30. Holidays at Walt Disney World and Universal

Are you ready to explore the holiday magic at both Universal Studios’ Grinchmas and Walt Disney World’s holiday happenings? In this episode, I’m sharing with you all the special events planned at both parks for the holiday season: festive themed shows, spectacular fireworks, and winter wonderlands you won’t want to miss. I’ll let you know which ones need additional tickets and which ones don’t, plus travel tips to keep you stress-free during this holiday season!

Holidays at Universal Orlando
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Previous Episodes Mentioned:
Episode 13:  Inside Club 33: An Exclusive Look at Disney's Private AF Membership
Episode 27: Minions Land at Universal Studios

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This episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher.

Transcript

Hello, my friends. Are you ready to experience the best of both worlds as we immerse ourselves in the holiday spirit at the Universal Studios' Grinchmas and Walt Disney World's holiday happenings despite the warm temperatures outside. I am actually recording this 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, and I am in Las Vegas where it is chilly to me. But to those of you in the snow belt, you would think this was spring. These 2 theme parks are transporting guests into a winter wonderland like no other. At Universal Studios, you can step into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss's Grinchmas, wander through Seuss Landing and marvel at the colorful decorations that bring the story to life. Keep an eye out for that mischievous Grinch himself as he runs around. He'll spread his own special brand of holiday cheer, much like Michele who used to be the ultimate in Grinch.

And meanwhile, over at Walt Disney World, the magic of the December holidays fills the air. So I have to be completely honest and transparent with you all that I have not actually done the holidays at Walt Disney World or Universal Studios in so long. And I am so excited that I have found a mini hole in my schedule In December early December to rush down there for a quick two day, hit Epcot Center, Hit the Jolly holidays and hit Universal for the special holiday tour. But I am gonna tell you all about that right now. So listen along as I tell you about Main Street USA, its transformation with the twinkling lights and the decorations. How cute Mickey and Minnie and, of course, Daisy and Donald are in their holiday best. And let's not forget Chip and Dale with their cute little bow ties, shall we? They, of course, add that extra dash of enchantment, and that's not all. Both of these theme parks are offering holiday Theme shows, entertainment, from Dancing whos, as in who from Whoville, and many special fireworks.

Every moment is just gonna be filled to the brim with holiday joy and wonder. So settle into that cozy aftermath of your Thanksgiving feast, whether it was pumpkin pie or pecan pie, whether you're still combating the turkey tryptophan, I am sure by the time you are listening, I am. Rehashing the excitement of a big game, mine's on Friday, go Horns, or equally embracing the Black Friday frenzy, I'm probably doing that too, but more like cyber Saturday all rolled together. It is the perfect time to switch gears and dive into the world of holiday themed travel planning. Let's plan for some unforgettable experiences with the perfect blend, whimsy, magic, holiday cheer, and, oh, yeah, don't forget to pack your patience to make this season truly special. Okay. So by the time you are listening to this, it is probably I'm not even gonna say Thanksgiving anymore, maybe it's Black Friday or maybe you're all the way into small business Saturday and cyber Monday or maybe it's later in the week, But the holidays have already started. They started before Thanksgiving even at both Florida theme parks, which are Walt Disney World and now Universal Parks and experiences.

Also, Black Friday travel specials started on November 11th, so those are already in full gear. So if your kind of a gal or you're waiting full on until Hanukkah, first candle on December 7th, we are already in Full eggnog latte at Starbucks season. Again, I am going to be honest with you, I was the Grinch. Hated Christmas. I felt like Hanukkah was made out to be more than it was supposed to be because it always falls around Christmas. It was never cold. I never understood the whole snow thing, but then COVID happens. And I started watching the Hallmark Channel In July with Christmas, and, I mean, I went full on sparkle, and now I am 11, every special moment that this holiday season brings us, regardless of the fact that I do not put a Christmas tree up because I am Jewish, And I have a lovely Hanukkah menorah.

I have several lovely Hanukkah menorahs actually. But I love Christmas treats. I love eggnog. I love the Grinch. I love Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip and Dale in their holiday best. And I am so excited to get to talk about this special season with you. So let's start with what you need a special ticket for. Much like Halloween, there are special events which require an additional ticket purchase.

