Holidays 2020 Archives - Page 2 of 2

Walt Disney World Resort News: 2020 Holidays

The holidays are being ‘reimagined’ at the Walt Disney World Resort bringing new and returning favorites to all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and the Disney Resort Hotels through December 30, 2020.

During the festivities, guests will find new entertainment experiences, enjoy seasonal food and drink offerings, and discover themed merchandise perfect for a special gift or souvenir to remember the holiday season.

The holidays at Walt Disney World may look a little different this year, but a new addition to the fun will be pop-up appearances by Santa Claus at each park, as well as Disney Springs. For example, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom he will sail down the Discovery River on a special flotilla.

Let’s take a look at the special holiday celebrations guests can find in each park.

Magic Kingdom

While the Magic Kingdom will not be hosting Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this season, guests will now be able to enjoy Character Cavalcades featuring their favorite Disney characters in their holiday finest and characters synonymous with the season – including gingerbread men and elves – throughout the day.

Holidays 2020 Walt Disney World Resort — Matt Stroshane, photographer

On Main Street, U.S.A., the iconic toy soldiers will march alongside the Main Street Philharmonic as they fill the park with cheer.

When night falls at Magic Kingdom Park, projection effects will illuminate and transform Cinderella Castle with a series of designs that are sure to be the perfect colorful background for a magical holiday portrait.

Also returning this holiday season is the world-famous Jingle Cruise. During the seasonal overlay to the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland, guests will see how the homesick skippers are celebrating the holidays with festive decorations and new jokes.

EPCOT

From November 27th until December 3oth, the Taste of the EPCOT International Festival of the holidays will fill the park with an ‘International Yuletide Extravaganza’.

Guests will enjoy the return of holiday kitchens around the World Showcase promenade serving up traditional holiday dishes from around the world and the Holiday Cookie Stroll.

As guests make their way through World Showcase they will find their favorite characters spreading holiday cheer. Watch Queen Anna and Elsa in the “Frozen Holiday Promenade,” Mickey Mouse and his pals making merry on the “Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour,” and Santa Claus spreading holiday cheer during a grand horse-drawn tour.

Holiday entertainment will include the Candlelight Processional, however, guests will still find JOYFUL! inside the World ShowPlace and the Voices of Liberty sharing songs of the season at the America Gardens Theatre.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will enjoy festive decorations, tasty holiday treats, and their favorite Disney characters on flotillas throughout the day.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests will enjoy fantastic holiday decorations, scrumptious holiday treats, and Merry Motorcades featuring familiar faces spreading holiday cheer.

Minnie Mouse will once again host a yuletide dining experience at Hollywood & Vine, inviting some of her best pals – including Santa Goofy – to join the fun.

Disney Springs

Not only is Disney Springs the perfect place to shop for holiday merchandise, this holiday season it will feature elaborately decorated Christmas trees and magical snowfalls throughout Town Center, West Side, and The Landing.

Holidays at Walt Disney World - Jock Lindsay's Holiday Bar

Guests will also be able to enjoy the festive décor and limited-time menu of holiday favorites at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar.

Disney Resort Hotels

For the holidays, the Walt Disney World Resort hotels will welcome guests and visitors with iconic Christmas trees in their lobbies and other festive flourishes.

You can find more information about the holidays in the parks and more by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Festival of Trees Celebration Returns for the Holidays

34th Festival of Trees 2020 Orlando Museum of Arts

The Festival of Trees is back for its 34th year at the Orlando Museum of Art to bring joy to Central Florida with advanced tickets available now.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 12-29, with the exception of Mondays and Thanksgiving Day.

During this time, the Orlando Museum of Art will be transformed into a holiday wonderland filled with stunning décor and holiday cheer. This year’s theme is “Joy to the World—Celebrating a Season of Joy,” selected by the Council of 101 to focus on adding a little joy during the holiday season.

But while the fun will be what Central Floridians have come to expect from the beloved event, the Council of 101 has scaled down the event this year and made some changes to ensure a safe a fun event for all.

Tickets will be managed through reserved admissions due to limited capacity. Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Onsite visitors will be asked to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines. For those who can’t make it out, organizers have enhanced the virtual experiences, offering online tours of the festival, virtual events, and even the opportunity to purchase a tree online.

