Disney After Hours has added several dates to both the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom calendars.
After hours is a time for guests to enter the parks when most guests are heading out. The park is open late for just these specific ticket holders. Guests will have access to many of their favorite rides and will also receive unlimited ice cream novelties, popcorn, and fountain beverages. Here are the dates as posted directly from Disney:
Magic Kingdom Park
November 18, 2019
December 9, 2019
January 6, 2019
January 13, 2020
January 17, 2020
January 20, 2020
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
October 5, 9, 19, 26 and 30, 2019
November 5, 13 and 19, 2019
December 7, 14 and 18, 2019
January 9, 16, 22 and 30, 2020
February 6, 13, 19 and 27, 2020
March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2020
If you have a trip planned during this time, this is an excellent way to see a lot of a park in a short period of time. We experienced it in the spring and we did every ride the kids wanted to and also several meet and greets. At one point, it felt as if we were the only guests in the park. It was truly awesome.
If you do not have a Disney Vacation Package scheduled yet, contact me today! I would be happy to assist you in getting your trip planned and reserved. My services are free of charge and I can save you lots of time and money too! Contact me today!
Yes, it is only August but the Winter Holiday Season will be here before we know it – especially at Disney where the Christmas Season starts before Thanksgiving!
We are a big fan of the parties offered in Magic Kingdom. It is often difficult for me to answer which is my favorite when guests ask. I truly do love them both for very different reasons. Either way, I highly recommend both if you happen to be at Disney World when they are taking place.
The Very Merry Christmas Party is a beautiful and fun way to ring in the season. The entertainment, decor, music, and characters will have you feeling like it is Christmas Day. One of the very special offerings is set to return again this year – a Christmas Party at Tony’s Town Square.
This Holly, Jolly Christmas Party offers tasty food, holiday beverages, festive music & decor and entertainment – including a visit from Tony, himself. Guests are free to come and go as they please throughout the night. With admission to this party, you will also receive reserved seating for the 11 P.M. showing of “Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade”. This is a great advantage and lets guests enjoy shorter wait times on favorite attractions while the earlier, more popular showing of the parade is performed.
This party runs from 9:30 PM 12:30 AM (a half hour after the Very Merry Christmas Event closes!!) and reservations are open now! Contact me today to add them to your Disney Holiday Vacation Package.
Since I shared what is new in Disney World this Halloween season, I wanted to also relay what would be new in Disneyland!
Disney California Adventure Park will present Oogie Boogie Bash! This will be a separate ticket event that offers special entertainment, food, characters, and trick or treating.
An awesome new version of World of Color will be shown. “Villainous!” will be hosted by Oogie Boogie himself and is sure to provide some screams. Other Halloween entertainment will include a Descendants Dance Party, Mickey Stage Show, Frightfully Fun Parade, Trick or Treating on immersive treat trails and a new interactive trail provided by Disney Villains.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween Costume. This Bash will start on September 17th and take place on 20 select nights. Get your tickets now, as they will sell out!
To plan a trip to Disneyland and add this Spooky event to your itinerary, contact me today!
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, The Pirates of the Caribbean Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
There are so many corners of the world to see and the Holidays are always a great time to do that. There is a Disney Destination for you that can take you to 3 different countries, experiencing 3 different types of traditions during Christmas. The Danube River Cruise with Adventures by Disney can take you on a luxury River Cruise to three countries and 7 different destinations within those countries. Highlights include-
8 Days/ 7 Nights
Germany, Austria, & Hungary
Amazing accommodations
20 meals
Stops at local Christmas Markets for shopping & gifts
See historical landmarks including the rolling Hills from “The Sound of Music”
Meet real Hungarian Cowboys
Private Sightseeing
Insider Access Opportunities
Personal Adventure Guides
and more!
Adventures by Disney can take you to almost any corner of the Earth. I can’t think of anything more magical than visiting during the holidays!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
There are so many ways to gift a Disney Destination for the Holidays. A very simple way is just to have an invitation sent to your loved ones from their favorite Disney Character – you can go crazy with all different types of fun stationary and stickers or you can keep it simple. There are many different types of stationary that can be printed out on or you can just use plain paper and decorate on your own. Have fun with it! Let them know that their favorite character can’t wait to see them on such-and-such a date and it will be a magical time. Enjoy!
