Disney’s Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Ornament with Special Autograph. Pastry Chef Jeff Barnes was at the unveiling of the Contemporary Gingerbread house last week and we got a chance to say Hi, meet him and say what an amazing display he created this year. Nothing beats the Walt Disney World Holidays.
Now on select days guests can buy a new Gingerbread House Contemporary Resort Ornament and have the man who created the Display sign date it. He was gracious and talked us through some of the hidden Mary Blair 5-legged goats. Plus he made sure to take a picture with every guest who ask him, whether they bought an ornament or not.
This year is very exciting for Disney’s Contemporary Resort because its display is back! This is the 11th year the Contemporary Bakery team has created a masterpiece so how appropriate that it will open on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. The Cinderella Gingerbread Castle is a Mary Blair-inspired castle designed by Walt Disney Imagineers and will feature a brand-new 50th-anniversary overlay… and 11 hidden 5-legged goats! Don’t forget to check out the limited-edition pins, mugs, and holiday ornaments to remember the season. There are also plenty of treats you can get, including:
50th Anniversary Gingerbread Castle Brick (New)
Family Tradition Cookie Box featuring a Coconut Macaroon from Chef Jeff’s family, a Sugar Cookie from Chef Kelly’s family, a Butterball from Chef Amber’s family, and a Kitchen Sink Cookie representing all the Cast in the Bakery coming together to bring this display back! (New)
Magical Minnie Ears Holder Keychain For Any Disney Fan!
Get ready for your next Disney vacation with this Minnie ears holder keychain to take your favorite ear headband with you! These fun keychains are created by MagicalCustomFinds on Etsy for $8 or $10 if you prefer a double holder. You can order yours here.
They have different strap colors and Mickey icons to choose from. It’s a great option to hang your favorite Minnie ears on your backpack or any other place you prefer. It can also be a cute stocking stuffer idea for this holiday season!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Huge Christmas Tree and other Decorations Arrive. Wilderness Lodge gets the most love from Disney Fans during the Holidays here at Walt Disney World Resorts. There are many reasons why it gets so much love, from the giant Christmas Tree that stands over 5 Stories tall to the Humphrey the bear merchandise, and all the amazing garland and decorations all around the huge lobby.
We got over to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and saw them putting the finishing touches on the outside lobby, while the inside was finished already. Moose antlers, Teepee, and various other Frontierland-esque decorations hang all over the tree itself. Obviously carved animals also are featured. The tree has been updated to LED lights and they are bright during the day as well as at night.
The rest of the lobby area has swag all the way up the sides to the top levels, and a huge wreath hangs off the fireplace that shows rock formations throughout time.
Almost everywhere guests look they will be immersed in festive holiday decor at “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Theme parks, resorts and the Disney Springs dining, entertainment and retail district are transformed into all that is merry and bright.
Decor highlights include:
Jolly trimmings and theming throughout Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park.
Holiday glamour on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and festive touches in Toy Story Land.
Animal-inspired décor, luminaries on Discovery Island and holiday cheer that expats from Earth have brought to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Dazzling international decor around World Showcase at EPCOT.
Nightly snow flurries and Disney-themed Christmas trees at Disney Springs.
Iconic Gingerbread displays and embellishments at Disney Resort Hotels.
And Christmas trees seemingly everywhere – more than 1300 at last count, some towering 65 feet
Add a touch of magic to any room in your home with this Disney Castle Jar that can be light up with a candle or fairy lights. Created by BaxterAndCoDesigns on Etsy for $28, this jar is a great gift idea for this holiday season. You can order yours here.
There are 5 different colors available: Black, lilac, clay, cloud blue or sage, all super cute! Each jar also comes with a tea light candle that can burn for 6-7 hours.
Mickey Ear Holder And Backpack Hanger To Organize Your Collection!
Display your favorite Minnie ears and Loungefly backpacks in your home with this Mickey ear holder and backpack hanger you can add to your wall. It’s created by KsQualityCrafts on Etsy! You can order yours here or gift it to someone this holiday season.
You can pick the color of the Mickey icons and the fabric pattern! They have plenty of options and colors to choose from, we are sure you will find the perfect one for you.
Good news for fans of “The Goonies.” The old Victorian home featured in the film is on sale in Astoria, Oregon. Potential buyers are considering making it more accessible to the public.
“We have a few interested parties right now,” said realtor Jordan Miller, the listing agent for the property. “It seems to be everybody’s intention to be able to open up the house a little bit more and have more access.”
