Starting January 1, 2010 you can give some magic to someone in need and get some magic in return. Disney Magic, no less.
The Disney Theme Parks are starting a great new campaign, one that rewards community service with free admission to a Disney Park. Read More »
There’s about to be more magic in Orlando.
Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. have finally revealed the “first-ever details about the incredible scope of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” Not the least of which is that the land will open in spring 2010. That’s soon!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be an addition to Universal’s Islands of Adventure park, which is already AWESOME (it’s all Marvel characters though, which leads me to wonder what talks are underway between Universal and Marvel’s new owner Disney). The Spider-Man ride alone is worth the price of admission.
And the Dr. Suess stuff.
Harry Potter’s new land is obviously based upon the stories and characters of J.K. Rowling and promises to remain “faithful to the visual landscapes of the films.” Read More »
Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort
Visiting Walt Disney World on your Birthday could quite possibly be the most inexpensive vacation you’ve had in some time. Not only will you get the advertised free admission to one of the theme parks on your birthday, but the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is giving every guests a free night stay. Those celebrating a birthday at the resort will receive a complimentary night and birthday cake prepared by their two-time world champion pastry chef.
Any guest booking a minimum three-night stay, which includes their birthday, will receive their birthday night free. And, as an added surprise, birthday guests who dine at one of the resort’s signature restaurants during their stay will receive a complimentary cake prepared by the resort’s executive pastry chef and only two-time world pastry champion Laurent Branlard. Well, it was a surprise. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s signature restaurants include the celebrity chef venue Todd English’s bluezoo, the football-themed, award-winning Shula’s Steak House and the acclaimed Il Mulino New York Trattoria.
Interested guests can find more information or reserve their “Celebrate Your Birthday” package by calling 1-888-828-8850 or visiting www.swandolphin.com/offers. Guests must bring valid ID and proof of their birth date. Offer valid through Dec. 31, 2009. Based upon availability.
Read more about this and other celebrations at The Disney Blog.
Pool fun at Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort
Related Posts:
Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney!
Sure, the holidays are for family and traveling back to your hometown. It’s just not Christmas without 13 cousins sharing a bedroom and unspoken tension as the in-laws analyze your gift wrapping abilities. Right?
It’s no wonder that Disney World is attracting more and more visitors throughout the holiday season.
Many families (including mine) are choosing to use their precious vacation days and time off school to enjoy the warm weather and the enchantment of Disney World. After all, if Christmas is the season for magic – nobody does magic better than the Walt Disney World Resort!
While Orlando’s largest theme park promises a once in a lifetime experience year round, Disney truly pulls out all the stops for the winter holidays. You’ll enjoy attractions and sights that are only available for visitors in November and December.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – this Magic Kingdom event is not available during regular park hours. It’s a special evening event on select nights in November and December.
Christmas Lights On The Cinderella Castle
In addition to most of the rides being fully functional, party attendees can also enjoy the evening Christmas parade. Of course, the biggest difference between this and the usual Magic Kingdom evening parade that is included with regular park admission is that all of the characters and floats are themed in holiday garb. What you can’t get any other night is free hot chocolate and cookies!
Personally, I think the best thing about Christmas at the Magic Kingdom is the Cinderella Castle glittering with holiday lights. It’s a constant reminder that I need to convince my husband to buy more icicle lights next year.
Epcot’s Candlelight Processional at the American Gardens Theatre – easily the most faith based of all the Disney Celebrations, this nightly event takes the Christmas concert to a whole new level. It boasts a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir of amateur vocalists, just like at home (if your home happens to have a world renowned orchestra). And of course, the biblical Christmas story is read aloud – by celebrity narrators like Neil Patrick Harris.
If you’re planning to attend one of these shows, prepare to get in line early. My family arrived an hour before one performance and were the very last people allowed in for that showing.
Why would anyone spend Christmas at Disney?
The Osborne Family Spectacle Of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios – this is the most underrated Christmas destination as far as I’m concerned. What Disney’s web site unenthusiastically describes as holiday light display is the physical personification of the Christmas Spirit.
Based on the free light display an Arkansas man once hosted in his own neighborhood before neighbors sued to have it removed, the Spectacle Of Dancing Lights features an illumination spanning nearly three city blocks and requiring over 20,000 man hours to assemble. Holiday music keeps time for the blinking displays as crowds of people do nothing more than stand and stare.
But what truly makes this a must-see is the snow. Several snow machines set loose a swirling snow storm on the city “streets” that is so realistic you’ll see children and adults alike trying to catch flakes on their tongues. They’ll soon discover the snow is made from soap.
Standing between the two story buildings covered in pulsing lights, listening to the notes of holiday classics and watching the snow fall around you in Florida is, I’m convinced, the closest one can come to knowing what it feels like to be inside a Christmas movie.
Oh, yeah. Animal Kingdom offers a Jingle Jungle Parade, too.
All pictures taken by Britt Reints.
© UpTake Networks, Inc. 2009
