Walt Disney World Resort Update for November 27 – December 3, 2018

Walt Disney World Resort Update for November 27 – December 3, 2018

Writer's note: With the Walt Disney World Resort very busy over an extended Thanksgiving break for many, it was a very quiet week for news. The crowds subside for a little bit now before the masses descend upon the Resort for Christmas and New Year's breaks. And, to those who celebrate, Happy Hanukkah starting Sunday night!

Yesterday, I was invited to attend the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Media Day to help bring you the latest information about this year's celebration of holidays around the world at the park. Be sure to get over to our IGTV (Instagram TV Channel) for interviews with Disney leadership about the Festival's Food & Beverage highlights, merchandise, and entertainment offerings, plus video of the Hanukkah storyteller Zachary and some highlights of Candlelight Processional with celebrity narrator Alfonso Ribeiro along with the orchestra and massed choir.

Passholders can get their complimentary holiday-themed Goofy magnet at Mouse Gear or at Port of Entry (with proof of AP and photo ID). As a Passholder, I visited the Festival over the busy Thanksgiving weekend to get mine! Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

News and Views

Headlines are auto-generated here

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Is Underway – #EpcotHolidays

Epcot's annual celebration of holidays around the world returned on November 18, with the start of the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Running through December 30, in addition to traditional American celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, the park features celebrations of winter holidays all around the world. The Festival combines Holiday Kitchens (food and beverage kiosks) around World Showcase showcasing holiday recipes from around the world and special seasonal additions to menus at permanent food and beverage locations all over the park, with holiday entertainment and storytellers, and holiday merchandise available all over the park (including permanent merchandise locations like MouseGear, seasonal kiosks, and even the participants around World Showcase).

Holiday topiaries greet guests at the main gate of the park.

Topiary Pluto guards some holiday presents.

The entry topiaries are also well-lit at night.

The entry floral bed also includes Bambi's pals Thumper and Flower (Bambi is nearby too).

Chip and Dale bid guests farewell at the back of the entry flower bed.

In the center of Future World, the planting box is again cut so that guests can enter the topiary scene for a Festival of the Holidays photo opportunity.

At night, the snowman topiary in the back of that planting box is lit both internally and externally.

Topiary snowflakes decorate several spots around the park, including here, outside Mouse Gear.

Chip and Dale's Christmas Tree Spree is back for those that want to go on a scavenger hunt around World Showcase (and collect the completer's prize – one per purchased map).

Chip and Dale are also featured on a lot of Festival merchandise.

The “Ralph Breaks The Internet” themed play area installed for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival remains open during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

For many, the highlight of an Epcot visit at this time of year is attending one of the three-times nightly presentations of Candlelight Processional. In each performance, a celebrity narrator tells the biblical tale of Christmas accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir. The Candlelight Processional was first performed as a one-night-only event at Disneyland in 1958. It has returned there each year since, and it has been performed at Walt Disney World since it opened in 1971, finding its current Florida home at Epcot over 20 years ago. In every Walt Disney World Resort Update our Epcot Candlelight Processional and Concerts News & Calendar includes the most up-to-date list of scheduled celebrity narrators and contains links to where to find out more information on getting reserved seating by purchasing a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. Standby seating is also available for each performance, but be aware that separate lines typically form well-before performance time for both those with dining packages and those seeking standby seats.

Candlelight Processional fills the stage at America Gardens Theatre with a 50-piece orchestra, massed choir (including Voices of Liberty, cast members in the living Christmas tree, and schools/community choirs) and a celebrity narrator.

Actor and television host Alfonso Ribeiro gave his first-ever performance in Candlelight Processional last night, November 26.

The professional orchestra fills the stage with music even before the choir processional fills the risers..

A sign language interpreter dramatically communicates both the narrator's words and the choir's songs.

The conclusion of the show provides the narrator a brief opportunity to share some personal words of thanks and holiday greetings.

Alfonso Ribeiro is also scheduled as tonight's narrator, November 27.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This year, for the first time ever, Disney Parks Blog will present a #DisneyParksLIVE stream of a performance on December 4, 2018. Starting at 8:05 p.m. Eastern Time, Disney Parks Blog will provide a “behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring this beautiful show to life” followed by the entire show with celebrity narrator Neil Patrick Harris. If you cannot watch the stream live, Epcot representatives say that a replay will be available for (at least) a month after the broadcast. In advance of the live stream, Disney Parks Blog encourages everyone to share favorite Disney Parks holiday vacation photos on Twitter with the hashtag #DisneyParksLIVE for possible inclusion in the broadcast stream.

