by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 24, 2022
The calendar may have switched to “summer” earlier this week, but in the Disney universe, they are already planning for the winter holidays. (And Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween won’t kick off until August, so they are well ahead of schedule!)
Since we are now “#HalfwayToTheHolidays” in Disney parlance, here are some of the highlights of Disney’s holiday plans.
Most exciting for many Disney parks guests is the news that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be returning to the Magic Kingdom in its full form. The last time the full party took place was in 2019. Covid cancelled the event in 2020, and 2021 saw an abbreviated version of the party with “Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours Event.”
The Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately ticketed event, will take place from 7 pm until midnight on select evenings from November 8 – December 22, 2022. Among the offerings at the party, Disney Parks Blog lists:
· Join Mickey and his pals at the Cinderella Castle stage for the ultimate must-watch Christmas extravaganza – “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.” The show features nostalgic and modern medleys of holiday music paired with dance performances.
· Minnie Mouse orchestrates a sparkling spectacle over Magic Kingdom as a part of “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Full of holiday magic, the show includes dazzling castle projections, fireworks and seasonal songs.
· With his famous flying reindeer leading the way, Santa Claus will join Mickey Mouse and friends in the must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” as it makes its way through the park.
· Speaking of Santa Claus, he isn’t the only one who likes cookies during the holidays. Partygoers can indulge in complimentary cookies and hot cocoa at locations throughout Magic Kingdom.
· Magic Kingdom attractions will get a special dose of yuletide cheer. Holiday magic will once again transform the Jungle Cruise into the Jingle Cruise. And, as an exclusive treat for event attendees, Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party will all receive a special holiday makeover.
· Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café becomes the coolest place to get down when denizens of the North Pole drop by for an intergalactic dance party!
· Also at Magic Kingdom, dance the night away alongside favorite Disney characters during an out-of-this-world holiday show, “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” on the Rockettower Plaza Stage.
· The fun continues for young partygoers and Disney Junior fans of all ages at Storybook Circus during the “Disney Junior Jingle Jam” as Disney Junior characters take part in a fun-filled dance celebration.
· NEW! In honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party attendees will discover three jolly new photo opportunities. Guests will also receive a special 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake, themed for the holidays.
Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party go on sale online beginning July 7, 2022; however, Walt Disney World hotel guests can purchase tickets as early as June 30, 2022. Ticket prices vary according to the party date, and range from $149 – $199 per person.
This year’s party dates include:
- November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
- December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22
Among the most anticipated holiday events elsewhere in the parks is EPCOT’s “Candlelight Processional” during the International Festival of the Holidays. The Processional is an annual tradition kicking off the holiday season for many families, and this year the shows at the America Gardens Theatre begin November 25. A celebrity narrator shares the Nativity story, while a massed choir and live orchestra perform accompanying music to underscore the readings. If you haven’t been to the show, you have missed an absolutely inspiring evening.
Also at EPCOT, the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride will swap out its six classic hits playlist for a mash-up of seasonal jams during your efforts to save the galaxy.
Over at Hollywood Studios, Olaf the Snowman will be bringing back the special seasonal finale at “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.”
And at Animal Kingdom, the Merry Menagerie, the life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets featuring winter animals will again visit with guests.
All four parks will continue to transform their park icons into Beacons of Magic this year with a rotation of unique holiday-themed displays.
If you were hoping to run into Santa Claus among your Disney friends, you’ll be able to catch him in his red convertible at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the Santa Claus Merry Motorcade, or on the Discovery River as part of the flotilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. At EPCOT, you can enjoy holiday tales from around the world as Santa joins storytellers at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, beginning November 25.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll will return to EPCOT during the festival as well, and holiday dishes from around the world will be available for munching at dozens of Holiday Kitchens.
If you are hoping for a picture with the Jolly Old Elf himself, hop on over to Magic Kingdom or Disney Springs, where guests will have an opportunity to take pictures and hand off their Christmas lists. (Times to be announced.)
And speaking of Disney Springs, if you’ve enjoyed the Christmas Tree Stroll in the past, the elaborately decorated trees will return to the shopping mecca, as will the nighttime magical snowfalls. Need a snack boost to keep you going while you shop till you drop? Pop in to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, which becomes Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, serving up special festive food and craft cocktails. Jock’s is just one of the Disney dining locales that will feature limited time holiday goodies.
Disney has set aside a dedicated holidays page for news of updated offerings and menus as they become available in the coming weeks.
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
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