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Special Events at Walt Disney WorldLAST UPDATE: 11/13/09 - MOST RECENT ADDITIONS ARE IN REDJump to: Spring Events
Summer Events Fall Events
St. Patrick's DayPleasure Island turns green for St. Patrick's Day each year with "Sham Rock 'n' Roll" festivities. The Pleasure Island events are usually offered on the actual holiday (March 17) as well as the closest Friday and Saturday (if the holiday doesn't fall on a Friday or Saturday), from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am. The celebration includes live music by Irish artists, leprechauns and green specialty beverages. The outdoor entertainment elements of the St. Patrick's Day celebration are free of charge. Raglan Road Irish Restaurant & Pub usually offers a program of Irish music, song and dance across during St. Patrick's Day weekend. EasterDisney does not offer an Easter parade or decorations in the parks. There is usually a "meet and greet" with the Easter Bunny at Magic Kingdom during Easter Week. Some of the Disney hotels offer egg hunts, etc to their guests. If you are staying at a Disney hotel, inquire at the front desk when you arrive. There are special meals available at certain restaurants on Easter Sunday. An Easter Brunch is usually held each year at the Epcot World ShowPlace located between Canada and the United Kingdom pavilions. Regular Epcot admission is required. You can reserve holiday meals up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). Note that "holiday pricing" (i.e. higher prices) will be in effect for some restaurants (particularly the buffets and character meals) April 5-18, 2009. Other restaurants may charge a premium on Easter Sunday, so be sure to ask when booking reservations. Religious services are held on Easter Sunday only in the Fantasia Ballroom at the Contemporary Resort. Catholic Mass is held at 8:00 am and 10:15 am. A Protestant service is held at 9:00 am.You may not park at the Contemporary for these services, so to get there, you must do one of the following:
Epcot International Flower and Garden FestivalThe Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is an annual event. The 2010 festival will be March 3 - May 16. More than 70 topiaries, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of Disney gardeners, dot the park landscape. Sweeping floral beds and exhibits feature 30 million blooms. The art of bonsai “wows” guests at the Japan showcase, and a large “green” garden between France and Morocco pavilions reveals the many ways home gardeners can “go green” with their own landscapes. 2009 Festival highlights included:
More information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available at disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission. 2009 Flower Power Concert Series
Cinco de MayoCinco de Mayo (5th of May) is a celebration of Mexican heritage and commemorates a Mexican victory in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. There is a relatively low-key Cinco de Mayo celebration centered on the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, tied in with the International Flower & Garden Festival. It usually features some sort of special activity for families. In addition, there is a Pleasure Island Cinco de Mayo Party with live music. The outdoor entertainment elements of the Cinco de Mayo celebration are free of charge. Mother's DayA Mother's Day Brunch is usually held each year at the Epcot World ShowPlace located between Canada and the United Kingdom pavilions. Regular Epcot admission is required. The brunch is normally offered on Mother's Day only, at World ShowPlace Pavilion in Epcot from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. To reserve, call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) starting 180 days in advance. Star Wars WeekendsEach year for several weekends in early summer, Star Wars actors and characters in costume appear in special motorcades and autograph sessions at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Other fun events such as Star Wars trivia contests and special Star Wars parades are also held. The 2009 Star Wars Weekends were held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 22 - June 14. 2009 Star Wars Weekends Celebrities Jay Laga'aia (Captain Typho) hosted all 4 weekends. May 22-24
May 29-31
June 5-7
June 12-14
For more information about Star Wars Weekends, please click here. Gay DaysGay Days is usually held the first week of June. In 2010 the dates will be June 1-7, with events in the Disney theme parks on June 3-6. While this is not a Disney-sponsored event, it is a very well-attended one. Gay Days originally began in 1991. At the time it was "Gay Day in the Magic Kingdom," a single day when the gay and gay supportive community was encouraged to "Wear Red and Be Seen" while visiting the world’s most popular theme park. Over the years it has grown to a week-long event and split into two organized groups. Visit GayDays.com and OneMightyWeekend.com for more info. Sounds Like SummerAll summer long you can dance to classic rock n' roll hits under the skies of the open-air America Gardens Theater at Epcot. This summer concert series features a lineup of cover bands performing timeless tunes. Get the family together and groove to the songs you all know and love! The 2009 "Sounds Like Summer" concerts were offered June 15 - August 9. There are three shows nightly at 5:45 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:15 pm, included in park admission. 2009 Sounds Like Summer Concert Series
