Walt Disney World Update – It’s Christmas Time!

Just days until Christmas . . . let me help put you in the mood. In addition to the latest tidbits of news from Walt Disney World, I’ll take you with me to two of the most festive spots in the resort, the Grand Floridian Hotel, and EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays. There are quite a few surprises along the way. Let’s start with a bang . . . 

More Fireworks Testing?

Besides the occasional bursts off the castle between projection transitions, it’s difficult to decipher whether or not fireworks will be returning any time soon. WDW is planning on a muted New Year’s Eve this year with no fireworks displays and early park closing times (by at least 10pm on NYE). Though, hotel guests can watch a recorded show from previous years from their hotel room’s TV.

But, after hours this week, some fireworks were tested from various locations around the Magic Kingdom. We just happened to catch them from the Contemporary Hotel. 

The fireworks appear to be going off around Magic Kingdom’s perimeter areas, not just near or behind Cinderella Castle. Perimeter fireworks are typically found in special event spectaculars, such as the Halloween and Christmas parties. This very well could be testing for a future special event, or the upcoming 50th-anniversary fireworks show. Only time will tell, but it sure is fun to snoop and speculate! 

The Return of the Electrical Water Pageant

Yes, an early Christmas present! Disney announced the iconic Electrical Water Pageant will return to the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake on December 20th! This video was shared with Walt Disney World Cast earlier this week:

This has been the longest hiatus for the Electrical Water Pageant since its debut in 1971. There doesn’t seem to be any changes to the classic floats, but we’ll be happy to see those bright, shiny bulbs glistening on the waters once again!

Another Update to the Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue

Disney is making another adjustment to the virtual queue distribution process for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Beginning December 20th, the distribution times will be 7AM and, now, 1PM instead of 2PM. 

The 7AM time can still be booked from outside the park. However, to access the 1PM virtual queue opening, guests must have valid admission, a park reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and be inside the park.

When park-hopping returns in January, those visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios from another theme park will not be able to join the Rise virtual queue. 

Christmas at the Grand

Exploring Disney’s resorts over the holidays is one of my favorite pastimes, but I haven’t much opportunity to visit this year. So, before venturing into EPCOT this week, we spent some time at the Grand Floridian to take in the resort’s holiday decor and enjoy a quick breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe (we’re also getting used to EPCOT opening at noon). 

Approaching the lobby, garland adorned with pink velvet bows, sparkling beads, and white poinsettias lead the way:

Trees, trees, trees! What a sight for sore eyes.

We heard the pianist had returned to the Grand Floridian, but we may have stopped by too early in the day to see him:

The Grand’s lobby is already beautiful from any angle, adding holiday decor is the cherry on top. Can it be Christmas here all the time? It just completes the overall feel of this resort. I guess it wouldn’t be as special… after all, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that jazz.

This year, the decorations team went with a 12 Days of Christmas theme, and the 2-foot rose gold tree topper is fashioned out of a weather vane!

 I really appreciate the handpainted snowflake ornaments, velvet bows, ornate birdcages and shiny ornaments. However, I recently discovered what the Grand Floridian’s tree looked like in 1992. And… well, take a look:

Do you remember this?! Just gorgeous. We NEED this tree back at the Grand Floridian! Holy moly.

Anywho, back to 2020… I did notice this cute mini tree fitted with toys near the little TV playing Mickey Mouse shorts:

While visiting the Grand Floridian Cafe we found another little holiday surprise…

The hostess brought us towards a miniature version of the Grand’s gingerbread house display. Since the gingerbread displays were one of the casualties of 2020, this tiny version was specially created for 2020. 

Though it’s little, it’s an impressive work of bakery arts. Peep that hand-painted fondant carpet to match the lobby’s!

Looking closer, little snowmen and nutcrackers line the porch and terrace:

Back in the lobby, we’re drawn to the grand staircase beautifully lined with garland:

Approaching the M. Mouse Mercantile (home to most Disney goods at the resort), the window displays are looking awfully cute!

You’ll find most of the parks’ holiday merchandise here:

Including some resort-specific items, like these glitter ornament pins featuring the normal resort gingerbread displays:

Rather than encouraging resort-hopping to collect them all, the full set is available at each resort location. Here’s a peek at two of the designs:

Thanks for coming along our trip to the Grand!

EPCOT Bits & Bites

The weather was perfect for a stroll around EPCOT this week, plus there is lots of Festival of Holidays yumminess to be had!

The prism pylons have become our latest EPCOT obsession, we can’t wait to see more than just the little bit peeking above the construction walls:

Our first stop was Pin Traders underneath Spaceship Earth. (This is where you’ll find the limited edition pins!)

This year’s annual pin trading event, which is typically a 2-day affair hosted at World Showplace, was held virtually last month. 2020 marked the big 20th anniversary for pin trading at Disney’s parks. Some leftover limited edition pins and sets from the virtual event are being sold at EPCOT, alongside some festival exclusives:

Interestingly, they’re also selling some from 2019’s Festival of the Holidays:

We spotted some more open edition/limited release holiday designs, too!

On our way into World Showcase, we passed the Imagination Pavilion, where tinsel-wearing Joy was playing in the garden:

We stopped by Journey into Imagination for a quick ride, and to see Figgy in his new holiday sweater!