On the Seventh Day of Christmas in July, Br’er Rabbit Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
The Disneyland Resort is a wonderful destination any time of year but they do put on a bit of Holiday Magic if you are able to attend during the Winter Holiday Months. In addition to beautiful lights and amazing holiday decor, California Adventure has a fun holiday festival, amazing treats & sweets, holiday entertainment, ride overlays, and more. Here is what you can expect when you arrive at California Adventure during the holidays-
Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting
Holiday Ride Overlays – Mater’s Jingle Jamboree & Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl are waiting for you!
Disney Viva Navidad – A beautiful Holiday celebration featuring the Three Caballeros, music, dancing, decor, and more
Disney Festival of Holidays – Very Similar to Epcot’s Holiday Festival. You will be able to enjoy culture, traditions, food, music, and more all from different countries around the world.
If you are planning on heading to Disneyland, the Holidays would be a great time to do that because of all the extra magic and excitement!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
If you are looking for a more low-key way to gift a Disney Destination this Christmas, maybe a gift certificate is the way to go. For a spouse, a significant other, an older child, perhaps glitter and glam and cardboard Cinderella Castles are not the way to go. In this instance, the agency I work for, Magical Vacations, does offer gift cards. You can book a trip with a deposit and purchase gift cards for the balance due to give to a loved one to show that they are going on a Disney trip. We always think it is fun to put them in stockings.
Trivia
In Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas, what type of animals skate with Minnie & Daisy?
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination
for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday
Shopping crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones
this year, contact me today!
I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your
gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and
helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
On the Sixth Day of Christmas in July, Merida Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
While there for the Holidays last year in December of 2018, we made sure to take full advantage of all that Disney World had to offer. We did the Very Merry Christmas Party, Festival of the Holidays, and more. We did it all! Our favorite Holiday Experience (next to the Very Merry Christmas Party) would be what Hollywood Studios has nightly. It is fun and cute and just put us in a great Holiday mood. It even snows!
It is part of your admission so you do not need to purchase anything extra and they have some really magical Holiday Entertainment. Here is what they offer nightly-
Meet Santa (and then once he ships off on the 24th, you can meet Santa Goofy!)
Minnie’s Holiday Dine – For dinner, you can dine with Minnie and her best friends all dressed in their Holiday Attire. The dinner will contain typical buffet items but festive holiday items will also be served all set to holiday music
Sunset Seasons Greetings (pictured above) is a fun projection show played on a billboard and The Hollywood Hotel. They have scenes from your favorite Disney movies AND IT SNOWS! This was one of my favorite parts. It plays on repeat and the littles just loved it. They still talk about it and are hoping to see it again this year!
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! – This projection show is displayed on the Chinese Theater along with lasers & beautiful fireworks. It is a beautiful display that bring your favorites to life – Prep & landing, Nightmare Before Christmas, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and more. Do not miss it! If you would prefer just to show up right before the show instead of standing in your saved spot for 30 minutes there is a Dessert party that is available for purchase with reserved viewing section.
These Holiday bonuses that you get when visiting Hollywood Studios are a great reason to travel here during November & December in addition to all of the attractions and entertainment it usually offers.
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
I want to give my loved ones a Disney Destination as a gift for Christmas, but how can I make the gift giving process fun and exciting? Well, if you reserve with me and Magical Vacations, you will be sent a Minnie Box which would be an amazing gift already wrapped to place under the tree.
It is our thank you gift to you for putting your Disney Destination Trip in our hands. It is full of magic and excitement and will help you along with any trip you plan with us. It is a great gift in itself and you can stick it right under the tree. There is NO better way to say Merry Christmas!
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination
for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday
Shopping crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones
this year, contact me today!
I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your
gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and
helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
Up next in our “Traveling for the Holidays” I wanted to look into a Disney Destination that I have never visited personally, but I have learned and heard SO much about! Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.
Aulani is an amazing resort on a gorgeous island in Hawai’i. Vacationing here is a dream of mine and doing so during the holidays sounds even more magical. The activities and extra holiday events that the resort puts on during “Aloha Kalikimaka” sound so merry and fun. When it gets cold where you live, you are shipping off to an amazing tropical paradise. Plus! If you plan it right (that is where I come in) you can get a pretty decent discount.
Some of the wonderful holiday events that occur during the Holiday Season-
Holiday Caroling
Disney Characters in the Island-Inspired Holiday Best
Mickey Peppermint Macarons
“Kakamora” Inspired Gingerbread House
Sit with Aloha Santa
Keiki Holiday Cookie Decorating at Aunty’s Beach House
Holiday Island Merchandise
If you are lucky enough to be there on Christmas Day, there is a beautiful Christmas Day Feast served. It just sounds so magical and relaxing. Christmas in Paradise! I am ready!!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Aulani seems like the ultimate gift to give or receive for Christmas. Actually, right now, there is a 30% discount off of 5 night stays up until 12/21/19. That discount takes you right into this holiday season! Whether you want to give Aulani or any Disney Destination as a gift under the tree, it is always exciting to make the “gift” part fun and magical.
