Magic Kingdom Holiday Decorations

Main Street USA is decked out in its holiday best. The tree in Town Square looks as beautiful as ever. I was so happy to see the soldiers back as well.

While there are no Castle Dream Lights this year, there are beautiful holiday projections on Cinderella Castle. I believe there are 4 different projections and each lasts about 15 minutes allowing for beautiful backgrounds for your Christmas pictures.

Holiday Cavalcades

There are 4 different holiday cavalcades (mini parades) taking place at random times along the Magic Kingdom parade route. Add to that the Dapper Dans aboard the Main Street Trolley as well as the Toy Soldiers marching with the Main Street Philharmonic and that is a lot of holiday fun.

• “Mickey’s Holiday Cavalcade” is a holiday celebration with Mickey Mouse and his friends.
• “Goofy’s Scrumptious Cavalcade” features Goofy cooking up some holiday fun from his gingerbread house and bake shop floats, joined by dancing gingerbread men.
• “A Royal Christmas Processional” heralds the arrival of Disney princesses on a crystal castle float.
• Santa glides down Main Street, U.S.A., in his sleigh, led by prancing reindeer.

On my first holiday visit, I was traveling with out of state friends and we weren’t able to catch a single cavalcade. We hope to see them all on Friday! Make sure you follow along on my Blog Facebook, Travel Agency Facebook, Instagram to see all my posts this weekend.

Magic Kingdom Holiday Food

Guests love all the seasonal food at the Disney parks. Last week I shared about the holiday food options at EPCOT. Today we will see what’s available in the Magic Kingdom.

Churros

If you are a churro fan, like my son Jordan, you can eat your fill of various churro flavors while visiting the Magic Kingdom.

• Christmas Churros – Mini churros topped with red and green sugar  at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.
• Chip and Dale Christmas Churros – Gingerbread churros topped with apple pie filling and chocolate chips at Westward Ho.
• Sugar and Spice Churros – Christmas cookie churros with icing and holiday sprinkles served with a side of eggnog at a cart on Main Street.
• Churro Worth Melting For – Cinnamon churros topped with marshmallow fluff and blue sugar at Citrus Cart near the Castle Hub.

Holiday Treats with Collectible Containers

Want to bring home a souvenir of your holiday treat? Here are two options! The White Christmas Tree popcorn Bucket and the Sven Sipper Cup. I really want the Sven Sipper!!

Holiday Beverages

• Pistachio Chai Tea Float – Pistachio soft–serve, spiced chai tea, and a red velvet cake pop ornament at Aloha Isle.
• Just a Dream Away – Salted caramel milkshake with silver sugar churro at Auntie Gravity’s.

Other Holiday Treats

• Holiday Mickey Cinnamon Roll – Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll drizzled with red and green icing  at Main Street Bakery.
• Twice Upon a Cupcake – A confetti Christmas tree tops a vanilla cupcake with a red velvet hidden Mickey at Main Street Bakery. I’ve heard this is very good.
• An Orange Bird Christmas – Orange-scented white chocolate mousse filled with orange curd  at Sunshine Tree Terrace.
• Let It Snow Taco – Sugar cookie “taco shell” filled with salted caramel and spiced chocolate mousse at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.
• Fa La La La Funnel Cake – Powdered sugar funnel cake, strawberry topping, whipped cream, and holiday sprinkles at Sleepy Hollow.
• Belle’s Enchanted Christmas Tree – Almond macarons with cranberry orange filling stacked to create a Christmas tree at Gaston’s Tavern.
• Yule Tide Wishes – Chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse, covered with chocolate ganache at Pinnochio Village Haus.
• Minnie’s Merry Cherry Sundae – Cherry soft–serve, hot fudge, whipped cream, holiday sprinkles, and a Minnie bow at Storybook Treats.

As you can see, there is plenty of holiday fun to be had at the Magic Kingdom this year. It’s not too late to book your December Disney vacation! Just Email me and we will start planning!

