Posts Tagged ‘Castle Dream Lights’

It is a month of contrasts.  The beginning of December is a favorite of Disney veterans who take advantage of the great weather and lower crowds during the first couple of weeks.  The week between Christmas and New Year is the single busiest one of the year.  During this holiday period, it’s not unusual for the Magic Kingdom to reach full capacity and close the gates to new arrivals as early as 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.

It is festive and beautiful – perhaps the single most beautiful time of year to visit Walt Disney World – with parks and resorts dressed to impress and the daily schedules a whirlwind of special events, activities, and holiday performances.  There are so many different things going on it’s impossible to list them all!  As the calendar counts off the days until Christmas, each resort begins to add its own roster of special holiday happenings.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party continues, typically until about December 19th, at which time the Christmas Parade replaces the daytime parade in the Magic Kingdom for the remainder of the season.  The Castle Dream Lights sparkle and Wishes becomes Holiday Wishes for a few special days.  There are regular performances of the Candlelight Processional and the storytelling of Holidays Around the World in EPCOT.  Visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom can enjoy Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.  The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights draws the crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Festival of Seasons offers seasonal entertainment and Santa meet-and-greets.  In fact, Santa really gets around the Walt Disney World Resort!

The Voices of Liberty don their holiday finery for concerts of seasonal music at the American Adventure and many of the resort lobbies ring with good cheer as various choruses, choirs, bell ringers, soloists, and musical groups serenade guests.

Attendance levels: From the sublime to the ridiculous – expect lower attendance for the first couple of weeks escalating to the highest numbers of the year during Christmas week.  Guests visiting for the first time after the middle of the month should understand that crowds will be fierce.  The parks are crowded, the parking lots are jammed, the roadways are busy, the buses and monorails are full; it’s difficult to overstate just how massive the crowds are.  Expect long waits for attractions and transportation; be prepared to wait at every turn.  Be certain to make dining reservations well in advance and plan to visit with a relaxed attitude, knowing that this will be a time to slow down and enjoy each moment as it comes.

Weather: It can be breezy and balmy or crisp and cold.  In the past few years, the temperatures have climbed well up into the 80’s and crashed into the 20’s.  December of 2010 was the coldest ever recorded for this area.

Packing: If there was ever a time to pack for all possibilities, this is it.  As the departure dates nears, we suggest checking the ten-day forecast at weather.com!

Even though it’s still summer, in “Disney Time” the holidays are right around the corner.  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts in just a few weeks and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, one of the highlights of the Christmas season, begins on November 8^th and runs on selected nights until December 19^th.

It’s a magical night filled with special entertainment, spectacular fireworks, and the only opportunity to see the Christmas parade after dark.  Also, the first presentation of Castle Dream Lights takes place on the night of the first party, November 8.

The 2010 dates for this merry annual event are:

November – 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28, & 30
December – 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 19

7 p.m. to 12 midnight

Ticket Prices for 2010, not including taxes, range from $53.95 to $59.95 for adults and $47.95 to $53.95 for children.  Lower prices reflect advance purchase savings which are not available for all dates.

If you’re booking your Walt Disney World vacation package with Whimsical World Travel, your Concierge will be happy to make arrangements for your party tickets.  You can choose to have them waiting at Will Call for pick-up after you arrive, or request downloadable e-tickets.  For an additional charge, your tickets can also be shipped.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families – why not make it one of yours?

The holiday decorations are up for 2009; none more beautiful than the Castle Dream Lights in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.  A breathtaking display of shimmering beauty that photographer Joe Penniston has captured in perfect reflection.

#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