Wild Christmas

We’ve shown how amazing it can be to visit some of the WDW resorts during the holidays. From huge Christmas trees to small details that fit a resort’s theme, everywhere you look is something that will get you into the holiday spirit. Walking into Animal Kingdom Lodge is an amazing moment no matter how many times you’ve done it. Coming through the second set of doors you are greeted by an almost blinding blast of light from the all-glass back wall. As your eyes slowly adjust you can make out the wonder that’s before you. During the holidays, there is one, enormous silhouette rising up through the middle of that light and it’s strung with large, African-inspired ornaments.





The Lodge differs a bit from other Disney resorts during the holidays. There won’t be any huge red bows, Santa on his sleigh or anything that will jump up and smack you with a “Merry Christmas” but the holiday spirit is still there. That’s the real fun though, isn’t it? There are lost of things related to Disney that we either know are there or know must be there. The fun is finding those things! True, you’d be hard pressed NOT to find that tree but take a look around. You may be surprised what else you find!

Cinderella's Sweet Suite

I know, I know, this isn't about Christmas or the holidays at all. Many of you live in areas that have been ENTIRELY too cold recently so I thought it'd be fun to take a little detour from Winter/Holiday-land and into something equally magical but not often seen......

Probably Disney’s most successful and well-loved promotion in recent memory has been their “Year of a Million Dreams” (yes, both of them). So many people have had the fortune of being handed a pair of “Dream” ears, or a Fastpass or pin and lanyard (except, maybe, those of us who go 7-10 times each year and STILL haven’t managed so much as a set of ears but, I digress……). A select few, amazingly fortunate souls have had the pleasure and once-in-a-lifetime experience of spending a night in the “Dream Suite” in Cinderella Castle.

In preparation for the original “Year of a Million Dreams” beginning in 2007, Disney built a suite within Cinderella Castle. Long rumored to have been originally intended as an apartment space for Walt and his family the space now housed an amazing dream within a dream experience for families on the receiving end of the biggest burst of pixiedust EVER to have been flung at guests by Disney (Jealous? I’m not jealous. I’m truly happy for those people – he said through gritted teeth ; ).

Believe it or not, those who have won this experience actually check in at a small desk behind a door under the castle. Near the desk is a tall clock that never, ever strikes 12. After checking in the guests are whisked into an amazing dark wood elevator that opens into a foyer with a mosaic of Cinderella’s coach on the floor, a ceiling paneled with different paintings and a glass case housing her scepter, tiara and of course, her slipper. Within the foyer is the main door leading to the suite and a hidden panel door, behind which sits a guest concierge desk that is staffed 24 hours. Open the door from within the suite to the foyer and they will appear, asking what it is that you need.

The suite opens into the bedroom which houses two queen-size beds. At the foot of the beds you’ll find a beautiful fireplace with the bathroom to the left of it and doorway leading to the sitting room on its right. As you can see in the pictures, the bathroom is expansive with a double-sink vanity, a separate sitting vanity and a tiled shower. The jewel of this area though is the Jacuzzi tub, surrounded on three sides by mosaic walls, a blue light beneath the water and a ceiling full of twinkling stars.

As with anything Disney though, things within the suite are not what they seem. The picture above the bedroom fireplace and the mirror in the sitting room are actually the televisions for each area with the sitting room also carrying a mini bar, DVD player stocked with (of course) Disney movies and a cache of board games. That fireplace in the bedroom isn’t really a fireplace but it is lit to look like one including a spark that ignites a hidden Mickey and the sitting room also contains a pull-out capable of sleeping two additional people.

The attention to detail is amazing, with small touches here and there that keep the suite beautiful but undeniably Disney. So what will become of it next year when the “Year of a Million Dreams” is over? One can only guess but let’s hope that, in some way, guests will continue to enjoy this amazing little “hotel room” for years and years to come!

New Year's Eve at WDW

Up to this point, we’ve left out a huge part of the holiday season, New Year’s Eve. It’s hard to decorate for New Year’s Eve but Disney more than makes up for it with fireworks and celebrations both on the actual day and the days leading up to it.