July 4Theme Parks Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios all offer special fireworks shows in the evening on July 4. These festivities are included in regular park admission. Disney's Animal Kingdom does not offer fireworks since they would disturb the animals. If you plan to visit one of the theme parks on July 4 (particularly if it falls on a weekend), be aware that it is one of the most popular days of the year. The parks may reach full capacity at some point during the day, and you may not be admitted (or re-admitted) to the parks after that point. (This is true even if you have a ticket, even if you're staying at a Disney resort and even if you have dining reservations in the park. If the park is full, it's full -- Disney has to follow fire codes!) For that reason it's best to arrive first thing in the morning and stay in the same park all day. Bring any items you may need later and stow them in a locker when you arrive (the lockers will also sell out). Get FASTPASSes right away if you think you will want to ride anything, because the lines will be very long by noon. Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island A special fireworks display usually takes place in Downtown Disney at 10:30 pm. Guests may experience the outdoor entertainment elements of the July 4 celebration at Downtown Disney free of charge. Bastille DayOn July 14 the France Pavilion in Epcot celebrates Bastille Day, which commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution. This is a low-key event, but there are special activities for kids and adults. Night of JoyContemporary Christian music acts perform at Disney World on two nights each September. This is an after-hours event that requires a separate ticket. In 2009, Night of Joy was at Disney's Hollywood Studios on September 11 and 12, from 7:00 pm - 12:30 am. 2009 single-night tickets were $44.95 plus tax in advance. Two-night advance-purchase tickets were $75.95 plus tax. Tickets at the gate on the nights of the performances (if available) were priced at $49.95 plus tax. 2009 tickets went on sale on 3/1/09. Call (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639) to order. Epcot International Food and Wine FestivalEach fall, Epcot hosts the International Food and Wine Festival, a several-weeks-long celebration that includes both "free" (i.e. included in Epcot admission) and separately ticketed events such as Food and Wine Pairings, Specialty Dinners and Party for the Senses. The 2009 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will be offered September 25-November 8. During the six-week, entertainment-packed event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from the top “foodie” cities of the world. Whether sampling bites of Camarões com Palmito (shrimp with palms) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or sipping the trendiest wine from Buenos Aires, Argentina, festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade. The festival will spotlight tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2-to-$7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing “Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.” Live regional entertainment is scheduled throughout each day along the promenade. Daily wine and beer tastings ($8 per person) serve up sips from around the world, and culinary demonstrations ($8 per person) dish up featured taste treats. Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and holders of the Tables in Wonderland card who purchase in advance through a special web site can get $3 per person off the tasting fees (making them $5 instead of $8). A series of special culinary programs features a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools. Wondering what it's like? Click here to read my husband Mike's review of our October 2006 visit to the Food & Wine Festival. Click here to read about our experiences at the 2005 Food & Wine Festival. Other highlights include:
For additional information about the 2009 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, click here. Taste of Puglia seminars, Samuel Adams beer seminars, Authentic Taste seminars, Eat to the Beat! concerts and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission. Separate admission events such as the Party for the Senses grand tasting events, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Signature Dining, Epcot Wine Schools, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and payment of an additional fee over and above park admission. You can now see a complete list of these events on the official site at DisneyWorld.com/foodandwine. Eat to the Beat ConcertsEnjoy musical evenings during the Food & Wine Festival with the "Eat to the Beat!" concerts scheduled daily at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 pm on the America Gardens Theatre stage. 2009 Eat to the Beat! Concert Lineup (subject to change)