So at Walt Disney World, you can still find tickets. We can still get you tickets for both. Mickey's very merry Christmas party, that's the special ticket kingdom and then the brand new Jollywood nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. So I'm gonna talk fast here because there is just so much to talk about. So at Mickey's very Merry Christmas party, you get and this is again after hours. You get to watch it snow on Main Street USA. However, there are ways to see that without purchasing a special ticket. So You're gonna walk in that winter wonderland as you witness the stunning snowfall on Main Street.

You can take in the elaborate decorations that bring the spirit of the season to life. You can savor sweet moments, enjoy cookies and cocoa, which are available in select locations during the party at no additional charge, But you get the perfect picture with some Disney pals dressed in their Christmas best, and I already told you. And I will definitely publish pictures when I get mine of how cute they are. So, yes, you can gather to watch the Disney characters, they'll give a yuletide nod to the season during Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas time parade. That's also where you get to see the toy soldier brigade. I mean, who doesn't love that? And, of course, you see Santa Claus and some really beautiful Frozen characters blowing snow at you too, and then Minnie's wonderful Christmas time fireworks show. So all that is at the special ticketed event at Disney's Magic Kingdom. It is an after hour special event, so lower attendance, The ability to get on and see some very special attractions that some of them which will have a holiday overlay.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, there is a brand new special after hours ticketed event called Disney's Jollywood Nights. They are saying it is where Hollywood glamour meets holiday cheer. For any of you who love dapper days, Which was a really new thing to me until just before the pandemic, I learned all about dapper days. So I'm coming in hot with this because I'm now all In to dapper days. So you can be welcomed to Jollywood with the DJs spinning a holiday mix. That's gonna be right there on Hollywood Boulevard when you enter the park. Then, of course, you'll wanna go back to the Echo Lake; A because Gerty the dinosaur and Echo Lake is always got some cute little Christmas decoration hanging out of her mouth. It's adorable.

But there's also gonna be a throwback bash that you may even spot PowerLine Max, and it's gonna stir up Some nostalgia. Throwback. Head over to Commissary Lane, discover the holiday street fair there that's got lively energy. It's gonna be a Latin holiday music, holiday fiesta in La Calle. So I think that means the holiday fiesta in the commissary. But you're gonna see warm lighting, colorful decor, vibrant feel, drinks and nibble on treats inspired by Latin holiday traditions. To me, that means tamales. I don't know if that's what it means to Disney, but if it does, oh, I'm so there because I love my Christmas tamales or I should say my December tamales because one of my friends from high school has already started making her tamales.

And as I said, I'm recording this 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. You are also cordially invited to the twilight soiree at the Tip Top club, And this is gonna be in the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Here, you can sip cocktails, unwind in style while a live band swoons and croons, your favorite holiday tunes. Now capacity to that is limited. So just because you have a ticket to the Jollywood Nights, You will still have to manage how you get into that part of that park through a virtual queue. And you can also join for jazzy holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby. The restaurant will be a smooth jazz joint, and you'll be able to enjoy holiday music, special craft cocktails, and an exclusive menu of light bites in the very sophisticated setting of the Brown derby. Capacity is also going to be limited to that, and there will be strategies in place for you to make sure that if you do go to the Jollywood Nights events that you can get in to see those 2 things.

Disney is saying, Jollywood Nights is brimming with those red carpet moments, the holiday vibes, glimmering decor and fantastic photo ops. So you're encouraged to don your holiday best. And I didn't also mention, but there are, of course special photo pass opportunities over at the Magic Kingdom for the holidays. And even if you're not going to either one of those events, there's Always lots of fun seasonal magic shots all over the theme parks and the resorts. So if you're planning your stay, be sure to get your photo pass in advance of your trip, it saves you just a little bit of money. But, hey, you're going to the theme parks in Orlando, any little bit counts. Now maybe you're already gonna be there or maybe you're like me and you're like, I've just heard all the wonderful things. I need to plan my trip ASAP because I have to see what this sophisticated jazz club at the Hollywood Brown Derby is.

And I say that like I'm being sarcastic, but that is actually true because if you have heard my previous episode, I gave the Brown Derby a not so great review, and then Katelyn came on on the Club 33 podcast. If you haven't heard my previous review of the Brown derby or her review of the Brown derby, you can go back and listen to those episodes. So now I must go for Jollywood nights and see if I enjoy the swanky jazz club at the Hollywood Brown Derby. 