This year’s New Year’s Eve festivities include:

Magic Kingdom:
- Holiday Wishes at 8:30pm
- Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks at 11:50pm

Epcot:
- Special NYE Illuminations at 11:40pm

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Lights! Camera! Happy New Year! Fireworks at 11:50pm

Bringing in the New Year at any WDW park is an awesome experience and we can’t recommend it enough. Be warned though, as we’ve mentioned before regarding the holidays it will be very, VERY crowded. We recommend that you find your perfect spot for the fireworks at least an hour early and hunker down while you wait for the fun. It’s a sure thing that wherever you are in the park, you’ll be surrounded by several thousand of your closest friends and you’re likely to be shoulder-to-shoulder with them (last year I turned to my wife and, referring to the guy next to me said “I think he and I are dating now.”).

Don’t let the crowds discourage you though as there is so much to enjoy! The fireworks and fun and just the general atmosphere is something that defies explanation. Listening to everyone count down as those numerical fireworks explode in the sky is something that you just can’t imagine until you’ve seen it. Like anything, Disney does all the work and does it right, all you have to do is get there and have fun!!!

Taking a Bath on Main Street U.S.A.

With a name like PixieDustPics you would think that every blog would have pictures in it. But really, how much fun would that be and what kind of a challenge to my descriptive skills? LOL Seriously though, let’s talk about snow in Florida. Yes, it does snow in Florida and it does so on a fairly rigid schedule. Of course, we’re talking about the “snow” that you see when you attend “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.” MVMCP is a wonderful holiday party in the same spirit as “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” that we talked about a few months ago. The party is hard-ticketed (read: additional cost) event that is held on particular dates leading up to Christmas.

2008 Dates:
November 30, 2008

December 2, 2008

December 4, 2008 - December 5, 2008

December 7, 2008

December 9, 2008

December 11, 2008 - December 12, 2008

December 14, 2008

December 16, 2008

December 18, 2008 - December 19, 2008

Just like the Halloween party, there are a limited number of tickets sold for each night which means lines will be shorter. You’ll also get to see the amazing parade that graces millions of television screens on Christmas morning each year. “Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade” is one of Disney’s best and will bring to life all of the characters both Disney and otherwise that we associate with the holidays. From Santa’s reindeer to Mrs. Claus to the toy soldiers and even the Jolly Old Elf himself, you won’t be disappointed in the star-studded cast. We’ve done a past blog on the parade so I won’t bury you in details here! There are also pictures to be taken and cookies to be had during the party which culminates in the “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season.” fireworks show.

But, what about the weird title? I thought you’d never ask.

You may have heard of how that Disney magic that we all know and love is especially alive during the holiday season. Nothing is more proof of this than when, at a magical time during MVMCP, Disney and Santa breathe new life into Main Street as snow begins to fall! Imagine it, snow in Florida and on Main Street U.S.A. What could be more magical than that? The short answer is to see the magic as it falls slowly to the ground at your feet. Let the season fill your nostrils as you get a brief whiff of hot cocoa. Close your eyes and listen to the laughter of children, the whispered “I love you” of sweethearts and the Christmas Carols filling the air.

But….

…don’t, I repeat DO N-O-T open your mouth to TASTE the season. You may have memories of standing on a snowy day, your mouth open, eyes closed as you stick out your tongue to catch a snow flake and let it melt in your mouth. That is a beautiful thing, keep that memory close but keep your yap closed on Main Street because the flakes fluttering to the ground are SOAP. ; )

Christmas on the Beach

Well, we’ve talked about how grand the Grand can be during the holidays and how rustic and beautiful it is to spend Christmas in the Wilderness but what about the beach? Of course, by this we mean the Beach Club and its sister resort the Yacht Club. As with those we've already talked about, the amazing Christmas trees are plentiful in both of these resorts and are themed appropriately as well. We’re finally able though to talk about one of the things that draws people to some of Disney’s Deluxe resorts during the holidays: food. But no, we aren’t talking about food that you can buy or eat (at least without being arrested ; ) we are, of course, talking about the legendary edible displays.

Each year, WDW puts up an enormous and amazing carousel for the lobby of the Beach Club. This isn’t a normal carousel either boys and girls but one made entirely of edible ingredients. The culinary wizards of the Disney world slave to build this wondrous creation that consists of:

35 lbs. of honey

96 lbs. of bread flour

100 pints of eggs

10 lbs. of different spices

10 quarts of syrup

100 lbs. of icing

50 lbs. of dark chocolate

10 quarts of egg whites

100 lbs. of confectioners sugar

Naturally, the most fun thing about the carousel is the seven Hidden Mickeys that can be found in, on and around it. Make sure to stop by and see how many you can find!!!