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween PartyMickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is held on selected nights in October each year. It is offered from 7:00 pm to midnight, after the regular closing of Magic Kingdom, and requires separate admission. (You don't have to have paid admission on the same day to the Magic Kingdom in order to attend the special after-hours event.) Guests with Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets are admitted to the park as early as 4:00 pm. You will need to get a wristband that allows you to stay in the park after the party begins. Admission to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party includes trick-or-treating for adults and kids, costume parades for little ones, character meet-and-greets, fortune tellers, Halloween riverboat ride, two performances of a unique holiday parade, and a special fireworks display. Attendees can wear costumes (subject to a few rules based on safety and appropriateness). Plus, most of the major attractions are open. Is Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party worth the money? Depends on how much you are "into" Halloween. Some of the experiences available during the party are not offered at any other time, so it allows you to enjoy Magic Kingdom in a unique way. Although the number of people admitted each night is limited, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party can be quite crowded, particularly on weekend nights and Halloween night, so it's not always a good way to avoid lines. Don't necessarily expect to get on a lot of rides. The party is more about the parade, shows and Halloween "atmosphere." It's fun to have dinner at Tony's Town Square or Liberty Tree Tavern just before the party. This allows you to be in the park right when the festivities begin. The two restaurants book up quickly, so make reservations as early as possible (180 days in advance). Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2009 will be offered on September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and November 1 from 7:00 pm to midnight. Halloween night and "Premium Dates" listed below are likely to sell out in advance. 2009 prices:
Haunted Carriage Rides at Fort WildernessDuring the month of October, Fort Wilderness offers 25-minute Haunted Carriage Rides featuring a recorded story based on the classic Washington Irving story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" with Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. 2009 Haunted Carriage Rides will be offered October 2 through November 1, every half-hour between 7:30 pm and 10:00 pm, departing from Crockett's Tavern at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The cost is $60 per carriage. (Each carriage can accommodate up to 4 adults, or 2 adults plus up to 3 children 9 and under.) You can book up to 90 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-PLAY (939-7529). HalloweenHalloween decorations start going up in the Magic Kingdom in late August (generally before Labor Day weekend) and are complete in time for the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. In addition to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Haunted Carriage Rides, there are special events at Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island for Halloween. Family-oriented events such as trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch and a dance party are usually offered at Downtown Disney from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Halloween. Trick-or-treat bags are distributed at selected stores. Kids can visit close to a dozen locations that distribute treats (most or all of the Disney-owned stores and carts participate). Pleasure Island offers Halloween-themed entertainment and dancing on Halloween (October 31) as well as the Friday and Saturday nights prior to Halloween (if the holiday doesn't fall on a Friday or Saturday). The outdoor entertainment elements of the Halloween celebration are free of charge. Children's Miracle Network ClassicThe Children's Miracle Network Classic golf tournament will be held at Disney's Palm and Magnolia golf courses November 9-15, 2009. The first three days will be practice rounds, followed by the actual 4-day tournament. 2009 marks the 39th anniversary of the PGA TOUR golf in Central Florida. Beginning with a three-peat by Jack Nicklaus in 1971, 1972 and 1973, the event continues to bring the best players in the world to Orlando each year. Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer, Vijay Singh, Sam Snead, Payne Stewart, and Tiger Woods are just some of the great names that have walked the fairways at Disney’s Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses during the history of the event. For more information about the tournament, click here. On Friday through Sunday of the tournament, a Wine & Dine Walk will present food, beer and wine stations. Each station will be positioned on key holes of the back nine, near great viewing locations. The stations will feature selected tastes from some of Walt Disney World's restaurants, including The Wave, Sanaa and The Turf Club Bar & Grill, with prices ranging from $3.25 to $7.50.
