Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate with Twix is Refreshing Treat for Chocolate Lovers
A new chocolate treat is available at Epcot during Festival of the Holidays! The Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate with Twix is a tasty, refreshing treat that chocolate lovers won’t want to miss.
You’ll find this festive treat at Holiday Hearth Desserts in the Odyssey Pavilion. It is Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate with TWIX® Cookie bar pieces and Whipped Cream. It’s only available during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.
If you’re ready to plan your next visit to Epcot, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Aerial overview of World Celebration in EPCOT Shows Construction Almost Complete
Epcot has been undergoing construction for a long time now. Recently, X (Twitter) user @bioreconstruct shared an aerial view of World Celebration and we can see it’s almost complete!
The unveiling of World Celebration marks the culmination of EPCOT’s extensive revitalization, concluding the park’s multi-year transformation. This comprehensive renovation introduced various attractions, such as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion at World Showcase (2021), Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in World Discovery (2022), and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana in World Nature (October).
Scheduled to open later this year, World Celebration will feature CommuniCore Hall, CommuniCore Plaza, and Dreamers Point. Notably, the Walt the Dreamer statue will grace the neighborhood, positioned on a staircase behind Spaceship Earth. Although the statue seemingly made its debut at EPCOT in October, Walt Disney World Resort began offering depictions of it as merchandise in mid-September.
Aerial overview of World Celebration this morning. A small amount of fence recently moved inward at bottom right. pic.twitter.com/fFsOOfeyQK
Scheduled for unveiling before the year’s end, World Celebration seems to be making steady progress when viewed from above. While the aerial perspective may not reveal details about building interiors and specific advancements, the overall image is encouraging, suggesting that the project is well on its way to completion.
Credit: @bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct also shared a look at a small amount of the new concrete design in World Celebration. A temporary wall has been moved back to reveal part of the pavement to guests.
A small amount of the new World Celebration pavement recently revealed. Compare to aerial in first Post this Thread. pic.twitter.com/8t2ZUg9HE8
If you’d like to plan your next visit to Epcot, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Holiday Gingerbread House Returns to Grand Californian Hotel
Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa at the Disneyland Resort is all decked out for the holidays! The holiday gingerbread house has also returned to the lobby for the special season.
Every year, the culinary team at Disney’s Grand Californian creates a gingerbread house in the shape of the hotel! This year, the house looks like it’s made from all kinds of sweets and treats. There are cupcake trees in the front, the walkway is lined with chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls line the fireplace, dipped pretzel rods hold up the roof, and so much more!
Chip and Dale can be seen decorating one of the Christmas trees in the front of the gingerbread house. A wreath and stockings hang above the fireplace.
The back of the house is decorated as well! Another wreath hangs on the back and a pile of treats is waiting for Santa from Chip & Dale.
Next to the Grand Gingerbread House is a sign detailing the house and sharing some fun facts. The structure measures 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide and the wooden infrastructure weighs 700 pounds! There are also 25 hidden Mickeys you can find throughout the design.
The recipe for the gingerbread house is as follows:
Be sure to stop by Disney’s Grand Californian to see the gingerbread house this holiday season!
Ready to plan your next visit to the Disneyland Resort? Contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
We had an AMAZING time at the Grinch Character Breakfast at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure
Greetings fellow Who’s and Grinch fans! Recently my family and I were able to experience a truly memorable experience at Universal Orlando Resort: the Grinch Character Breakfast at Islands of Adventure. I have compiled all of the details from this amazing experience and have them ready for you!
Our adventure began with a simple QR code – our golden ticket to this festive feast. If you are in possession of one of these codes, note this is NOT your ticket to the event but rather a code that allows you to print your tickets! You will need these tickets in hand to give to your server, so be sure to print them at one of the ticket kiosks at the entry to the park. Tip for early birds: there’s a dedicated entrance to the left of the main Islands of Adventure gate that will allow you to access the park for breakfast before the official park opening.
Hosted at Confisco Grille, the breakfast ambiance was cheerfully festive, though not as immersive as the previous venue at Circus McGurkus Cafe. The décor subtly nodded to the Grinch’s Mount Crumpit, adding a nice touch to our experience.