The sweater features the retro (and current) logo for the pavilion. So adorable!

If you find yourself wanting a t-shirt based off of Figment’s holiday sweater, look no further.

The video displays throughout the ride are really starting to show their age. The Imagination pavilion was originally included on the EPCOT Experience model… so, hopefully a better future for this attraction is coming soon.

So colorful! But where’s Dreamfinder?

Exiting through the gift shop – of course, tons of Figment merchandise is here! 

There’s even some 2020 Food & Wine merchandise on sale here:

Speaking of festivals… let’s try some of this year’s International Festival of Holidays dishes!

In Japan, one of my tried and true favorites – the Chirashi Sushi Tree!  Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura and Yellowtail with Vegetables, Spicy Mayo and Wasabi Creme on a bed of rice. This dish is just as good as it looks!

In the American Adventure, Mariachi Cobre was playing for a socially-distanced outdoor theater:

While in Germany, we tried another festival favorite: Cheese Fondue in Bread Bowl with Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes. This one has been around for a few years and, in my opinion, is one of the best offerings from any EPCOT festival! The cheese, bread and veggies are equally delish, plus you can easily share it (or not). The Ayinger Brewery Celebrator Doppelbock also possesses some toasty notes which paired well with our dish.

While in Germany, I peeked into Der Teddybär shop which is now closed. This location was previously home to the limited-time Passholder pop-up shop, which ran through the end of November.

Spying into one of the windows, it seems like they’re unloading inventory for a reopening – perhaps another Passholder opportunity? Hmmm…

Moving onto China, we tried the Curry Chicken Rice Bowl. This was great on a cold Florida day. The chicken and rice were fresh and tasty. The curry has a kick! It starts out sweet, but then the heat builds. Fellow spice-lovers, this is for you!

We took a breezy break aboard the Skyliner, hoping for some Ratatouille construction updates! On our way to the Skyliner station, we noticed the Friendship boats are back in commission, transporting guests to and from the surrounding resorts:

The areas have been cleaned up, besides a ladder here and there, the exterior looks ready for guests!

The sun started setting pretty quickly – you can’t beat this bird’s eye view at a time like this!

Coming back into EPCOT, you can see the illuminated signs for Gusteau’s and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure:

Looking good!

Back in the park, we wanted to try some dishes from France before heading out.

This year, the Rillette de Saumon was a bit of a letdown. The flaky, buttery bread from 2019 beats out this cold and hard french bread. The salmon spread was tasty, but we need something equally as good to spread it on…

Next, Dine Forestiére with Pommes Dauphines: Turkey with Bacon Mushrooms and Onions in Mustard Cream Sauce with Puffed Potatoes. This was every bit of savory we were hoping for. The turkey was moist and flavorful. Not a drop of that mustard cream sauce was wasted! The potato puffs were rather plain, we recommend mixing them into the sauce – it fixes everything.

If you’d like to take in the tastes and magic of the Epcot Festival of the Holidays, you’ll have to hurry, it ends on December 31st this year.  But don’t fret, another festival is hot on its heels.  

Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts starts January 8th and runs through February 22, 2021. It’s always one of my favorite events, with clever food and all sorts of Disney artists on hand. 

In fact, we just heard from artist Joseph Yakovetic about his plans for the event. He’ll be painting live and will be selling originals and prints, such as this castle (which has 50 hidden characters): 

And these multi-pane shadow boxes, which are painted on layers of glass to create a dimensional effect. Brilliant.  

Joe will be meeting with guests  Sat, Jan 9 (11:00 – 1:00), Tues, Jan 12 (11:00 – 2:00); Fri, Jan 15 (5:00 – 7:00); Sat, Jan 16 (11:00 – 1:00); Sun, Jan 17 (11:00 – 1:00); Wed, Jan 20 (3:00 – 6:00); Sat, Jan 23 (5:00 – 7:00); Tues, Jan 26 (11:00 – 1:00); Wed, Jan 27 (3:00 – 6:00); Sat, Jan 30 (11:00 – 1:00); Sun, Jan 31 (5:00 – 7:00); Mon, Feb 1              
(3:00 -6:00); Thurs, Feb 4 (5:00 – 7:00); Sat, Feb 6 (11:00 – 1:00); Tues, Feb 9 (11:00 – 2:00); Wed, Feb 10 (2:00 – 4:00); Mon, Feb 15 (5:00 – 7:00); Wed, Feb 17 (11:00 – 2:00). 

You know what EPCOT stands for right? Every Person Comes Out Tired!

So, we’re ready to head out for this week. 

Hey look, a nighttime prism!

Get Away Today now offers face coverings designed for theme park fans. Here’s an example of some of the designs (scroll through the gallery below): 

Theme Park Face Coverings

1 of 9

Check them out HERE

Happy Holidays One and All!

Thank you for joining along this week. While this year has been extremely trying for all, I’m wishing you lots of comfort, warmth and holiday cheer. Here’s to a much better new year!

Thank you for giving me something to do this year, for making me feel appreciated, and for joining my adventures at Disney and Universal. 

We have a great big beautiful future to look forward to . . . it will be my pleasure to share it with you.