MickeyBlog News for November 6th, 2023
This past week, the holidays arrived at Walt Disney World parks and resorts.
We also learned more about an upcoming attraction and the dates for several runDisney events.


Photo: Disney
I’ll fill you in on all the details in this week’s MickeyBlog News!
Happy Holidays!
Toward the end of October, MickeyBlog pointed out the oddity that Christmas holiday decorations had already gone up in some locations.
That move struck us as strange since we hadn’t reached Halloween yet, and Tim Burton movies notwithstanding, the two holidays don’t blend well.


Magic Kingdom’s Christmas Tree
Since then, our amazing park reporters have chronicled the changes, and they’re plentiful.
For example, the annual giant Christmas tree is now on display at Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom!
In fact, you’ll find holiday decorations from the park entrance all the way back to Tomorrowland and Frontierland!
Cast members decorate every square inch of the park to make your holiday visit as magical as possible.


Photo: Disney Parks Blog
During early November, they always work double duty, as employees perform most of the decorating after the parks close.
Overnight, Disney’s hard-working elves convert Halloween décor into Yuletide splendor. It’s a remarkable testament to Disney’s customer service.


Halloween in Disney World
You exit the park on Halloween looking at ghouls and goblins. The following morning, you see candy canes and Santa Claus.
Disney even performs holiday ride overlays for two of its attractions, Jungle Cruise, and Living with the Land.
Yes, Jingle Cruise is back, and Living with the Land is aglow with holiday illumination!
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, some of the character greetings like Frozone have added holiday backdrops, too!
Also, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has posted many of its holiday decorations already.
Disney Decorates Everywhere


Photo: Disney
Perhaps no place reflects Disney’s holiday commitment quite like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
MickeyBlog tracked the construction of the Gingerbread House here all week.
By this past Friday, it was nearly ready to open its bakery. You can expect it to serve customers on Wednesday!
Other gingerbread structures are in the process of going up, too.


Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
We’ve assembled a full list of what’s in store for you over the next two weeks.
Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort will all bring back their holiday favorites.
We’re talking about the miniature version of the BoardWalk Bakery, the Gingerbread Carousel, and the Gingerbread Store and Contemporary Display.
Disney will even add something new this year, with a gingerbread structure and pop-up store at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.


Photo: Touring Plans
By the way, Disneyland isn’t sleeping on its holiday offerings, either.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will open its popular Gingerbread House in a matter of days.


Firehouse Holiday Decor
Meanwhile, the new look Mickey’s Toontown has already added its first batch of holiday decorations.
Even though the calendar only says November 5th, let me be very clear.
Disney theme parks and resorts have already entered Holiday Mode. It’s go-time, people!
runDisney 2024 and 2025 Dates


Photo: Disney
One of my dearest friends and frequent Disney vacation travel buddy is at Walt Disney World right now.
She’s one of those sickos who gets up early on Saturdays to do Fun Runs, a misnomer if I’ve heard one. Running is never fun.


Photo: runDisney
I’m kidding here because I know she’ll read this. But it’s not a joke that she’s at Walt Disney World this weekend because of the November runDisney event.
They’ve started scheduling entire Disney vacations around runDisney events, and they’re far from the only ones.


Photo: Disney
These races have proven so popular Disney introduced Club runDisney as a way to allow diehard racers to guarantee themselves registration for these events.
Virtually all of them sell out, and you should know this because Disney just announced the dates for many 2024/2025 runDisney races.


Photo: Disney
The surprise on the list is a Halloween 2024 event at Disneyland Resort.
This race will take place in both parks, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. You can read the full details here.


Photo: Disney
The dates for the other upcoming runDisney races are:
- 2024 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend — October 31st through November 3rd at Walt Disney World
- 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend — January 8th through January 12th, 2025, at Walt Disney World
- 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend – January 30th through February 2nd, 2025, at Disneyland Resort
- 2025 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February 20th through 24th, 2025, at Walt Disney World
- 2025 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend – April 3rd through April 6th, 2025, at Walt Disney World


Credit: Disney
Registration for some of these events will begin in early 2024. You’ll want to sign up immediately. Otherwise, you’ll get shut out.
If that thought bothers you, consider joining Club runDisney.
Disney Miscellany Part I


Photo:impulsecreative.com
Okay, I’ve got ten more stories to cover quickly.
Disneyland released footage and information about the opening of a new (but old) attraction.
Adventureland Treehouse will debut on November 10th, with Magic Key annual passholders getting a sneak preview a day earlier.
Here’s the footage of how Adventureland Treehouse will look at night:
Isn’t the whole setting breathtaking? Imagineers have totally reinvigorated a previously outdated part of Disneyland.
Speaking of that park, Tale of the Lion King will close permanently on January 7th, 2024. We knew it was temporary, but I’ll miss it.
Also, Asha from Wish will start meeting Disneyland guests on November 22nd.


Asha
Notably, Disneyland is a bit slow on this one. I say that because Walt Disney World has already started its Asha character greeting!
In fact, EPCOT is currently moving around some of its character interactions. We recently bumped into Pluto in an entirely different location.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kevin has changed spots as well. Disney is really keeping our park reporters on their toes this fall!
Speaking of which, we recently covered our second super-unusual story in six weeks.


Photo: Kris Lenk, courtesy Fox 35 News
The EPCOT Monorail Line shut down when one of the trams – I kid you not – suffered a flat tire.
According to a passenger on that fateful ride, “(He) could smell the burning rubber and a bit of smoke.


Photo: Kris Lenk, courtesy Fox 35 News
There was a loud bang explosion, and then we kind of saw a big flash of light. After that, the monorail slowed down.”
I would imagine so. Thankfully, the Reedy Creek Fire Department safely evacuated all the guests safely.
Disney Miscellany Part II
I’ll let you in on a secret. I’m probably having a Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal for lunch.
That’s because A) one of my cats loooooves Chicken McNuggets and B) my wife loooooves the Disney100 toys that are available right now at McDonald’s.
That’s right, folks. The toy surprise in Happy Meals is a Disney100 figure.
We’ve already collected several, and I’m pretty sure my wife likes her new Minnie Mouse more than she likes me.
If you want a few, you should check your local McDonald’s for inventory before ordering. My understanding is that they’re selling out quickly.
In more specific Disney news, the Disney Treasure has revealed the first images of the Haunted Mansion Lounge. This place is gonna be spectacular!
Finally, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course will miss its reopening date by a week. It’s now scheduled to return on November 22nd.


Photo :golfwdw.com.
When this golf course reopens, it will include an expansion. Magnolia had previously offered 14 holes of golf. Now, it’ll be a complete course with 18 holes.


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