Finding Santa Around Disney World

 by Beth Keating

Lifestyle

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 25, 2023

 

Santa is an elusive persona this time of the year.  Ever wonder how he gets to all those kiddos’ houses in ONE NIGHT on Christmas Eve?  It’s the same kind of magic he uses to flit his way around the Disney parks, meeting and greeting hundreds (thousands?) of guests a day during the holiday season.  If your family is looking to get a little facetime with the Big Guy this year, here are a few of the places he’s been known to hang out at Disney World.

 

Of course, the most magical place to visit Santa is in the Magic Kingdom, where the man of the hour gets special treatment with his own float in the “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime parade” at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party, all while snow is falling on Main Street.  It’s a specially-ticketed event, so not everyone gets a peek at the parade, but some years, Disney runs the parade for daytime guests during Christmas week as well. 

 

If you’ll be in Magic Kingdom from December 23-31 this year, you can catch “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day as part of your regular theme park entrance – no specially-ticketed event needed.  (Hey, we’re from New York… seeing Santa at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was always a big deal! Maybe you’ll feel the same about seeing him in his sleigh at the end of Mickey’s parade for those few days.)

 

For the past few years, Santa has also appeared in the motorcade at Hollywood Studios, but this year, he’ll be back in Hollywood in his own location, meeting and greeting fans off of the Muppets’ courtyard in a newly redecorated “It’s A Wonderful Shop” on Grand Avenue.  (The shop had been closed for a good long while.) You can sign up for a text alert for a meet-and-greet time there.  Just check in with cast members at the red sign. He’s meeting from 10 a.m. until park closing (which varies).

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

If you would be intrigued by seeing Santa in more international attire, you might want to seek him out in EPCOT’s World Showcase.   There, he’ll be appearing in various pavilions, sharing tales from regions around the globe, dressed in the garb more familiar to children in those countries.

   
In the Norway pavilion, a mischievous Barn Santa tells traditional stories.  In France, Père Noël shares a child’s Christmas letter, while Father Christmas makes a stop in the United Kingdom pavilion.

 
But if you want a one-on-one conversation with Santa while at EPCOT, turn to the Odyssey Pavilion from November 24 through December 24, and hand him your Christmas list while posing for the perfect holiday photo. Santa will be there at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

You’ll have to be quick to catch a glimpse of the Jolly Red Suit at Animal Kingdom, because Santa will be floating down the Discovery River in the “Santa Claus Festive Flotilla,” through December 24. The Flotilla occurs several times throughout the day.

In Disney Springs, a virtual queue will help you schedule some quality time with Santa at “Once Upon a Toy.” Santa meets there right up until Christmas Eve. Virtual queues open on the My Disney Experience app at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. (No standby queues are available, so make sure you know ahead of time how to access the virtual queues on your MDE app.) You have to be in Disney Springs before trying to access this queue.

Looking to share a meal with the Jolly Old Elf himself?  Maria & Enzo’s in Disney Springs will be offering a “Breakfast with Santa” on a dozen select dates from November 24 through Christmas Eve.  Seatings are at 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 10 a.m.  The family-style breakfast includes a family photo, visits with Santa and his elves, entertainment, and special activities and takeaways.  Check the Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante site for tickets and more details. (Tickets start at $69.00 for adults and $45 for kids, but will vary based on seating categories).

If you don’t mind your “Breakfast with Santa” a little noisier, Rainforest Café at Disney Springs is also welcoming Santa with eggs and bacon.  On December 16 and 17, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be bringing the party to the Rainforest for $34.99 for adults, and $19.99 for kids.  Reserve at (407) WDW-DINE, because limited seating is available for the 9:00 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 9:30 a.m. visits.  There’ll be photos, goodie bags, and activities included.

These are just a few of the spots you might want to check out for a sighting of everyone’s favorite Christmas elf. Keep your eyes peeled… this time of year, you never know when Santa is going to pop in for a visit to check on whether you are being naughty or nice.  Last year in Magic Kingdom, we unexpectedly came across a Photopass site with Santa tucked away behind “Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe” off Liberty Square. Santa had commandeered the gazebo behind the shop, giving him a charming spot to spend time snapping photos with guests. And while we haven’t seen this location pop up on park schedules yet, you just never know where the Christmas (or Disney) magic is going to happen!