“The Festival of Trees is a truly a favorite tradition here in Central Florida. It’s what really makes it feel like the holidays for so many people,” said Jill Toole, president of the Council of 101. “While some things will be different this year, we’re proud we could still bring the holiday spirit to our community, perhaps when we need it most.”

Onsite or online, guests can experience the decorated halls of the museum and enjoy more than 25 decked-out trees, exceptional gingerbread houses, pop up vendors, elegant Entertaining by Design table settings, performances by talented local entertainers, and special drawings throughout the event. Not to be missed are the Santa sightings on the weekend, and children can make their Christmas requests by writing letters.

The first weekend of the festival kicks off with Ugly Sweater Day on November 14, with dignitaries and special ambassador appearances anticipated for this fun-filled theme event.

The Council of 101 events, including the Festival of Trees, have raised over $12 million for the Orlando Museum of Art’s educational programs. Festival of Trees benefits lifelong learning programs at the Orlando Museum of Art. Reaching deep into the community, these programs support many people from different walks of life, age, and income groups.

34th Annual Festival of Trees General Admission:

Thursday, November 12- Sunday, November 29 (Excluding Mondays and Thanksgiving Day)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to relish in the holiday season. Tickets are available at Councilof101.org or by calling 407-896-4231 ext.254. Tickets will be managed through reserved admissions as the museum is operating at limited capacity. Advanced ticket purchase is encouraged. Onsite visitors will be directed to strictly adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Ticket Prices for 34th Annual Festival of Trees:

Adults $15
Children (3-11) $7
Seniors (65+) $12
Military Personnel & First Responders (with valid ID) $12

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Councilof101.org or call 407-896-4231 ext.254

Tickets On Sale For Give Kids The World Village’s Night of a Million Lights Holiday Spectacular

For the first time ever, Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee will open its gates to the public – offering a glimpse into the magical, whimsical non-profit resort that fulfills the wishes of critically ill children from around the world.

Give Kids the World Night of a Million Lights Holiday Spectacular

From Friday, November 13, through Sunday, January 3, 2021, visitors can experience the childlike wonder of the Village during Night of a Million Lights, a walk-through, fully immersive holiday light spectacular.

More than three million lights will adorn the 84-acre resort, including a 150-foot lighted tunnel along the Avenue of Angels leading to elaborately decorated wish family residential villas; more than 50 larger-than-life holiday-themed wireframes, some spanning more than 40 feet; an enormous dancing gingerbread arch; and out-of-this-world space-themed decorations showcasing the Village’s newest centerpiece, Henri’s Starlite Scoops.

A stellar group of corporate treasured Partners will showcase their design talents by adopting and decorating a residential villa for display throughout the 52 nights of the event.

Tickets are on sale starting October 1 at www.gktw.org/lights, enabling guests to walk among the brilliant lights and participate in a variety of fun and festive activities in a safe, socially distant manner. Ticket prices start at $15 for children ages 3-17 and $25 for adults, and include on-site parking, complimentary ice cream and hot cocoa, and unlimited access to the Village’s wheelchair-accessible attractions – including The Enchanted Carousel; Marc’s Dino Putt; Kelly’s Sunny Swing; Lori’s Magical Flight; an interactive model railroad; and the Village’s iconic Castle of Miracles, where thousands of stars fill the ceiling in honor of wish children who have visited the Village. The event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, with staggered entry times at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. (confirmed at the time of purchase) to ensure social distancing. Mask wearing will also be required for all guests.

Proceeds from the event will support Give Kids The World’s mission to provide wish vacations for critically ill children and their families. When wish-granting organizations receive a request from a critically ill child who wants to visit Central Florida, Give Kids The World fulfills the wish – providing each child and his/her family with a magical week-long stay at absolutely no cost. Each family receives transportation, accommodations in one of the Village’s 166 storybook residential villas, all meals and snacks, nightly entertainment, tickets to Orlando’s world-class theme parks and attractions, and priceless interactive experiences at the Village. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 176,000 families from 50 states and more than 76 countries.

Give Kids The World Village closed to wish families in mid-March due to the global pandemic, delaying more than 4,000 wishes. Night of a Million Lights is designed to raise funds to ensure that the wishes of critically ill children can return bigger and better than ever before once the Village reopens.