Festival of the MastersAward-winning visual artists transform Downtown Disney into a vast outdoor gallery during the Festival of the Masters each November. The 2009 Festival of the Masters will be held November 13-15, from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Sunday. To qualify for Festival of the Masters, artists must have earned a primary award in a juried art festival within the last three years. Prospective exhibitors submit award verification and slides of their works to a jury of art experts, who then have the formidable task of reviewing the slides and selecting the participants. This process ensures that visitors to the Festival will be treated to one of the finest displays of art in the nation. Hence, Festival of the Masters has become one of the most sought-after shows among artists. Over 200 honorees from art festivals around the country showcase painting, photography, glass works, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, jewelry and digital art. Live entertainment and children's activities are also part of the weekend-long event. Festival guests can experience culinary offerings and dance to live music. Other highlights of past Festivals of the Masters have included:
Admission and parking are FREE. For more information, call (407) 824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com. Old Spice ClassicESPN has cooked up a Thanksgiving weekend basketball feast so big that even if a match-up or two turns out to be a proverbial “turkey,” the event still will provide roundball junkies with a memorable holiday treat. The fourth annual Old Spice Classic at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will feature eight teams – six of which reached the postseason last spring – in 12 games over three days, November 26-27 and November 29. Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Florida State, Iona, Marquette, Michigan and Xavier will compete, each playing a game per day through a bracket-tournament format at Walt Disney World Resort. First-round games on November 26 (all times are ET): Creighton vs. Michigan, 12 noon (ESPN2), Marquette vs. Xavier, 2 pm (ESPN2), Alabama vs. Baylor, 6:30 pm (ESPN2) and Florida State vs. Iona, 9 pm (ESPNU). The two teams that remain undefeated through the first two days of play will face off in a championship match on November 29 at 7:30 pm (ESPN2). Each of the three previous years, the Old Spice Classic has produced a champion from a different conference, including Gonzaga (West Coast Conference) last year with a championship game win over Tennessee (Southeastern Conference). Arkansas claimed the inaugural title in 2006 and North Carolina State won the Classic in 2007. Tickets for the 2009 Old Spice Classic are on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (407) 839-3900. ThanksgivingDisney does not offer a Thanksgiving parade or decorations in the parks. (However, the Christmas decorations are normally in place by Thanksgiving weekend.) There are special meals available at most Disney World restaurants on Thanksgiving. Reservations for holiday meals can be booked up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). Note that "holiday pricing" (i.e. higher prices) will be in effect for some restaurants (particularly the buffets and character meals) November 22-29, 2008. Other restaurants may charge a premium on Thanksgiving Day, so be sure to ask when booking reservations. Christmas DecorationsChristmas decorations at the Walt Disney World Resort usually begin going up around the first of November. The decorations are gradually added at night and are substantially complete at Magic Kingdom by the time of the first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (in 2009, that's November 10), with the resorts and other parks completed by the day after Thanksgiving. The decorations start coming down around January 1st. The Disney resorts are all decorated for the holidays, as are the theme parks. Each theme park will have an enormous decorated Christmas tree and so will the Deluxe resort lobbies. Deluxe Resort Edible Holiday Displays Among the especially amazing decorations are the edible holiday displays whipped up by pastry chefs throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Gingerbread goodies are sold nearby. Most of the displays open on Thanksgiving weekend. Beach Club Resort usually has a fully detailed, life-sized gingerbread carousel in the lobby. The lobby of Yacht Club Resort offers a miniature New England-style train racing through a sugary rock mountain surrounded by a candy-coated model village. The lobby of BoardWalk Resort is home to Santa's Workshop as well as a customized BoardWalk train. A holiday toy shop made of sugar and chocolate, featuring Pinocchio himself, is the sweet spot for Disney's Contemporary Resort guests to purchase treats and toys on the 4th floor of the tower building. The biggest edible production is a gingerbread house at Grand Floridian Resort that is large enough that it doubles as a real bake shop. Featuring gingerbread using a classic Austrian recipe, the bake shop offers freshly baked items such as cookies, ornaments and miniature gingerbread houses. Other homemade items for sale may include Stollen Bread, chocolate peppermint bark, lollipops and special Grand Floridian logo boxes filled with truffles. Demonstrations of how to decorate a gingerbread house take place in front of the bake shop six days a week. Santa's Gingerbread Bake Shop at Liberty Inn in Epcot's American Adventure enchants guests of all ages. Guests peer inside the life-sized gingerbread house at goodies galore. The giant structure, made entirely of gingerbread, cookies and icing, features a bake shop selling Christmas cookies and hot and cold beverages, as well as souvenir gingerbread recipe cards. The bake shop usually opens in late November. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing LightsThis elaborate holiday decoration display incorporating millions of Christmas lights, fake snow and various holiday vignettes was originally created by Jennings Osborne at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas. After he was forced to remove the display due to complaints by his neighbors, Disney agreed to use parts of it at Disney's Hollywood Studios, where it has become an annual event. The spectacle has been enhanced to include choreographed “dancing” lights that swirl and soar to an exhilarating medley of holiday music every 15 minutes, thanks to electronic wizardry featuring more than 400 dimmers. Every building façade, all the trees, wreaths, bells and holiday figures dance to classic tunes among “Florida snow” flurries. For the 2009 holiday season, this display will be offered November 10-January 3. