Actually, it’s 93 days but we didn’t want to give anyone a heart attack! As summer fades into a memory and the weather begins to cool down across the country, retail outlets are stocking stores and investing in holiday marketing campaigns to get buyers through the door. Theme parks are also releasing details of their holiday plans and no one does the winter holiday season quite like Disney, with an extensive program that “blends yuletide traditions and holiday cheer.” Here’s a closer look at how Disney will be delighting audiences this year between November 7th and New Year’s Day.
The Magic Kingdom: The Imagineers’ transformation of The Magic Kingdom begins with attention to the smallest details, ensuring that ribbons, wreaths, bows, trees and more morph the park into a winter wonderland. The Jungle Cruise will be reimagined as a holiday event, temporarily returning in a format similar to last year’s Jingle Cruise with holiday jokes and festive decorations.
A special after-hours series of events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, will be open to guests with special event tickets. Starting at 7pm each evening and running from November 7th to December 19th, the events include a range of different activities and entertainment. Characters will be circulating and available for greetings while wearing their winter finery. The Magic Kingdom’s evening fireworks will be replaced with a seasonal display, Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season.
Meanwhile, more than 200,000 lights bring Cinderella’s Castle to life as what Disney describes as a “glimmering ice castle.” The castle serves as the backdrop for live shows and a Main Street holiday parade. Guests are also treated to small touches such as complementary cookies and hot chocolate. The Magic Kingdom is where Disney’s focus on a traditional American Christmas comes to life a la a Thomas Kincaid painting.
Epcot: Big name celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Isabella Rossellini, and Sharon Stone take center stage to help celebrate the winter season at Epcot. These celebrity narrators appear on different evenings for one night each and become the voice behind the Candlelight Processional. The Candlelight Processional is a long-held tradition at Disney, and retells the Christmas story through a combination of narration, a 50 piece orchestra, and a choir. The show is typically performed three times each day. Guests can purchase a dining package and get priority seating for the show and subsequent fireworks. Another popular feature is IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at the World Pavilion.
A number of touches around the world at Epcot illustrate the holiday traditions in individual countries. In Norway, for example, visitors hear the story of Sigrid and the story of Julenissen, the Christmas Gnome, while in China the Monkey King tells stories of the Chinese New Year. The focus on Epcot is a more adult-friendly holiday celebration, highlighting music, food, and global traditions.
Disney properties around the world each have their own unique celebrations at this time of year. Even Disney’s cruise line and the winter Adventures by Disney in Wyoming offer a different spin on the holidays. But one thing brings each of these together: a very strong attention to detail and a focus on creating a memorable, celebratory experience that showcases the joy of the season for everyone who attends. Disney’s programs are a great example of offering diverse programming that targets different audiences on the single theme of the holidays.
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