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Before we get to what will and won’t be happening in the parks this holiday season I want to talk about just getting into the parks. As of now, Disney isn’t renewing annual passes. Our passes currently expire 11/27/20, thanks to the month that Disney extended us due to the closure. We have a timeshare booked December 4-7th. We are gifted timeshare points every year by my in-laws so we get to stay for free.

If we aren’t able to renew our passes, we won’t be visiting the parks. If we are allowed to renew our passes, we have to hope and pray that we are able to get Park Passes that close in to our travel dates, which is highly unlikely. Passholders can only hold 3 Park Passes at a time, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is very difficult to get, especially on the weekends. This trip has us rather stressed out!

Walt Disney World Holiday Cancellations

The 2020 Candlelight Processional at Epcot has been cancelled. This has been a staple of our Christmas tradition for over 20 years. We usually attend the Candlelight Processional 2-3 times during the month of December. I own the CD and I will listen to it often, but it isn’t the same.

The 2020 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has also been cancelled. While we don’t attend the party every year, it is a lot of fun, and it will be missed.

While we had hoped the Candlelight Processional and Christmas Party weren’t going to be cancelled, I don’t think anyone thought the Castle Dream Lights would be cancelled as well!

What to Expect while Celebrating the Holidays at Walt Disney World in 2020

A reimagined holiday celebration will begin Nov. 6, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort, with the four theme parks, Disney Springs and Disney resort hotels decked for the season. Through Dec. 30, guests will discover seasonal food and drinks at The Most Magical Place on Earth, as well as special merchandise and enchanting new entertainment experiences.

When night falls at Magic Kingdom Park, projection effects will transform Cinderella Castle with a kaleidoscope of designs, including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. The iconic castle will provide the perfect colorful background for guests seeking a magical holiday portrait.

Highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin Nov. 27. Holiday kitchens will return around the World Showcase promenade, offering favorite dishes such as Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing at the American Holiday Table.

• At Magic Kingdom, characters synonymous with the season – including gingerbread men and elves – will join Disney characters in cavalcades through the park. On Main Street, U.S.A., toy soldiers will march with the Main Street Philharmonic as they bring musical cheer for all to hear.
• Favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday finest will appear in festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Minnie Mouse will host a yuletide dining experience at Hollywood & Vine, inviting some of her best pals – including Santa Goofy – to join the fun.
• Inside World ShowPlace at EPCOT, JOYFUL! will take guests on a musical journey of holiday music, while Voices of Liberty will use their eight-part harmonies to share songs of the season at the America Gardens Theatre.
• Elaborately decorated Christmas trees will spring up throughout Disney Springs, and a magical snowfall will occur within Town Center, West Side and The Landing. In addition, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with delightful décor and a limited-time menu of festive favorites.
• Disney resort hotels will deck their halls for the holidays, including iconic Christmas trees in lobbies and other festive flourishes.
• Santa Claus will wave to guests as he makes pop-up appearances at each park, as well as Disney Springs. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for example, he will sail down Discovery River on a special flotilla.

Book Now for Holiday Travel

Even though the Christmas celebrations at Walt Disney World will look different this year, we will still be there, one way or another. I hope you will be there too. We need all the holiday cheer we can get this year and no place does that better than Walt Disney World! If you are ready to plan your magical holiday vacation, I am here to help you every step of the way.

Just Email me and we will get started. I am a certified Disney vacation planner with Destinations 2 Travel, LLC a Disney Earmarked travel agency. I love helping families plan their Disney vacations.

The post Celebrating the Holidays at Walt Disney World in 2020 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

From September 15-October 31, 2020, Magic Kingdom guests can experience extra magical Fall fun. As always, Main Street, USA will be decked out in its Fall finery of beautiful orange and gold leaves and wreaths, pumpkins, etc. There will also be a Halloween themed Character Cavalcade with Mickey and Pals in their favorite Halloween costumes!