 

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

 

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Disney Announces Returning Holiday Festivities

 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 50^th 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.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Dates Set for Holiday Festivities at Disneyland

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 2, 2021

 

Christmas is starting November 12, 2021, at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and it has been a long time coming!  Disneyland was closed last year because of the pandemic (though Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street were open for shopping), so this year’s celebration will be especially joyous.  In fact, it will last for two months, until January 9.

 

Among the returning celebrations will be “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, with Disney characters sharing the parade route with prancing reindeer, brightly colored toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread men, and Santa himself.  

 

The “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks show will also be back, bursting with color over the top of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.  Each night, the castle will come awake in stages for a breath-taking spectacle as snow falls, holiday music fills the air, and shimmering icicles and thousands of twinkling lights shine in the dark.  Wintry projections will also wind their way down the buildings of Main Street U.S.A. during the show. A 60-foot-tall Christmas tree will grace Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A., and a 50 foot tree will dazzle on Buena Vista Street at California Adventure for your family’s holiday photos.

 

Eight food booths will also serve the holiday flavors celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day during Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays. Visitors can dance along with Mickey and the Holiday Toy Drummers during Mickey’s Happy Holidays, or listen to the wide variety of musical and dance styles from the Mariachi Divas, Mostly Kosher, Blue13, Phat Cat Swinger, or the Suffragettes while they enjoy the food booths.  Sip and Savor passes will be available.

 

During the celebrations, the “Disney Viva Navidad” street party will take place at Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Gardens, with Mickey and Minnie in fiesta outfits, and festive Mexican folklórico and Brazilian samba dancers, live music, papel picado banners, piñatas, and giant mojiganga puppets. Enjoy authentic holiday music and décor as you celebrate the customs of Mexico and Brazil.

 

Holiday overlays will make the rides and attractions a special experience as well, with Cars Land at Disney California Adventure getting a unique “automotive” themed overlay at “Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl” and “Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.”  The “Haunted Mansion” will show off the much-loved 20th year of its “Nightmare Before Christmas” overlay, and “it’s a small world” will light up the night each evening, celebrating holidays around the world with its bright and festive overlay.

 

Mickey, Minnie and friends will be dressed in holiday costumes, and guests can take socially-distanced selfies throughout the season.  Among the special appearances this year will be Mirabel from the upcoming animated release Encanto, who will be making her theme park debut.  Guests stopping by California Adventure’s Redwood Creek Challenge Trail will be able to see Santa Claus and participate in seasonal games and activities there.

 

For ticket prices and complete information about the events, visit the Disneyland website. 

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

Walt Disney on Christmas

 by Ray Keating

Feature Story

DisneyBizJournal.com

December 25, 2020

 

Walt Disney often served up insights and wisdom well worth considering on a variety of topics. That includes on Christmas.

Consider the following…

 

“When my little daughters confront me with the question, I shall say without a twinge, ‘Of course there is.’ Long live Santa Claus!” – Walt Disney 

 

“At Disneyland, we do our Christmas planning early—looking forward to it like a lot of happy kids. Every Christmas season, thousands of children and their families line the curbs of Disneyland’s Main Street, making it the happiest street in the world.” – Walt Disney 

 

“One reason the Christmas season appeals to me is that it makes us suspend business-as-usual routine and let our minds soar for a while. Christmas seems to release even the most solemn of us from the Scrooge realism that occasionally besets all of us. It is natural, of course, that I should think of Christmas in terms of imagination, for imagination is my business.” – Walt Disney 

 

“Deeds, rather than words, express my concept of the part religion should play in everyday life. I have watched constantly that in our movie work the highest moral and spiritual standards are upheld, whether it deals with fable or with stories of living action.” – Walt Disney 

 

Here’s to a blessed and Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. He can be contacted at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating’s new book Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13th thriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!