It’s that time of year again! The Halloween decorations have been removed and in their places are wreaths, trees, gingerbread displays, and a sparkling Cinderella Castle. That’s right… it’s the start of the holiday season at the Walt Disney World Resort and we’re so excited to celebrate this year. And if part of your celebration includes a visit to Disney World, you may want to check out some of the special events and — yes — holiday-themed foods!
Treats at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the season was held on November 8th at Magic Kingdom. This extra-ticket event is offered on select nights from now through December 18th. In addition to the gorgeous holiday decor, you’ll also have a chance to enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and snow flurries on Main Street U.S.A. Even better, some additional holiday-themed treats are available, exclusive to party guests! While everyone can enjoy complimentary cookies and hot cocoa around Magic Kingdom as part of admission, there are some other festive treats available as well.
We love the Peppermint Fudge Sundae at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor – it’s the perfect holiday treat made with mint chocolate chip ice cream and whipped cream, finished with real crushed candy cane. A Pumpkin Spice Waffle will be available at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. And theHoliday Tree Cupcake at Gaston’s Tavern is not only cute, it’s especially tasty thanks to all the festive spices in the cake base such as star anise, nutmeg, and clove.
Thanksgiving Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Okay, so let’s say you’re not quite ready to celebrate the Holidays in full until Thanksgiving rolls around. Well, there’s an option for you at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! A Thanksgiving Cupcake is available at Counter Service restaurants all over the park such as Fairfax Fare, Toy Story Pizza Planet, Backlot Express, and Starring Rolls Cafe, which is always home to some terrific cupcakes.This pumpkin cupcake is topped with rich maple buttercream icing and a cute chocolate Mickey Mouse pilgrim hat, to boot! This is one dessert you’ll want to save room for. But it’s not the only one…
Snacks at The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Hopefully your plans this holiday season include a trip to Hollywood Studios to see the The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in the Streets of America section of the park. This amazing festive display includes millions of lights synchronized to music in an amazing show you won’t soon forget, and since it has been announced that 2015 is the final year of this special presentation, it’s more of a holiday must-do than ever.
Because guests like to stroll in the area for a while to take in all the details, there are plenty of special treats to enjoy while watching the lights dance. For instance, the Pumpkin Spice Pretzelcan be found at the Pretzel Garden. Though at a glance it appears to be a typical soft pretzel, a spiced pumpkin pie filling winds throughout, making it an incredible holiday treat (like a pumpkin pie on-the-go)! The Gingerbread Cupcake also makes a return to the display area this year, as well as an array of specialty cocktails like The Gumdrop.
Minnie’s Holiday Dine
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has no shortage of festive dining opportunities this season, including a brand-new holiday dinner party at Hollywood and Vine Restaurant hosted by Minnie Mouse and several of her best Disney pals! Minnie’s Holiday Dine is a character meal that incorporates the sights, sounds, and tastes of the holiday season into the experience; from seasonal items like Carved Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, and Corn Bread Stuffing at the buffet, to visits at your table from Minnie, Mickey, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck all dressed up in their holiday finery.
It has proven difficult to score an Advance Dining Reservation at this already very popular meal. However, Minnie’s Holiday Dine is just the first event of a new series of character dining known asMinnie’s Seasonal Dine. Throughout the year, there will be even more opportunities to celebrate the seasons with these characters at dinner parties including a celebration of the arrival of spring, a summer beach blast, and a Halloween meal as well.
Still To Come
Soon, there will be even more ways to celebrate the holidays at the Walt Disney World Resort.Holidays Around the World will return to Epcot on November 27th, and World Showcase will feature snacks reflecting traditional holiday cuisine in various corners of the globe — it’s almost like a mini International Food and Wine Festival! And, of course, the popular gingerbread displays will be popping up around the Disney Resorts, too. While the showstopper is always the Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian Resort, a “Frozen”-themed gingerbread display has returned to the Contemporary Resort, and we always look forward to spying the Gingerbread Carousel at Disney’s Beach Club each holiday season. Once again at Disney World, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
AJ Wolfe is the owner and executive editor of The Disney Food Blog, a website covering all things food and drink in Walt Disney theme parks, resorts, and cruise ships. Check out the updated edition of her best-selling e-Book — The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 — for in-depth advice on Disney World dining! The Disney Food Blog is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.