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.