Archive for the ‘Small Gifts’ Category

Small cottages nestle in the trees; a policeman stands watchful as busy villagers go about their errands; trains move smoothly over bridges, through tunnels, and chug past rural railway stations; a joyful wedding party makes its way down the hillside while a solitary deer surveys the forest from a mountaintop.  It’s a world recreated in exquisite detail – the miniature village and railway at the Germany pavilion in EPCOT.

There’s always something new to see and marvel at as the Disney gardeners landscape, replant, and embellish for the changing seasons, holidays, and special events at Walt Disney World.  Hidden Mickeys come and go; buildings are “erected” for special events like the little greenhouse for EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Show, complete with tiny signage.

During the Christmas season, guests are treated to a holiday wonderland.  Decorations spring up all over “town.”  Christmas trees are decorated, lampposts sport holiday bows, and buildings are outlined in lights. Even the railway cars are reconfigured for important holiday activities.

Originally conceived for the Flower and Garden Festival, this extraordinary installation has become a permanent and much-loved fixture of the World Showcase.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is filled with lush green growth, leafy trees that dapple the sunlight on the walkways below, frilly fronds, and twining vines.  You may be surprised when ten feet of that fine foliage starts to move – meet DiVine!

It is performance art at its most captivating, as she wraps herself around living plants to become one with the landscape, then slowly stretches her long “limbs” and moves gracefully to embrace a different tree.  Once concealed, she is almost impossible to see, even when you’re looking for her.

Enjoy her verdant wanderings between Asia and Africa each day at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m.

Jack Frost nip…..well, OK, maybe Jack isn’t doing much nipping in Florida, but the Christmas spirit is alive and well at Walt Disney World.  We thought we’d expand upon our fav5 posts about Christmas activities with a week of entries devoted to this special time of year.

So, on the subject of chestnuts; I am one of many regular visitors who look forward to greeting Richard each time I stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.  He has been a fixture there for many years and, let’s be honest, no one looks better is plus fours and spats!  During the holiday season, his signature pastel costume is replaced with Christmas Red to match the thousands of poinsettias that grace the resort’s grounds, and each afternoon, he takes his place outside the main entrance, offering complimentary hot chestnuts to the guests.

Chestnuts! So perfectly in keeping with the Victorian theme; so unexpected.  It’s a warm and welcoming scene right out of the storybook setting that is the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

One way to make a day at the Magic Kingdom extra special is to score a FastPass for your entire party.  How?  You simply have to find the paintbrush.

Each day, from one to five brushes are hidden on Tom Sawyer Island.  The finder’s fee for success is a FastPass, valid for everyone in your group.   Plan to be at the park when it opens and in line to hop on the first raft that’s heading from Frontierland over to the island.

Periodically, there are rumors that the brushes are no longer being hidden, so you might ask if there are any to be found that day.

We suggest befriending the cast member piloting the raft.  He may be willing to reveal a helpful clue.  It’s best to split up to explore the wilderness as you’ll want to cover as much ground as possible before the crowds arrive.

Tom Sawyer Island is a fascinating area that many guests never take the time to discover.  With a fort and forests, tunnels and caves, a bouncy bridge, and winding trails, it’s a relaxing respite from the crowds across the river.  The porch of Aunt Polly’s is the perfect place to enjoy a cool lemonade or an Apple Pie Sundae.   Even if you never find a hidden paintbrush, your island adventure will be worthwhile.

Tom Sawyer Island

Magic Kingdom

Not wheelchair accessible

Park admission required

#5 Candlelight Processional

It’s an unbeatable combination; music and candlelight.  Borrowing a tradition from Disneyland, Walt Disney World hosts a number of different choirs from around the country who join the cast member chorus and Voices of Liberty in the America Gardens Theatre for a joyous performance of holiday favorites, accompanied by a full orchestra.

The much-loved Christmas story is retold  by a celebrity guest narrator;  the familiar tale interwoven with  the songs of this most beautiful season.

This year, the tentative schedule is:

November 27-29 — Isabella Rossellini
November 30, December 1-2 — John O’ Hurley
December 3-5 — Steven Curtis Chapman
December 6-8 — TBA
December 9-11 — Andy Garcia
December 12-14 — Vanessa Williams
December 15-17 — Abigail Breslin
December 18-20 — Whoopi Goldberg
December 21-23 — Brian Dennehy
December 24-26 — Edward James Olmos
December 27-30 — Angela Bassett & Courtney B. Vance

The concerts are free with admission to EPCOT, but the standby queue can be long and many people line up as much as two hours early.  Those wishing to avoid the standby waits can opt for the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package.  This includes lunch or dinner before the assigned showtime at a choice of several different EPCOT restaurants, and a ticket for reserved seating at the concert.  In the past, there have been three different pricing tiers for the restaurants and the package was available for one Table Service credit on the Disney Dining Plan, and the Platinum and Premium vacation plans.  Package attendees also have a long line, but it moves quickly and they are guaranteed a seat up to 15 minutes before the concert when the standby group is allowed in.

