SorcererMickey
November 20th, 2004, 13:12
It’s beginning to look a lot like...
The holidays are exploding all over the Disney parks
19 Nov 2004
By Peter Covino News-Gazette Entertainment Editor
And suddenly, there were lights — and lots of trees — all over the Disney parks.
It may seem like magic, but actually it is just a major amount of teamwork that seemingly overnight transforms the Disney parks into a holiday wonderland.
It all begins at the 70,000-square-foot–plus Disney warehouse where thousands of trees and ornaments are stored all year. The planning for the holiday displays actually begins Dec. 26, according to officials. It’s an ongoing cycle of planning, putting up displays that include 70-foot trees and taking them down so the planning cycle can start all over again.
The warehouse designs and decorates some of Disney’s most famous holiday icons, including the Christmas trees at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and the Grand Floridian Hotel.
The decorating has al-ready begun in earnest throughout Disney property. The majestic Grand Floridian Resort tree is now dominating that hotel’s lobby, and the smell of gingerbread from a real gingerbread house permeates the halls that are decked with boughs of holly.
The big show at Disney really gets under way Nov. 24 with the return of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights to the Disney-MGM Studios. After a couple of years hiatus, the lights come back on at the studio, more than 5 million of them, in a brand new location — the Streets of America back lot. The new, bigger location means even more lights.
The displays include everything from trees to spinning carousels, dozens of flying angels and several giant Santa Claus light creations. And there are also “Florida snowfalls” each evening. The Osborne light spectacle will continue nightly through Jan. 2.
Over at Epcot, Holidays Around the World is also about to begin another season. The World Showcase celebration begins Nov. 26 and features Old Saint Nick in the American Adventure Showcase; tales of Pierre Noel in France; LaBefana in Italy and other legends from around the world. At 6 p.m., the nightly tree lighting ceremony with host Mickey Mouse is at the World Showcase Plaza.
The Magic Kingdom annual holiday event, the Candlelight Processional, returns Nov. 26 with celebrity narrator Rita Moreno. The popular processional features a massed choir and 50-piece orchestra, joined by celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story. Narrators this year include Kirk Franklin, Dec. 2-4; Eartha Kitt, Dec. 14-16; Edward James Olmos, Dec. 20-22; and Gary Sinise, Dec. 23-28.
The Candlelight Processional will be held from Nov. 26-Dec. 30, each evening at 5, 6:45 and 8:15. It is included in regular admission, but preferred seating is available as part of an Epcot dinner package. Call 407-WDW-DINE.
Also at the Magic Kingdom beginning Nov. 28 and continuing for 12 nights through Dec. 17 is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade. The separate evening ticket event includes storytelling, live music, exclusive Disney character shows, fireworks, a complimentary family photo and cookies and cocoa. Many of the park’s most popular attractions will also be open throughout the night. Advance tickets are $36.95 plus tax, $26.95 ages 3-9.
Finally, the Animal Kingdom will host a parade of its own, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. The spirited parade kicks off Nov. 30 and continues through Jan. 2. Other Animal Kingdom highlights include a 65-foot tree at the park entrance, holiday décor at Dinoland USA and Camp Minnie-Mickey.
There is also lots of holiday shopping at Downtown Disney, as well as carolers, tree lightings, concerts, plus visits with Santa, and photo opportunities for kids and cats and dogs.
Source: http://www.oscnewsgazette.com/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=9589
The holidays are exploding all over the Disney parks
19 Nov 2004
By Peter Covino News-Gazette Entertainment Editor
And suddenly, there were lights — and lots of trees — all over the Disney parks.
It may seem like magic, but actually it is just a major amount of teamwork that seemingly overnight transforms the Disney parks into a holiday wonderland.
It all begins at the 70,000-square-foot–plus Disney warehouse where thousands of trees and ornaments are stored all year. The planning for the holiday displays actually begins Dec. 26, according to officials. It’s an ongoing cycle of planning, putting up displays that include 70-foot trees and taking them down so the planning cycle can start all over again.
The warehouse designs and decorates some of Disney’s most famous holiday icons, including the Christmas trees at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and the Grand Floridian Hotel.
The decorating has al-ready begun in earnest throughout Disney property. The majestic Grand Floridian Resort tree is now dominating that hotel’s lobby, and the smell of gingerbread from a real gingerbread house permeates the halls that are decked with boughs of holly.
The big show at Disney really gets under way Nov. 24 with the return of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights to the Disney-MGM Studios. After a couple of years hiatus, the lights come back on at the studio, more than 5 million of them, in a brand new location — the Streets of America back lot. The new, bigger location means even more lights.
The displays include everything from trees to spinning carousels, dozens of flying angels and several giant Santa Claus light creations. And there are also “Florida snowfalls” each evening. The Osborne light spectacle will continue nightly through Jan. 2.
Over at Epcot, Holidays Around the World is also about to begin another season. The World Showcase celebration begins Nov. 26 and features Old Saint Nick in the American Adventure Showcase; tales of Pierre Noel in France; LaBefana in Italy and other legends from around the world. At 6 p.m., the nightly tree lighting ceremony with host Mickey Mouse is at the World Showcase Plaza.
The Magic Kingdom annual holiday event, the Candlelight Processional, returns Nov. 26 with celebrity narrator Rita Moreno. The popular processional features a massed choir and 50-piece orchestra, joined by celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story. Narrators this year include Kirk Franklin, Dec. 2-4; Eartha Kitt, Dec. 14-16; Edward James Olmos, Dec. 20-22; and Gary Sinise, Dec. 23-28.
The Candlelight Processional will be held from Nov. 26-Dec. 30, each evening at 5, 6:45 and 8:15. It is included in regular admission, but preferred seating is available as part of an Epcot dinner package. Call 407-WDW-DINE.
Also at the Magic Kingdom beginning Nov. 28 and continuing for 12 nights through Dec. 17 is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade. The separate evening ticket event includes storytelling, live music, exclusive Disney character shows, fireworks, a complimentary family photo and cookies and cocoa. Many of the park’s most popular attractions will also be open throughout the night. Advance tickets are $36.95 plus tax, $26.95 ages 3-9.
Finally, the Animal Kingdom will host a parade of its own, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. The spirited parade kicks off Nov. 30 and continues through Jan. 2. Other Animal Kingdom highlights include a 65-foot tree at the park entrance, holiday décor at Dinoland USA and Camp Minnie-Mickey.
There is also lots of holiday shopping at Downtown Disney, as well as carolers, tree lightings, concerts, plus visits with Santa, and photo opportunities for kids and cats and dogs.
Source: http://www.oscnewsgazette.com/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=9589