Good morning and happy Sunday friends!
This was a difficult and scary week for so many in Florida, but by all accounts, the Disney cast members lived up to their reputations and made so much magic for guests while the parks were closed for two days due to Hurricane Ian. Then they got everything cleaned up and reopened by Friday morning!
There were also some exciting announcements this week!
As always, for more information about this week’s news or about planning your own magical vacation, email me or complete a quote request form!
The first batch of celebrity narrators was announced for the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays
If you’ve been here awhile, you’ll remember how excited I was to finally experience this in person last year (we saw Jodi Benson!).
If you haven’t heard about the Candlelight Processional before, this experience features celebrity narrators, the Voices of Liberty acapella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra and massed choirs as they present a retelling of the traditional Christmas story.
I think it would be perfectly reasonable to plan a trip specifically based on your favorite narrator.
- 11/25 – 11/26: TBD
- 11/27 – 11/29: Edward James Olmos
- 11/30 – 12/1: Raul Esparza (NEW)
- 12/2 – 12/3: Whoopi Goldberg
- 12/4 – 12/6: Isabella Rossellini
- 12/7 – 12/9: TBD
- 12/10 – 12/12: Josh Gad (NEW)
- 12/13 – 12/14: Gloria Estefan (NEW)
- 12/15 – 12/18: Neil Patrick Harris
- 12/19 – 12/20: Mariska Hargitay (NEW)
- 12/21 – 12/23: Cal Ripken Jr.
- 12/24 – 12/26: Marie Osmond
- 12/27 – 12/28: Courtney Vance
- 12/29 – 12/30: Angela Bassett
One way to ensure you get a seat at the show is by booking a Candlelight Processional dining package! Packages go on sale Oct. 6.
Also announced this week is the return of Disney After Hours events!
Available on select nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios January 4 through April 19, 2023 and on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park January 9 through March 27, 2023, these late-night, separately ticketed events let you enjoy a Walt Disney World theme park for three additional hours after regular park hours, with treats such as ice cream, popcorn and select beverages included. The number of tickets for these events is limited, which means lower wait times for some of Guests’ favorite attractions.
Event tickets for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios can be purchased by all guests starting October 7, 2022, with prices ranging from $129 to $159 (plus tax).
Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing Disney After Hours tickets as early as October 4.
Magic Kingdom Park events will take place from 10:00 pm – 1:00 am on the following dates:
- Monday, January 9, 2023
- Monday, January 16, 2023
- Monday, January 23, 2023
- Thursday, February 16, 2023
- Monday, February 20, 2023
- Monday, February 27, 2023
- Thursday, March 2, 2023
- Monday, March 6, 2023
- Monday, March 13, 2023
- Thursday, March 16, 2023
- Monday, March 20, 2023
- Monday, March 27, 2023
Disney’s Hollywood Studios events will take place from 9:30 pm – 12:30 am on the following dates:
- Wednesday, January 4, 2023
- Wednesday, January 11, 2023
- Wednesday, January 18, 2023
- Wednesday, January 25, 2023
- Wednesday, February 15, 2023
- Wednesday, February 22, 2023
- Wednesday, March 8, 2023
- Wednesday, March 22, 2023
- Wednesday, March 29, 2023
- Sunday April 2, 2023
- Wednesday, April 5, 2023
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Disney Cruise Line also announced a major change to its health and safety policies.
Beginning Oct. 14, 2022, for Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish sailings and Nov. 7, 2022 for Disney Magic sailings, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing, however, it is highly recommended. All Guests ages 5 years and older who are not fully vaccinated (Unvaccinated Guests) will need to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 1-2 days before the sail date. Guests ages 4 years of age and younger do not require testing.
Don’t forget that Disney+ subscribers are eligible for major savings on Disney Cruise Line for early 2023 sailings where the 3rd and 4th guest in the cabin sail free!
Last, but not least, a couple of new offers were also released!
At Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Guests can save on select rooms for stays of 4 or more nights, with travel from Jan. 5 through March 30. The longer Guests stay, the more they save!
- Guests can save up to 25% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more consecutive nights
- Guests can save up to 20% on select rooms for stays of 4 consecutive nights
At Disneyland, save up to 15% at a Disneyland Resort hotel on select Sunday to Thursday nights—from October 20 through December 22, 2022!
This offer includes Premium and Standard room types, with up to 10% savings on rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and up to 15% savings at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Book now through December 15, 2022. Travel must be completed by December 23, 2022. Subject to availability.