Morse Museum Announces Holiday Offerings

Morse Mueseum madonna and child — Madonna and Child, c. 1890, from Tiffany Glass Company

For this year’s holiday season, the Morse Museum has adjusted its holiday offerings to include free admission Fridays, family content uploaded to its “Create and Explore” webpage, and a three-day holiday celebration. At present, and planned through December, public Museum and Museum Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The Morse remains closed on Sundays. Advance appointments are required to visit the Museum, and new visitor guidelines have been implemented.

For four consecutive Fridays during the holidays (November 27 through December 18), appointments to visit the Museum will be free. Appointments must be made in advance and are available, space permitting, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

Online on the Museum’s “Create and Explore” page, new family content will be launched on Wednesday, November 25. The online activities will center around the Museum’s acquisition of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s fireplace hood, which will be installed in October.

From Tuesday, December 22 through Thursday, December 24, appointments to visit the Museum will be free. From noon to 3 p.m., live music in the galleries will enhance and uplift the visitor experience during this special three-day holiday celebration. Appointment times are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on all three days, and space is limited.

Please note that on-site lectures, art demonstrations, Museum tours, and other in-person programs as well as social events are canceled or postponed until further notice.

The Morse Museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. These works include the chapel interior he designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago as well as surviving art and architectural elements from Laurelton Hall, his grand Long Island estate.

On view now, the exhibit Rare and Remarkable—Art Pottery of Louis Comfort Tiffany is completely drawn from the Morse Museum’s collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s pottery, the largest public collection in the world. Telling a deeper story of ceramics in America during the early 1900s, the Tiffany pottery show is augmented by the Museum’s major exhibition Earth into Art—The Flowering of American Art Pottery, which provides the context of the turn-of-the-century American art pottery craze.

The Morse Museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. All visits are by appointment only. Appointments may be made online by visiting the Museum’s “Plan Your Visit” page or by calling (407) 644-1429. Regular admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $1 for students, and free for children under 12. More information may be found on the Museum’s website, morsemuseum.org.

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Night of a Million Lights Holiday Spectacular

For 34 years, the non-profit Give Kids The World Village has been brightening the lives of critically ill children and their families from around the world; and now, local businesses led by Presenting Sponsor Dreams Unlimited Travel will have the chance to illuminate the Village – literally- during the Night of a Million Lights Holiday Spectacular.

For 53 nights from Friday, November 13, through Sunday, January 3, 2021, the Village will come alive with Night of a Million Lights, a walk-through holiday light spectacular that is sure to warm the hearts of Central Florida residents. More than one million lights will adorn the 84-acre whimsical Village, including a 150-foot lighted tunnel leading to 33 decorated villas; more than 50 larger-than-life holiday-themed wireframes, some spanning more than 40 feet; an enormous incandescent gingerbread arch; and out-of-this-world space-themed decorations showcasing the Village’s newest centerpiece, Henri’s Starlite Scoops.

Adding to the fully immersive lights and sounds experience, Santa Claus will greet guests from the balcony of Towne Hall, with Give Kids The World’s beloved ambassadors, Mayor Clayton and Ms. Merry, on hand to lend some holiday cheer.

Corporate and community partners can get into the holiday spirit by adopting a villa, with the creative freedom to decorate it however they’d like for display throughout the 53 nights of the event. A friendly contest among the villas is guaranteed to bring some added fun and excitement, with long-time Village supporter Dreams Unlimited Travel already planning on ways to outshine the competition.

“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season than by shining some light on the wonderful work Give Kids The World does to bring happiness and hope to critically ill children and their families through this event,” said Dreams Unlimited Travel CEO Pete Werner.

Beginning on October 1, guests can purchase tickets on the Give Kids The World website at www.gktw.org to walk among the brilliant lights, vote on their favorite villas, and take part in a variety of family activities in a socially distant manner.

Most of the Village’s wheelchair-accessible attractions will be available at no cost, including The Enchanted Carousel, Marc’s Dino Putt, Kelly’s Sunny Swing, and Lori’s Magical Flight – all elaborately decorated for the holidays. Complimentary hot cocoa and ice cream will also be served throughout each evening.

In addition, guests can visit the Village’s most iconic venue, the Castle of Miracles – featuring a mysterious forest, a wishing well that burps, a magic tree that makes pillows, and more.