Here is the most fun (for us) and most frustrating (for kids) way we have given a trip to them. I took one of our Disney Cruise postcards and cut it up into puzzle pieces. Each kid got a puzzle in a Christmas card. They had to assemble the picture to see where we were going and to read the message we had written on it. They knew it was something awesome when the pieces fell out but they were so excited, they couldn’t get the silly thing together. What memories..
If this is something you are interested in frustrating your children with, let me know and I would be happy to send you a postcard for your gift delivery!
Disney Holiday Trivia
Which Characters Play the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, & Future in Mickey’s Christmas Carol?
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday Shopping crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
On the Fourth Day of Christmas in July, Donald Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
Planning a trip to Disneyland during the Holiday Season is a great way to get into a jolly mood. There are so many Christmas themed events and changes that take place at the park that it is really worth a visit during this time.
Events include-
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
Believe…..in holiday magic Fireworks
It’s a Small World Lighting – the daily lighting of the facade of the ride, a lit up in Christmas Magic
It’s a Small World Holiday Overlay – See the Yuletide version of this classic
Lights & Decor – See one of the most Iconic theme parks decorated for Christmas
Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour – Nightmare before Christmas Overlay (AHHHHmazing!)
Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort – A guided Tour
All of this and more paired with California Adventure as well as the Downtown Disney District provides so much Holiday Happiness to each guest that visits. It is a highly recommended destination during the holidays for sure!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Wrap up a Disney Dream! If your kids have too much “stuff”, give them the gift of memories that will last a lifetime. There are so many fun ways to do this and you can go crazy with creativity or you can keep it simple. One of my favorite, more simple ways is to wrap up a favorite Disney character stuffed animal with a card in its hands that says “See ya Real Soon” for each family member. Just have anyone getting a gift box all open them at the same time and watch the celebrations begin! You can even tailor the stuffed animal to the type of Disney Destination! Gifting a Disney Cruise? Wrap up Sailor Minnie & Mickey! Gifting Disney World? Wrap up a favorite Princess or a Pirate. Gifting Adventures by Disney? Order a stuffed animal from Epcot through the My Disney Experience Shopping section – have it dressed according to the country you are traveling to.
If you would like Mickey stickers, park maps, or other fun literature to add to their gift box, let me know and I would be happy to send you some.
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
Today we look at one of my favorite parks to travel to during the Holidays – Epcot. Epcot has so many wonderful things going on during November & December. The whole park is decorated and the World Showcase is definitely a merry place to be.
At each different country, you will be able to learn about how that country celebrates Christmas. All 11 nations will share their holiday music, decor, and traditions. It is a great way to learn about Holidays in different cultures. With the addition of The Festival of the Holidays, you can also taste some classic favorites that they enjoy during the season. There are “Holiday Kitchens” placed throughout World Showcase for additional bites & sips from around the world. See if you can learn what Santa is called in all the different Countries displayed!
The Candlelight Processional is a favorite of many guests, so much so that it can now be part of a dinner package. Here, each night, a different celebrity will narrate The Christmas Story backed by a 50 piece orchestra and a choir. This is performed 3 times each night from 11/29-12/30 for the 2019 season.
What would the World Showcase be without a little fun for the kids? In between trying yummy new foods and learning how different cultures celebrate Christmas, littles can hunt for Chip & Dale! This great little scavenger hunt is a fun activity for the whole family. You can purchase your map at select gift shops. Once you find all the locations, you return your map to the gift shop and they will give you a keepsake. The maps are inexpensive and the keepsakes are pretty cute. One year we got all different DIY Disney ornaments.
A Few Festival Tips:
This is included with your admission, so plan to take advantage of it
Many of the items on the Holiday Kitchen Menus are “snack credits” and it is most often a great use of them
This Festival is more quiet & less busy during the week than a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday
The first two Candlelight Processionals of each day are much more crowded than the third – either way, it can definitely be enjoyed from the courtyard in the American Pavilion
Visiting Epcot during the Holiday Season is a fantastic way for you and your loved ones to get into the Holiday Spirit!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Be the envy of all around you when you say you have a HUGE jump start on your holiday shopping. Purchase a Disney Destination Trip for your family and put it under the tree!
