Mickey Mouse Elf Plush: A Magical Holiday Companion
This holiday season, bring home a touch of Disney magic with the adorable Mickey Mouse Elf Plush available at Magic Kingdom! This festive friend is the perfect addition to your holiday decor and is sure to delight both young and old.
Priced at $26.99, this charming plush features Mickey dressed in a vibrant green jacket with a black belt, adding a touch of sophistication to his elf attire. His outfit is completed with red and white striped tights and matching green elf shoes. To top it all off, Mickey sports a festive green Santa hat, making him the epitome of holiday cheer.
And that’s not all! A Minnie Mouse Elf Plush is also available, allowing you to create a delightful pair of Disney elves to bring holiday joy to your home. So, this holiday season, make room for these magical companions and let the spirit of Disney fill your home.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Magic Kingdom, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is proving to be one of the season’s hottest tickets! After reporting that the November 8 and 11 dates had already sold out, we’re now seeing more dates join the sold-out list. Guests hoping to attend the festive celebration should be aware that November 12 and 14 have also sold out, along with December 3, 5, and 20.
If you’re looking to secure your spot, here’s a full rundown of available party dates:
November: 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, and 29
December: 1, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 19
Event Times Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off each night at 7:00 PM and runs until midnight, allowing guests plenty of time to experience holiday-themed parades, fireworks, and enchanting entertainment.
Ticket Prices Tickets are priced between $169 and $219 each, with the price varying by date. It’s important to book as early as possible since tickets are limited and dates are quickly selling out.
Discounts Disney is offering a $10 discount for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members on select nights. This discount applies to the following event dates:
November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 22
December: 1, 3, and 5
With more dates disappearing by the day, anyone interested in attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party should act fast. This beloved holiday celebration is sure to create magical memories, so secure your tickets soon if you want to join in on the festive fun!
Dollywood Named America’s Best Theme Park Customer Service by Newsweek
Newsweek has named Dollywood Parks & Resorts the top theme park company in the United States for customer service in its “America’s Best Customer Service 2025” rankings. This accolade is the latest in a string of honors for the Smoky Mountain destination, solidifying its reputation for providing exceptional guest experiences.
The rankings were determined through an independent survey of over 28,000 U.S. customers who had interacted with various brands in the past three years. The survey collected over 200,000 evaluations, with customers asked about their experiences with companies across areas like communication, competence, service range, customer focus, and accessibility.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts achieved an impressive score of 93.22 out of 100, securing the top spot in the Amusement Park Experience category. The remaining top five included Disney Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld Parks, Busch Gardens Theme Parks, and Universal Parks & Resorts.
Remarkably, Dollywood’s score also placed it among the top ten in the broader Transportation and Travel category, ranking eighth overall. This category encompasses airlines, car rentals, cruise operators, and various hotel types. The top ten included renowned brands like Mandarin Oriental, Waldorf Astoria, and The Ritz-Carlton, highlighting Dollywood’s exceptional performance in customer service.
This recognition underscores Dollywood’s commitment to creating a welcoming and memorable experience for its guests. The park’s dedication to customer service has consistently earned it accolades, solidifying its position as a leader in the theme park industry.
“We’re honored to win these awards,” said Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton, “because it reflects the hard work our entire staff does to ensure our guests have the best possible experience while they are here. Customer service is key to creating the welcoming environment our guests talk about the most after a visit to our theme parks and resorts. We often say we don’t do what we do to win awards; we do it because it is the right thing to do. We appreciate these honors, but after a full day of experiences at one of our properties, we want our guests to leave thankful for the memories and more connected to one another than when they first came. If that happens, it means we all did our jobs well.”
Dollywood Parks & Resorts’ score also ranked it #26 out of the more than 700 brands across 163 categories represented in the survey. The top 10 companies on the overall list are Mandarin Oriental, Waldorf Astoria, Staybridge Suites, James Avery, B&H, Westin, Lancome, Kilwins, The Lodge at Woodloch and Aflac.
According to Nancy Cooper, Newsweek Global Editor in Chief, “Customer service is a cornerstone of a great shopping experience. Whether shopping online or in store, customers want to feel valued, heard and supported… With customer expectations higher than ever, businesses are finding new ways to meet those demands… We hope these rankings help you make informed decisions about the places to shop where you will have the best experience and feel most valued.”
