Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

WDW…Did you hear?

With News from Walt Disney World, this is threestrandswdw!

A new refurbishment has been scheduled at The Magic Kingdom. Sadly, for many, Pirates of the Caribbean will be out of circulation beginning May 11, 2015 and lasting through summer until September 25, 2015. It has been reported that there are many enhancements being made as well as some safety upgrades. It will be interesting to see how this plays on lines for other nearby attractions.

Also at The Magic Kingdom, the project to expand and enhance the hub area is beginning to wind down. The area in front of The Crystal Palace is now available, and looks stunning! Take a look at this video from iThemePark to see where things are, and get an idea of how it might affect your touring.

As Downtown Disney continues it transformation into Disney Springs, there is yet more construction taking place in and around the area. Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive continues through March 2016. And, construction on the East Garage and the Town Center continues to develop and is scheduled to be completed in August 2016. With all of the restaurants and shops coming to Disney Springs, this is all necessary to aid in the flow of both car and foot traffic.

The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival gets underway this week! The gardens look amazing, and I hear that there will be food to taste, too! Beautiful gardens and topiaries will decorate the park. And, the Outdoor Kitchens are returning with some fan favorites, as well as new offerings to delight the palate. You will need admission into EPCOT to enjoy this wonderful time if the year, but once inside the displays and entertainment are included. You will have to pay to taste, however! The festival runs from March 4 through May 17, 2015.

And finally, dates have been announced for both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. MNSSHP dates are: September 15, 18, 22, 25, 27; October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; and November 1. MVMCP dates are: November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29; and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18. Tickets will go on sale in April, so start planning now!

That’s it for now! Thanks for reading! Have a blessed and magical weekend, my friends!

Holidays at WDW

About this time last year, we were beginning to plan our visit to Walt Disney World for the first week of December 2013. I had my ADRs already made and we were following the developments of the Magicbands with deep interest…well, at least I was!

Pretty Christmas themed lighting for Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom Park

Because of the time we were going to be in The World, it was important to keep a finger on the pulse of yet to be announced events, particularly the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. We had already determined that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party wasn’t going to be on this trip! So, that actually made it easier to plan your five days in parks! Let me add here that if you are going to take in the Candlelight Processional, that you make and ADR for the dinner package as most of the seats at the America Gardens Theater are reserved for those plans and general seating is very limited. Details have not been released, yet, but should be available soon!

So, how do you plan for one of these holiday events? Let’s take a look at that, shall we?

Starting on September 1, 2014 and running on select dates through October 31, is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Tickets for this event start at $62 per person and may be higher depending on dates, and certainly as you get closer to Halloween the cost will be a bit more. One benefit is that you can usually get into The Magic Kingdom at about 4pm, so you have time to take in some attractions before the event begins. Many of the attractions will also be available after the party starts at 7pm!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is slated to begin on November 7, 2014 and will be on select nights through December 19. Tickets for this event start at $67 per person, and the same benefits and hours are applicable as the Halloween Party. It amazes me how quickly they turn The Magic Kingdom around between parties! Watch a YouTube video sometime to see it in action!

These are the holiday events that probably need the most attention in the near future! Others take place, but only require you putting them into your plan of attack, if you wish to see them. And, with the Free Dining Offer in place right now, planning for the special events becomes a little more interesting!

Also taking place during these times will be: Nights of Joy September 5 – 6, 2014, and the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival September 19 – November 10, 2014. If you want a sneak peek at some of the Food and Wine offerings visit https://www.youtube.com/user/travelwithrick to see his 31 day tour from 2013! I believe you will enjoy his thoughts!

Happy Planning for those of you headed to the Vacation Kingdom of the World for the fall and holiday seasons. Wish I was joining you, but not this year! In the meantime, have a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!!

Christmas in the World

Photo from WDW Info

As I am in the midst of preparing for our next visit to Walt Disney World, I am excited about the plethora of Christmas options being offered in the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

We are skipping Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, I just can justify the cost for this trip. Someday, I hope to be able to fit it in, just for the experience. We have Candlelight Processional booked with our meal (I’ll save the location until after our trip). And, I am really looking forward to the Holidays around the World at EPCOT! I think seeing how other countries handle this beautiful time of year.

Osbourne Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios should be an absolute delight. Pardon the pun! And, of course, the Magic Kingdom is still decorated! I am really going to enjoy this vacation! I am also hoping to drop by a few resorts to get some pictures of the decorations. We are staying at Art Of Animation, but I hope to see Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, and maybe Port Orleans – Riverside, too.

So, let me ask you all to help me out a little.

Have fun with this! That’s all it’s meant to be!

Have a Blessed and Magical Weekend!