Like last year, JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season performs during the day on the Future World Fountain Stage. The group's show features Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa. Starting on December 26, the final days of the Festival will feature JOYFUL! performances focused on Kwanzaa celebrations.

The holiday group, Joyful! A Celebration of the Season, is back on stage at Future World. They perform music of Christmas and Kwanzaa, in the style of modern gospel and R&B. File Photo by Donald Fink.

This year's celebration of Hanukkah during the Festival features the new storyteller Zachary who shares the story of the Festival of Lights on a stage in front of a large Menorah located between the Morocco and France Pavilions, and tells about how the holiday is celebrated in the United States and other parts of the world. (The group Mostly Kosher performed in this location during last year's Festival and is performing at Disney California Adventure again this year, but not at Epcot.) Nearby, the new Holiday Kitchen, L'Chaim, is a Jewish deli-inspired food and beverage kiosk, including Matzo Ball Soup and Pastrami on Rye (though, somewhat surprisingly, not the traditional Hanukkah latkes or gelt).

Also new this year is the Holiday Cookie Stroll. Guests that track their purchases of five specific holiday cookies around World Showcase in the Passport can receive a sixth complimentary holiday “completer” cookie. A glass cookie jar, themed to the Festival, is available for purchase too, to hold the six collected cookies so you do not have to feel compelled to eat them all during your park visit.

Learn about some of the new holiday food and beverage offerings, including the Cookie Stroll. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

The L'Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, located between Morocco and France has a Jewish deli inspiration and its menu includes Pastrami on Rye.

American Holiday Table, the Holiday Kitchen outside The American Adventure, includes a traditional turkey dinner (shown here) as well as a traditional ham dinner plate (not shown here).

The Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen at Japan pavilion sells a Holiday Green Tea “Yule Log.”

Holiday Croissant Doughnuts are available at the Taste Track kiosk near Test Track.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Holiday Cookie Stroll is a new way to “eat around the world” for the holidays and you can also purchase a jar to store them in rather than eat them all on the same day. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Finally, because the nighttime spectacular Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is ending in Fall 2019, Epcot is also noting that this is the “Final Holiday Season” to view the long-running show with its “extra-festive holiday finale.” The often-called “Holiday Tag” featuring the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” is shown each night during Festival of the Holidays immediately following the conclusion of the regular Illuminations show. While Disney has announced that a limited-engagement “Epcot Forever” fireworks show will begin to run immediately after the final showing of Illuminations next year until its grander (as yet, unnamed) replacement show debuts in 2020, it has not announced what guests will experience as the kiss goodnight for the 2019 holiday season.

The regular Illuminations: Reflections of Earth show precedes the “Holiday Tag”. This nighttime spectacular will have its final performance in Fall 2019. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

It is likely, though not yet officially announced, that an early evening showing of Illuminations on December 31 will be the final opportunity to see the Holiday Tag. (The showing of Illuminations approaching midnight on December 31 is accompanied by a special countdown to the New Year and finale). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot Candlelight Processional and Concerts News & Calendar

As we just discussed, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays also began on Sunday, November 18. Along with the holiday decor and special food offerings, additional entertainment by holiday storytellers and musical acts are now all around the park.

Holiday storytellers located around World Showcase tell holiday stories originating from the countries in which they appear. Pere Noel tells the story of a French Christmas. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The mariachi band, Mariachi Cobre, is always a treat. They perform at the Epcot Mexico pavilion several times a day. During the holiday season there's an added bonus as they bring with them dancers, who tell the story of Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration where Mary and Joseph travel from inn to inn, looking for shelter along their journey. File photo by Bonnie Fink.

And, of course, Voices of Liberty wear Dickens-inspired attire and sign holiday songs throughout the day at The American Adventure rotunda (and, in this photo, at a concert for invited media). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Starting on Thanksgiving itself for the first time ever, Candlelight Processional returned to the America Gardens Theatre for the traditional retelling of the story of Christmas with celebrity narrator, live orchestra, and mass choir three times nightly through December 30. Our Candlelight Processional at Epcot Guide lists the dining packages available for breakfast, lunch and dinner around Epcot and its neighboring resorts, and the up-to-date listing of scheduled celebrity narrators. You can also visit this page of DisneyWorld.com for Candlelight dining package information and reservations.

