Advance Planning the Key to Holiday Success at Walt Disney World® Resort

The key to enjoying all the special events at Walt Disney World® Resort during the 2009-10 holiday season is to be well-informed about the major events and plan ahead so that once in the park, you do not lose any time and go straight to what you want to experience. This year Walt Disney World® Resort will feature six outstanding and major holiday-themed events. From Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights the variety is unlimited and entertainment will be available for the whole family. Check out the following holiday guide that features descriptions of key events that will take place at Walt Disney World® Resort and will help you plan your holiday vacation in advance.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – November 10 - December 18, 2009
Celebrate the spirit of the holidays at “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!” This wonderful holiday event takes place at Magic Kingdom® Park on select nights from November 10 to December 18, 2009. The fantastic Mickey’s Merry Christmas Party parade features Mickey and Minnie Mouse with their friends having fun with park visitors as they walk through Main Street. Special performances, "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade," spectacular holiday wishes fireworks and even falling snow are part of this incredible party. The cheerful “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” is a great option to explore during your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Holidays Around The World – November 27 - December 30, 2009
What better way to celebrate all around the globe the joyous holiday season than at the “Holidays Around the World” event at Epcot®? Among the shows featured is a nightly Candlelight Processional, where an invited celebrity narrates the Christmas story accompanied by a fine 50-piece orchestra and a fantastic choir. Another excellent show is the “ IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which showcases more than 1,000 fireworks, an amazing floating Earth Globe that has state-of-the-art LED screens and lots of great music. Holiday stories from all over the world are told by special invitees, including France's Père Noël, Italy's LaBefana and America's Santa Claus. Other not-to-be-missed events at Holidays Around the World are Holiday Storytellers and Lights of Winter.

Celebrity narrators have been announced for the Epcot Candlelight Processional, which will take place November 27 through December 30, 2009. The Candlelight Processional, which includes a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra, will take place at America Gardens Theatre nightly at 5 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM.

Celebrity Narrator Schedule

November 27-29, 2009 – Isabella Rossellini
November 30 & December 1-2, 2009 – John O’Hurley
December 3-5, 2009 – Steven Curtis Chapman
December 6-8, 2009 – Anika Noni Rose
December 9-11, 2009 – Andy Garcia
December 12-14, 2009 – Vanessa Williams
December 15-17, 2009 – Abigail Breslin
December 18-20, 2009 – Whoopi Goldberg
December 21-23, 2009 – Brian Dennehy
December 24-26, 2009 – Edward James Olmos
December 27-30, 2009 – Angela Bassett/Courtney B. Vance

Note: Performances are included with Epcot admission. Guests are advised to arrive early. Schedule subject to change without notice.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – November 10, 2009 - January 4, 2010
If you are looking for a different experience where the holiday spirit shines all over the place, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the perfect event. Millions of blinking, twinkling and colorful lights decorate New York Street at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ while dancing in a choreographed motion to splendid holiday music. Beautiful Christmas trees, heavenly angels, sparkling snowflakes and various three-dimensional and motion-based displays adorn the streets making visitors feel and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade – November 27, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle is a colorful and lively parade that takes place in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Mickey Mouse, Donald, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and other friends go for a great jungle adventure while fun performances take place and magnificent holiday music plays. The cheerful and exotic Mickey’s Jingle Jungle paradeis known for its outstanding abstract animal images, amazing designs made with natural materials and fabrics, and unique holiday decorations.

Festival of the Seasons – November 17 - December 24, 2009
Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney® Area provides a spectacular holiday shopping experience. All the Disney stores are decorated for the holidays and feature a great variety of holiday merchandise. Live entertainment, wonderful light consistent displays, Santa’s presence, magnicifinet music and friendly performers make the holiday shopping experience enjoyable and fun. Some of the stores at Downtown Disney® Area are: Once Upon a Toy, Virgin™ Megastore, LEGO® Imagination Center and Disney's Days of Christmas.

New Year’s Eve At Walt Disney World Resort – Dec. 31, 2009
Walt Disney World® Resort has a variety of options to countdown The New Year. Disney's Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot® and Downtown Disney® Area will be celebrating the arrival of the 2010 with music, festivities and entertainment. Mark your calendar for the following Disney World events:

Bay Lake & Seven Seas Lagoon
The Electrical Water Pagaent (9 PM; plays to Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:25 PM)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade (3:45 PM)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve (9 AM-7 PM)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Fantasmic! nighttime musical special effects extravaganza (6:30 PM)
Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 PM; DJ starts at 63;) PM)
A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 PM)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 AM-midnight

Disney’s Magic Kingdom
“Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” parade and street party (11 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:40 PM)
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade (12 PM and 3:30 PM)
SpectroMagic parade of lights and music (7 PM and 10:30 PM)
Holiday Wishes fireworks (8:30 PM)
Fantasy in the Sky fireworks (11:50 PM)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 AM-1 AM

Epcot
Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” (7:30 PM and 11:40 PM)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve (9 AM-1 AM)

When it comes to celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World® Resort with your family, many choices are available. As a result, an organized plan of holiday activities is a great idea to save time and enjoy to the fullest the holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort. And if you are seeking great deals on comfortable accommodations during your next Disney World vacation getaway, look no farther than Westgate Resorts. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

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