New in 2016 – Discover What’s New for the Holiday Season at Disney World

You may still have Halloween candy around your house, but the Holiday Season at Disney World is already in full swing. We absolutely love visiting Disney World during this time of year. Every year, Disney seems to top itself and 2016 is no different. You won’t want to miss all the new Holiday offerings. Here are the 7 new Holiday offerings at Disney World in 2016.

1 – Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Beginning November 14, a brand new nighttime spectacular comes Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Victoria Lim:

Great garland – Santa Claus is missing!

And the search-and-rescue mission to get The Big Guy back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve is all part of the fun in the all-new “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” holiday spectacular coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios November 14. The show comes to life on, above and around the Chinese Theater with state-of-the-art projections, special effects, fireworks and a rousing seasonal musical score.

Led by elves Wayne and Lanny, the duo from ABC/Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated special “Prep & Landing,” the spirited yuletide adventure to the North Pole features memorable holiday moments from Disney films including “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pluto’s Christmas Tree,” “Bambi,” Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and more, all building to a festive finale that’s “So tinsel!”

And did I mention there will be snow?

A sweet way to enjoy this new holiday spectacular is with the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party, which includes reserved viewing, desserts, specialty beverages and more. Each dessert party guest will get a pair of 3D HoloSpex® glasses to use while watching the show. The glasses create spectacular holographic illusions of gingerbread men, candy canes, snowflakes and ornaments on any bright point of light.

Memorable, heartwarming, and enchanting for the entire family these one-of-a-kind holiday experiences will dazzle Disney’s Hollywood Studio guests through December 31.

Want the best seat in the house? You may want to consider the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You’ll experience holiday joy, excitement and traditional music at this festive dessert party. You’ll have holiday-inspired snacks, specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and mingle with a VIP Disney Character. Check in for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party will begin an hour and fifteen minutes before show time outside of The Great Movie Ride.

From November 14 through December 17, 2016, tickets can be purchased for $69 per adult or $39 for children ages 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity included). Then, as the holidays draw closer from December 18 through December 31, 2016, tickets can be purchased for $79 per adult or $45 for children ages 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity included).

For reservations to the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Party, you can book online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Please note: a separate ticket for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required and is not included in the dessert party price.

2 – Santa Claus is Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New this year, you can meet Santa Claus at the Once Upon a Time shop along Sunset Boulevard. In previous years, Santa Goofy had been the celebrated guest at this park. Santa will available to hear your wish lists beginning November 14.

3 – New Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail to Debut This Holiday Season

New this year, Disney Springs will be debuting a new Christmas Tree Trail. Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Darcy Clark:

During this walk-through experience, you’ll wind through a lovely winter wonderland complete with a gentle snow fall, toy soldiers, singers and plenty of opportunities for photos! While I haven’t seen the trees yet (our Holidays Services Team is hard at work bringing them to life), I have a feeling I’ll have a hard time choosing a favorite.

Below is a list of the planned tree themes – they’re all on my “nice” list, with the exception of the Disney Villains tree, which is sure to be wickedly fun!

• Mickey and Minnie Mouse
• Disney Villains
• “Moana“
• “Beauty and the Beast“
• “The Little Mermaid“
• “Cinderella“
• “The Princess and the Frog“
• “Alice in Wonderland“
• “Frozen“
• “The Jungle Book“
• “Mulan“
• “101 Dalmatians“
• “Tangled“
• “Mary Poppins“
• The Muppets

The Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail will debut on November 11th and will run through January 8, 2017.

4 – Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Special Holiday Edition

Now that The Magic Kingdom Park is all dressed up for the holidays, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire has a new Holiday themed finale. Featuring songs such as Happy Holidays, Jingle Bells, and Winter Wonderland – the finale also includes all new holiday costumes. Current show times are 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:15pm, but best to check times guides for the latest.

5 – New Seasonal Merchandise Offerings for 2016

Watch this video from Cast Member Steven Miller to catch a glimpse at all of the exciting new merchandise at Disney World this year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=76&v=zx9B7LRqSso

6- New 2016 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Merchandise

Planning on going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year? You won’t want to miss out on the new merchandise available beginning November 7, 2016. First, a new limited edition retail MagicBand was created for the event. This MagicBand, limited to just 3000 units, will be presented in a decorative box. You’ll also find a variety of short and long-sleeved apparel for both adults and kids. Annual Passholders will have access to a special t-shirt designed just for them, as well as a limited edition Passholder pin. Other commemorative merchandise includes a holiday ornament, a new D-Tech on Demand case for select mobile devices and a variety of limited release logo pins. The Christmas Party is held on select nights, November 7 – December 22 and requires a separate admission ticket.

Here’s where you need to go for all the merchandise needs:

• Main Street, U.S.A. – Emporium (apparel, retail MagicBand, pins, ornament)
• Storybook Circus – Big Top Souvenirs (apparel, retail MagicBand, pins)
• Liberty Square – Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe (apparel, logo pin, ornament)
• Tomorrowland – Mickey’s Star Traders (apparel and logo pin) and Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. (D-Tech on Demand case)

7- Seasonal Tastes Expands for Epcot Holidays Around the World

Another great way to celebrate the holidays is to travel around World Showcase and explore how the different countries celebrate the season. New this year, is the addition of more food and drink for the winter celebration at Epcot, November 25-December 30. New dishes include:

• Probst! In Germany: an artisan cheese plate or sauerbraten with red cabbage and spätzle. Drinks include alcoholic ciders, Williams Punch (hot), Caramel Kiss featuring Werther’s Caramel and glüwein (house-made hot spiced wine).
• American Holiday Table in the American Adventure Pavilion is serving Slow-roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. And seared pork tenderloin with green bean casserole, roasted sweet potato wedges and a Champagne demi-glace. Drinks include Shipyard Eggnog White Porter Aged on Bourbon, Firenog (eggnog with Fireball Whisky), Great American Wine Company Red Blend and Chardonnay, hot chocolate, eggnog and Cocoa Candy Cane (hot chocolate with peppermint Schnapps).
• Alpine Haus between Morocco and France for duck confit, dumplings and roasted Brussels sprouts with a fig reduction; cheese fondue in a bread bowl with fresh steamed vegetables, and sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot jam and dark chocolate glaze. Drinks include Frozen Winter Spice Hot Chocolate featuring Twinings of London Tea (alcoholic and non-alcoholic version available) Weingut Stadt Krems Gruner Vetliner White Wine and Heinrich Red Blend.
• Seasonal Southern Delights near World Showcase Plaza is offering hoppin’ john (black-eyed peas, ham hocks and kale with rice and cornbread crumbles); blackened catfish with white cheddar grits with okra, tomato and onion stew, and chocolate pecan tart. Drinks include Frozen S’Mores and Central 28 beers.
• Feast of the Three Kings Feast near World Showcase Plaza pays homage to Three Kings Day, widely celebrated in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean. Look for a shredded beef tamale with avocado crema; roasted pork with mashed yucca and pickled green bananas, and Three Kings Bread. Drinks will include a Coquito (coconut milk) and Coquito with rum floater.
• Hot and cold drinks will be offered all around World Showcase, as well as holidays sweets such as the Mickey Santa Hat cupcake at Fountain View restaurant, chocolate honey baklava in Morocco, panettone (Italian Christmas cake) in Italy, gingerbread ice cream and buche de Noel au chocolat (Christmas cake shaped like a log) in France, pai cha (Beijing-style fried dough twist with sesame) in China and guava tamales in Mexico.

RELATED ARTICLE: 6 Things You’ll Love about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

by Jenn S.

Many guests will visit Walt Disney World the week of Christmas which is historically one of the busiest times of the year. But guests visiting during the less busy weeks leading up to Christmas don’t have to miss out on the holiday festivities.  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separate ticketed event held on select nights at Magic Kingdom theme park in November and December from 7 pm to 12 am. Prices have increased in 2016 for this event. Prices range from $86 to $99 plus tax, per person. Prices depend on the date of the party and advance purchase prices are often cheaper. There are also discounts for Military and Annual Passholders on select nights.  You may be wondering what all the hype is about, so here are 6 things you’ll love about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.

6 – Limited Ticketed Event

Each Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party night has a limited number of tickets available, and once a specific night is sold out, no additional tickets for that night can be sold. This means that guests can experience this special event with fewer crowds. If you are looking to ride the attractions you will find short wait times for even the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom, including Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain. Other attractions will have a short wait during the party.

5 – Complimentary Hot Cocoa and Cookies

While you are enjoying the attractions, character meet and greets and all the great entertainment options you may find yourself getting a little hungry. Be sure to pick up some complimentary hot cocoa and cookies at the designated stations throughout the park.

4 – Holiday Wishes Fireworks

Holiday Wishes is a special nighttime spectacular shown at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party instead of the regular Wishes nighttime spectacular. During this display the sky above Cinderella’s Castle is lit up with holiday cheer. This special holiday version of Wishes is hosted by Jiminy Cricket and the finale even features artificial snow! You will love this holiday display of fireworks and music!

3 – Special Character Meet and Greets

If you love meeting characters, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers some great opportunities to meet some classic and rare characters. Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas often makes an appearance as “Sandy Claws.” Another Christmas Party fan favorite is the Seven Dwarfs, who normally can only be seen in the Main Street Electrical Parade or at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The dwarfs do not sign autographs but it is your chance to get your photo with all seven of them at once! Many other character meet and greet locations are located throughout the park, and classic Disney characters are wearing their Christmas outfits or winter wear.

2 – Holiday Themed Shows

During the party there are several special holiday themed shows.  Frozen Holiday Wish, which takes place on the Castle Forecourt Stage features Anna and Elsa from Frozen. In this show Elsa uses her powers to turn Cinderella Castle into an ice palace. Over 200 strands of LED lights light up Cinderella Castle in this display.  Another great show that takes place several times throughout the party on the Castle Forecourt Stage is the Celebrate the Season Show. In this show Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy tell their version of The Nutcracker complete with dancing reindeer and toy soldiers.  Finally, head on over to the Rockettower Plaza Stage for the Totally Tomorrowland Christmas show featuring Mike Wazowski, Buzz Lightyear and Stitch as they travel the galaxy to find Santa Claus.  Be sure to check your event guide for show times during the party!

1 – Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is shown twice during each party night with the parade beginning in Frontierland and ending on Main Street U.S.A. If you are going to be staying later or for the entire party it is typically less crowded during the second parade, making it easier to find a spot.  Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade features festive holiday music and some of your favorite characters decked out in their holiday outfits. You can expect to see Mickey and the gang, Jiminy Cricket, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Scrooge Mcduck and many more as they dance down the street with Elves, and Gingerbread men. The parade concludes with Santa Claus aboard his sleigh wishing Christmas cheer to all! This parade is also shown as the daytime parade at Magic Kingdom during the week of Christmas, but you can see it during the party without the crazy holiday crowds.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a fun filled special event. You will love the access to the attractions, character meet and greets, entertainment offerings and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. Have you been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party before? What was your favorite thing about the event?