The Candlelight Processional debuted at Epcot this year on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, and is scheduled to run three times nightly through December 30. Pat Sajak is scheduled to return as a celebrity narrator again this year. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Looking ahead to 2019, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series will take the stage three times nightly, from January 18 through February 25 during the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Also expanded to seven days a week, beginning on March 6, the Garden Rocks Concert Series takes the stage three times nightly through June 3.

The 2019 edition of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series will run three times nightly for the entire 39-days of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

​For the convenience of our readers, all of the 2018 scheduled Candlelight Processional narrators at America Gardens Theatre are shown in our Google Calendar of Epcot Events. With the dates announced for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series and Garden Rocks Concert Series in 2019, we have added entries for the daily schedule and we will update those as performance details are announced. While our Google Calendar of Epcot Events includes a list of the scheduled performers, it is always best to check the My Disney Experience app, Times Guide, and, yes, sometimes even signs posted at the park entrances and at the theater noting last minute changes. You can add the whole Event calendar to any calendar that supports the iCal format (like iPhone and Mac) by copying this link and, indeed, if when we get additional information and update the calendar, the calendar will update on your subscribed device as well. The calendar is provided as a courtesy “as is, where is” without any guarantees. Given the effort it took to create it, we do respectfully request that you do not post our entire calendar on another site without first asking our permission. Walt Disney World Resort does provide schedules in the My Disney Experience app, but does not allow you to add dates to calendars outside the app itself.

Views Around the World

We have just a few views to share this week. We will be sharing more on our social media channels from this past week – be sure to follow us!

Magic Kingdom – Space Mountain Exit Ramps

The interior exit of Space Mountain recently re-opened without the speedramp.

The downhill portion of the walkway follows the prior route of the speedramp past the scenes of the space port, while the uphill portion now involves a series of lesser-sloped ramps.

The new exit ramps no longer include the video screens and cameras, but, instead, several back-and-forth, lesser-sloped ramps leading back to the middle of the gift shop in the Tomorrowland Power & Light Co. building.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

Epcot

Walls are going up on the exterior of the future Guardians of the Galaxy-themed rollercoaster building. The walls are a combination of “go away” colors – from sky blue on the upper levels to a few shades of landscape green on the lower portions.

The future Guardians of the Galaxy-themed rollercoaster building likely will remain a prominent sight from the Epcot parking lot for the foreseeable future.

Construction walls surround a large area of pavement near the right-most ticket booths at Epcot's entrance.

Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

This and That…

…Orlando Sentinel published a Department of Health warning for customers who dined at Morimoto Asia between November 6 and 16 after one of the restaurant's food service workers was identified with hepatitis A. Anyone who dined there in that period and is experiencing symptoms of the infection, including “abdominal discomfort, dark urine, fever, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes” should see a doctor. A vaccine is available that, if administered within two weeks of exposure to the infection, could prevent the disease.

…For a peek behind the scenes of the Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy coming to the Sunset Showcase at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Spring 2019, take a look at the “Disney Parks Presents 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Party” now streaming on the DisneyNOW app and showing on the Disney Channel on December 1 at 8 p.m. EST. Disney Parks Blog provides this description of the new experience:

Taking on the role of rookie racer, you'll cruise into the theater and find yourself face-to-face with Lightning McQueen, appearing live on stage. McQueen and the entire audience are enveloped by a giant, wraparound screen that is nearly two stories tall and stretches more than 200 feet from end to end, pulling everyone into the action! The racing legend is excited to showcase what he's learned over the years. Of course, as Lightning McQueen has discovered throughout his career, things don't always go according to plan, and he has to think fast to get back on course. Friends like Tow Mater, Cruz Ramirez and Lightning’s pals from Radiator Springs chime in with their support, as Lightning gears up for the challenge.

…Walt Disney World Golf pro shops are selling “nearly indestructible, silicone based, pint sized (16 ounce) cups” featuring “Swinging Mickey” (that's Mickey Mouse getting his backswing ready with a golf club in his hands). The “Silipints” are available in a variety of color combinations, are microwave and dishwasher safe, can be used for hot and cold liquids (with some thermal insulation thanks to the silicone), and cost $19.95 plus tax each.

…Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort have announced their slate of holiday festivities for the season. SantasFavoriteResort.com is where you can find all the details and room rates at up to 10% off. The “holiday vacation” highlights include:

• Santa, Mrs. Claus and Kandy Kane, decked out in their favorite Florida vacation attire, will meet guests in Santa's customized Tiki hut on select nights.
• A Florida Snowfall and Tree Lighting Ceremony where, on select nights, guests can join Mrs. Claus in the Dolphin lobby for the lighting of the Christmas tree starting at 6 p.m. followed by hot holiday beverages and crafts for kids at Santa’s Tiki Hut.
• Bedtime Elf Tuck-Ins where, on select nights, elves deliver milk in a souvenir cup, cookies and a storybook to resort rooms, read a bedtime story and tuck children on Santa’s nice list into bed. Price varies by date and a service charge of 24 percent is added, in addition to tax. Reservations are required, and space is limited. To book, call (407)934-4206.
• Life-Size Chocolate Holiday Santa Scene created by two-time world pastry champion and the resort’s executive pastry chef, Laurent Branlard, is showcased in the lobby of the Swan. It features chocolate Santa sitting in his chair; a 7-foot-tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker; chocolate fireplace; chocolate Christmas tree; and chocolate toy train throughout December.
• Dancing Lights Show along the outdoor causeway between the Swan and Dolphin each evening from sunset through 10 p.m.
• Magic Keys for Santa on Christmas Eve, available from the concierge desk on December 24, can be hung on room doors by children to help Santa deliver presents to each guest room without a chimney.

…FINAL REPEAT REMINDER: Looking to ringing in 2019, reservations are open for the three parties at Disney's Contemporary Resort: Pixar Party: A New Year's Eve Celebration on the second level of the Convention Center featuring characters from Toy Story, Inside Out, The Incredibles, Up, and Finding Nemo, and lots of kids activities ($190/person including tax and gratuity); Disney Countdown to Midnight: A New Year's Eve Celebration in the Fantasia Ballroom, featuring “cheftainment” and cuisine from California Grill, Flying Fish, Jiko and Narcoosee's, an interactive DJ playing music from the 1960's to today and a New Year's Eve Bash Band ($275/person including tax and gratuity); and the Disney Ink & Paint Club which includes everything in the Disney Countdown to Midnight party plus a VIP Lounge experience in The Sorcerer's Apprentice Ballroom, including even more food and live entertainment ($450/person including tax and gratuity). Call (407)WDW-Dine to book or follow each of those links we provided.

…The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.

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New & Coming Soon at Disney Springs

This section collects all of the Disney Springs retail and dining events we are aware of in one place along with our most recent views of the area. Event items NEW to the Update are marked accordingly. this Disney Parks Blog post highlights even more “limited-time” holiday food and beverage offerings around Disney Springs.

The Christmas Tree Trail, located in the old bus loop at the Marketplace, has 27 themed trees to see, plus specialty beverages and foods, and, of course, Santa in his Chalet. The Haunted Mansion tree is one of the most impressive new additions to the trail this year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Marketplace also is decorated with less traditional seasonal decor. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Holiday decor can be found all around Disney Springs, like in the Food Truck park on the West Side. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is Now Open – NEW More Photos!

The new venue located next to the Coca-Cola Store and across from Planet Hollywood Observatory and Chicken Guy, is the fourth “Bar & Grill” location from Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck. Disney Parks Blog describes the venue as “[f]eaturing approachable dining with a touch of California elegance … [in] a dynamic setting inspired by traditional farmhouses and … a menu designed to suit every occasion – from casual, leisurely meals to lavish, celebratory gatherings.” Reservations are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com, but be aware that Dining Plans are not accepted.

The first two photos below are NEW views this week. The rest are from when Donald and Bonnie Fink had a chance to see Chef Wolfgang and take a look around during the venue's soft opening before last week's Update. The photo captions are the comments by the respective photographer.