Now, let’s talk food! The breakfast wasn’t a buffet this year, but the options were delightful. We indulged in Cindy-Lou waffles (crispy and tasty), Mayor Augustus’ Biscuits and Gravy (the gravy was a standout), and the Grinch’s Green Eggs and Ham (a classic done right).
The shared platter of fresh pastries and fruit added a sweet start, while the cookies served as a delightful finish – the Max cookies were quite good dipped in coffee, and the sugar cookies were outstanding!
While waiting for our breakfast, the Who’s kept us entertained, and yes, the Grinch himself made a dramatic entrance, storming through the restaurant and letting us know how much he did NOT appreciate all of the caroling.
The grand finale of our morning was meeting the Grinch himself. In a room adjacent to the dining area, each family had a special moment with the green curmudgeon. We even brought an Onion as a gift, which he proclaimed as the first onion of Christmas!
Breakfast with the Grinch at Universal Orlando is a whimsical, delightful way to start your day. Although it wasn’t a buffet this year, the changes in format and location seemed necessary for a smoother experience (for those of you who were not able to experience Grinchmas last year, the check-in line for the event at Circus McGurkus Cafe made navigating around Suess Landing very difficult).
This event is not just about the food; the interaction with the Grinch without needing to wait in a 2-hour-plus line was well worth the price of admission, and the breakfast was a great bonus! If you’re planning a holiday visit to Universal Orlando Resort, be sure to print your tickets and prepare for an unforgettable encounter with the Grinch!
Ready to book your next epic vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Universal Orlando vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Universal destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Universal vacation package through me!
Mickey & Friends Debut New Holiday Outfits at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
As the holiday season unfolds at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Mickey and his friends are donning their festive costumes for character meet-and-greets in the park. Mickey and Minnie have been given a festive twist to their typical adventurers’ attire. Mickey swaps his usual tan button-down shirt for a bright red top, accessorizing with a holiday themed scarf and mistletoe on his hat. While Minnie’s outfit retains its essence, she adds a printed red scarf and incorporates an adorable red holiday bow into her hat.
Daisy Duck is ready to strike a pose and greet her guests in DinoLand U.S.A., just outside of Cretaceous Trail at Daisy’s Design Studio. Daisy’s outfit is a delightful blend of dinosaur-inspired elements and vibrant reds and greens. Meanwhile, her pal Donald Duck can be found under the Donald’s Dino-Bash welcome Center awning in DinoLand U.S.A. Similar to Daisy, Donald’s ensemble draws inspiration from the Jurassic era, complete with a stylish holiday inspired hat.
Situated on the Upper Cretaceous Trail in DinoLand U.S.A., you’ll find the two adorable little rascals, Chip and Dale sporting their signature dinosaur onesies, but with an added touch holiday flair. From the looks of it, these mischievous brothers got tangled up in holiday lights while decorating the tree!
We love all the holiday outfits our favorite Disney pals are debuting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Which festive ensemble do you like best? Head on over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom soon for photos with your favorite Disney pal!
Sally Heart Shaped Loungefly Backpack Available At Amazon!
How fun and adorable is this Sally Heart Shaped Loungefly Backpack? It’s available at Amazon for $86 and is perfect for any occasion, specially Valentine’s Day next year! We are definitely adding this one to our Christmas wish list.
The backpack is heart shaped with an all over pattern inspired in Sally’s dress with the different pieces of fabric in different colors and patterns. The front pocket is light pink with a “lace” trim and Sally artwork. We love it!
This new Hulk Nutcracker Figure is absolutely smashing! We found it at the Creations Shop in Epcot for $64.99, but wait, if you go to shopDisney right now, you will find it for a special price of $45.49!
Hulk has been reimagined as a nutcracker wearing a snuggly knit hat and scarf in dark red and gray colors because you know, Super heroes like to be cozy too! It’s made of wood and features a base that says “Hulk Smash” in green letters.
You can take a closer look at this figure in our Instagram post:
Festive Epcot Festival Of The Holidays Ornament To Add To Your Tree This Year!
What better way to remember to your visit to Epcot this year when with this Epcot Festival Of The Holidays Ornament you can find at the park for $19.99!
The ornament is gorgeous! Is Mickey shaped with the Epcot Festival of the Holidays 2023 logo in blue and gold and an all over pattern of World Showcase icons pattern. The back is plain gold, as well as, the ribbon to hang it on your tree!