Magic Kingdom Fall Themed Treats

Favorite Fall treats will also be available! Here is a list of foods and locations:

• Mickey Cinnamon Roll- Main Street Bakery
• Headless Horseman Rides Again- Sunshine Tree Terrace
• Hades Nachos-Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Cafe

• Orange and Black Sugar Churros-Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Cafe and various Churro Carts
• Cinnamon Donuts served in a Hitchhiking Ghost Novelty Container- Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
• Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Sundae-Sleepy Hollow
• Madame Leota Sipper- Sleepy Hollow

• Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake-Liberty Square Market
• Hitchhiking Ghosts Premium Popcorn Bucket- Liberty Square Popcorn Cart
• Poor Unfortunate Souls Float-Storybook Treats
• Not So Poison Apple Cupcake- Pinnochio Village House
• Pumpkin Spice Milkshake- Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
• Pumpkin Spice Soft Serve Sundae-Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

• Mickey Monster Mash Burger- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
• Oogie Boogie Dice Novelty Glow Cubes- Various Quick Service Restaurants
• Jack Skellington Sipper- Various Quick Service Restaurants and Outdoor Vending Locations
• Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket-Various Popcorn Carts

• Mickey Pumpkin Premium Popcorn Bucket- Various Popcorn Carts
• Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket-Various Popcorn Carts
• Hitchhiking Ghost Sipper- Various Quick Service Restaurants

Halloween Costumes

You read that correctly, guests of all ages will be allowed to wear costumes in the Magic Kingdom during normal business September 15-October 31, 2020!!! Costume masks are not permitted for those over age 14 and approved Covid face coverings must still be worn. To see all of the Disney Costume Guidelines, click the link and scroll to the bottom of the page.

We will be at the Magic Kingdom October 16th. I don’t know if we will be in costume or not. In the past I have gone as Dole Whip, Olaf, and Ursula. Some years we have just worn our fall themed Mickey t-shirts because it’s been to hot for costumes. Do you plan to visit Walt Disney World this Fall? I’m here to help you plan a magical Disney vacation. Just Email me to get started.

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Back in March I wrote Walt Disney World is Closed and I’m Struggling. Walt Disney World is my escape from reality, it’s what I do to forget the tough parts of life for a little while. Going 135 days between park visits was hard, but I survived.

My Magic Kingdom Trip Report

I arrived at the Magic Kingdom parking lot about 10:00am. I was parked in the back row of Peter Pan, row 208. To help with physical distancing, Disney parked cars in every other space. When a row was full, they went back and filled in the empty spaces. That way the first group is on their way to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) before the second group was being parked.

Trams are not running so I had to take the short walk to the TTC.. First stop was the temperature check tent. There was no line. I just walked up, had my temperature checked, and walked on through.

Security has changed again and is a bit different from what it was a week ago. No longer are they using the clear plastic bags for your metal items. You put metal item in a bin and walk through the metal detector with your bag then pick up the items in your bin.

When you arrive at the touch points the finger scan has a cover over it so just scan you Magic Band or Card and go. It’s so quick and easy.

Before I even walked under the train station I could feel my emotions welling up, I was HOME! I cried as I walked out onto Main St USA, I couldn’t even put my emotions into words. I was kind of glad this was a solo trip, I needed time to process what I was feeling.

I wandered around town square and up Main St USA. I saw my first Character Cavalcade with Piglet, Rabbit, and Eeyore one the trolley. I heard cast members reminding people to wear there face masks properly, and I meandered down the street towards the castle.

Cinderella Castle got is almost done with her makeover. You will see lifts, some with painters on them, in my photos. The caste is stunning, and brought me to tears the closer I got to her. Photographs don’t do her justice, you have to see her in person. Hopefully next month the construction vehicles will be gone and I can get some even better shots.

Since wait times were low across the park I decided to start my day in Tomorrowland and work my way around the park. It was nice not to have to worry about planning out the day and running to a Fastpass at a specific time.

Magic Kingdom Attractions

I don’t want to give you specifics on every attraction I visited so I’ll try to respect your time and give you the important information in bullet points.

