Welcome back to the weekly Disney Parks news roundup! I took a week off for the Thanksgiving holiday (and, to be honest, it was kind of a slow news week), but things picked right back up this week and we have a full lineup of stories to chat about.
As we make our way towards the end of 2023, there are a lot of recent happenings at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. A classic ride looks a little different in Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT itself will look a little different starting next week. Let’s waste no time and recap the biggest news stories from Disney Parks for the weeks of November 20 and 27.
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Begins
The fourth and final EPCOT festival of the year, the International Festival of the Holidays, began on November 24. It historically begins the day after Thanksgiving, and this year’s offerings are what we’ve all come to know and love about this festival. From the Cookie Stroll to the Candlelight Processional, this month-long festival is a great way to celebrate the season. It officially runs through December 30.
Quick note about the Candlelight Processional — this week we learned of a couple of changes to the celebrity guest narrator lineup. Simu Liu is no longer a narrator this season, and he has been replaced by Ashley Eckstein and Bart Millard.
Click here to read more about EPCOT’s holiday offerings.
The Hatbox Ghost Materializes in Magic Kingdom
Josh D’Amaro announced at Destination D23 this year that The Hatbox Ghost would be added to the Haunted Mansion in late November and, well…they really meant late November! The famed audio-animatronic figurine was installed on November 30.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Hatbox Ghost in the first half of the attraction, next to the Endless Hallway. It’s a different spot than where you’ll see him in Disneyland’s version of the attraction (there, he’s seen just after the attic scene).
Click here to read more about what was announced at this year’s Destination D23 presentation.
EPCOT’s World Celebration Gardens Completion Date Revealed
EPCOT has certainly been in “a state of becoming” for the past few years, with construction walls being a regular part of the guest experience as the park went through a sizable transformation. That multi-year project is nearly complete, with the final touches being made on World Celebration, one of the three new neighborhoods that make up the front half of EPCOT.
It was announced this week that the walls are finally coming down as World Celebration Gardens, which includes the brand-new Walt Disney statue called “Walt the Dreamer” debuts on December 5.
Click here to read more about what’s coming to Walt Disney World this December!
So Cal Resident Ticket Deal Announced For Disneyland Resort
Over at Disneyland Resort, a visit to the parks is about to get a whole lot cheaper if you are a Southern California resident! Disneyland offers discounted resident tickets a couple of times each year, and the So Cal Resident Ticket Deal has returned for early 2024.
With this deal, admission to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park is as little as $75 per day with the purchase of a three-day, one-park per day weekday ticket. The tickets go on sale on December 5 and are eligible for visits between January 2 and June 2, 2024.
Click here to start planning your 2024 vacation to Disneyland Resort!
Holiday Rum Barrel Mug Released at Trader Sam’s in Disneyland
Trader Sam’s fans, this next one is for you. If you’re like me and love a stop at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel, then you probably know that they’re accustomed to releasing special edition tiki mugs from time to time. Just in time for the holidays, they’ve come out with a brand-new Holiday Rum Barrel Mug!
Trader Sam’s also released a limited-time beverage to celebrate the season. Guests ages 21 and above can order the new Citrus Apple Splash cocktail, made with Crown Royal Apple, Suze Gentian, Lime Juice, Ginger Syrup, Falernum, and garnished with Mint and Cranberries.