This brings us to the Yacht Club. During the holiday season the Yacht Club sports a gigantic, beautiful miniature railroad that is crafted by the Disney team as well. The display is extremely detailed and a lot of fun for both railroad enthusiasts and children of all ages to enjoy and explore. Trust us, it’s easy to lose yourself and realize that you’ve spent thirty minutes or even an hour making slow circles around this tiny town as you keep discovering new things (look for tiny signs for the different shops in the hotel!).

So where should we go next to look at decorations? I guess you’ll just have to join us next Sunday to see!!!

Christmas in the Wilderness

When it comes to the “Wow” factor of a lobby, you can’t get any better than walking through the doors into the Wilderness Lodge. The immense lobby is breathtaking and something that every Disney fan should experience at least once. When you couple its awesomeness with the Holiday Season though, it takes things to a whole new level. Trust me, you haven’t experienced Christmas quite like this anywhere else. The lodge is known for its rustic décor and the Christmas decorations that adorn it during the holidays are no exception. The tree is enormous….so enormous in fact that it’s hard to fit it into frame when taking a picture! You think it stinks cleaning up after your tree, imagine dragging this bad boy through the front doors!

But don’t just look at the size of the tree, take a few steps in and start checking out the decorations. Just like anything with Disney, they are themed to their surroundings too!

From the awe-inspiring tree to the smaller ones surrounding the lodge and even the wreath above the fireplace the holiday spirit is everywhere for you to enjoy! We all love the parks and the decorations are amazing but don't forget to spend some time checking things out resorts like the Wilderness Lodge too. You'll be glad you did!!!

A Very GRAND Holiday!!!

One of the best things about Christmas is, of course, decorating! No one likes dragging and heaving all of those boxes out of the attic, basement or closet but we do it because the end result is just so awesome! As we’ve talked about before, when Disney does something, they do it right. Holiday decorations at the different resorts throughout WDW property are no exception. We’ll touch on several resorts as we make our way towards Christmas but we’ll start with one of our favorites: The Grand Floridian. The Grand is one of Disney’s flagship resorts with its deluxe accommodations and gorgeous Victorian theme. In true Disney style, holiday transformations happen overnight in most cases. As you walk into the Grand during the holidays you’ll be greeted with two larger-than-life decorations, the tree and the gingerbread house.

During the holidays, the Grand Floridian features a 50 foot Christmas tree that is befitting its large, grandiose lobby. This tree will consume you from the moment that you walk into the lobby and for good reason; it’s H-U-G-E!!! Remember kids, this enormous tree goes up overnight. Those staying in the resort wake up one morning and it’s just THERE! Not far from the “Tree of Wonders” (my name, not Disney’s ; ) is the legendary gingerbread house. This gingerbread house is life-sized and serves as a retail shop selling gingerbread cookies and much smaller, portable (as in take ‘em to your room and demolish them) gingerbread houses!

The 10,000 pieces of gingerbread used to build the house are made from:


- 1,050 lbs. honey
- 600 lbs. powdered sugar
- 35 lbs. spices
- 800 lbs. flour
- 140 pints egg whites
- 180 lbs. apricot glaze

There are SO many more amazing decorations and displays that go up every year at WDW and we’ll get to them soon enough. For now though, check out some of our pictures of the gorgeousness of the Grand Floridian during the holidays!!!

Holiday Storytellers at Epcot

As we’ve talked about before, there are TONS of ways to celebrate the holidays at WDW. Well, we all know that Santa visits our chimneys every Christmas Eve without fail but have you ever wondered if Santa might be a little different to those who live in other countries and cultures? Disney has done a great job of answering that question, at least for the countries throughout the World Showcase at Epcot.

At various times throughout the day, each country hosts its very own Holiday Storyteller on a small stage. Some of these storytellers are somewhat similar to the Santa Claus that we know and love and get to meet as Canada’s storyteller. France’s Pére Noel bears a striking resemblance to a thin Chris Kringle and the UK’s Father Christmas is our lovable, jolly old elf in traditional green robes. Where we really get to learn and experience something new is seeing China’s Monkey King as he tells his story or Julenissen, Norway’s mischievous elf as he causes trouble and imparts his tale as well. Inside of the American Adventure you can also learn some of the customs of Hanukkah and an area to learn the traditions of Kwanzaa is typically located near the shops in the American pavilion.

