Mickey Monitor Winter 2007

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Keeps on Dancing:

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Sylvania has become a holiday staple at the Disney-MGM Studios. And last year the spectacle became even more spectacular. It started “dancing”…to music. It’s really quite, well, spectacular. This year it even features new music for the 5 million some odd lights to perform to. So even if you think you’ve seen it, you sore of really haven’t. Guests are already calling it one of the great traditions of the Disney holiday season. And it’s happening now through January 6.

The Disney-MGM Studios Livens Up the Holidays with Live Gospel Music:

For the first time ever at a Disney Park, this year the world-renowned Harlem Gospel Choir is bringing their soulful holiday sounds to the Disney-MGM Studios. Stop by the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Bouldvard some evening between November 30 and December 25, and catch one of three nightly performances sure to touch the depths of your soul and raise your spirits to angelic heights.

The Harlem Gospel Choir will be performing (in a way only they can) holiday favorites like “Are you Ready for a Miracle,” “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “We Wish You’re a Merry Christmas,” and more.

“The choir is very excited to come to Disney,” said Harlem Gospel Choir representative, Lennie Swearingen. “The music and the energy are so powerful and moving. We’re thrilled to share it.”

So this year, get yourself into the Christmas spirit in a most spirited way. Come by the Disney-MGM Studios and threat yourself to a whole new holiday experience.

Check out Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade:

Ever spend the holidays on the Serengeti? Now you can at Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Spend a holiday party you’ll never forget with Mickey and the gang. During this party, you can enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the holiday season as Mickey and friends party – holiday style – to music in their holiday/safari costumes. It’s a jingle jungle wild way to rock out the holidays!

Catch Mickey and his jungle pals parading daily now through January 6.

Happy Holidays Around the World:

Year in, year out, it’s one of the most memorable moments that people select during the holidays at Walt Disney World; the Holidays Around the World at Epcot. It’s where anyone can experience fantastic celebrations form around the globe.

There are many experiences, and all help unite everyone in the spirit. One of these traditions is the Candlelight Processional. It’s one of the most beloved moments during the holidays. You can hear a joyous retelling of the Christmas Story by a celebrity narrator along with a 50 piece orchestra and mass choir.

One of the celebrities who keeps coming back is Edward James Olmos. For the first time, part of his Candlelight Processional will be in Spanish.

Candlelight Light Processional Facts

Dates: November 23 – December 30
Time: Shows are at 5:00, 6:45 & 8:15 p.m.
Place: America Gardens Theatre, Epcot

Scheduled Celebrity Narrators:

David Robinson – Nov. 23 – 25
John O’Hurley – Nov. 26 – 28
Neil Patrick Harris – Nov. 29 – Dec. 1
Dennis Franz – Dec. 2 – 4
Monique Coleman – Dec. 5 – 7
Steven Curtis Chapman – Dec. 8 – 10
Chita Rivera – Dec. 11 – 13
Andi McDowell – Dec. 14 – 16
Kirk Cameron – Dec. 17 – 19
Edward James Olmos – Dec. 20 – 22
Gary Sinise – Dec. 23 – 25
Rita Moreno – Dec. 26 – 28
Marlee Matlin – Dec. 29 – 30

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Gets Even Merrier:

If the Disney holiday traditions were stockings hanging from the mantle, this year they would be stuffed with all kinds of new treats. Partly in thanks to all the new goodies at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

If you think of what’s at the heart of Mickey’s big celebration, you’d probably think of the parade. Well, what you remember the parade to be, at least, because this year Mickey and the gang kicked it up a notch. Starting with an all new soundtrack, including a Disney original tune created just for the occasion, entitled “Once Upon a Christmastime.” But that’s only the beginning. This year, there are new costumes and some newly designed floats that represent the many joys of Christmastime. The different floats are themed to Friends and Family, A Winter Wonderland, A Fairy Tale Christmastime,

Christmas Sweets and A North Pole Christmastime, featuring the beloved jolly couple themselves, Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

That would be a very merry Christmas party in and of itself. But you know as well as we do that it doesn’t stop there. Not with the entire Magic Kingdom to deck for the holidays. And let’s not forget about Cinderella Castle. This year it will shimmer in ice, courtesy of over 200,000 individual lights that will drape the turrets and towers of the magical fortress. Witness the magic as the new Castle Dream Lights come to brilliant life each night like a glistening blanket of ice.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Facts:

Dates: Nov. 25, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 & 21
Place: Magic Kingdom
Time: 7:00 p.m. – midnight

Epcot Has Character:

Step into a cartoon world at the new Epcot Character Spot. It’s where families can enjoy five different themes to interact with their favorite Disney Characters, plus get autographs, photos and, of course, hugs!

According to Forrest Barruth, show writer and director of this new bit of Epcot magic, “It took a couple of years to put this idea together. Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Minnie and Chip ‘n Dale…each have a themed area; done with a backdrop and side pieces, so it’s really different.

“The built-in lighting and backdrops make it a great opportunity to meet the characters and take great photographs,” Forrest told us. “The music you’ll hear is current and a lot of fun. It really is like stepping into a Disney cartoon!”

Newly Enhanced Film at Canada Pavilion (eh?):

There’s something newly enhanced in the Great White North. The CircleVision 360 degree film at the O Canada attraction in Epcot now features new footage, new music and special new guest narration by Martin Short. The film was produced in cooperation with the Canadian Tourism Commission.

New Asian Eatery Opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

Now Disney Guests can take their palates on a culinary Asian adventure thanks to a menu of delectable Asian fusion food, courtesy of the new Yak & Yeti restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Set in the mythical village of Anadapur, the Yak & Yeti offers both table service dining as well as quick-service food. And be sure to check out the restaurant’s eclectic merchandise shop, which features everything from sushi plates and chopsticks to fine tea pots.

Also open for your enjoyment, Africa’s Tusker House Restaurant has been re-designed as a spectacular lunch and dinner buffet. And be on the lookout for the new Donald’s Safari Breakfast Character Buffet featuring everyone’s favorite duck and his sweetheart, Daisy.

School’s Out All Year at Disney-MGM Studios:

Listen up, high schoolers of all ages! Now you can join in the fun in a new kind of interactive live entertainment at the new High School Musical 2: School’s Out! It’s inspired by the record breaking hit Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical 2 – one of the most popular TV presentations of all time.

You can experience the fun at Disney-MGM Studios as a dynamic cast rocks out to hits like “What Time Is It,” “You Are the Music In Me,” “I Don’t Dance” and others, plus the song from the original movie that started it all: “We’re All in This Together.” Don’t be tardy when this class act is in session!

Fun Fact – High School Musical 1 and 2 composer David Lawrence is the son of legendary Broadway and Hollywood stars Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.

Atlanta Braves Spring Training:

Well, winter’s about to arrive and it’s time to think about…baseball. Yeah! Individual game tickets for spring training at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex go on sale through Ticketmaster beginning Saturday, January 5. Or visit the sports complex box office. It opens at 10 a.m. for ticket sales beginning the same day. Call 407.939.GAME (4236) for more info.

Disney Theme Park Goes HOLLYWOOD:

If you haven’t already heard, Disney-MGM Studios will be renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios, effective January 2008. According to Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, “The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today’s Hollywood has to offer.”

Walt Disney World Photo Albums