The 1896 home with sweeping views of the Columbia River flowing into the Pacific Ocean has been listed with an asking price of $1.7 million, where it’s described as “fully loaded with history, nostalgia and iconic level of fame.”
Fans may remember that the two-story home provided key plot points in “The Goonies,” which was directed by Richard Donner, and told the story of two brothers, Mikey (Sean Astin) and Brandon (Josh Brolin), who are determined to save their family’s home from a wealthy developer’s demolition.
After finding an ancient treasure map in the home’s attic, the duo — joined by a ragtag team of pals played by Martha Plimpton, Corey Feldman, Ke Huy Quan, Jeff Cohen and Kerri Green — set out on a treasure hunt, doing battle with the dastardly Fratelli crime family along the way.
Our Spoiler-Free Review of ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special’
Get ready for a new holiday classic! We had the opportunity to preview “The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special” before it premieres on November 25, exclusively on Disney+.
We will be sharing our non-spoiler comments below. Though we will not share spoilers for the film, we will touch on themes and topics featured in the film and the trailers, so if you wish to avoid any hint of a spoiler we recommend you stop reading beyond this point. Thank you!
In the “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” the Guardians, who are on a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Quill, head to Earth in search of the perfect present.
We were pleasantly surprised to see both Mantis and Drax shine in the holiday special. The duo show initiative in seeking a gift for Peter Quill. The adventure they share is both hilarious and action-packed. The emotional journey and character development for both was outstanding because we didn’t expect to see so much unpacked in this show.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a James Gunn film without some excellent songs and a few surprise cameos. The soundtrack was incredible and quite fitting. Also, seeing Kevin Bacon in the MCU was a ton of fun!
Marvel’s Christmas-themed Special Presentation is officially our favorite MCU show on Disney+. It’s a feel-good story and we liked how it felt like a quality chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Sean Gunn and The Old 97’s with Michael Rooker and Kevin Bacon.
Director James Gunn is feeling proud of his upcoming special. The events of the special take place between Thor: Love and Thunder and the upcoming third movie.
“The holiday special is the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Gunn said. “It’s totally ridiculous, and every day we can’t believe that we’re making it. We all completely love it. It is unlike anything that anyone’s ever seen before. I can’t wait for people to see it.”
We personally loved every minute of this crazy and entertaining holiday show. It premieres November 25th on Disney+ and we plan on rewatching the special this weekend with our friends!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Christmas Tree is up. One of the largest Christmas Trees at the Walt Disney World Resorts and Parks sits outside the Contemporary Resort for all to see. If you are visiting the Magic Kingdom and exploring the Holidays around the Resort, it is an easy walk from the entrance to the Tree.
This year it seems like the trimming of the trees has happened a little later than in years past, but that does not take away the delight of seeing a 70′ tall Christmas Tree sitting outside. We got some images of the Tree in the daytime and will be heading back to the resort for some amazing nighttime images.
In the above images, the walkway outside Disney’s Contemporary Resort with the Christmas Tree at the end.
Delightful Holiday Decor Abounds
Almost everywhere guests look they will be immersed in festive holiday decor at “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Theme parks, resorts and the Disney Springs dining, entertainment and retail district are transformed into all that is merry and bright.
Decor highlights include:
Jolly trimmings and theming throughout Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park.
Holiday glamour on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and festive touches in Toy Story Land.
Animal-inspired décor, luminaries on Discovery Island and holiday cheer that expats from Earth have brought to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Dazzling international decor around World Showcase at EPCOT.
Nightly snow flurries and Disney-themed Christmas trees at Disney Springs.
Iconic Gingerbread displays and embellishments at Disney Resort Hotels.
And Christmas trees seemingly everywhere – more than 1300 at last count, some towering 65 feet
The holiday season is here! Add some extra magic to it with these super festive Disney holiday finds on Etsy! We found Minnie ears, home decor, mugs, accesories and more, take a look at the adorable items you can get for yourself or a special someone this season:
This pair is adorable! The ears feature Mickey and Minnie having a fun time in a winter wonderland! You can get this headband with a red velvet bow or without it.
It’s pink Christmas more your style? Then you need this gorgeous cup with a gingerbread castle and Mickey & Minnie gingerbread cookies on the back plus a sparkly lid. Must have for sure!
Your house will smell magical with these wax melts with scents inspired by famous Disney scents like the Main Street Bakery or the Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian.
In the meeting, Bob plans on talking about the future of “this incredible Company” and answer questions from Cast Members.
He also mentions wanting to build on Disney’s Legacy of creativity, innovation, and inspiration now that he is back in charge of the Walt Disney Company.