Now if you are already heading down there and you don't wanna purchase an extra ticket or the nights you're gonna be there are sold out Or like me, you're trying to plan on the fly and there might not be a special event that night, or you have been planning for years and it's just not in the budget to purchase an additional ticket. There is still plenty of holiday joy to be had at Walt Disney World without purchasing an extra ticket. So first of all, you can revel in at Epcot. Just hit it hard over at Epcot. There is the Epcot candlelight processional, and we'll put the link to the narrators for that in the various nights that it is going to be on in the show notes.

I will be honest. I have never ever seen the Epcot candlelight processional. It is the story about the birth of baby Jesus. Always has narrators such as [Neil] Patrick Harris. This year, Brandon Fraser's gonna be there. There's some other notable people, as I said. We'll put that link in the show notes, But they are backed up by a massive choir, usually volunteer cast members who are singing on their nights off. A 50 piece orchestra, hark the herald, angels sing trumpets, and the incredible voices of liberty.

So believe it or not, even though this is not my story, I really wanna see it because it sounds like an incredible, just Beautiful work of art. So I wanna see that. Also over at Epcot, you can meet the US version of Santa Claus. There's several places you can meet Santa Claus, but Epcot is one of them in the Odyssey Cafe. There are the International Festival of the Holidays Includes the always wonderful sumptuous holiday kitchens, which this year includes the Lahayam holiday kitchen, which Feature some of my favorite snacks, pastrami on rye and latkes, and also one of mister Michele visits Mickey's favorites, the black and white cookie. I'm not sure why they don't have Souf Gamayote there, but, of course, you can always get your donuts at Joffrey's Coffee. There is, of course, the holiday cookies Scroll. Now the full cookies have not yet been released to my knowledge.

I'm going to check that here. But in the past, it included the Linzer cookie cookie at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, the gingerbread cookie at Holiday Hearth Desserts, the black and white cookie that I just mentioned at L'Haim, and the chocolate crinkle cookie, which is at the American holiday table. One more at the Snickers doodle cookie made with Snickers bar pieces. Yeah. That just sounds horrible. At the Yukon Holiday Kitchen. So the holiday cookie stroll is a part of the free festival passport that you get when you enter Epcot. You can get it at international gateway or at the main gate or throughout the park as you walk around world showcase, And you will get a stamp each time you get one of those cookies, then you can stop by holiday sweets and treats to receive your specialty completer cookie, which is a special cookie designed to look like an ornament of a festival of the holidays.

So you don't wanna miss that, and then you present them with your fully stamped festival passport. And, of course, It doesn't have to be done on the same day. But if you're like me and you have limited time, then go and Go forth and get your cookies ASAP because they're all gonna be great. I promise. So we also have the world showcase storytellers that are returning. So you can expect to see the barn Santa as in Norway's version, a Chinese lion dancer for the Lunar New Year, Papa Noel, another version of Santa Claus from France, several Hanukkah stories and Hanukkah jingles and even more As you stroll the holiday cookie stroll throughout world showcase, eating around Epcot, which is my most favorite thing to do. And if you missed the previous episode that Nikki and I talked about the scavenger hunt that we did, She had never done one, and we did Pluto's pumpkin. It was during, obviously, Halloween.

And all throughout Cut. They had sold out of Remy's Ratatouille pip and squeak, hide and squeak, which is a huge disappointment to me because I take pride in doing every single festival scavenger hunt. And this one is Olaf's holiday tradition expeditions scavenger hunt. And what I was saying about My friend Nikki, who was with me at the Universal episode, is that we spent a day at Epcot and there was Pluto's pumpkin scavenger hunt, and she was so good at it. And we matched all the pumpkins, and she got herself a pumpkin sipper. And that was a really fun new one. So I'm excited again. As I said, I haven't been to holidays at Epcot in a really long time, So I'm excited to do Olaf.

So for the scavenger hunt, and they're fun for kids of all ages, even me who just turned 55 on her milestone birthday, You purchase a map and stickers from the festival merchandise locations, and then you start your hunt for Olafs who are gonna be scattered throughout world showcase. Once you find them, you match the sticker to the circle on the map. And once you complete them, you turn it in for a prize. And I can load videos of the Pluto's pumpkin search, which was during food and wine prior to the end of October and show you how it works in stories. So look for those in my Insta stories. If you follow me on Instagram, it's@michelevisitsmickey. 