So many people from so many different walks of life come to visit Disney each year. It’s great to know that, no matter what your beliefs or how you celebrate the holidays you can still learn a little something about how others celebrate them as well!!!

Christmas with Lieutenant Dan

Chris – My first Christmas at WDW was in 2002. My wife and I had recently moved south and we had ramped up our Disney visits considerably now that we were within driving distance. Upon reading about the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and seeing the list of celebrity narrators I commented to her that I would love to see Gary Sinise. I’ve always been a fan and he was doing the narration for December 24th-26th. My wife surprised me and booked us a room for Christmas Eve at Port Orleans Riverside. And so began our tradition of spending the holidays at WDW and always making it a point to see the Candlelight Processional.

So, what is the Processional? Simply put, CP takes place three times nightly in the American Gardens Amphitheater and is the telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator. Accompanied by a mass choir and a 50 piece orchestra, with holiday music interspersed through the whole thing it is an unforgettable way to spend forty-five minutes. If you want to experience CP you’ll need to know that there are two ways to get in. There is a standby line that fills up extremely early and there is the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package. The package is booked ahead of time and in one of three tiers of restaurants. Included in the package are an appetizer, entrée and dessert. More importantly though, the package guarantees you seating as those who purchased the package are seated first. This is a great deal at one of many great restaurants and I can’t recommend it enough.

Tier 1 restaurants: Biergarten and Garden Grill
Tier 2 restaurants: San Angel Inn, Nine Dragons Restaurant, Rose and Crown Pub, Restaurant Marrakesh
Tier 3 restaurants: Le Cellier Steakhouse, Chefs de France, Teppan Edo / Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia, Coral Reef

Shows are at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.Scheduled Celebrity Narrators include:

John O'Hurley Nov. 28 - 30
Neil Patrick Harris Dec. 1-3
Brian Stokes Mitchell Dec. 4 - 6

Virginia Madsen Dec. 7 - 9
Marlee Matlin Dec. 10 - 12
Monique Coleman Dec. 13 - 15
Chita Rivera Dec. 16 - 18
Abigail Breslin Dec. 19 - 21
Steven Curtis Chapman Dec. 22 - 24
Edward James Olmos Dec. 25 - 27
Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance Dec. 28 – 30


Narrators change from year to year (we’ve seen Gary Sinise, Rita Moreno and John Stamos, all of whom were awesome!) but the one thing that never changes is the passion and emotion conveyed through the Candlelight Processional. I’ve talked to many people from all walks of life and with very different beliefs and it seems that everyone can find a piece of the show that moves them and fills them with the spirit, whatever that may be for them, of the holidays.

The Christmas Hot Dog

As we’ve already talked about, there are so many things to look forward to and love about Disney at Christmas. As we’ll talk about in greater detail later (exhaustive, fantastical, mouth-watering detail) there are many AMAZING places to eat in and around WDW. It’s an awesome thing to eat Christmas dinner in California Grill atop the Contemporary and be able to see the fireworks at the end of the night. But please believe, my gentle snowflakes that you must plan well in advance for such dinners. Should you choose to spend the holidays in the “World” you should check with your travel agent (see pretty box at upper-right) regarding booking your dining as faaaaaaaar in advance as possible.

However, if you haven’t planned far enough ahead or you have tried and not been fortunate enough to get advanced dining reservations or if you just decided to show up on Christmas day, fear not. There are still some places to eat; you’ll just be doing so at a counter service restaurant. This is most definitely NOT a bad thing, people! So you may have a hot dog for lunch or dinner Christmas day, who cares!?!?! You could be eating a Casey’s Corner hot dog, possibly one of the most magical foods to ever grace the planet. Trust us, we’ve both been there and as the saying goes, life is what you make of it. Hot dogs and fries in the “House of Mouse” will make just as much of a Christmas to remember as that dinner in Cali Grill. As we’ve said before, aren’t those memories what these trips are all about? I knew you’d agree. ; )

Holiday Illuminations, or: How to Make My Wife Cry

Those of us that have visited Epcot have probably had the opportunity to see Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Illuminations has been the running show to close Epcot each night since the Millennium Celebration began in 1999. There’s clearly a reason that this show has been ongoing and hasn’t changed much in the last nine years: it works and it’s amazing.