The back side of the new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill faces the bus loop with a white wall and signage only. (ASD)

A trellis covers some limited outdoor seating outside the restaurant between the bus loop and the front door. (ASD)

The new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is open at Disney Springs. (BF)

A unique twist here is that it has a walk-up gelato bar, where guests can snag their favorite gelato or other treats to take with them, or sit at one of the four tables located outside. (BF)

Here you can see the entrance to the restaurant on the left and a walk-up gelato bar on the right. (DF)

Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck was also on hand to greet guests and oversee the soft opening on Saturday night. Here he is at the new Gelato Bar. (DF)

The new Gelato Bar opens to the outside. It was not completely open when we went through on Saturday night, but it appears that the gelato bar will be a place where guests can stop by and grab a quick gelato, coffee, or other treats without having to sit down in the restaurant. (DF)

Here's an inside view of the new Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at Disney Springs. The rustic, timber frame appearance has a casual, inviting appeal. The food's good too. (DF)

It was a soft opening the night on Saturday when we wandered through the new Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill at Disney Springs, but the kitchen was busy with the new menu. (DF)

Photos and captions by Alan S. Dalinka (ASD), Donald Fink (DF) and Bonnie Fink (BF).

Jaleo NEW Sign Installed

An exterior sign has been installed at Jaleo facing Village Lake and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Construction continues at Jaleo ahead of an expected opening this year. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Ralph Breaks VR at The VOID Now Open

Last week's theatrical opening of Disney Animation Studios' Ralph Breaks the Internet was closely followed by the debut of Ralph Breaks VR at The VOID at Disney Springs (and the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim). Like Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, which opened last winter, the “hyper-reality” experience was created by The VOID and ILMxLAB (the immersive entertainment division of LucasFilm). Teams of four join Wreck-It-Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz to break into the internet disguised as “Netizens” adventuring their way through Dunderdome and Pancake Milkshake Diner to come up against B.E.V. (which stands for “Built to Eradicate Viruses”).

Disney Parks Blog shares an inside look at “Ralph Breaks VR.” Video © Disney.

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” is currently showing at the Disney Springs AMC Dine-In Theatres (and in theaters across the country). Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

For those that have never visited The VOID at Disney Springs Marketplace (or Downtown Disney in Anaheim or elsewhere), the physical space guests explore itself is pretty much a “black box” where the players wear equipment and a helmet that immerses them into a virtual world rather than the place itself. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall and 10 years old. Disney Parks Blog confirms that Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will continue to operate: check the schedule and get tickets for either (or both) at TheVOID.com.

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'

Very Merry Saturday Night Shine Party from 10 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, December 1, is a “downhome celebration of ugly holiday sweaters!” Guests are encouraged to join the fun wearing their best “ugly” holiday sweaters and enjoy festive beverages and bites. All December, guests who dine at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' in a Disney-themed “ugly” Christmas sweater receive a complimentary slice of Chef Art’s signature hummingbird cake with green and red sprinkles with the purchase of an entrée or appetizer (but limit one per table).

Sake & Shine 2.0 teams Homecomin' with Morimoto Asia for a progressive dining event featuring Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Chef Art Smith on November 30 at 7 p.m. Guests 21 and over start with a three-course Pan-Asian feast complete with sake and beer pairings on the second-story Forbidden Lounge balcony at Morimoto Asia and then continues across the promenade at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ with a variety of dessert options including a build-your-own-Florida-strawberry shortcake bar plus slices of Chef Smith’s signature Hummingbird and Shine cakes, and a variety of moonshine-based cocktails. Both Chefs Morimoto and Smith will be there throughout the evening overseeing the meal, mingling with guests and available for photos and autographs. Tickets are $180.72 (plus tax and gratuity) on this page of Patina Restaurant Group's website.

Maria & Enzo's and Enzo's Hideaway

Maria & Enzo's and Enzo's Hideaway at Disney Springs are now offering 40% off to Disney Annual Passholders during lunch through December 31. Not valid with any other offer or during brunch.

Groups of Sunday Brunch diners at Maria & Enzo’s during December that wear matching holiday pajamas receive a complimentary commemorative photo. Plus, kids age 9 and under eat free with purchase of adult entrée! Call 407-560-8466 for full details and to reserve a table.

…All of the Patina Restaurant Group restaurants are offering a $20 bonus card when you purchase a $100 gift card during the holiday season. The bonus cards must be redeemed January 2, 2019-March 31, 2019, and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. Visit PatinaGroup.com/bonuscard for more information.