Okay. Moving on, Disney's animal kingdom also has some really great holiday things that you can see with just a ticket to that park, including the Merry Menagerie. Do not miss the Merry Menagerie. Discovery Island comes to life with these artisan sculpted puppets, And they're like arctic animals like penguins and polar bears and reindeer and foxes. And your little ones, aka me, You just can't get enough of it and you wanna touch them and you wanna play with them and you want pictures with them. They're just fabulous. And you can see those during the day at Disney's Animal Kingdom. If you stay until dusk, you can watch each night as the magnificent tree of life shimmers and sparkles each evening. And during the season, it is accompanied by a heartwarming musical score. This begins at dusk every night.

You can also meet your favorite Disney pals at Adventures Outpost, And Mickey and Minnie will be decked out in their holiday attire. And, of course, there are festive trimmings and touches around the park. And then if you don't even wanna go to the theme parks and you just wanna spend a day in relaxation, resort hopping is where it's at. Gingerbread houses this year are included at these resorts: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, The Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian Beach Resort and Spa, and new for this year, there's one at the Yacht Club. Also, if you're at Epcot, there happens to be a life-sized gingerbread there at the American Adventure. But these are all the life-sized gingerbread houses that are just beautiful. At the Grand Floridian Cafe. There's a great video on YouTube about how they build that life-sized gingerbread house, And then you can also purchase gingerbread cookies there. And sometimes, you might get lucky and there's a little kids activity where you can make one of your own.

Disney Springs also has a Santa greeting spot. So if you haven't met Santa yet, you can go right to Disney’s shopping and entertainment area at Disney springs and want to avoid the crowds at the Magic Kingdom. There will be snow every night at Disney Springs at the town center, And they have another scavenger hunt, an annual Christmas tree stroll, which is really fun, and nightly live entertainment. And then assuming the temperatures are warm enough that you want to go to Blizzard Beach, yes, you can see Santa Claus there too. He is in his vacationing in his holiday at Fines de Beachwear, so be on the lookout for jolly old Saint Nick. There's also daily snowfall too at Blizzard Beach, but you won't catch me in my bathing suit in December even in Florida. So at Universal, moving up I-4 to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, which we are now gonna call Universal Resorts and Experiences. The saying is You Do Yule, y-u-l-e.

So you do Yule the way you wanna do it. And I should mention that these holiday happenings are all during the day and evening, during regular park hours. You do not need a special event ticket For everything I'm about to tell you, when we get to the special event ticket, I will let you know. So starting with the wizarding world of Harry Potter…every night at dusk, get your warm hot butterbeer and watch the magic of Christmas play Over at Hogwarts Castle, it's a light show and image reflections and a pinpoint image. It plays from dusk to park close. It's a continuous show and you don't wanna miss it. Those magical lights, they look like icicles falling from the castle. It's really pretty. 

Also, you can head to Diagon Alley. They also have their hot butter beer there. PS, you can get Hot Butterbeer now year round because it's so wonderful and popular. There are gonna be special performances in Diagon Alley by Celestina Warbeck and the Frog Choir. My personal favorite holiday tradition because I always watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, every single Thanksgiving. On my very first wedding anniversary, mister Michele visits Mickey and I went to The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. We got married on Thanksgiving weekend, so this is a true personal favorite of mine.

The balloons from the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade, aka, also owned by NBCUniversal, are paraded around New York in Universal Studios at 5:30 every day. And that is also with your park ticket. There are special concerts in music plaza like Manheim Steamroller on special dates. So we will put a link in the show notes where you can check those dates. At Islands of Adventure, this is where we have Seussland, which also features the Grinch. So don't miss the Grinchmas Who-liday spectacular, which is a retelling of the famous story. It's on a soundstage. And Following showtimes, you will be able to meet the Grinch and the Who's, but you want to skip the wait for that and skip the queue for that, You can have a seated breakfast with him featuring yes.