• The longest wait time I incurred was 15 minutes for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!
• Due to Physical distancing lines look a lot longer than they are, posted wait times were accurate.
• Sometimes the wait is slightly longer because they are cleaning the ride vehicles. There is an announcement made to let those in the line know what the brief hold up is for.
• Theater style attractions-Every other row is roped off. The rows that are open have 4 open seats and then 3 seats labeled as not available, then the 4/3 split continues down the row. Parties of more than 4 will be split up.
• It’s easier to get a higher score on Buzz Lightyear’s’s Space Ranger Spin when you are the only person in the room. You know for sure which red dot is actually yours. I got my highest score ever.
• There is hand sanitizer at every ride exit. Use it. You touch a lot of things entering, riding, and exiting each attraction,
• Other rides were either skipping entire ride vehicles between parties or at least skipping a few rows between parties.

Magic Kingdom Entertainment, Dining, and Shopping

• I LOVE the Character Cavalcades. I didn’t get to see them all this visit but I saw 4 different ones and two of those I saw twice. I love the parade, but we don’t watch it every time we are in the park because of the crowds and having to find a spot an hour in advance. You don’t have either of those issues with the Character Cavalcades.
• Character sightings-I saw Stitch in Tomorrowland, some of the Country Bears in Frontierland, and Jack Sparrow in Adventureland. I feel like I saw more characters in one day than I have in a long time.
• Dining-Check My Disney Experience to see what is open. Many of the smaller quick service snack places were closed. Mobile ordering on the app is the way to go so make sure you have a credit or debit card attached to your account before you leave home.
• Shopping, some of the smaller stores are still closed. Big Top Souvenirs is closed, I enjoy shopping there and I walked all the way back there to find out it was not open.

Health and Safety Precautions

Disney, as always, is doing a wonderful job. I remember we had a big Disney trip planned with out of state family members a month after 9/11 happened. Lots of people were canceling travel plans, but we didn’t. We knew Disney would do there best to keep us safe, even though bag checks were new and felt very strange at that time.

• Temperature checks
• Masks, like the n95 mask, must be worn by everyone over age 2, some exceptions apply. Masks must have ear loops or ties, no neck gaiters and must cover mouth, nose and chin.
• I tested 3 different types of mask on this trip. The most comfortable was the typical blue surgical mask. My rectangular cloth mask was second best and I lasted about 3 hours in that one. My cloth mask with the point on the nose barely lasted 45 minutes. It was hotter to wear and harder to breathe. It also caused my glasses to fog up the most.
• Hand sanitizer stations are everywhere.
• Attraction seating and lines are physically distanced.
• Plexiglass barriers up in ride queues where needed.
• Restaurant seating is physically distanced.
• Cast Members are constantly cleaning. I saw one wiping down a light pole!

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

If you are a Disney regular, book your trip, the park is clean, the crowds are low. If you don’t think you’ll miss the parade and the fireworks, book your trip. If this is your once in a lifetime, I want all the bells and whistles, book your trip for 2021. I was sure I’d have something negative to say about my first day back but I really don’t. I was sad that they are out of the large Pixar face masks but other than that the day was a wonderful day filled with joy and lots of smiles under my mask.

As always I am here to help you plan your magical Walt Disney World vacation for either 2020 or 2021.Just Email me and we’ll get started.

The post My July 2020 Magic Kingdom Trip Report appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Before I get to that information though I wanted to update you on my plans to visit Walt Disney World. I tried to get in on the Passholder Preview for later this week, before the official reopening, but after 20 minutes in the virtual waiting room, we were told all the Park Passes for the event had been distributed

I was able to snag a Park Pass for me to make a solo day trip to the Magic Kingdom next week on Thursday, July 16th. Make sure you are following me on Instagram, Facebook, and my Travel Facebook to follow along.

I also got Disney’s Hollywood Studios for August 14th for Ron and I as well as August 15th at the Magic Kingdom. Jordan and Savannah also got Park Passes for the 15th so we will have a fun family day! Hopefully, after my July 16th visit I can get a Park Pass for Epcot so I can check out A Taste of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. Passholders can only have 3 Park Pass reservations at a time, so planning is more difficult than ever!