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is included in regular admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas PartyMickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held after the regular closing of Magic Kingdom and requires separate admission. (You don't have to have paid admission on the same day to the Magic Kingdom in order to attend the special after-hours event.) The event is held from 7:00 pm to midnight on selected nights, usually running from the weekend after Thanksgiving through approximately a week prior to Christmas. Guests with Very Merry Christmas Party tickets are admitted to the park as early as 4:00 pm. You will need to get a wristband that allows you to stay in the park after the party begins. Admission to the event includes complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, "snow" on Main Street, holiday stage shows, carolers, two performances of the holiday parade, and a special fireworks display. Plus, most of the major attractions will be open. Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party worth the money? Depends on your plans. Be aware that the same parades, shows, "snow" experience and fireworks (but not the hot chocolate and cookies) are offered as part of regular admission if you visit Magic Kingdom starting the day after Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ends, through New Year's Eve. So if you will be visiting Magic Kingdom between December 19-31, there is very little reason to spend the extra money to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party earlier in the month. Although the number of people admitted each night is limited, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party can be quite crowded, particularly on weekend nights and the last couple of nights it's offered, so it's not always a good way to avoid lines. It can be a lot of fun to attend if you want to get into the Christmas spirit in late November or early December, but don't necessarily expect to get on a lot of rides. The party is more about the parades and Christmas "atmosphere." It's fun to have dinner at Tony's Town Square or Liberty Tree Tavern just before the party. This allows you to be in the park right when the festivities begin. The two restaurants book up quickly, so make reservations as early as possible (180 days in advance). Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2009 will be offered on November 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 29 and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18 from 7:00 pm to midnight. "Premium Dates" listed below are likely to sell out in advance. 2009 prices:
Epcot Holidays Around the WorldFor Holidays Around the World, Epcot's World Showcase transforms into a splendid display of international holiday traditions and storytelling. For 2009, the special holiday fun takes place daily from November 27 through December 30. Holidays Around the World is included with regular Epcot admission. Holiday icons who delight children around the globe -- such as France's Père Noël and Italy's La Befana -- make special appearances in their respective countries, while Santa Claus himself pays visits to the American Adventure showcase. Guests see holiday traditions and legends as they are observed around the world, with Hanukah and Kwanzaa customs on display as well. At 6:00 pm nightly, Mickey Mouse and his friends host a giant tree-lighting ceremony, complete with music and storytelling, in World Showcase Plaza. A dazzling synchronized light show -- "The Lights of Winter" -- illuminates a canopy adorning the World Showcase breezeway bridge. The Epcot evening spectacular of lights, lasers and fireworks, "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth," completes the celebration with a magical holiday finale. Candlelight ProcessionalThe Candlelight Processional is an annual event at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase at Epcot. It consists of a celebrity narrator presenting the Biblical Christmas story, plus a large choir and an orchestra performing traditional religious Christmas carols. The Processional is an explicitly Christian religious presentation with a "church service" feel to it. In 2009 it will be offered from November 27 through December 30. There are normally three performances each night, at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 pm. Each show runs about 40 minutes. You'll need to line up at LEAST 45 minutes prior to the show if you want to have any hope of getting in (or buy the Dining Package for guaranteed entry). There is no additional charge for the performance over and above your Epcot admission. 2009 Candlelight Processional Narrators (subject to change)
Candlelight Processional Dining Package You can purchase a special Candlelight Processional Dining Package. With this special package you pay a flat rate for a sit-down meal at an Epcot restaurant and you receive "preferred seating" for the Candlelight Processional, plus access to a preferred viewing area for IllumiNations that evening. Based on my experience, getting the package may be the only way you'll get a seat at all, particularly on weekend nights. Expect to wait in a significant line to enter the show, even if you have the package. You must schedule your Candlelight Processional Dining Package BEFORE the performance you will attend. There is a Lunch Package for those attending the 5:00 performance and a Dinner Package for those attending the 6:45 or 8:00 performances. You must eat during the following time periods with this package:
The participating restaurants are priced in three tiers: Tier 1 - Biergarten (lunch or dinner), Garden Grill (dinner only) Tier 2 - Marrakesh, Nine Dragons, Rose and Crown, San Angel Inn Tier 3 - Chefs De France, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia Package meals include appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Admission to Epcot is NOT included in the package price. If you wish, you can use 2 credits from the Dining Plan to pay for your meal.