Paddlefish

Rooftop Wine Experiences are available on the second Tuesday every month through January on the third “deck.” The experience and discussion lead by its Sommelier team features wine flights from around the world and light bites. For more information and tickets, visit its EventBrite webpage. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Status of Parking Availability at Disney Springs

Those who visit Disney Springs during the weekends or during busy times of the year at the Resort know that the two parking structures often fill to capacity during those peak times. Even the flat lot on the West Side can fill up during very busy times! Construction continues across Buena Vista Drive at the site of the new “Lemon” garage that will connect to Disney Springs by a series of pedestrian bridges. We have not yet heard whether the new structure will be open in time for the first wave of the holiday shopping rush, but stay tuned and, if you are driving on Buena Vista Drive, observe the overhead signs directing cars to the garages and lots with availability.

The new “Lemon” parking structure is on the opposite side of Buena Vista Drive (next to the Speedway Gas Station) and is connected by a series of pedestrian bridges to Disney Springs. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

Cooke's of Dublin, the counter-service counterpart to Raglan Road, now offers its own mobile ordering; choose from either direct on its website or its mobile app (available in the App Store or Google Play).

Ireland's Lisa Canny, the ginger-haired vocalist-harpist-banjo player, continues to appear on the Raglan Road Irish Pub stage through December 6.

Wine Bar George

For holiday shopping for the wine enthusiast on your list, check out Wine Bar George's holiday gift offerings, including “the world's best wine tools to books and gift baskets.” On Black Friday when you shop you'll receive 25% off your retail purchase (some restrictions apply). The Coravin is on sale from 11/23-11/25 for $199. From November 23 – January 1 receive an $15 additional gift card for $200 spend, $50 for $500 and $125 for $1,000.

A Toro Wine Dinner, Join Victor Ordóñez of Bodegas Ordóñez and Master Sommelier George Miliotes for the venue's first wine dinner featuring Tempranillo from the Toro region of Spain. Start the evening with a vertical tasting of 2015, 2016 and 2017 Avancia Godello paired with the first course. Dinner continues with six different Tempranillos from Toro from two distinct families, the Egurens and Ordóñezs. Each course will feature one wine from each family in ascending order of vine age. The evening will conclude with dessert and 2007 Málaga N°3, Old Vines sweet Muscat from over 100-year-old vines by Bodegas Ordóñez – November 28, 7 p.m. – $150. More information and links to tickets at WineBarGeorge.com.

Amorette's NEWGingerbread & Holiday Pastries

Amorette's annual gingerbread display is now in the front of the shop along with this season's themed dome cakes and pastries.

Holiday themed Mickey dome cakes and macarons are on display (and available for sale) at Amorette's. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

NBA Experience NEW Construction Photo

Construction continues at the future site of NBA Experience on the West Side of Disney Springs ahead of its expected opening in Summer 2019. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Retail (includes some NEW photos)

Walt Disney World Resort would like you to do all of your holiday shopping at the Resort this year. To further that, Disney Springs has launched its special Disney Springs Gift Guide: From Holiday Dreams to Wishes Granted.

The Disney-operated Ever After Jewelry & Accessories Co. shop in Town Center is decorated with an exterior bow. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Disney Springs Stitch's Holiday Gift Hunt clue book can be picked up at numerous locations around Disney Springs, especially Disney-operated locations like the Star Wars Galactic Outpost. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Disney Style store on the West Side remains open. It now has a stock of “Ugly” Disney Christmas sweaters and features a new animated photo backdrop of the Magic Kingdom's Holiday Wishes fireworks surrounding a Dreamlights-covered Cinderella Castle. File Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The temporary “Disney Corner” store in Town Center remains empty. Nearby, the recently reimagined World of Disney store is fully open. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

Centerpiece inside Marketplace Co-Op is themed to the “Nordic Winter” style that inspires much of this year's holiday merchandise around Walt Disney World Resort. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

The Art of Disney Presents Greg McCullough

On November 3 artist Greg McCullough (who has previously been featured at other Art of Disney stores and at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts), began daily residence (except Mondays) from 1 to 7:30 p.m. in a new pop-up shop located in the shop formerly operated by Little Miss Matched in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs scheduled to be open through January 1, 2019. The shop features McCullough's art, including original works, limited-editions and prints. Guests will have a chance to interact with him and have artwork signed.

Greg McCullough poses with some of his works featured in the shop.

The new pop-up shop featuring artist Greg McCullough is located in the former Little Miss Matched shop.

The pop-up shop is scheduled to be open through January 1, 2019.

File Photos by Alan S. Dalinka.

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Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the intended audience. Check out the category that best matches you, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers.

Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. It is increasingly true that non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). As prices go up, it becomes even more important to pay heed: Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today.

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