Mickey's Magic Minute • Oct 27

October 27, 2024

👋 Good evening! Welcome to your pixie dusting of Disney news.

Whether you're a seasoned subscriber or a new arrival, we're thrilled to have you here. Each week we'll deliver the latest Disney scoop and our favorite Disney deals directly to your inbox.

🏰 In today’s issue:

  • 🎄 D23’s Jolly Holiday Event: Festive fun at Walt Disney Studios with treats, games, and early access for Gold Members.

  • 🍹 Disney Breakfast Cocktails: New alcoholic options now available for breakfast in the parks.

  • 🎢 Big Thunder Mountain Closure: Magic Kingdom’s beloved ride closes for a year in 2025.

  • 🌟 EPCOT Candlelight Processional: Celebrity narrators like Josh Gad and Whoopi Goldberg join the holiday lineup.

  • 🎅 Hollywood Studios Christmas 2024: New skating show, character meet-and-greets, and more holiday magic.

  • 🛍️ shopDisney Holiday Collections: Festive new Christmas and Hanukkah décor to bring Disney cheer home!

💸 Disney Seasonal Deals 💸

Unlock exclusive Disney discounts through a certified Disney travel agent! Explore the following offers, and feel free to reach out for personalized assistance in making your Disney dream vacation a reality.

🎡 DISNEYLAND

SAVE UP TO 15% ON SELECT STAYS AT DISNEYLAND RESORT HOTELS
**Sunday thru Thursday night - October 20 thru December 19, 2024**

🎠 DISNEY WORLD

SAVE UP TO 25% ON ROOMS AT SELECT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS IN EARLY 2025
**For most nights from February 23, 2025 to April 30, 2025**

SAVE UP TO $200 PER NIGHT ON A 3-NIGHT, 2-DAY ROOM-AND-TICKET PACKAGE AT SELECT DISNEY RESORTS
**For arrivals most nights from February 26 to June 30, 2025**

🚢 DISNEY CRUISE LINE

SAVE UP TO 30% ON SELECT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND SAILINGS

🌺 AULANI RESORT, HAWAII

SAVE UP TO 25% ON SELECT ROOMS AND VILLAS FOR STAYS OF 5 OR MORE NIGHTS - AND UP TO 20% FOR STAYS OF 4 NIGHTS
**For select stays of 4 or 5 nights from January 4, 2025 to April 10, 2025**

Around The Castle

A JOLLY HOLIDAY ON THE LOT WITH D23 AT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

D23 is hosting "A Jolly Holiday on the Lot" at The Walt Disney Studios, featuring festive decorations, Disney-themed carnival games, live entertainment, and exclusive shopping opportunities. Attendees can enjoy complimentary treats, participate in holiday-themed activities, meet Disney characters, and shop at The Walt Disney Company Store and Studio Store, with early entry available for D23 Gold Members. Tickets, ranging from $57 to $107, go on sale October 25, 2024, and the event includes activities for all ages, such as cookie decorating, craft stations, and Disney VoluntEARS charity drives.

Walt Disney World

DISNEY MORNINGS GET A TWIST: NEW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SERVED FOR BREAKFAST IN MAGIC KINGDOM, EPCOT AND OTHER LOCATIONS

Disney World has introduced a new lineup of alcoholic breakfast cocktails available across all four theme parks and select hotels, offering guests drinks like mimosas, Bloody Marys, and espresso martinis. Locations such as The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom, Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT feature these beverages. This new offering follows recent updates to Disney’s food and beverage options, including new frozen treats at the Candy Cauldron in Disney Springs.

MAGIC KINGDOM

DISNEY WORLD SHOCKS FANS WITH YEAR-LONG CLOSURE OF BELOVED ATTRACTION IN 2025!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World's Magic Kingdom will close for refurbishment starting January 6, 2025, and remain closed for the entire year, reopening in 2026 with new updates. While Disney has not provided specifics, it's expected that enhancements could include features similar to those at Disneyland's version, such as special effects. Additionally, Disney has plans to develop a Cars-themed Radiator Springs area in Frontierland, which may impact nearby attractions during construction.

EPCOT

STAR-STUDDED LINEUP: 14 CELEBRITY NARRATORS REVEALED FOR 2024 EPCOT CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL

The 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will feature the popular Candlelight Processional, with celebrity narrators telling the story of Christmas accompanied by live music at the America Gardens Theatre. This year's narrators include Josh Gad, Whoopi Goldberg, Brendan Fraser, Pat Sajak, and new faces like Nico Santos and Ralph Macchio. The event will run from November 29 to December 30, and guests can guarantee seating by booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, available starting October 29.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

DISNEY LEGEND JO ROHDE CAPTURES FINAL MOMENTS OF DINOLAND U.S.A. BEFORE PERMANENT CLOSURE

Disney Legend and Imagineer Joe Rohde shared his thoughts on the upcoming closure of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom, reflecting on his involvement in its design and posting artwork from the project. While excited for the new Pueblo Esperanza transformation, Rohde expressed nostalgia for DinoLand and his personal connection to the creative process behind it. The area will close in 2025, making way for new attractions, including an "Encanto" ride and an Indiana Jones-themed experience, expected to open in 2027.

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS 2024 AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is bringing back its festive offerings for Christmas 2024, including decorations, entertainment, and the return of the Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Party. New additions include a dazzling skating show on Hollywood Boulevard, over 20 character meet-and-greets, and three new entertainment acts like the Juggling Elves and Holiday Spirit Band. Returning favorites include Sunset Season’s Greetings with projections on the Hollywood Tower Hotel and Echo Lake Christmas, featuring giant ornaments, a towering Christmas tree, and Santa Gertie.

Disneyland

HOW DISNEYLAND’S VIP TOUR COMPARES TO LIGHTNING LANE PREMIER PASS

Disneyland's new $400 Lightning Lane Premier Pass offers front-of-the-line access for a single ride on each available attraction without needing to schedule return times, but it's pricey compared to the VIP guided tour. VIP Tours, costing between $3,500 and $8,000 for up to 10 people, offer not only Lightning Lane access but also additional perks like dining reservations, reserved parade and fireworks viewing, and insider stories. For larger groups, the VIP Tour can be more cost-effective than purchasing individual Premier Passes while providing significantly more benefits.

shopDisney

CELEBRATE THE SEASON: SHOP DISNEY’S ENCHANTING CHRISTMAS DECOR COLLECTION

The Disney Store has launched its Holiday Shop, offering a range of festive Disney-themed decorations and gifts for the 2024 holiday season. Popular items include a light-up peppermint Mickey decoration, a Fantasyland-inspired tree skirt, and matching family Christmas pajamas featuring Mickey and Minnie. There are also unique items like a Mickey's Christmas Carol pin Advent calendar and holiday cookie stamps, making it easy to bring Disney magic into your home this Christmas.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON: NEW DISNEY HANUKKAH COLLECTION ARRIVES AT THE DISNEY STORE

The Disney Store has launched a new Disney Hanukkah Collection featuring various holiday-themed items, including a Loungefly mini backpack, Minnie Mouse ear headband, apparel, matching pajamas, and homewares. This collection offers a range of festive products for the holiday season. The article contains affiliate links, meaning a commission is earned if purchases are made through those links at no extra cost to the buyer.