Magic Kingdom Attractions

Most of your favorite Magic Kingdom attractions will be open when the park reopens. We know there will be no parades, fireworks, or character meet and greets but Disney is working on other ways for us to see our favorite characters, in a socially distanced manner.

Adventureland Attractions

• Jungle Cruise
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Frontierland Attractions

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Splash Mountain
• Tom Sawyer Island

Liberty Square Attractions

• Liberty Square Riverboat
• The Hall of Presidents
• The Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland Attractions

• It’s a Small World
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid

Storybook Circus

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer

Tommorowland Attractions

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Space Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Epcot Attractions

Future World Attractions

• Awesome Planet
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission: SPACE
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Walt Disney Imagineering Presents The EPCOT Experience

World Showcase Attractions

• Canada Far and Wide
• Friendship Lagoon Boats
• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
• Impressions de France
• Kidcot-modified experiences
• Reflections of China
• The American Adventure

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours-The Adventure Continues
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!
• Walt Disney Presents

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Attractions

Discovery Island

• Discovery Island Trails
• It’s Tough to be a Bug
• Wilderness Explorers

Pandora

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’avi River Journey

Africa

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail aka Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
• Kilimanjaro Safari

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

• Affection Section
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
• Wildlife Express

Asia

• Expedition Everest
• Kali River Rapids
• Maharajah Jungle Trek

Dinoland, USA

• DINOSAUR
• TriceraTop Spin

Of course, I am always here to help you plan your most magical Walt Disney World vacation! I’m sure, even with some Disney World attractions closed, we can plan a fun time for your family. just Email me and we will start planning.

The post Which Walt Disney World Attractions Will Be Available Upon Reopening? appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom open to guests on Saturday, July 11, 2020. Epcot and Hollywood Studios open on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. There will be a new reservation system in place on DisneyWorld.com where guests will need a reservation for the specific date and park they want to visit. This reservation system will allow Disney to better control the number of guests in a park at the same time. Disney will be significantly reducing the guest capacity in this first phase of reopening.

What Will Be Different at Least in Phase One

• Face coverings (masks) required for everyone ages 2+
• Temperature and Health Screening before entering park
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing, especially of high touch areas
• Plexiglass to protect Cast Members
• Increased hand washing and hand sanitizer stations throughout the park
• Social distancing enforced throughout the parks, in stores, ride queues, on rides, in restaurants etc.
• Increased mobile ordering capabilities via the My Disney Experience app
• Urging guests to go cashless with charging to room via Magic Band, or using Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
• No parades
• No Fireworks or Nighttime Spectaculars
• No Character Meet n Greets
• Play Areas and Water Effects Closed
• No Fastpasses
• No Dining Plans
• No Extra Magic Hours

Disney World’s Reopening Plan Means Changes in Dining, Fastpasses, Ticket Sales and More

At 9:44pm EDT on 5-28-2020 Disney informed the world that they were pausing all new reservations and ticket sales so that they can get the new reservation system in place. At that same time they announced that all existing dining and experience reservations have been canceled and all Fastpasses have been canceled.

The reasoning for these cancellations is so that Disney can start fresh with the new reservation system and make sure that park, resort, and restaurant capacity limits will be adhered to. Yes, it stinks if you got up early 180 days before your trip to make your dining reservations and now they are all gone. I’m sorry, I really do feel horrible for you. When dining reservations are available again there will only be a 60 day window instead of the 180 day window we are used to. To get your dining reservation you must have valid park admission AND have your park reservation for that day before you can make your Advanced Dining Reservation.

Walt Disney World’s reopening plan does not include Fastpasses. Disney says they will be using the Fastpass queues for additional social distancing. It may also be that with smaller crowds, wait times will be shorter and Fastpasses won’t be needed.