Holiday Sleigh RidesDuring the month of December, Disney offers 25-minute "sleigh" rides through the woods from the Ft. Wilderness Campground. (The horse-drawn vehicle is wheeled but made to look like a red sleigh, complete with sleighbells!) 2009 sleigh rides will be offered November 29 through December 30, every half-hour between 5:30 pm and 10:00 pm, departing from Crockett's Tavern at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The cost is $60 per carriage. (Each carriage can accommodate up to 4 adults, or 2 adults plus up to 3 children 9 and under.) You can book up to 90 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-PLAY (939-7529). Christmas Eve & Christmas DayYou can enjoy the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios and the special parades, shows and fireworks at Magic Kingdom. There are special meals available at certain restaurants on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can reserve holiday meals up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). Note that "holiday pricing" (i.e. higher prices) will be in effect for some restaurants (particularly the buffets and character meals) December 16, 2008-January 3, 2009. Other restaurants may charge a premium on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day, so be sure to ask when booking reservations. If you plan to visit one of the theme parks on Christmas Day, be aware that the parks usually reach full capacity at some point during the day, and you may not be admitted (or re-admitted) to the parks after that point. (This is true even if you have a ticket, even if you're staying at a Disney resort and even if you have dining reservations in the park. If the park is full, it's full -- Disney has to follow fire codes!) For that reason it's best to arrive first thing in the morning and stay in the same park all day. Bring any sweaters or jackets you may need later and stow them in a locker when you arrive (the lockers will also sell out). Get FASTPASSes right away if you think you will want to ride anything, because the lines will be very long by noon. Religious services are held on Christmas Day only in the Fantasia Ballroom at the Contemporary Resort. Catholic Mass is held at 8:00 am and 10:15 am. A Protestant service is held at 9:00 am. You may not park at the Contemporary for these services, so to get there, you must do one of the following:
New Year's Eve & New Year's DayTheme Parks Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios all stay open late on New Year's Eve and offer extra entertainment, usually including live performances, extra parades and fireworks. These festivities are included in regular park admission. Disney's Animal Kingdom closes at the regular time and does not offer New Year's Eve events since they would disturb the animals. Christmas decorations remain up throughout Walt Disney World through New Year, and generally several days past the first of the year. Special theme park events for New Year's Eve:
If you plan to visit one of the theme parks on New Year's Eve (December 31), be aware that the parks usually reach full capacity at some point during the day, and you may not be admitted (or re-admitted) to the parks after that point. (This is true even if you have a ticket, even if you're staying at a Disney resort and even if you have dining reservations in the park. If the park is full, it's full -- Disney has to follow fire codes!) For that reason it's best to arrive first thing in the morning and stay in the same park all day. Bring any sweaters or jackets you may need later and stow them in a locker when you arrive (the lockers will also sell out). Get FASTPASSes right away if you think you will want to ride anything, because the lines will be very long by noon. Cirque du Soleil Cirque du Soleil presents special New Year's Eve performances of La Nouba. Guests are treated to a champagne toast, a limited-edition full color souvenir program and a special show finale. Tickets for these New Year's Eve performances are more expensive than usual. Call (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639) to order tickets. Atlantic Dance Hall New Year’s Eve at the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort includes champagne toast at midnight, snacks and dancing to tunes from the ‘80s through today. You must be 21 years of age or older (with ID) to enter Atlantic Dance Hall on New Year’s Eve. Special Meals There are special meals available at certain restaurants on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. You can reserve holiday meals up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). Note that "holiday pricing" (i.e. higher prices) will be in effect for some restaurants (particularly the buffets and character meals) December 16, 2008-January 3, 2009. Other restaurants may charge a premium on New Year's Eve and/or New Year's Day, so be sure to ask when booking reservations. New Year's Eve Buffet at Epcot A themed buffet with musical