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OVERVIEW: CHRISTMAS 2016 AT DISNEY WORLD

The Christmas season at Walt Disney World includes both the best and the worst times to visit, with both prices and crowds at both lower and very high levels over the period.

Decorations, special Christmas shows, programs, and events, and Christmas trees are everywhere, making Disney World as special a place to celebrate the holidays as you can find.

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

December crowds at Walt Disney World begin at lower levels. They will begin to build on 12/17, and by 12/25 will hit their highest levels of the year, where they will stay until about January 6, 2017.

Walt Disney World resort hotel December prices at the beginning of the month are at one of the lower levels of the year.

On 12/11 they go up a lot to 25-45% higher than the lowest of the year, and on December 22, 2016, they increase to 50-65% higher than the lowest levels of the year.

December weather is cooler and variable. While the average daily high is 73, this masks tremendous variability.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

Each of the parks has wonderful Christmas decorations, and the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot have special Christmas events, which begin in early November at Magic Kingdom, mid-November at the Studios, and right after Thanksgiving at Epcot.

• At the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party—a special event that requires its own ticket—runs on many nights from November 7th through December 22nd. Later in December, its signature events—a special Christmas parade, and special Christmas fireworks—are available to all guests. Christmas decor is in place by the night of the first party–in 2016, November 7
• At the Studios, the new Christmas projection show Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! kicked off on November 14.
• At Epcot, the evening fireworks show Illuminations has special Christmas additions. In addition, most nights Christmas carols are sung by massed choirs in the Candlelight Processional. Many of the countries in Epcot’s World Showcase have special Christmas events as part of Epcot’s Holidays Around the World program. Epcot’s special events are fully in place the Friday after Thanksgiving–November 25 in 2016

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2016/2017 AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

New Year’s Eve festivities will occur December 31, 2016 at Disney World’s Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios theme parks, and also at the Magic Kingdom on December 30. The Animal Kingdom in the past has had no special New Years events, but may well in 2016.

The complete schedule is not out yet, but based on what is out and on the past, the schedule will look like this:

• Epcot will be open until 1a on New Year’s Eve; Disney’s Hollywood Studios until at least midnight, and the Magic Kingdom until 1a or later
• The Magic Kingdom likely will have Wishes at 7.30p and special New Year’s Eve fireworks at 11.48p
• Epcot likely will have its Illuminations fireworks show at 6p and 11.40p, plus DJs in various pavilions.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios likely may have fireworks at midnight
• There may be a New Years Eve show at the Animal Kingdom–the first ever
• Note that alcohol is not available at the Magic Kingdom, but is available at the other three parks

The Magic Kingdom likely will have the same fireworks at the same times on 12/30/16. This date will likely be a little less crowded than 12/31. Hollywood Studios may also have fireworks on 12/30–either in addition to, or instead of, 12/31 fireworks.

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From my friend Kelly B:

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STAR WARS AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

The Disney World theme park Disney’s Hollywood Studios is undergoing a transformation while new Toy Story and Star Wars lands are being built.

Several less popular, lower capacity, and/or somewhat pointless attractions have been closed to create space for the new offerings, and in the meantime the old Star Wars attractions here have seen revamps, and new ones have been added.

For years the mainstays of the Star Wars offerings here have been Star Tours and the Jedi Training Academy.

Star Tours has been updated with scenes from The Force Awakens, and the Jedi Training Academy has had its capacity doubled.

Each of these is a terrific experience. Star Tours should be on the touring plans of all guests, and the Jedi Training Academy should be directly experienced by children who are Star Wars fans, and watched by everyone else.

Added to the must-do list in December 2015 are the Star Wars fireworks, Symphony in the Stars. This show had been showing mostly nightly since its opening, but is on only four days a week in May. Later “this summer” it will be replaced by what looks to be an even more impressive Star Wars fireworks extravaganza.

Three other more minor Star Wars offerings are also on hand.

• Path of the Jedi, which finally puts something in the old Sounds Dangerous building, recaps the Star Wars saga and is a good refresher for those who haven’t seen the films in a while
• Star Wars: A Galaxy Far Far Away is a minor stage show featuring almost all the core Star Wars characters
• Star Wars Launch Bay has Star Wars meet and greets, a film, replicas of objects from the films, and is the base for Stormtrooper encounters, including a march several times a day

I saw, or saw again, all six of these in my December, January and April visits to Disney World, and reviews and photos are in the links.

These last three are probably only for true fans, but the first three are great entertainments for everyone!

There’s more on the upcoming Star Wars land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios here.

Have you seen any of these new or revamped offerings?  What did you think?

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For the first page of this review of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, click here

THE UZIMA SPRINGS POOL AT DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

Jambo House has one pool, Uzima Springs pool, one of my favorites at Disney World (there’s a second pool at sister resort Kidani Village).

Uzima is a large pool ringed by foliage and flowers.

Pool chairs ring the pool, but another set of chairs continues beyond the greenery, creating private spots, and many options for both sun and shade depending on the time of day.

Also in this outer ring are a playground, hot tubs, and animal viewing areas.

As a result, this pool is both large and intimate–intimate because many views are blocked by trees, etc. As a result it has its own map!

There’s a kids’ pool near The Mara…

…a playground…

…a nearby gym…

…two hot tubs…

…a bar…

…and an animal viewing area here.

Besides the normal pool play, cast members also do some nature games.

The more I stay here, the more Uzima Springs Pool becomes my personal favorite Disney World pool.

TOPICS IN THIS REVIEW OF DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

• Summary and overview of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Theming and accommodations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• A photo tour of a standard room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Amenities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• The Uzima Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

OTHER KEY PAGES FOR WHERE TO STAY AT DISNEY WORLD

• Where to stay–the Basics
• Where first-timers should stay
• Reviews of all the Disney World resorts, based on my 160+ stays in them

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There’s a full report here, I’ll do a full report next week, but here’s the quick scoop on my experience at the After Hours party last night

Arrived 6.30p

Saw 29 attractions:

• Astro Orbiter
• Barnstormer
• Big Thunder Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear
• Carousel of Progress
• Country Bears
• Dumbo
• Enchanted Tiki Birds
• Evening Parade
• Hall of Presidents
• Haunted Mansion
• it’s a small world
• Jungle Cruise
• Liberty Belle steamboat
• Mad Tea Party
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Peoplemover
• Peter Pan
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
• Tinkerbell meet & greet
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea

Left 1.57a

Arrived back at the Animal Kingdom Lodge at 2.45a

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OVERVIEW: NOVEMBER 2016 AT DISNEY WORLD

This page reviews November 2016 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, and operating hours; adds a few other notes; and ends with week by week summaries.

Very early, mid and late November has some of the best times of the year to visit Disney World, with cooler weather, low crowds, low prices, and fun special events.

Other parts of the month is not so good, with moderate crowds from Jersey Week.  Thanksgiving week, with high crowds and higher prices than the rest of the month, should be avoided.

[Read more →]