Adventures by disney · Christmas Adventures by Disney · Disney Travel Tip · Extra Magical Events

12 Days of Christmas in July

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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!

Animal Kingdom · Disney Travel Tip · Disney World Christmas · Walt Disney World

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, Buzz Lightyear Gave to Me::

Traveling for the Holidays

2019 would be a great year to visit Animal Kingdom during the holidays.  This year they will debut new decorations, shows, entertainment, and yuletide cheer.  The magic will begin as soon as you cross into Discovery Island and while the whole park is decorated, each land’s decorations are tailored to its theme. Here are some of the wonderful holiday festivities you can plan on experiencing:

  • Discovery Island decorated for a winter celebration
  • New Tree of Life Awakenings – themed to the spirit of the holidays
  • Festive musicians playing throughout Discovery Island
  • Catch some vintage Christmas Décor in Pandora – Humans remaining on Pandora bring décor from Earth to share with the natives
  • Various musicians and groups play music & dance throughout Harambe Village
  • Mickey & Friends Holiday Overlay for Character Meals at Tusker House
  • Celebrate Diwali in Asia – The Holiday Festival of Lights
  • Donald’s Dino-Bash Holiday Hoopla Dance Party with Characters.  There will be interactive games for littles

If you are heading to Disney World during the Holidays, stop by Animal Kingdom.  This new Holiday Event is sure to be amazing – I am most excited for the Discovery Island section and the New Tree of Life Awakenings.  What are you most excited about?

Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays

Give the gift of Memories that Will Last a Lifetime plus make your Holiday Shopping super easy and give the gift of a Disney Destination.  Looking for a fun way to do that?  How about a scavenger hunt? One year, we left a note card on the kitchen table for when the littles woke up.  It told them they had to hunt for and collect clues.  Each clue they found would be a hint at the surprise. You can make a list of items in your home that will help them guess what the surprise is. Then decide how you will get them from one clue to the next.

For this trip, we were headed to Disney World and staying in Port Orleans Riverside plus we were going to experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.  The first card basically just told them we had a surprise for them, but they had to hunt for it. 

“Find the next clue where little #2 keeps his reptile toys.”

In the reptile toy bin, the found the next clue attached to a rubber alligator hinting at where we were staying (the kids love the fold down bed with the image of Luis above it at Riverside) They grabbed the gator and read the card –

“The next clue is where our pups like to sun themselves.” 

They ran to the front porch to discover a card on a pumpkin gourd.  The next clue –

“Find the next clue where you get your favorite beverage.”

In the Fridge they found a toy plane.  It was then they figured we were going on a trip.  The next Clue –

“Find the next clue where mommy shows us where all our different family members live”

They ran to the playroom to find a card on the state of Florida on our State Map rug.  The final clue read –

“Run to up to where Daddy gets dressed.” 

When they opened the closet doors, they found a suitcase with a Stuffed Mickey & Minnie on top.  They needed a bit of help with the “alligator hint” but they figured out the rest all on their own.  It was a fun way to tell them about their trip and the excitement that built during the hunt made the trip itself even more exciting.   I am happy to help you plan any aspects of your trip, including how to gift it to your loved ones!

Trivia – Did You Know?

There were two “Marley’s” in “The Muppet Christmas Carol” but in other renditions of this movie or play, there is just Jacob Marley. They added a Robert Marley in this version so they could be played by Statler & Waldorf.

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!

Christmas in Disneyland · Disney Travel Tip · Disneyland · Downtown Disney District · Special Events in Disneyland

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

On the Ninth Day of Christmas in July, Flynn Rider Gave to Me::

Traveling for the Holidays

Vacations are a great time to bond with your family and loved ones. Taking a trip during the holidays to a Disney Destination creates that bonding experience in a magical and whimsical setting. Disneyland is a wonderful place to visit any time of year but shines brightest during the holidays. You cannot go wrong with all it has to offer including the Downtown Disney District.

The Downtown Disney District is decorated with large beautiful trees, planters full of holiday plants & giant ornaments, and Lights, lights lights! It is a lovely little winter wonderland to stroll through. Why not get some of your Holiday Shopping done while you are there? There are many shops to peruse including the World of Disney. With all that shopping, if you work up an appetite there are several eateries to choose from. The eateries will have seasonal specialties for you to try like holiday themed ice cream, cookies, cotton candy, and more! Grab one of the many bites because next you are going to want to sit and watch some of the many forms of Holiday Entertainment, they have carolers in ugly sweaters, musicians, magicians and so much more. It is a fantastic addition to any Disneyland trip during the Holidays and I hope you get to enjoy it!

Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays

Get your Holiday Shopping done early and reserve a Disney Vacation Package! Something fun we do while we are anticipating a Disney Destination Trip is to count down the days. There are many ways to do this but our family personally likes a display out in the open where we can all see it. We made one out of construction paper and clothes pins about 7 years ago and we still use it. It hangs on the fridge and they take turns changing the numbers of the display each morning. It is something small that we all do together each morning before we leave for work and school. This is one of the first things we “wrap” and include when we gift them a Disney Destination Trip for the Holidays. It is just simple Mickey Ears so it works for any destination. Once they tear off all the paper and see that countdown, they know they have a Disney Destination in their near future and they LOVE it.

There are many different kinds you can make – some more intricate than others and they can all be found on Pinterest. You can also purchase a ready made countdown from a place like Etsy. I have been eyeballing a Disney Cruise Countdown made of wooden blocks. We will definitely be adding that to the purchase list before our cruise next year.

Trivia

In Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, What Happens Each Time Elsa Sneezes?

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!

Disney Travel Tip · Disney World Christmas · Disney World Resort · Merchandise · Walt Disney World

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

On the Eighth Day of Christmas in July, Piglet Gave to Me::

Traveling for the Holidays

Disney goes above and beyond with their decorations everywhere they can. The Resorts are no exception! We take an entire day and go to several resorts when we are there during the Holidays. They have uniquely decorated Christmas Trees, Gingerbread Houses, lights, and more. Here is our Guide to Disney World Resorts during the Holidays. We like to start at the Monorails resorts, take a boat the Wilderness lodge, then head to the Boardwalk Resorts, and finally, end at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Each resort’s Tree will be decorated to the theme of the resort. It was fun to take the little’s pictures in front of all of them. The resorts will each have special holiday merchandise for purchase in their gift shops as well.

  • Grand Floridian – Beautiful tree & a Gingerbread House you can actually go in
  • Contemporary – Stunning Tree out at the entrance to the Resort plus a really pretty & fun Cinderella Gingerbread House
  • Polynesian – Very bright & fun Christmas Tree
  • Wilderness Lodge – Very Large and softly decorated Christmas Tree
  • Boardwalk Inn – Fun & tasty Gingerbread Version of the Boardwalk, an opportunity to build your own Gingerbread house with one of their chefs, and a very large tree in the yard outside
  • Beach Club – See an elegant Carousel made out of gingerbread along with a beautifully decorated tree and wreaths
  • Yacht Club – Beautiful Seaside-Themed Tree and an elaborate Holiday Train Display
  • Animal Kingdom – We like to finish up here and see some of the animals in the Savannah. See a large, warmly decorated tree

Hint:: There are Hidden Mickey’s throughout each Gingerbread Display!

If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World during the Holidays, definitely plan on stopping at these Resorts. If not all of them, at least try to check out a few. They will truly enhance your holiday.

Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays

If you are not a fan of pinterest and prefer to let someone else come up with a way to “gift” a Disney Trip, let me simplify it for you! Just present them with our Minnie Box! It is full of pixi dust, magic, and surprises plus your very own personalized travel guide book. Each box is personalized and tailored to the travel party and they are so much fun to open. We can send you yours with your qualifying Disney Destination Trip that is booked through us. They are included with my services – which are free by the way.

Recipe – Mickey Christmas Bread

This starts with raw cinnamon rolls.

  • Purchase a roll of them from the store or craft your own
  • Take three rolls and place them together so they look like a Mickey Head
  • Bake
  • Once golden brown, remove from over and ice. You can use icing, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, caramel – whatever is your favorite
  • Decorate with holiday sprinkles, gummies, cherries – anything you would like.

We have these each year on Christmas Morning – it is a family tradition.

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!

California Adventure · Christmas in Disneyland · Disney Travel Tip · Disneyland · Extra Magical Events · Special Events in Disneyland

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

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!

Disney Characters · Disney Travel Tip · Disney World Christmas · Extra Magical Events · Hollywood Studios · Walt Disney World

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

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!

Aulani · Christmas in Aulani · Disney Characters · Disney Travel Tip · Extra Magical Events · Savings Promotion

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

On the Fifth Day of Christmas in July, Daisy Gave to Me::

Traveling for the Holidays

© Disney

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!