This is new territory for all of us. We travel agent’s heads have been spinning for days as we help our clients navigate these changes. I promise you all of the Destinations 2 Travel agents are working hard to help our clients make the best vacation choices for their families. If you want to visit in 2020, please Email me. You are going to want to use a travel professional from an Ear Marked agency to help you wade through these new vacation planning waters. My services are FREE to you.

If you are looking for reopening information for LEGOLAND and Universal Orlando you can find it here.

The post Walt Disney World’s Reopening Plan appeared first on The Mom Maven.

What’s New at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2019

The skies above Magic Kingdom Park will sparkle to life this holiday season as visions of fireworks dance in the air during an all-new nighttime show – Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. Hosted by Minnie Mouse, the holiday extravaganza invites guests to come together in a celebration of heartfelt moments and the magic of Christmas.

Party Exclusive Events

• “Snow” on Main Street
• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
• A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas stage show
• Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show
• complimentary treats
• Club Tinsel dance party
• holiday character meet and greets
• Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party Indulge in a delicious all-you-care-to-enjoy offering of hors d’oeuvres and tempting treats! Raise a glass to toast family and friends with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Plus, take advantage of reserved viewing for Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade on Main Street, U.S.A. Tickets are $99 for all guests
• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Parties are a sweet way to enjoy the new holiday fireworks. Offered nightly, each festive party includes seasonal treats and dazzling views of the new fireworks spectacular. Dessert parties are not included with theme park admission.  Tickets are $84 for adults and $50 children 3-9.

2019 Party Dates and Prices

• November 8- $109 adults $104 ages 3-9
• November 11, 12, 14- $99 adults $94 ages 3-9
• November 15- $109 adults $104 ages 3-9
• November 17, 19, 21 – $99 adults $94 ages 3-9
• November 22- $109 adults $104 ages 3-9
• November 24- $115 adults $110 ages 3-9
• December 1 – $115 adults $110 ages 3-9
• December 3, 5- $109 adults $104 ages 3-9
• December 6- $115 adults $110 ages 3-9
• December 8, 10, 12 – $109 adults $104 ages 3-9
• December 13- $115 adults $110 ages 3-9
• December 15- $109 adults $104 ages 3-9
• December 17- $115 adults $110 ages 3-9
• December 19- $129 adults $124 ages 3-9
• December 20, 22- $139 adults $134 ages 3-9

There is still time to book your holiday Walt Disney World vacation. Email me to start planning.

The post Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2019 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

8 NBA Experience at Disney Springs

Basketball is officially “in season” this fall, after NBA Experience holds a championship-worthy grand opening Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. When guests step into this re-creation of a modern NBA arena, they’ll feel what it’s like to be a basketball superstar. The one-of-a-kind destination features 13 unique interactive and hands-on experiences where Disney magic merges with the thrills of the NBA and WNBA.

7 Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs

 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will greet guests with its new 15-story Gran Destino tower (opening this summer), adding 500-plus guestrooms, including suites and concierge-level services. Sitting atop the new Gran Destino tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will be Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, a new table-service restaurant featuring dishes and small plates inspired by the flavors of Spain.

6 10th Annual Wine and Dine Half Marathon

This fall’s runDisney race season is a delectable celebration 10 years in the making as the 2019 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend takes place Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Filled with a delicious slate of events and Disney magic along every mile, this year’s event includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon and kids’ races. During this year’s Disney Fall Feast 5K, guests can run, jog or walk their way around Epcot for the first time during this fall event. At the Nov. 3 post-race party, guests enjoy after-hours access to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, including marketplaces and select Epcot attractions.

5 Disney Skyliner Takes Flight

A new mode of transportation will float through the air around Walt Disney World this fall when Disney Skyliner, a state-of-the-art gondola system, begins gliding guests across the sky in custom cabins. Disney Skyliner will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, as well as the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort (planned to open in mid-December).

Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior designs to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests. Disney Skyliner will offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky.