Each concert, performed three times nightly, features the solemn procession of the guest chorus members from the back of the theatre onto the stage.  The cast member choir, dressed in green robes, forms the shape of a Christmas tree in the center, complete with a star “tree topper” worn by the same singer for more than twenty years.  There are the stirring sounds of trumpets from the wings and an absolutely mesmerizing sign-language interpretation on stage; one of the highlights of the event.  The signer has the extraordinary ability to convey the “music” and emotion of the performance with beauty and eloquence.

The Candlelight Processional is a stirring and uplifting event and the perfect way to start a new holiday tradition of your own.

Candlelight Processional

EPCOT

November 27 to December 30, 2009

Nightly 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.

Park admission required

#3 The Lights of Winter

Yet another of those lovely things that bring us back to Walt Disney World year after year – the beautiful Lights of Winter in EPCOT.  During the late fall, we watch the arches go up over the walkway between Future World and the World Showcase; the bare white structures giving little hint of the dazzling show that awaits.  Just after Thanksgiving, the parks and resorts seem suddenly to burst forth in holiday dress. Now, each evening, the modest archway transforms, becoming a brilliant canopy of color.  It’s an ever-changing tapestry as continuous patterns compose and fade away, twinkling and pulsating in harmony with a holiday musical score.

We love the charming ceremony that takes place at nightfall, when characters arrive for the lighting of the EPCOT tree.  As the lights on the tree begin to twinkle, the magic moves to the archway, and it comes alive for the first show of the night.

Lights of Winter

EPCOT

Nightly throughout the holiday season

Park admission required

#1 Castle Dream Lights

One of the world’s most famous and well-loved structures, Cinderella Castle has endured its share of temporary embellishments through the years, some of them earning considerably less than universal approval.  Few would argue, though, that the current holiday enhancement is nothing short of astonishing.  Maintaining its usual façade by day thanks to cleverly-colored components which blend nearly invisibly with the blue and tan colors of the roof and walls, the Castle is transformed at night into an icy, sparkling confection.

A brief and charming ceremony at dusk ushers in the metamorphosis.  Slowly, turret by turret, the Castle begins to shimmer with a frosty glow as thousands of tiny lights work their magic to cover it with “icicles.”  Throughout the evening, the colors change imperceptibly, moving through the spectrum and providing an unforgettable backdrop for the holiday fireworks.

Cinderella Castle Holiday Lights

Magic Kingdom

Nightly throughout the holidays; stage show at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Park admission required

I admit I’m always a bit surprised when people walk right past the Fountain of Nations during one of the shows, without so much as a glance.  For me, it’s one of the great pleasures of EPCOT. 

Every fifteen minutes, the tranquil fountain bursts into life; the music playing and water spraying and soaring in a synchronized ballet.  

We will often grab a pretzel, find a good seat along the low wall near Mouse Gear, and settle in for several shows.  During the Christmas holiday, it’s particularly wonderful in the evening when the performances are in harmony with the beautiful Lights of Winter.  

Next time you’re  strolling through Innoventions Plaza and hear the musical fanfare, sit yourself down and enjoy the show!

Perhaps the single most magical Disney gift is the Electrical Water Pageant. Never included in any “must-see” list and not designed to lure guests into the parks, the stores, or any revenue-producing venue; its sole agenda is to surprise and delight.

Each night, it makes its charming way across the water, visiting each of the Magic Kingdom resort hotels in turn, silently floating in the dark until it suddenly bursts into a whimsy of colorful shapes and cheerful music. It consists of a number of floats with lighted images including King Triton, a sea serpent, turtles, and dolphins leaping from the water. At the end of each little show, all the barges turn into stars and flags in an All-American finale.

It can often be glimpsed from the monorail, and is an unexpected amenity of rooms with a water view at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge. All guests can catch the show from the water’s edge at any of these resorts as well as from Fort Wilderness, and many of the resort restaurants.

Keep an eye on the water if you’re around the Magic Kingdom area some evening – this small parade is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Electrical Water Pageant

Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake

Nightly – check locations for times