You guessed it. Green eggs and ham and Cindy Lou's Belgium waffles. And this comes with a private Grinch and Who meeting, and I did say it was a plated breakfast. It is limited availability. If it is something you are interested in adding on to your trip, please do let me know so I can check that pricing and availability for you. Also, there is a special ticket. I told you I would let you know. Holiday tour every day at 5:30 PM for 4 hours.

This is similar to that non-private VIP experience that Nikki and I did that I mentioned earlier and also that we did in an earlier podcast. So this is groups of no more than 15, but it might not just be your family. It does include a private Grinch and a private Santa meet and greet. Reserved seating for the show. You will be the last guests at Hogwarts Castle to see the castle projections, and there are small plates and desserts that are served. And that is also limited availability and an additional fee. So if that is something you are interested in, you also do need a park ticket that day. 

Now at the resorts or the hotels, the Loews Hotels over at Universal, every one of them is gonna do a menorah lighting. And then in the park, in City Walk, you can purchase a map for their holiday tree hunt. So they're having a scavenger hunt as well. And just a very quick preview, Universal Resorts and Experiences has already let us know that for New Year's Eve, there will the special entertainment and the parks will be open until midnight. So if you are ready to catch the jolly holiday, New Year's Eve spirit, now is the time to get planning. 

Now maybe you're not traveling to the theme parks at all, but you are traveling to visit family, Traveling to go on a cruise like me and mister Michele visits Mickey or even picking up relatives who are coming to see you. Here are some quick travel tips that should help you keep less stressed. Remember I say always pack your patience? Really gotta pack your patience for this. 

So travel tips to keep you less stressed during this very busy holiday travel season. Don't pack wrapped presents. Be sure and download your airline app. Check-in on your airline app 24 hours in advance, but still arrive in plenty of time at the airport. Plan your Airport transfer service for when you arrive, if your family is not there to pick you up, plan your airport transfer service. Maybe you need well, not this group because we don't do pint-sized entourage. But let's just say maybe you're traveling with family who does pint-sized entourage and you need car seats or a wheelchair or an electric cart, those things are going to book up and sell out regardless of where you're going. So let's plan your airport transfer. Let's make sure we get you a car that can have that car seat, booster seat or is wheelchair accessible, and we get those things reserved for you in advance.

Reserve your fast park at the airport. If you are driving yourself to the airport, Fast park does let you reserve your space in advance so you can do that so that you don't get there and find out that there is no parking at the airport for you. Pack your essentials in your carry-on case. Always take enough medicine. If you want your swimsuit for that cruise, nighties, some lingerie items. Always pack your essentials in that carry on case, and don't pack it in your checked luggage. Just in case anything happens with that checked luggage, you will have from a pair of contacts or your glasses, your medication and your bathing suit and your flip flops so you can get on the cruise and take your medicine and set up a set. If you are cruising for the holidays, build in that buffer day of travel.

Please do not travel the morning of your embarkation day. Please go the day before. Flights can get canceled, they can get diverted, you can miss a connection. Whatever you were going to do, travel in a day ahead of time and purchase that travel protection insurance that includes trip cancellation and interruption for all of those things that I just said because we don't want you missing your cruise. It's a big investment protect it. 

Now on for the good news because Black Friday sales and specials of travel have been going on since November 11th. So if any of these things interest you, call me. I am working this weekend.

Actually, that's not true. I'm on a cruise, but I'll still be working. My favorite cruise lines, Silver Sea, Oceania, Celebrity, American Queen, and Avalon River Cruising, All my favorites are all offering Black Friday savings. Let's book for 2024. We even have 2025 itineraries for some land partners for Abercrombie and Kent, Trafalgar, Insight Luxury Gold. So that Morocco trip in 2024 of November, that Jewish heritage Morocco trip is back on, and we are ready to plan. Special mention for my Virgin Voyage Cruisers, yes, Black Friday has started. And you can get a special even on my Sex And the City cruise coming in June where you can meet Molly Rogers, Cindy Shupik, Richard Lawson, cruise with me, The Greek Isles on virgin voyages, June 2nd, who would not wanna do that? And get a Black Friday special? I mean, come on. My phone should be ringing off the wall. 

But if you still are looking for that beach in Mexico or the Caribbean just to escape the winter blues In December, January, and February, let me know. There are some Black Friday opportunities for you to book that will get you some special savings. That, my friends, is all that we have for today. Just like that, This episode is over, and I will see you real soon.