4 Last Call for Illuminations

For nearly 20 years, the nighttime spectacular “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” has brought each day at Epcot to a thrilling close. Guests have marveled as World Showcase lagoon came to life with fireworks, fountains and lasers paying homage to the joyful story of humanity and the remarkable achievements of our time. The show’s final night will be Sept. 30, to make way for an all-new, limited-time spectacular, “Epcot Forever,” debuting Oct. 1.

This new show will be a celebration of the past, present and future of Epcot, built around the magical soundtrack guests have come to know and love at the park. The new show will feature fireworks, lasers and choreographed special-effect kites accompanied by a stirring collection of songs celebrating Epcot.

3 New Fireworks Show for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

A new Halloween-themed fireworks show debuts this year during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This new show will feature state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting and dazzling fireworks that come together to tell a not-so-scary story about how anything can happen on Halloween night. The show will take guests along for a trick-or-treating adventure, where four friends – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy – find themselves drawn into a mysterious haunted house.

Held for a record 36 select nights from Aug. 16-Nov. 1, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a specially ticketed event that captures the spirit of the season with spooky décor, lighting and music parkwide, along with returning favorites such as “Mickey’s Boo to You Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular” castle stage show and trick-or-treating throughout the park. Also returning for this year’s party will be special attraction experiences for Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. Children are encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy the spirit of Halloween with their families. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a ticketed, after-hours special event. 

2 87 Days of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

The Epcot celebration of cuisine, music and more takes place Aug. 29-Nov. 23 – a record 87 days. During this foodie festival, the park will brim with marketplaces, culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, specialty merchandise and much more.

Here’s some fun for the whole family, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send guests on an adventure searching for Remy in a savory scavenger hunt around the festival. Eat to the Beat concerts will bring a lineup of pop, rock, R&B, country, Christian, swing and Latin artists, with three shows every night of the festival through Nov. 19. Families will find a play area for kids and an international flair – including kid-approved menu items – at many of the 30-plus Global Marketplaces.

1 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opens August 29

On the heels of its Aug. 29 opening, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offers Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests the chance this fall to live their own Star Wars stories. The action takes place on Batuu, a far-flung planet populated by scoundrels and adventurers. While visiting the land, guests can stop for a drink at Oga’s Cantina or discover rare artifacts at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, among other immersive Star Wars experiences.

The groundbreaking attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives guests control of the iconic spacecraft as the ship hurtles through space on a smuggling mission. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a second attraction opening later in 2019, will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

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If you aren’t familiar with the Diamond Horseshoe, it is located in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom. The Diamond Horseshoe Revue was an opening day attraction. It was a western themed stage show with dancers and comedians. It remained until 1986 when it became the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree. In more recent years it has been a sandwich shop, home to character dance parties, special event space, and as of May 2018, it is a table service restaurant.

A few days before we left I was able to snag a 1:15pm ADR for what became our rainy day in the Magic Kingdom. Our lunch was timed perfectly because we missed one of the 3 large rainstorms while we were eating lunch.

We checked in at the hostess stand and waited just a few minutes to be escorted to our table. We were seated in the area that is on stage left and was once an entrance/exit way for performers. Up on the stage, there is no longer a show, but there is a player piano that plays periodically to liven up the joint.

Diamond Horseshoe Food

The Diamond Horseshoe menu has 2 sides the a la carte side and the all you care to eat side. We chose to eat a al cate and we both chose the brisket meal. I got the cucumber and watermelon salad and mac and cheese with mine. Ron got corn on the cob and mac and cheese with his. Each meal came with a side of cornbread.

We both thought the brisket was amazing! It is so flavorful you don’t need barbecue sauce. The mac and cheese and corn on the cob were both very good as well. The cucumber and watermelon salad had no flavor whatsoever. It really needed some feta cheese and a sprinkle of balsamic vinaigrette to give it some life. The cornbread was ok. I love a good, sweet cornbread, without corn kernals in it. This cornbread was dry with kernals.

