MickeyBlog News for October 30th, 2023
Disney’s marketing team went into overdrive this week.
Disney revealed new theme park details about the holidays, an upcoming hotel, a Haunted Mansion experience, a festival, an after-hours event, and international attractions.
This is one of those weeks where you really need to read MickeyBlog News.
The Holidays at Walt Disney World
Have you visited Walt Disney World this week? If so, you may have been confused.
Some parts of the parks have already added some Christmas decorations.
No, you didn’t sleep through Halloween. It’s Tuesday, so buy candy now if you haven’t yet.
For whatever reason, Disney has chosen to get a jump on the 2023 holidays. First, Disney posted Halloween decorations in July.
Now, we’re witnessing Yuletide displays at the parks before kids have even gone trick-or-treating.
Our exceptional reporters have captured pictures at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Also, we’ve learned that the Merry Menagerie will return! We know this because we snagged photos of some of the decorations as they went up.
You can read full details about the Animal Kingdom holiday plans here.
At EPCOT, Living with the Land is undergoing its annual transition into a holiday experience.
Magic Kingdom’s next big thing isn’t quite ready yet, but you’ll experience it next week.
On November 7th, the park will unveil Frozen Holiday Surprise, the Cinderella Castle show.
Legitimately some of my fondest recent Disney memories involve the first holiday lighting of the castle. So, I cannot wait for this!
By the way, Disney gave us a sneak peek at some of the holiday merchandise that will go on sale at the parks soon.
On a different note, if you plan to eat at Disney on Christmas Eve or Christmas, dining reservations are now open. And they’ll go fast!
The reservation window for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day opens this week. So, you’ll want to read MickeyBlog for that info, too!
Finally, Disney Springs starts its holiday events on November 10th.
PS: I mentioned last time that Disneyland also has posted some early decorations. We’ve got pictures of it now!
The Festival of the Arts Is Coming Soon
We’ve known for a while that the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will return in 2024.
However, we haven’t known when up to now. Thankfully, Disney has provided those details this week.
The eighth edition of the Festival of the Arts will debut on January 12th and last through February 19th.
Presuming that I’m counting the calendar correctly – and I’m shockingly bad at this – that’s 38 dates for the 2024 version of this festival.
Disney has acted low-key about this event, keeping the details shrouded in mystery relative to past years.
Still, MickeyBlog pieced together what’s returning for 2024.
Obviously, DISNEY ON BROADWAY will be back. It’s the signature event for this festival and right there with the Candlelight Processional overall.
Broadway stars depart New York to ply their trades at the World Showcase for a few shows, all of which sell out…because why wouldn’t they?
Do you know how much people pay to watch these same stars perform on Broadway? The same songs come free with admission at EPCOT!
Obviously, tickets are hard to come by, but that’s okay! The DISNEY ON BROADWAY dining packages will return for 2024 as well.
We’re also expecting the food studios (obviously) and The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. Beyond that, everything else is a guess.
PS: Speaking of the Candlelight Processional, it’ll return at Disneyland this December.
Disney After Hours Events
We’ll lump multiple stories together here since so much is happening this week.
MickeyBlog has talked plenty about Disney Jollywood Nights because we cannot freakin’ wait for it to start.
This past week, we learned the names of the two new shows at this event.
The Muppets will appear in Disney Holidays in Hollywood at the Theater of the Stars.
Meanwhile, guests will visit the Hyperion Theater to watch – I kid you not – What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along.
That’s…not the name I would have chosen, but Oogie Boogie Fever is already sweeping the country this month.
Disney also informed us that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will use a virtual queue during Jollywood Nights.
Oh, the Sensational Six will also wear unique costumes during this after-hours event!
Of course, these events don’t end in 2023! Well, the Jollywood Nights one does, but the parks will keep holding after-hours parties into the new year.
Park officials just announced the return of Disney After Hours.
The 2024 version of the event will start on January 10th and run several times throughout the year.
This year’s ticket prices range from $149-$175 plus tax, $119-$145 for annual passholders and DVC members.
Disney will host the event at three parks this year: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom.
Park officials could always add some nights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but there was no mention of it this week.
Disney WILL host some Animal Kingdom after-hours events in 2024, though.
DVC announced its 2024 Moonlight Magic dates. These after-hours offerings will start in January and run throughout the year.
In fact, Animal Kingdom is hosting a 2023 event in December!
For 2024, that park, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will offer Moonlight Magic dates.
As a reminder, you must be a qualifying DVC member to reserve these dates, which will sell out within hours of the booking windows opening.
Disney also indicated that Magic Kingdom will Disney After Hours guests will earn a special treat.
You’ll get to watch two nighttime spectaculars rather than one! Disney will present Happily Ever After and Disney Enchantment on these nights.
The surprise announcement involves Tron Lightcycle / Run. Disney’s new roller coaster will use a standby queue during Disney After Hours!
Fans can ride the attraction as often as time allows on these nights.
Disney Miscellany
I haven’t done a two-part MickeyBlog News in a couple of years, but I was sorely tempted this week. As it is, I’m having to skim over big stories.
For example, Disney just revealed the opening date for Pixar Place Hotel. You can visit for the first time on January 30th, 2024.
While I’ve always said nice things about Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, the reality is that it has needed better theming for a while. This change looks magical.
On the Disney Treasure, we just learned more about Haunted Mansion Parlor. Here’s MickeyBlog’s TikTok:
@mickeyblog_ 🚨‼️A Haunted Mansion Parlor is coming to the Disney Treasure!‼️🚨 Get excited all of you HAPPY HAUNTS!👻🛳️✨ #disneyparks #waltdisneyworld #disney #disneyworld #disneytiktok #hauntedmansion #disneytreasure #DCL #disneycruiseline
I’m not joking when I say this lounge alone may cause us to book a trip on the Disney Treasure…and I don’t even drink!
At Disneyland Park, Adventureland Treehouse will open on November 10th! Yes, that’s less than two weeks from today!
At Walt Disney World, something happened this week that’s pretty funny now that we know everyone’s safe.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort guests evacuated the premises after someone in the kitchen mixed two chemicals that should NOT be mixed.
More Disney Miscellany
Speaking of Walt Disney World, if you’re visiting the week of January 16th, 2024, you should know that the Disney Skyliner will undergo annual maintenance.
Historically, the process takes four or five days, although Disney has done it in as few as three.
Currently, the plan calls for the gondola to remain offline from January 16th through January 21st. Please plan accordingly.
Finally, we’ve got international park news that matters greatly. Zootopia will open on December 20th, and you’ll find plenty to do!
Then, Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea will debut on June 6th.
Since we’re expecting many of these experiences to come to the United States, you’ll want to stay tuned!
Happy Halloween, my many loves!
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Feature Photo: Disney