The Newsweek award is another in Dollywood’s growing list of accolades. According to Tripadvisor, Dollywood ranked #1 in both 2024 and 2022 as the best park in the United States based on feedback from actual guest reviews and it is the only North American theme park in the worldwide Top 10 this year. Earlier this year, Dollywood earned Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for Best Guest Experience, Best Christmas Event, Best Kids Area, Most Beautiful Park, Best New Show and Best Family Coaster. Dollywood Parks & Resorts has earned a number of additional awards in 2024, including:
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort named one of National Geographic’s 22 “Hotels we love in 2024”;
Southern Living named Dollywood the Best Attraction in the South;
A study by travel insurance company Insureandgo named Dollywood the #1 attraction in the world “Guests Want to Return To”;
Dollywood Parks & Resorts named a top regional workplace by Gannett;
The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) named Dollywood the favorite theme park in the country.
For anyone wishing to share the magic of creating cherished family memories at one of the world’s best theme park destinations, a Dollywood Season Pass is the best gift to give loved ones. Diamond and Gold Season Passes purchased during Dollywood’s award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana allow admission to this year’s festival and Dollywood during the entire 2025 operating season. Guests can purchase their 2025 Season Pass now or upgrade their regular admission ticket on the day of their visit. Ticket purchasers receive credit for the value of a regular one-day ticket toward a 2025 Season Pass. Smoky Mountain Christmas begins Friday, and next year marks Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season. With so many surprises in store to celebrate the milestone, it will be a year to remember.
For more information, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
The holiday season at Disney Springs is bringing an abundance of festive food and drink, with plenty of seasonal treats and beverages available to delight every palate. From sweet pastries to spirited cocktails, here’s a look at what’s arriving this November to ring in the holiday cheer at Walt Disney World Resort.
Amorette’s Patisserie offers a tempting array of seasonal creations. Indulge in the Christmas Present Petit Cake, a chocolate chiffon treat with milk chocolate mousse and coconut-pecan filling, or try the Peppermint Swirl Cheesecake with layers of peppermint cheesecake, dark chocolate mousse, and crushed peppermint. For a unique twist, the Christmas Snickerdoodle Cookie Croissant combines croissant dough and snickerdoodle cookie flavors, available through December 31.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has crafted a lineup of savory bites like Air Tours Bacon and Waffles and Holiday Mine Car Meatballs with maple-bourbon flavors and a cranberry-apple chutney. Guests can also enjoy playful treats like Naughty or Nice Deviled Eggs with sweet or spicy honey glazes. If you’re looking for festive drinks, the Lump of Coal cocktail, featuring vodka, Chambord, and a black sugar rim, is sure to add a bit of mischief to your holiday outing.
Enzo’s Hideaway mixes up cozy holiday cocktails such as the Apple Dram, a blend of Buffalo Trace, caramel apple butter syrup, and allspice, and the Holiday Haze, which combines vanilla vodka, Frangelico, and crème de cacao for a creamy, nutty finish.
The Ganachery has crafted delectable chocolate creations, including an Eggnog Ganache Square and a Mickey Ornament Chocolate Piñata filled with peppermint marshmallows. For those craving classic holiday flavors, the Gingerbread-Pecan Toffee and Mickey Chocolate-covered Gingerbread Cookies are ideal picks.
For plant-based guests, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC will offer a Christmas Waffle dipped in chocolate with sprinkles and a Gingerbread Cupcake topped with vanilla buttercream.
Vivoli il Gelato has holiday shakes like the Reindeer Shake with chocolate gelato and the minty Elf Shake to keep things sweet. Adults can enjoy the Pomegranate Mimosa and Pomegranate Spritz, combining pomegranate sorbetto with prosecco for a refreshing treat.
These treats and many more will be available throughout Disney Springs, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. Whether you’re there for a festive dessert, a holiday-inspired cocktail, or a delicious seasonal meal, Disney Springs has you covered from now through the New Year!
Hollywood Studios Gets Festive: First Christmas Decorations Arrive
The holiday spirit is starting to shine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the first Christmas decorations have begun to appear throughout the park. Guests strolling down Sunset Boulevard will now find the lampposts adorned with festive red and white stars, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the holiday season.
While the decorations are still making their way to other areas of the park, such as Echo Lake and Toy Story Land, their arrival on Sunset Boulevard signals the start of the park’s transformation into a holiday wonderland. It’s expected that the full array of decorations will be in place before the first night of Disney Jollywood Nights, the separately ticketed holiday event that kicks off on November 9th.
Disney Jollywood Nights
Jollywood Nights offers guests a unique opportunity to experience Hollywood Studios in a whole new light. This after-hours event features exclusive entertainment, character encounters, and festive treats, all infused with a touch of old Hollywood glamour.