You can take a closer look at this ornament in our Instagram post:
3 New Festival Of The Holidays Pins Spotted At Epcot!
If you love pins, then you definitely need these 3 Festival Of The Holidays Pins available at Epcot during the festival for $19.99! They are great for pin collectors or just to remember this magical festival for years to come.
The first pin in Mickey shaped with an all over World Showcase icons pattern and Epcot Festival of the Holidays 2023 logo in the middle. The second pin is shaped like an ornament with “Season Greetings” text, festival logo in gold and stars and sparkles details all around.
The third pin is a passholder exclusive in black with the Epcot Festival of the Holidays 2023 logo, World Showcase icons and a dangling charm that says “Passholder” at the bottom.
You can take a closer look at them in our Instagram post:
Disney Wish Falls Short at Holiday Weekend Box Office
In the wake of the underwhelming performance of Disney Animation’s sci-fi adventure “Strange World” last year, the studio had high hopes for its latest venture, “Wish,” especially during its centenary year. Positioned as a fairy-tale tribute to Disney’s animated classics, “Wish” was anticipated to cast a spell on audiences and carry the studio to new heights.
While “Wish” has fared better than its predecessor, “Strange World,” which struggled to reach a $73.6 million global lifetime total, it hasn’t fulfilled the grand aspirations of Disney’s executive team. The estimated five-day opening of $49 million in North America, securing a third-place position, coupled with $17.3 million from 27 first-wave international markets, leaves much to be desired.
Directed by the duo behind the successful “Frozen” films, Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, “Wish” inevitably draws comparisons to its blockbuster predecessors. However, the bar set by “Frozen,” with its $1.33 billion worldwide earnings, proves a formidable challenge for “Wish” to reach. A more fitting comparison may be “Encanto,” released in 2021, which has amassed $256.8 million to date.
In North America, “Encanto” opened on Thanksgiving weekend two years ago with a robust five-day total of $40.6 million, surpassing “Wish” by 28%. While the international launches of the two films followed different patterns, Disney estimates that “Wish” and “Encanto” are on par in foreign markets released so far.
China leads the international box office for “Wish,” with an estimated $3.5 million, followed by the UK/Ireland ($3.0 million), Mexico ($2.1 million), and Spain ($1.5 million). Several key markets, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil, are yet to release, with staggered dates strategically aligned with local holidays.
Animated and family films released in November traditionally benefit from strong sustains, fueled by the start of school holidays and the festive season. Disney remains optimistic that “Wish” will prove to be a marathon at the box office, hoping for a sustained and successful run rather than a mere sprint.
New Festival Of The Holidays Hoodie Available At Epcot!
Looking for something to keep you warm this holiday season? What about this Festival Of The Holidays Hoodie available now at Epcot for $54.99! This is a passholder exclusive so is also a great piece to show off your Disney status.
This zip up hoodie is black with a Mickey shaped icon on the front with the Epcot Festival of the Holidays logo and park icons. On the back a big Festival of the Holidays logo takes over most of it surrounded by World Showcase icons.
You can take a closer look at this hoodie and other merchandise pieces in our Instagram post:
Santa is coming to town and he is staying at the Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort!
Great news Disney Fans-Santa Clause is coming to town, and he is staying at Disney World’s Swan & Dolphin Resort! That’s right, the Swan and Dolphin is bringing back the popular Santa Meet & Greet. It’s a chance for you and your family to meet the jolly man in red himself, Santa Claus!
Meeting Santa is a special moment. He’s there, with his red suit and jolly smile, ready to listen to your holiday wishes. You can tell him what you’re hoping to find under your tree this year. Don’t forget to smile for the camera! Getting your photo taken with Santa is a memory you’ll treasure forever.
Santa is not coming along. He will be joined by Mrs.Claus and Kandy Kane the Elf. Swan and Dolphin has become Santa’s Favorite Resort and is full of holiday fun and surprises. In addition to photos with Santa, guests can decorate cookies, round up the presents in a scavenger hunt activity, enjoy festive beverages, and more!
Santa will be available Friday-Sunday now through December 23. For more information, check out santasfavoriteresort.com.
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
