12/24 – Ming-Na Wen
• 12/25-12/27 – Jodi Benson
• 12/28-12/30 – Cal Ripken, Jr.

The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the American Gardens Theatre. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

This year, in addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at some favorite Epcot restaurants like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Captain's Grille at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney's BoardWalk.

Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $27 plus tax per person for adults and $14 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $47 plus tax per person for adults and $20 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

'Holidays Around the World' is an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase; and live musical performances enliven the park throughout the day.

Click here to book Candlelight Processional dining packages or to find out more information, call
407/ WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Holidays Around the World, including the Candlelight Processional, run November 25 – December 30, 2016 at Epcot. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for updates.

*Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Theme park admission is required. There is no 5 p.m. show on 12/4.

New Highway in the Sky Dine-Around Launches Dec. 2 at Walt Disney World Resort

Maybe you've talked about it, or even tried your own dine-around on the Walt Disney World Resort monorail with stops for cocktails, appetizers, dinner and dessert along the way. Now you can sit back and let us take care of the travel plans, making it easier than ever to experience this culinary journey around some of our favorite Disney resorts. The new Highway in the Sky Dine-Around gives guests priority boarding on the monorail for an unparalleled dining journey around the circuit between Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort.

You'll start the journey by checking in at The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney's Contemporary Resort then board the monorail to be whisked off to Disney's Polynesian Resort to celebrate the spirit of the South Pacific with island-inspired sips and appetizers.

Hop back on the monorail and head to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, stepping into the elegant hotel to enjoy a sumptuous wine dinner at award-winning Cítricos. After dinner, sip sparkling wine and sample artisanal cheese in the lavish lobby.

Then head back to the monorail for a final stop at Disney's Contemporary Resort for dessert, cordials and coffee on a private patio with the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks over Cinderella Castle as your backdrop.

Highway in the Sky Dine-Around is offered Tuesday, Friday and Sunday beginning Dec. 2. Reservations open Nov. 29. (No dine-around between Dec. 18 and Jan. 3). Cost is $150 plus tax and gratuity. Valet parking is included. For reservations, 407-WDW-DINE.

QUIZ: Gingerbread Displays at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Have you had the chance to see one or all of the phenomenal gingerbread displays at some of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels yet? If you have, then you know how spectacular it is to see a life-size gingerbread house at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or the whimsical Mary Blair-inspired "Frozen" display at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Take our quiz to see how much you know about these amazing gingerbread creations!

QUIZ: Gingerbread Displays

How many hidden Olafs are there in the Gingerbread Holiday Castle at Disney's Contemporary Resort?

16 Hidden Olafs

18 Hidden Olafs

21 Hidden Olafs

How many pounds of honey were used to build the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa?

920 Pounds

1,050 Pounds

1,125 Pounds

How many pounds of icing were used to create the United States Capitol Building in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot?

11 Pounds

17 Pounds

20 Pounds

How many Hidden Mickeys can you look for in the Holiday Carousel is back at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts?

12 Hidden Mickeys

17 Hidden Mickeys

19 Hidden Mickeys

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From Screen to Park: Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park

Each year, from mid-September through early January, everybody screams for Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park. Since 2001, this lively seasonal overlay transforms the classic and delightfully unlivable Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square into a merry collision of Halloween and Christmas.

In 1993, the animated classic "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" debuted, garnering a devoted fanbase with great affection for the film's hero Jack Skellington — the king of Halloween Town who decides to bring the joy of Christmas to his spooky village for the very first time. The film introduced beloved characters such as heroine Sally, the flying ghost dog Zero and the green villain Oogie Boogie, and they have been delighting Disneyland park guests off the screen each season for more than 10 years.

Haunted Mansion Holiday is just one of the many attractions at the Disneyland Resort that bring guests into the magic of the big screen. The 999 happy haunts residing in the stately mansion are eager to welcome their friends from Halloween Town for an extended stay each season. The attraction overlay enhances the festivities with frightful additions like creepy wreaths, kooky toys, ghostly Christmas trees and glowing jack-o-lanterns.

This season, Haunted Mansion Holiday has become even more magical with the debut of a new Sally figure in the graveyard scene and the 15th season of the homemade Gingerbread House in the ballroom.

What's your favorite festivity inside Haunted Mansion Holiday? Let us know in the comments!

Moms Panel Monday: Top Holiday Activities at Walt Disney World Resort

The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort holds a special place in the heart of the Disney Parks Moms Panelists. With so many festive experiences, the panelists share personal favorites to make holiday memories with their families.

Jackie P.'s favorite holiday event is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, especially with the new holiday treats and beverages premiering this year. She shared her best tips for this event last week, and says "Holiday Wishes" and "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade" are not to be missed!

Candlelight Processional is Ricardo S. and his family's favorite Walt Disney World Resort holiday memory, sharing the story of Christmas as told by a celebrity narrator. His best advice for this event is to combine it with dinner using the Candlelight Dining Package to guarantee your seats.