When the holidays roll around, Disney chose to stick with an already great show and, instead of altering Illuminations, simply adding an ending befitting the season. If you’ve never had the chance to see Holiday Illuminations, I can’t begin to recommend it enough. Narrated by Walter Cronkite, the ending includes a brief wish of peace and goodwill that is then repeated in the native language of each country represented in the World Showcase Pavilion. Set to “Let There Be Peace on Earth” the montage culminates in a fireworks display so intense and so amazing that you’ll feel it throughout your entire body.

Click below to start brief slide show of Holiday Illuminations pictures.



Walt Disney World Holiday Illuminations

If you are at all emotional, this one will grab you and break you in the most wonderful of ways. If you aren’t emotional, then you’ll still cry. Believe me when I tell you that I’ve watched the biggest and baddest of men reduced to crying like a little kid with a skinned knee. There is just no escaping the emotion that Holiday Illuminations evokes and I can’t imagine why you would want to. It is a wonderful, moving five minutes that will give you a holiday memory that you won’t soon forget.

Click below for a video of the Holiday Illuminations Ending

Osborne Family Spectacle of Many, Many, Blinking LIGHTS!!!

In 1986, Jennings and Mitzi Osborne’s daughter, Breezy asked her parents to decorate their home in Christmas lights. Eighteen years, three million lights and a $10,000 fine later, the display could no longer continue in their home town of Little Rock, Arkansas. Osborne had violated his court-ordered light schedule for a family that had arrived a little too late in the evening to see the lights and that was the end…until Disney heard of the plight of Mr. Osborne and his lights. Flash forward one year to 1995, when the Osborne Family Lights found their new home on “Residential Street” in Disney’s MGM Studios. It is a display that takes Disney’s crew several months to put up each year.

To name a few things included in or required of this MASSIVE display:

- 30,000 lights on a giant, red canopy
- 800,000 watts of electricity
- 80,000 lights on a 70 foot Christmas tree
- Over 1,500 dimmable relay circuits (to make ‘em dance)
- 110 angels
- 33 snow machines using 100 gallons of liquid “snow” each evening

Click below for a slideshow of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights


Osborne

Since their arrival almost thirteen years ago, the lights have thrilled millions of visitors to the Studios each year. From late November through early January, the lights begin at dusk and continue until closing. There have been several variations over the years from the introduction of some very bizarre glasses that made each light appear to be an angel (uh, yeah and they danced if you rocked your head back and forth too……) to their current incarnation as “dancing” lights. The displays are now choreographed to blink, fade and twinkle with some of our favorite Christmas songs. From old favorites like “Jingle Bell Rock” to newer ones such as “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo” the lights put on a show that can’t be beat.

Combine the dancing aspect with the already amazing display and throw in a little Disney “snow” and you have a winter wonderland smack in the middle of Florida. Trust me; it’s a sight you need to see to truly appreciate!

Click below to see the lights DANCE!!!

The Christmas Day Parade, a.k.a. "My Butt is Numb"

So, it’s Christmas day and we’re all together as one big, happy, Disney-obsessed family. Now, where are Regis and Kelly? The short answer is, they’re at home with their families. So many people travel to WDW each year and stake their claim for the perfect parade spot, hoping to catch a glimpse of their two favorite morning people as they host the Christmas Day parade. What many don’t realize is that the parade that you watch at home on Christmas Day was shot about two and a half weeks earlier. Sorry folks, no Disney Regis for Christmas.

But, come on!!! It’s Christmas day and you’re in the MAGIC KINGDOM for goodness sakes! Let’s have a little decorum and be glad that we’re here. The parade that takes place on Christmas day, “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” is still about as magical as it gets. It’s essentially the same parade that takes place during each night of “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” (we’ll get to that soon) and it is amazing. In addition to the cast of characters that we’ve come to expect and almost demand from a Disney parade, there are some extra-special characters. From Scrooge McDuck to the gang of reindeer to a complete band (yes, BAND) of Toy Soldiers there are some essential and magical additions to the Christmas parade. I might be leaving someone out of there but you’ll just have to come see the parade for yourself (or check out the pictures) to see who!