Here are some highlights of Jollywood Nights:
“Glisten!”: A dazzling ice skating spectacular on Hollywood Boulevard, featuring international champion skaters performing to beloved holiday tunes.
Unique Character Encounters: Meet over 20 Disney characters, including rare appearances by favorites like Bo Peep, Lotso, Baloo, and King Louie.
Festive Atmosphere: Experience Hollywood Studios decked out in its holiday finest, with dazzling decorations and projections transforming the park into a winter wonderland.
With the arrival of the first Christmas decorations and the anticipation of Disney Jollywood Nights, Hollywood Studios is ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of year in style.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is casting for an all-new Disney Villains stage show, and auditions are open now for performers ready to embody the most infamous Disney characters! Disney Live Entertainment is accepting online audition submissions for a chance to bring Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent to life in a brand-new production that promises to transform Sunset Showcase into the haunting realm of the Magic Mirror. This thrilling new show will take over the former Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy space, inviting audiences into a world where villains rule the stage.
Actors interested in these iconic roles can submit their audition videos online, with submissions open until 11:30 PM EST on November 15, 2024. To apply, here’s what you need to know:
Prepare Your Performance: Create or update your Performer Profile, upload an unlisted YouTube link of your audition video, and choose one of the monologues provided for the character you’re auditioning for. If auditioning for Captain Hook, prepare an additional 16-bar cut of an up-tempo song in the classic villain genre. Cruella and Maleficent actors are also encouraged to showcase their musicality, though it’s not required.
Complete the Check-In: After submitting your video, head to Checkin.DisneyAuditions.com, where you’ll confirm your submission with a selfie and finalize your application.
The characters call for performers with strong vocal and acting skills, with Captain Hook specifically requiring musical theater movement ability. Disney is looking for actors who can capture each villain’s unique personality—whether it’s Cruella’s flair for fashion, Hook’s blend of pride and cowardice, or Maleficent’s commanding, sinister grace.
For those selected, in-person callbacks will be held in January 2025, with dates set in New York, Orlando, and Atlanta. Disney seeks actors 18 years or older, and employed performers will have the opportunity to join Actors’ Equity Association.
This new show promises a captivating twist on Disney magic, bringing audiences into the world of villains like never before. With the stage set in the eerie, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror, guests will watch as Cruella, Hook, and Maleficent shatter expectations in dazzling production numbers.
Dapper Dans New Holiday Outfits Debut in the Magic Kingdom
The Dapper Dans, Magic Kingdom‘s beloved barbershop quartet, have donned their holiday finest, adding a touch of festive harmony to Main Street, U.S.A. Their new outfits, featuring red and green striped vests and festive accessories, perfectly complement the park’s enchanting holiday transformation.
As the Dapper Dans stroll down Main Street, their merry melodies and cheerful harmonies fill the air, spreading holiday cheer to guests of all ages. Their classic barbershop style blends seamlessly with the festive spirit, creating a heartwarming and nostalgic experience.
Magic Kingdom’s Holiday Transformation
The Dapper Dans’ new attire is just one element of Magic Kingdom’s dazzling holiday makeover. The park is adorned with twinkling lights, garlands, wreaths, and festive décor, creating a winter wonderland atmosphere.
Here are some highlights of the park’s holiday transformation:
Main Street, U.S.A.: The iconic Main Street, U.S.A. is decked out in garlands, wreaths, and festive banners, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for holiday memories.
Christmas Tree: The towering Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., stands tall and proud, adorned with classic ornaments and twinkling lights.
Jingle Cruise: The Jungle Cruise has received its annual holiday overlay, transforming into the Jingle Cruise with festive decorations and jolly skippers.
With the Dapper Dans’ new holiday outfits and the park’s enchanting transformation, Magic Kingdom is ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Guests can experience the magic of the season through festive entertainment, heartwarming decorations, and unforgettable experiences.
Construction Walls Down Around Pirates of the Caribbean Gift Shop at Magic Kingdom
The Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop, Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar, at Magic Kingdom recently had some work done. Construction walls have come down showing new counters installed.
The new counters are the most noticeable change to the shop. They are now mismatched wooden crate and barrel-style counters, adding a rustic and adventurous feel to the shopping experience.
The work on the shop began in June and for months the walls blocked off most of the store. They left a very small space for guests to exit Pirates of the Caribbean and only offered minimal merchandise for sale.
The store features pirate-themed décor, including flags, maps, and paintings.
Some construction walls remain in the courtyard and work continues on the space adjacent to Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar. That space is being transformed into the new Pirates of the Caribbean tavern set to open next year.