Brandy B.'s favorite holiday event also takes place at Epcot. Holidays Around the World showcases holiday traditions from across the globe, with new food kiosks available this year. Her family have even incorporated several customs they've learned from the Holiday Storytellers into their own holiday celebration.

Some of your favorite experiences even get in the holiday spirit with festive additions, like Jingle Cruise and Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Kay B.'s favorite holiday activity is visiting all of the Walt Disney Resort Hotels to see the festive decorations, giant trees and life-sized gingerbread houses. Plus, this year don't miss out on the all-new "Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios or the fantastic activities and holiday shopping at Disney Springs, a great place to snap a family photo with Santa Claus.

For more tips or to ask questions about planning your upcoming holiday Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel.

Celebrating the Twentieth Season of ‘it’s a small world’ Holiday at Disneyland Park

For many guests, "it's a small world" Holiday is a must-do during Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. This year, we are celebrating the 20th season of this beloved seasonal attraction, which combines the classic "it's a small world" with festive decorations, holiday-inspired costumes and a mix of favorite holiday songs. Here are some things you might not know about this holiday favorite!

• In a tribute to its 20th season, there are at least half a dozen "Hidden 20s" in "it's a small world" Holiday this year. Decorators use 50,000 lights on the façade of "it's a small world" Holiday, and an additional 350,000 mini-lights in the trees, hedges and animal topiaries surrounding the attraction. Thousands of additional lights decorate the nearby shops and food kiosks, bringing the total to more than 400,000 lights adding sparkle and wintry ambiance to the plaza area around "it's a small world."
• After dark, the smiling clock at the front of "it's a small world" Holiday, decked out in a Santa hat, reveals a sparkling projection show. On every quarter hour, the brightly light façade of the attraction is transformed into an enormous clockwork mechanism with advanced 3D-projection technology presented by Siemens. The gears and springs pull back to reveal a world of holiday wonders hidden behind the whimsical clock.
• Among the holiday-inspired special effects inside the attraction are scents of fresh pine and peppermint in the European scenes. In the South Seas scene, hundreds of iridescent bubbles float through the air.
• Nearly 150 giant candles decorate the Christmas tree in the European scene.
• The attraction's finale features a 14-foot snowman standing atop a 10-foot-wide snowflake. The snowman joined the attraction in 2011, bringing an extra sprinkle of holiday pixie dust with him.
• It takes a talented and dedicated team of nearly three dozen cast members 35 days to install the glittering façade and nearly 18 days to decorate the holiday attraction's dazzling interior.

Don't miss "it's a small world" Holiday, now in its 20th season at Disneyland park!

Mario Lopez and Family Explore Disney Cruise Line

Television host and actor, Mario Lopez, takes his family on a tour of all that Disney Cruise Line has to offer. Mario, joined by wife Courtney, daughter Gia and son Nico, along with Grandma Elaine, embark on a cruise of a lifetime onboard the Disney Dream.

From a Star Wars experience for the little ones in the Oceaneer Club to a dinner just for the grownups in the fine dining restaurants Palo and Remy, check out this video of the family as they explore and plan their time onboard the ship to include both family time and adult time.

Add Some Holiday Magic to Your Wardrobe with Festival Apparel from Disney Parks

'Tis the season for holiday parties! I love celebrating this time of year with friends or loved ones. A holiday party, such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park, is a great excuse to get dressed up in festive attire. Here are a few suggestions from Disney Parks Merchandise that will add some holiday magic to your wardrobe.

Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts offer a variety of holiday apparel for adults and kids. Guests will find similar items at each destination, just with a different resort logos depending on where you are celebrating the holidays.

Some of my favorite items in recent years are the fun holiday sweater t-shirts. Living in Florida, it's the easiest way to stay "warm" during the winter. This year, guests will find tees with Pluto, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

For women, look for a variety of fashion pullovers with holiday artwork. I suggest pairing these long-sleeve shirts with colorful sequin headbands, which are a simple accessory item that can add sparkle to any outfit.

Guests will also find sleepwear such as an extra-long t-shirt, lounge pants for men, or a flannel pajama set for women.

Finally, I have exciting news for guests wanting to commemorate the new nighttime spectacular "Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!" at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida. Through Dec. 31, this show comes to life on, above and around the Chinese Theater with state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks and a rousing seasonal musical score.

From Nov. 28 through Dec. 11, 2016, we will be offering a limited release commemorative t-shirt for adults and kids on the Disney Parks online store. This shirt will only be found online, and will not be carried in merchandise locations at Walt Disney World Resort. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery.

To place an order starting Nov. 28, please visit http://ift.tt/1slf1HV.

Guests may find many of the other items shown in this article at select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. You can also order products online via the Disney Parks online store or using the free Shop Disney Parks mobile app.