The meeting takes place at 9 am PT with a replay available on November 29th.
Start getting ready for your holiday shopping with this Disney gift guide for everyone in your family! Here you will find fun toys, festive decor, cozy apparel, fashion accesories, delicious drinks and interesting books! So take a look and start making your list for this holiday season:
Disney fans will love the Citizen Mickey Fiesta Watch or Citizen Mickey Shadow Watch, both super cute and you can find them here. If you prefer bracelets, the 2022 Disney Parks Holiday Charm Trio is a great option!
Another great gift is the Disney Pixar Edna Charm! A super cute charm for any Disney fan this holiday season.
TOYS
Surprise yours kids with a Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Fresh Fierce Collection Dolls or a Disney Encanto House Music Box if your kids prefer to sing along the popular movie tunes.
We all have a coffee lover in our lives, treat them this holiday season with the special edition Joffrey’s blends! The new ones includes Disney Mickey & Minnie Winter Wonderland, Disney Minnie Mouse Merry Mint and Disney Mickey Mouse Very Merry Blend.
CORKCICLE
Add on the coffee gifts with these beautiful Corkcicles collections! The Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Collection and The Disney Princess Collection, both available on shopDisney.
Bob Iger Disapproved of the Changes Bob Chapek Made at Disney
In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, they discuss the rift between Bob Iger and Bob Chapek. Bob Iger talks about how he disapproved of the many changes and the ways Bob Chapek handled various issues as CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
Bob Iger even went as far as saying that Bob was “Killing the Soul of the Company.”
The rift began around the time that COVID shut down the parks. Iger was not happy with Chapek’s plan to lay off tens of thousands of workers at Disney’s theme parks as Covid-19 hit, say people familiar with both men.
Iger wanted Chapek to delay any staff cuts till the Cares Act, a massive spending bill being debated in Congress meant to protect companies from the pandemic’s economic impact, was signed into law. That way, laid-off Disney employees could take advantage of its protections.
Chapek wanted to move quickly with layoffs, as many CEOs felt enormous pressure to cut costs and preserve revenue. Around that time Iger announced he was taking a more active role because of the pandemic which upset Chapek.
Iger overruled Chapek, as he was able to convince the board that it was better to wait. Then-President Trump signed the bill into law in late March, and Disney began to furlough tens of thousands of workers in April. Chapek was infuriated and complained that he was being undermined from the minute he was promoted.
During the shutdown, Bob Chapek set ambitious goals for Disney’s Streaming Service Disney+ and gave it higher priority over other parts of the Walt Disney Company.
Many of the issues between the two happened when Bob Chapek started raising prices at the Disney Theme Parks and created the reservation system which we still use today and many Disney Fans dislike. Chapek argued that it would boost revenue and limit overcrowding.
Bob Iger also felt that Chapek was too responsive to changes in Disney’s share price, and Iger was alarmed by increases in prices at Disney theme parks that Chapek argued would boost revenue and limit overcrowding, these people said. Iger received calls from creative executives frustrated with Chapek, people familiar with the matter said.
“He’s killing the soul of the company,” Mr. Iger told more than one confidant.
The tension between the two came to a head in March of 2022 when Chapek received heavy backlash over Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, also known by opponents as “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Chapek didn’t speak out against the bill meanwhile Iger criticized the bill from the start.
“I’m with the President on this!” Iger wrote on his Twitter. “If passed, this bill will put vulnerable, young LGBTQ people in jeopardy.”
Overall I don’t think Bob Iger never really left the Walt Disney Company. It was noted that he would always talk about Disney and even sported a license plate frame that said, “Is there life after Disney?”
Once the news was announced that Bob Chapek was out and Bob Iger would be stepping up as the Walt Disney Company CEO fans and celebrities showed their support for Iger.
We are hopeful that Iger can bring back the Magic to the Walt Disney Company. He released a statement when he returned as CEO which we absolutely LOVE!
“I am extremely optimistic for the future of this great company and thrilled to be asked by the Board to return as its CEO,” Iger said. “Disney and its incomparable brands and franchises hold a special place in the hearts of so many people around the globe—most especially in the hearts of our employees, whose dedication to this company and its mission is an inspiration. I am deeply honored to be asked to again lead this remarkable team, with a clear mission focused on creative excellence to inspire generations through unrivaled, bold storytelling.”
As we wait and see what changes will be happening at the Walt Disney Company we are optimistic that Bob Iger will get the ship going once again in the right direction.