Figment Footprints Return to Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT
Our favorite purple dragon has added his footprints to Epcot once again! The Figment footprints in the Imagination Pavilion were missing for about 2 months, but they’re back.
Since mid-August, the walkway connecting Journey Into Imagination with Figment to ImageWorks – The “What If” Labs has featured purple walls. Figment’s footprints were missing!
The iconic purple dragon’s footprints have returned to the walls. The footprints have been repainted and are now visible once again, guiding guests through the attraction.
For years, rumors have persisted about a major reimagining of Journey Into Imagination with Figment. While the attraction has received minor updates and changes over the years, it has largely remained the same.
T.J. Maxx is ringing in the holiday season with a magical assortment of Disney Christmas decor! This year’s collection features a delightful mix of classic characters and contemporary designs, perfect for adding a touch of enchantment to your home.
T.J. Maxx also has a variety of other festive Disney items to complete your holiday decor:
Drinkeware Galore: Stay hydrated in style as you shop this holiday season with adorable cups and tumbler featuring characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Stitch and more.
Character Greeters: Welcome family and friends into your home for the holidays with these adorable plush and ceramic greeters! We found a beautiful Cinderella plush greeter, and the too cute Mickey and Minnie plush greeters, ready to welcome you by singing Deck the Halls!
We also found this adorable Stitch figure enjoying a snow day outside, making snow balls and wearing his festive reindeer hat and gloves!
Head to your local T.J. Maxx to discover the full range of Disney Christmas decor. Remember, these items are in high demand, so don’t wait too long to add a little Disney magic to your holiday season!
Australia Booth Finally Opens at EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The Australia booth has finally opened at Epcot for the Food & Wine Festival! We recently had a chance to try some of the food items available at the booth.
When the festival began back in August, the booth was originally operating out of a tent. In October it was relocated to The Land Pavilion due to unforeseen circumstances. With the festival nearing its end, guests can now enjoy the authentic flavors of Australia from an actual festival kiosk.
The Australia booth at EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival offers a delightful selection of dishes, including returning favorites like the Roasted Lamb Chop and Lamington. This year, guests can also try the new Grilled Bushberry Spiced Shrimp Skewer.
The Roasted Lamb Chop with mint pesto and crushed salt and vinegar potato chips is $8.75.
The new Grilled Bushberry Spiced Shrimp Skewer with sweet and sour vegetables and coconut chili sauce is $7.
And for dessert, enjoy the Lamington-yellow cake with raspberry filling with chocolate and coconut for $4.75.
The booth also offers a small selection of alcoholic beverages.
Is this a booth you’ll stop by before the festival ends?
World of Disney Transforms into a Winter Wonderland for the Holiday Season
Just like magic, Disney Springs’ World of Disney has undergone a festive transformation, swapping spooky Halloween décor for the enchanting sights and sounds of Christmas. The store is now decked out in holiday splendor, with twinkling lights, garlands, and festive displays creating a merry atmosphere for shoppers.
This year’s holiday collection is as delightful as ever, featuring a wide array of festive apparel, accessories, and gifts for Disney fans of all ages. From cozy pajamas and festive spirit jerseys to adorable ornaments and plush toys, there’s something to delight everyone on your holiday shopping list.
New Holiday Merchandise Highlights
Mickey & Minnie Holiday Collection: This charming collection features Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their festive finest, with apparel, home décor, and accessories adorned with adorable holiday motifs.
Stitch Crashes Disney: The mischievous Experiment 626 is spreading holiday cheer with a collection of Stitch-themed merchandise, including plush toys, apparel, and home goods.
Holiday Spirit Jerseys: Stay cozy and stylish with festive spirit jerseys featuring iconic Disney characters and holiday-themed designs.
Ornaments and Decorations: Deck the halls with a touch of Disney magic with a variety of ornaments, stockings, and other festive decorations.
Here is a look at some of the new Holiday Merchandise at World of Disney in Disney Springs, remember most items can also be found on the Disney Store as well. Just click here to see the new Christmas items!
A Festive Shopping Experience
World of Disney has dedicated a special section to its holiday merchandise, making it easy for shoppers to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones (or themselves!). The store’s festive transformation and extensive collection of holiday goodies are sure to get you in the spirit of the season.
So, if you’re looking to add a touch of Disney magic to your holiday celebrations, be sure to visit the World of Disney at Disney Springs. With its enchanting atmosphere and delightful merchandise, it’s the perfect place to find gifts for everyone on your list and spread some holiday cheer.