Let’s get back to staking your claim for that perfect spot. Many of us have had the experience of sitting on the curb thirty minutes before a parade to get a good, unobstructed spot but you’ll need a little more than that for the Christmas Day parade. Would you believe………two hours? No, sadly I’m not kidding and that’s why this blog is so aptly titled. Many of your extremities WILL be numb by the time you hear the distant beginnings of parade music, rounding the bend that you can barely see from your carefully-carved seat in the pavement. I assure you though, the minute that the beginning of the floats and characters gets to you and the Christmas spirit takes hold, you’ll be hooked. Or it may just take that moment when you see the look in your child’s eyes for it to all be worth it and that dead-leg syndrome will be a distant memory, soon replaced by some much better, much more magical Disney Christmas memories!

Click below for a slideshow of Christmas Day Parade pictures!!!


Christmas Parade Walt Disney World December 2007

The Christmas Castle

Cinderella Castle; we know it, we love it and it’s the first thing that most of us associate with the Magic Kingdom if not WDW in general. But, for those of us who might not have ever been to WDW during the holidays, what happens to transform the most magical place on earth into a winter wonderland?

Well, the quick answer is “Far too much to type in one blog.” but one of the biggest transformations happens on the very face of Cinderella Castle itself. Beginning in 2007, WDW turned our favorite castle into a spectacle of twinkling, winter magic. Before many of us began to even think of Christmas presents, big dinners or whether or not Aunt Edna’s cat would get into the Jell-o again this year, crews in the Magic Kingdom began to painstakingly install some 200,000 LED lights. Across the turrets, walls and entire façade of our favorite castle, an ice palace of epic proportions began to take shape for all to see.

Click below for a slideshow of Cinderella Castle at Christmas time!!!


Holiday-Christmas

Disney’s “Castle Dream Lights” bring an amazing blue glow to the sky each night beginning in late November and lasting through the Holiday Season. What does it take to light up an entire castle? A lot, including….

• Five weeks and 65 elves
• Two pretty big cranes
• 15 miles of cable
• 32,000 square feet of fishing nets
• 200,000 energy-efficient LEDs
• 500 strobes

The castle lights up during each of these nights during a short show that is narrated by some of our favorite Disney characters. Over the course of a few minutes, the most well-known castle in the entire world becomes a twinkling, blinking, mesmerizing sight that you’ll never forget. Of course, this is just one of many reasons to make a trip to WDW during the holidays. Keep checking back and we’ll keep telling you about more as we get closer to the holidays!!!


Click below for a video of the Magic Kingdom's Christmas "Kiss Goodnight"!

Halloween at Disney

Spending any holiday at Walt Disney World is a blast. By this I mean any holiday. If Disney did an Arbor Day celebration, we’d be there with our families. But really, who doesn’t love Halloween? After all, this is our one chance during the year to be someone we aren’t and NOT get in trouble for it! We all loved Halloween when we were kids and those who have kids now have the fun of watching them enjoy it.

Click below for a slideshow of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Pictures!!!


As with anything, Disney does Halloween and they do it right! The best example of this is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or MNSSHP as you might see it written in some places. The Halloween party is one of Disney’s three hard-ticketed events (the others being Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party) and is set up in the same way. The Magic Kingdom will close to the general public at 7pm and then the real fun begins!

Click below for a video of the Headless Horseman!!!


Your ticket to the party includes the “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade; trick-or-treating around the park at candy stations set up in various locations (avoid the gummy hot dogs and hamburgers. Trust me on this.), characters all dressed up in their costumes (bring yours too!) and the HalloWishes fireworks display which features fireworks being launched from ALL around the park!

But there is SO much more to the party than that. The “Boo-to-You” parade is really one that you don’t want to miss. From the Headless Horseman’s ride along the parade route to get things started to the Grave Diggers and their sparking shovels, it’s really a sight to be seen and experienced. We haven’t even talked about the fact that this party, like the other two allows you to ride some of your favorite Magic Kingdom rides with a much-reduced crowd since party tickets are limited. Since those tickets are limited though, they sell FAST! Halloween night is already sold out but there are still some available. If you’re interested, just click on our link for The Magic for Less Travel where one of their Disney-specialized agents can help you make your Not-So-Scary Halloween trip plans!

Click below for a video of the Gravediggers!!!


MNSSHP Quick Facts:

- Advance Purchase tickets are:
o $42.95 + tax (Ages 3 - 9)
o $48.95 + tax (Ages 10+)
- Day-of-event tickets are:
o $49.95 + tax (Ages 3 - 9)
o $55.95 + tax (Ages 10+)
- Party runs on select dates from September 5th through October 31st (September 16, 19, 23, 26, 28, 30. October 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31)