We felt $22 a meal was very reasonable, especially compared to a $14 cheeseburger at a counter service restaurant. The ambiance was relaxing and rather quiet while we were there. We enjoyed ourselves and we will be back. We are happy that we now can add Diamond Horseshoe to the Plaza Restaurant as reasonably priced table service lunch restaurants at the Magic Kingdom.

Do you have a favorite table service lunch restaurant at the Magic Kingdom? Leave me a comment and let me know what it is and why you like it. I’m always looking for something new to try!

Ready to plan your Walt Disney World vacation? Email me and we will get started!

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Rain Gear for a Rainy Day at Disney World

Poncho or Rain Coat– Come prepared with a hooded rain coat or poncho. Don’t opt for the Dollar Store ponchos, they are thin and rip easily. Of course you can buy rain ponchos at Disney and they also now sell cute rain coats for about $50 but we avoid extra expenses and pack our own.

Shoes-Wear shoes that can get wet. Don’t wear leather shoes or sandals. Sneakers are not comfortable once they get wet. I wear my Tevas on rainy days. Any shoe like that or Chacos are perfect for rainy days.

Umbrellas– Please don’t. Umbrellas are dangerous weapons, in sun or rain. I have been poked and whacked by umbrellas too many times. People using umbrellas tend to forget that the umbrella is wider than they are and then they end up hitting someone else in the crowd.

Lightning

Lightning is a much different story than rain. If there is lightning within 10 miles of the park, all outdoor rides will close. Outdoor food and shopping kiosks will also close. Disney even pulls all parking attendants out of the parking lots and has guests park on their own. Yes, chaos does ensue, I’ve been a part of the self-parking on 2 occasions so far.

On our recent visit to the Magic Kingdom we were in a 2 hour lightning delay that morning. That meant when we arrived there were 12 attractions closed, including 2 indoor attractions that were closed for technical reasons.

Our first Fastpass+ attraction, Jungle Cruise, was closed due to lightning. When one of your Fastpass+ choices is not running at the time of your Fastpass window, Disney sends you an “anytime” or “magical” Fastpass. This Fastpass is good for most of the rides in the park, just not the top tier rides so read carefully. It is also good for almost anytime. Our first magical Fastpass said it was good until 6pm. Our second magical Fastpass was good until park closing. We ended up with 3 magical Fastpasses out of the 5 Fastpasses we used that day. The weather totally changed our touring plan for the day.

Shows on a Rainy Day at Disney World

Disney’s goal is for the show to go on…if it is safe for the performers and guests. Rain and lightning can cancel parades, stage shows, and fireworks spectaculars. Safety is of utmost importance and if the show can go on, it will.

One of our big goals on this visit was to see the Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular. When we make day trips we seldom stay late due to the 2 hours drive home so when we stay in the area we try to see the shows. I asked a cast member when they decide to cancel the fireworks. He informed me that the show will happen if at all possible. The call is made the last minute possible. Disney monitors the weather and has even had the show go off an hour late, when the weather permitted. Thankfully on this particular day, the rain ended around 4:30pm and we had a lovely evening.

The Best Park for a Rainy Day at Disney World

I feel that the Magic Kingdom is the best park to be in on a rainy day. The attractions are close together and you can quickly go from one to the next without being in the rain too long. The second best rainy day park would be Epcot. There is more than one thing to do in each building so you can hopefully wait out a rain storm. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with its current guest traffic configuration, is difficult in the rain. A few years ago my nephew and I got soaked trying to get across the park because there are no shortcuts and few buildings to pop into to stay dry. The worst park in the rain is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Most of the attractions are outside and they are far apart. Avoid Animal Kingdom on a rainy day.

MomMaven’s Advice

I tell all my travel clients to plan for a rainy day at Disney World. Pack ponchos and appropriate shoes. I also tell them to relax, have fun, and dance down Main Street USA in the rain! You can make great rainy day memories and a wet day at Disney is better than a dry day at home!

I did an InstaStory on our rainy day. You can watch it here.

If you are ready to plan your Walt Disney World vacation, Email Me and we will get started!

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