entertainment is offered at the ShowPlace Pavilion in Epcot each New Year's Eve. For New Year's Eve 2008, the theme was "Fantasia 2009." The event was held from 4:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Cost is $54.99 for adults (age 10+) and $24.99 for kids (age 3-9), including tax and gratuity. Alcoholic beverages are available at an additional cost. Walt Disney World Marathon and Half MarathonIn 2010, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will take place January 7-10. The Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon highlight an entire running weekend at Walt Disney World Resort. Other highlights include Disney's Health and Fitness Expo at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Registration for the 2010 Marathon and Half Marathon opens online at disneyworldmarathon.com immediately after the 2009 race. Don't wait too late to register, as the races usually fill up by the previous summer! Chinese New YearEach year the China Pavilion in Epcot has a Chinese New Year celebration. Usually there are Chinese acrobats and special activities for kids. The next Chinese New Year will be on February 14, 2010. Valentine's DayPleasure Island becomes Sweetheart Island, celebrating the romance of Valentine's Day each year. The Pleasure Island events are usually on the actual holiday (February 14) and the closest Friday and Saturday (if the holiday is not on a Friday or Saturday), from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am. The festivities include live music and street performers. Guests may experience the outdoor entertainment elements of the Sweetheart Island celebration free of charge. Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Disney's Wide World of SportsThe Atlanta Braves hold their Spring Training season at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. After a period of workouts, the Braves play a series of games against major rivals at The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. For 2009, pitchers and catchers reported on February 14. Position players reported on February 17. Full-squad workouts began the next day. The Spring Training game schedule ran February 26-March 30 and individual game tickets cost between $15 (for Lawn Seats) and $28 (for Lower-Level Reserved Seats). Tickets cost $4 more for Premium Games with the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox. Multi-game ticket packages for for the Braves’ home spring training season can be purchased now at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Individual 2009 game tickets went on sale Saturday, January 10 through http://www.ticketmaster.com. Information on the Braves spring training season is available online at disneysports.com. Mardi GrasPleasure Island "Parti Gras" puts a Pleasure Island spin on the famous Mardi Gras tradition each year. The Pleasure Island events are usually on the actual holiday and the Friday and Saturday prior, from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am. Jester heads and giant beads feature in this colorful celebration, where the Krewe of Confusion and the World's Dinkiest Mardi Gras Parade are among the tongue-in-cheek acts seizing the night. There are a wide range of special entertainment offerings such as Mardi Gras stilt walkers, jugglers, a unicycle artist, a bead dancer, a yo-yo professional and a beaded person (a person literally covered with beads). Guests may experience the outdoor entertainment elements of the Parti Gras celebration free of charge. Port Orleans Resort A little-known event on Mardi Gras each year is the mini-parade through Disney's Port Orleans Resort. Several departments of the resort build floats on golf carts. The floats are judged and then parade through the grounds. During the parade they throw New Orleans-style trinkets (beads, candy, doubloons) to the guests who line up to watch. If you will be at Port Orleans on Mardi Gras, be sure to ask at the front desk when this event will take place. ESPN The WeekendEach year ESPN and the Walt Disney World Resort offers fans the opportunity to see and hear ESPN personalities and athletes during "ESPN The Weekend," a special event at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The 2009 ESPN The Weekend was February 27 through March 1. Typically ESPN The Weekend features on-site ESPN telecasts including SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, Cold Pizza and BassCenter; star motorcades and Q&A sessions featuring athletes and ESPN personalities; appearances by Disney characters; sports shows in the ESPN Theater with ESPN commentators and athletes; a visit from ESPN The Truck; live ESPN Radio broadcasts; ESPN Deportes SportsCenter telecasts and interactive sports activities. For more information, click here. Back to top MouseSavers.com® is not an official site of The Walt Disney Company or of Universal Studios. Content of MouseSavers.com is © MouseSavers, Inc. 2001-2009. 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