I have been focusing on different ways to do this and a dear friend provided me with one of the ways she surprised their children. She had purchased a Disney World Vacation Package for them as a Christmas Gift. When they woke up Christmas Day, they unwrapped present after present until they got to the bigger boxes closest to the tree. When they unwrapped those, they discovered suitcases that were already packed with their clothes & necessities and ready to go! They looked on top of the luggage and saw the signature yellow luggage tags we send to guests to have their luggage transported to their resort. They were leaving that day and all they had to do was change their clothes and get to the airport. What a treat!
Holiday Recipes
Canada in Epcot has some outrageous Pecan Maple Bark during the Holiday Festival. Want to try it at home?
Ingredients: 2 cups butter 1 1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup maple sugar 1/3 cup water 2 teaspoons maple extract
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions:
1. Line cookie sheets with wax paper.
2. Combine butter, sugars, water, and maple extract in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat and stir continuously until mixture is around 270 Degrees
3. Pour mixture onto sheet and spread quickly. Let cool until it hardens
4. Place ice in bottom of large bowl and cover ice with a kitchen towel. Set aside.
5. Melt 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
6. Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips to melted chocolate and stir to melt
7. Spread melted chocolate onto cooled brittle. Sprinkle pecans and seasalt on top and let cool
8. Once completely cool, crack into whatever storage container you will use and Enjoy!
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon! If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones this year, contact me today! I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your gift to surprise your family!
It is hot, hot, hot out there. I hope everyone is
enjoying their Summer, spending time by the pool, lake, or ocean!
Let’s think some cool thoughts and Celebrate A Very Merry
Disney Christmas in July! I know its
still 5 months away but it always manages to sneak up on me anyway!
12 Days of Christmas posts will include hints, tips, recipes, and suggestions on how to make your Holiday Season a Magical Disney Holiday Season.
On the First Day of Christmas, Mickey gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
This is a fantastic time of the year to head to any Disney Destination. Everywhere you look, there are beautiful light displays, holiday treats, and wonderful experiences to share with those that you love.
Today we will look at what it would be like to be at the Magic Kingdom during the holiday season.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an amazingly magical event that takes place in the Magic Kingdom. There are holiday ride over-lays, special merchandise, delicious holiday treats (all you can enjoy Hot Cocoa and Christmas Cookies) and, ok yeah, about half the typical amount of guests that are usually in the parks. This is an after-ticket event and Disney controls how many tickets are sold. You will find the lines for your favorite rides to be a fraction of what they usually are. It is an amazing and magical time and I highly recommend it! Tip: Tickets say enter at 7pm but get in as early as 4pm! That is three bonus Hours in Magic Kingdom!!
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
My kids have so much “stuff”. There really is nothing that they need. To eliminate a bunch more “stuff” we have been giving a trip as a gift for the last few years. They have received Disney World quite a few times and this year will be a Disney Cruise. These trips are for later in the year and it is something we can look forward to together all year long. GOOD GRACIOUS does this make my holiday shopping easier.
The Monstrosity on the Left!
I wanted to offer a few different ways to “wrap up” a Disney Destination to put under the tree. One of my favorites is to fill a wrapped box with Disney Balloons. Now, with the Husband being an air condition/heating technician, I had him bring home the biggest A/C Box he could find. Y’all, this box was big enough for me to walk into! So we wrapped it in a really fun Mickey Christmas Paper (thank you, Dollar Tree) and inside we put an extra large mickey balloon and several star and round balloons. We put it out a week before Christmas and it drove them NUTS!! When they finally opened it all together on Christmas Morning, it was like Christmas Magic. Inside, I also put our family countdown that we always use, and a few different planning documents that we enjoy going over together. It was so much fun and we did enjoy talking about it until the following October when we actually traveled.
Recipes
Looking to add a little Disney Flair to your Holiday Desert? One of my Favorites would be Rice Crispy Mickey Heads!
Make Rice Crispy Treats as per the cereal box
Use the Mickey Head sandwich shaper or free form a mickey head
Dip the ears and top of head into melted baking chocolate
Use green and red sprinkles to decorate the chocolate
(can obviously use any colors for a fun treat for any holiday)
If you are looking to travel during the 2019 Holiday Season or if you would like to look into purchasing a trip to gift to your family this Holiday Season, contact me today! It is the fastest and easiest holiday shopping you will ever do and I am happy to help with all the fun and cheery details. Also, qualifying reservations will receive our Minnie Box! Our gift to you that arrives on your doorstep prior to your departure for your trip. It is filled with magic and excitement and is tailored to your travel party. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!
Turning Dreams Into Memories 