Christmas in Disneyland · Disney Travel Tip · Disneyland · Extra Magical Events · Special Events in Disneyland

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

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!

Disney Travel Tip · Epcot · Extra Magical Events · Walt Disney World

12 Days of Christmas in July

© Disney

On the Third Day of Christmas in July, Pluto Gave to Me::

© Disney

Traveling for the Holidays

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!

© Disney

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!

Christmas Adventures by Disney · Christmas in Aulani · Christmas in Disneyland · Christmas on A Disney Cruise · Cruise Itineraries · Disney Cruise Line · Disney Dream · Disney Fantasy · Disney Magic · Disney Travel Tip · Disney Wonder · Disney World Christmas · Mickey's Very Merry Christmas · Themed Cruises · Walt Disney World

12 Days of Christmas in July

On the Second Day of Christmas, Minnie Gave to Me::

© Disney

Traveling for the Holidays

While there is not a whole lot of availability left for 2019, there are still a handful of Very Merrytime Sailings left that you can take advantage of. Take a break from the chilly weather and see what the Holidays are like on the High Seas!

There are Tree Lighting Ceremonies, your favorite Disney Characters dressed in their Holiday Best, as well as a few special surprises provided by our favorite Frozen Sisters. Many Holiday activities await you including decorating gingerbread houses and you may even catch Santa himself! He needs a break too, right? Don’t forget Holiday themed shows, entertainment and merchandise. Many guests say it is their favorite sailing of the year! Will it be yours?

Some Tips for your Very Merrytime Sailing:

  • Get in the spirit! Bring Ugly Sweaters, Festive Mickey Ears, Santa Hats – whatever Holiday Garb you would like!
  • Decorate! Bring some Holiday Cheer to your stateroom. Box Stores sell mini LED lit Christmas Trees that we bought to bring last year that are lit with just a USB Plug. Bring Holiday Decor for your Stateroom Door too!
  • Get the Character photos! It is only on these special sailings that you will find your favorite Disney Pals in Holiday Wear at Sea.
  • Enjoy the Holiday Treats. There are several yummy Holiday treats onboard. Make sure to get to the Hot Cocoa Bar after Mrs. Claus’s Story time.
  • Go to the Holiday Events! They are so special and unique to these sailings. They are well worth your time and you will be so happy you did!

Taking a Disney Cruise during these wonderful celebrations is a great way to enhance your holidays! I recommend one of the first sailings offered. It is a GREAT way to really get in the Holiday Spirit and kick off the season.

Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays

Get your Holiday shopping done early and reserve a trip for a Disney Destination. Whether it is a Disney Theme Park, Disney Cruise, Aulani, or an Adventure by Disney, your family is sure to be super excited about it and that excitement will continue until you travel.

One year with the littles were…littler, I got super creative. I cut out Cinderella’s Castle out of cardboard. The castle was about 4 ft. tall and the front doors were tall enough for them to go through. I drew details and colored it in. Behind the doors, I put two wrapped boxes full of things that they would use in Disney. When they came down Christmas Morning, they were able to open the doors and go “into” the castle and discovered all their wonderful goodies and that they were going to Disney World in a few short weeks. Their boxes included:

  • Our countdown
  • A Luggage Tag
  • Mickey Stickers (the kind you get in the parks)
  • Disney Sun Glasses
  • Disney Waterbottles
  • Disney Coloring book & Crayons
  • Glow Wands & swords (Dollar Tree)
  • A New Disney Shirt
  • A Disney Frame
  • An autograph book & Pen (For the 3 year old)
  • Disney Gift Card
  • Disposable Camera

The little guy didn’t really get it but my LilBug was totally excited and was so ready to go. It was great to watch her face light up as she went through the box and they kept the castle for a few months to play in.

Holiday Recipes

Mickey Cookies! Once again, using the sandwich shaper, we used sugar cookie dough and cut out several Mickey Heads. Once baked, you can use several different combinations of icings and sprinkles to decorate. We make these each year and leave some for Santa and share the rest with our family on Christmas Day. 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! If you are looking for some things to add to a surprise gift box, like the stickers I mentioned, let me know and I am happy to send you some!

Better yet, you can include the Minnie Box in their gift box. This is our Thank You gift to you for letting us assist in Planning Your Dreams. It will be full of Magic and Excitement and is a great way to get your family excited about any Disney Destination. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!