The Castle is highlighted by thousands of stars that fill the ceiling and the adjoining Star Tower, each placed in honor of a wish child who has visited the Village.

Proceeds from the event will support Give Kids The World’s mission to provide wish vacations for critically ill children and their families. When wish-granting organizations receive a request from a critically ill child who wants to visit any of the world-class theme parks Central Florida has to offer, Give Kids The World fulfills the wish – providing each child and his/her family with a magical week-long stay at absolutely no cost. Each family receives transportation, accommodations in one of the Village’s 166 storybook villas, all meals and snacks, nightly entertainment, tickets to Orlando’s world-class theme parks and attractions, and priceless experiences at the Village. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 176,000 families from 50 states and more than 76 countries.

“Children with critical illnesses face countless appointments, treatments and hospital stays, and they are often told ‘no’ due to the limitations of their illness. We feel privileged to give wish children and their families a week of ‘yes’ where they can forget their worries, experience joy, and spend priceless time together,” said Give Kids The World President and CEO Pamela Landwirth. “We look forward to sharing some holiday joy with the community while making it possible for future wish children to have their wishes fulfilled.”

Give Kids The World Village closed to wish families in mid-March due to the global pandemic, delaying more than 4,000 wishes.

The Night of a Million Lights is designed to raise funds to ensure that wish trips can return bigger and better than ever before once the time is right reopen.

I Love Christmas Movies Coming to Gaylord Palms

I Love Christmas Movies Gaylord Palms Resort Christmas 2020

As the holiday season approaches, Gaylord Palms is excited to announce a new one-of-a-kind marquee Christmas pop-up experience that will debut November 13, 2020, and run through January 3, 2021. Called I Love Christmas Movies, the new experience presents a multi-sensory exhibition in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products allowing guests to experience beloved holiday movies in a completely new way.

The new pop-up experience anchors Gaylord Palms’ lineup of renowned annual Christmas programming, promising an enchanting holiday celebration this year.

With the unveiling of the new, I Love Christmas Movies immersive pop-up experience, visitors will enjoy enhanced holiday fun and delights as they discover this exclusive activity offered only at Gaylord Hotels for a limited time.

I Love Christmas Movies presents a fully immersive exhibit featuring key moments from some of the most iconic Warner Bros. Pictures Christmas movies including THE POLAR EXPRESS, A CHRISTMAS STORY, ELF, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, and THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS.

As guests young and young at heart navigate the multi-sensory exhibits, they will enjoy over 13 fully immersive scenes complete with replicas of film props, audio clips, and more, making participants feel as if they have stepped into the part of the actual story. Guests will travel with Buddy the Elf from Santa’s North Pole workshop to New York City; take photos in front of the Griswold’s house adorned with thousands of Christmas lights; and more.

For almost two decades, Gaylord Palms has become legendary for providing magical holiday events and activities for winter visitors to experience, and this year will be no different.

A lineup of additional signature activities and experiences visitors have come to know and love over the years is being developed and will be featured alongside the new I Love Christmas Movies experience.

With a full lineup to be announced soon, visitors can look forward to experiences such as ice tubing, scavenger hunts, gingerbread decorating, elf training academy, holiday stage shows, and much more, all

to be enjoyed within acres of airy indoor atriums decorated with millions of twinkling holiday lights, towering Christmas trees, and thousands of shimmering ornaments.

“The holidays are the perfect time of year to make memories with friends and family, and we know that this year more than ever, guests will be looking for places where they can celebrate the magic of the season in a safe environment,” said General Manager Johann Krieger. “This year we are excited to present the new I Love Christmas Movies experience, along with our other amazing events and activities our guests have come to know and love.”

As the safety of guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, the Christmas at Gaylord Palms program is being developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and with enhanced protocols and social-distancing measures. Programming will also operate in consideration with the latest local, state and federal legislation.

Overnight Christmas packages including admission into the I Love Christmas Movies immersive pop-up experience are available to book now. Tickets for all the events and activities for Christmas at Gaylord Palms will go on sale in early October.

For more information about the I Love Christmas Movies pop-up and Christmas programming, visit ChristmasatGaylordPalms.com, which will be updated with this year’s lineup soon.

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