Mouse Extra

When a new Travel Channel show debuts, I usually have mixed expectations as I sit down if front of my television.  I love to see footage of Walt Disney World, but these shows often have canned and sometimes dated footage.  But last night’s “Disney Holiday Magic” with Samantha Brown really went beyond my expectations.

This is a remake of a similar show that Brown did and has been airing for years.  It was one of those shows which cause me to be a bit cynical when viewing these kinds of programs.  But after the first few minutes of this new one, I started to get excited.  After a behind the scenes look at Mickey Jingle Jungle Parade, we were treated to a tour of Expedition Everest with Imagineer Joe Rhode, the man who led the development of the coaster.  It was fascinating to hear him speak about the inspiration and story behind everything from the ride vehicle to the artifacts that fill the Yeti Museum.  When you expect to see nothing but holiday related subjects, to get this was a real treat.

Holiday decorations are obviously a big theme in the show and for guests that travel during the season.  Brown highlighted some of the resorts as well as the usual theme park offerings.  I was especially delighted to see the show focus some time on the holiday decorations that guests at the Fort Wilderness Campground set up on their campsites.  This is a longstanding and fun tradition at Walt Disney World and one that is largely overlooked. 

There was a great focus on Imagineers that really made this show special.  Besides the aforementioned Rhode segment, we got to see interviews with others as well.  An Imagineer walked us through the famous Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, and then two more talked about the terrific new lights on Cinderella’s Castle.  If you can’t get there to see this for yourself, the show really does a good job at visualizing how impressive it really is.

As you would probably imagine, a good amount of time was spent at the World Showcase.  Many of the decorations and traditions from around the world were highlighted and even the Epcot tree lighting ceremony was there.  But I must say, I got very jealous and even a bit nostalgic when Brown walked into my beloved Rose and Crown pub for a pint.  I can wathc that segment over and over again…

All the parks were covered, as well as Downtown Disney and even a little bit of Disneyland.  Sometimes Samantha Brown can be over the top with silliness, but not in this show.  This show is one of the best I have seen on Walt Disney World and Disney can learn a lot from it.  Everything they produce, from the travel DVD’s, to the parade coverage on television, to the in-room shows, are nothing compared to this.  It is on again this Friday at 8pm and then again on Sunday at noon.  Take a look and enjoy a little holiday cheer Disney style.

Its almost the holiday season at Walt Disney World. The parks will be decorated for Christmas in short order. Santas from around the World will be gracing the World Showcase pavillons. The Osborn Family Lights will soon be dazzling Studio guests. And starting November 12th the “hard” ticket event Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be packing them in at the Magic Kingdom. Tickets for this event are about $50 for adults and slightly less for kids. The question is, of course, is it worth it?

I must say yes. There are a number of holiday shows going on around the park. These include Celebrate the Season, Twas the Night Before Christmas, and a special version of Wishes. The big highlight is probably the holiday parade which runs twice. Another highlight is the imagineers have created a snowfall to set the mood down Main Street. There are also character dances and, of course, you can meet Santa Claus. An important note about the shows is that many of them play during the day starting in the middle of December just as the crowds really intensify and lines for attractions become virtually unbearable.

You also get holiday treats like hot chochlate, apple slices, and cookies. For real meals, there are unfortunately limited choices. Cosmic Ray’s and the Pecos Bill Cafe are open as are the sit-down Tony’s Townsquare and Liberty Tree Tavern. My suggestion would be to either eat at a Magic Kigdom resort just before the event as crowds can get tough or try Cosmic Ray’s.

For sure the event can get crowded. The number of tickets sold is about 20,000 and most nights sell out well in advance. Tickets go on sale around 6 months before the events begin. The party closes at midnight (give or take) but the crowds begin to thin after the holiday version of Wishes which starts at 9:30. It really drops after the second parade which sets off at 10:45. You want to be around after 11 o’clock as many of attractions are virtually empty. I would do the Mountains during the first parade. Just before and immediately after the second parade do many of the attractions that ordinarily get very busy. We enjoyed Big Thunder 4 times in a row without getting off as it was virtualy empty which is true for much of the park after 11 o’clock. During the early portion of the evening enjoy the shows you want to see. I would watch the second parade as it is much less crowded.

The event is not by any means cheap. Furthermore, the decorations are out for everyone to enjoy all day. Other events like the Osborn Lights are included in your park ticket. Plus, if you’re at the park for the few weeks prior to December 25th, most of the shows play during the day as well, except the fireworks and parade. Still, I think its well worth your time and money, and a fun way to kick off the holiday season.

Today’s article is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.

Whenever anyone hears about changes coming to Walt Disney World’s beloved Cinderella Castle, most fans start to develop an involuntary nervous reaction.  The giant pink birthday cake of years past appears in the purist’s nightmares regularly.  So even though the announcement of adding holiday lights seemed to be a good idea, most still were cautious.  Well, this weekend they lit them for the first time and I for one am no longer nervous.  It looks stunning.

According to Disney, this project required 15 miles of cable, 32,000 feet of fish netting, 500 stobes, and over 200,000 twinkle lights.  Now these guys can truly say they have put Clark W. Griswold to shame with this project.

There will also be an appropriate lighting ceremony that guests can enjoy.  Here are some details from Disney’s press release…

Show times will be nightly at 5:45 p.m. Cinderella Castle aglow will also play a supporting role in other Magic Kingdom entertainment such as live stage shows, the nighttime fireworks extravaganza “Holiday Wishes,” and the after-hours Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a specially-ticketed event featuring the new “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”

Am I the only one who can’t believe how close we are to the holidays?  Where did 2007 go?

We reported a few weeks ago on a rumor that the Christmas version of the Country Bear Jamboree may be making its return this year.  To be honset, I felt this rumor was pretty sound.  But today, Screamscape is reporting that in fact the holiday version will not happen this year.

Screamscape has been informed that the management at the Magic Kingdom has decided once again to not run the Christmas version of the Country Bear Jamboree for the second year in the row. The lower level management protested of course, reminding them of all the complaints they had last year when the Christmas show was given the budget ax, but apparently this was shrugged off because those were just ‘verbal complaints’.

In all fairness, this is the first I have ever heard of this, and I have reached out to some people to see if I can get some confirmation.  So far, I have nothing new to report beyond what Screamscape is saying here.  I was pretty certain that it would return, but like all rumors things change.

Many, many people were terribly disappointed at the news of the cancellation of the holiday layover last year, and rightly so.  It is nice to see something special for the holidays and equally disappointing to see Disney World management behave so cheaply.  If I hear anything else, I will pass it along.

Welcome to Christmas Eve!  Today we visit the giant tree in between Future World and the World Showcase.  This tree in this spot holds a nostalgic place in my memory.  I had been going to Walt Disney World for nearly 25 years before my first visit during the holiday season.  This tree was the first holiday decoration that really blew me away…

Only hours to the old man shimmys down the chimney…

As Christmas draws near we are all busy little elves running around trying to get last minute tasks completed.  I am not different.  So for the next couple of days, we’ll make sure we get some holiday photos from the Mouse posted here so that you can rekindle the spirit after fighting over a PS3.

And nothing says Christmas like Main Street USA…

This big guy was leading the afternoon parade…