This holiday season, guests at Disney Springs – the shopping, dining and entertainment district of Walt Disney World Resort – will get a chance to see Disney and Intel exploring remarkable new technology as hundreds of lighted show drones take to the nighttime sky in “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration.”

The first-of-its-kind light show featuring 300 Intel^® Shooting Star^TM show drones invites guests to gaze skyward and make a special wish this holiday season. The synchronized choreography of the new Intel Shooting Star drones is set to a specially orchestrated arrangement of classic holiday music. In the nostalgic and stirring medley, Disney Springs guests can listen for a few bars of classic Disney melodies.

“We are thrilled to share an experience as innovative and unique as Disney Springs,” said Keith Bradford, Vice President of Disney Springs. “‘Starbright Holidays’ is a wonderful surprise and delight moment for guests as they enjoy an evening of world-class shopping, dining and entertainment here at Disney Springs.”

Added Jon Snoddy, Studio Executive with Walt Disney Imagineering R&D, “At Disney, we are always looking for innovative ways to tell stories and create unexpected experiences. We’re excited to invite guests to watch as we explore the possibilities of this remarkable new technology.”

“Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” marks the first time in the United States 300 show drones have flown at one time. At 280g, the Intel Shooting Star drone weighs less than a volleyball, and features built-in LED lights that can create more than four billion color combinations.

“We are excited to work with Walt Disney Imagineering to bring a fresh and innovative approach to its world-renowned light shows,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s New Technology Group, Josh Walden. “Together, we worked to tackle the new frontier of entertainment, picturing the sky as our canvas, and flying lights as ink.”

“Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” will join other holiday enhancements at Disney Springs, including a brand-new Christmas Tree Trail, special seasonal entertainment, meet and greets with Santa, and festive decor throughout all four neighborhoods – Town Center, The Landing, West Side and Marketplace.

Super Heroes, Frozen and More Enhancements to the Disney Wonder

From Super Hero sightings to a New Orleans-style street party celebration, there is so much for you to discover. Here’s a closer look…

At Marvel Super Hero Academy on board the Disney Wonder, Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Widow and other Super Heroes from the Marvel Universe host training activities for kids all cruise long.

Tiana’s Place is a new restaurant on the Disney Wonder that celebrates the charm of the Louisiana bayou with southern-style cuisine and a spirited atmosphere. Inspired by the Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, Tiana’s Place features a lively jazz band on stage, a high-energy parade around the room and performances by Tiana herself.

During the newest stage show in the Walt Disney Theatre about the Disney Wonder, “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” you’ll feel as if you’re in the middle of a snowy world, rooting to bring back summer alongside a happy snowman, a funny looking “reindeer” and more of your favorite “Frozen” friends.

At Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, kids can get their “Frozen” fix Frozen adventures in our youth club. This with imaginative play and hands-on activities, plus one-on-one interactions with Anna, Elsa and Olaf.

And, while the kids are having a blast with our youth counselors and characters, adults can sip a pint at a proper English pub. The new Crown and Fin Pub offers the perfect spot to relax and enjoy adult-exclusive fun.

Dine in Style This New Year’s Eve with Special Dining Events

From a gala dine-around at California Grill high atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort to celebrations around World Showcase at Epcot® and waterfront at Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, there are lots of ways for you to ring in New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World® Resort.

California Grill New Year’s Eve Dinner – With spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom® Park, this dine-around style gala features cooking stations throughout the restaurant. Plus, a host of favorite Disney Characters will make appearances. The event takes place from 7:30 p.m.-midnight.

Victoria & Albert’s New Year’s Eve Dinner – A luxurious evening in this AAA Five Diamond restaurant features gracious “butler-style” service, live harp music and personalized menus to remember the special evening. Seatings are available between 6-7:45 p.m.

New Year’s Eve at Epcot World ShowPlace –This all-you-care-to-eat extravaganza is a real family affair featuring photo ops with fun vignettes for posing (but no Disney Characters) and Disney tunes.

Monsieur Paul New Year’s Eve Dinner – In the elegant upstairs dining room at the France pavilion at Epcot, you can feast on a four-course, prix fixe menu of classical French cuisine.

La Hacienda de San Angel New Year’s Dinner. This special evening at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot World Showcase starts at 9:30p.m. and ends at 1a.m., and includes a five-course prix fixe dinner, live music with the mariachi band and a fabulous view of the Epcot IllumiNations holiday show. Start the evening with a welcome margarita, then try the tequila pairing with the appetizers. Wine is served with the main course (surf n’ turf) and a dessert liqueur with the sweet ending.

Narcoossee’s New Year’s Eve Dinner – Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, this generous four-course menu is offered with seatings between 5 and 5:45 p.m. A five-course menu is offered with seating from 8:30-9:25 p.m. for a late-night celebration with live music.

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration Brightens the Holidays

Brighten up this year’s holiday season during SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration, where guests experience the joys of Christmas complete with all-new festivities and returning favorites sure to inspire traditions for years to come.

During SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration guests of all ages can delight over scrumptious food, stunning live shows, joyful entertainment inspired by the natural world and much more.

All-New Holiday Festivities 

Rudolph’s ChristmasTown – New this year is the Rudolph’s ChristmasTown where guests can meet Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble and Yukon Cornelius from the classic family Christmas television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Plus, guests can stroll past life-size story book vignettes showcasing the classic Rudolph story.

 

Santa’s Workshop presented by Coca-Cola – Meet Santa Claus in an all-new Christmas experience.  Guests can make timeless memories to treasure as they embrace the joy of the holiday season at Santa’s Workshop, presented by Coca-Cola. 

 

Returning Holiday Favorites

Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas – A returning classic, Sea Lion & Otter Stadium celebrates the season with a hilarious Christmas comedy show.  Clyde and Seamore, along with a few mischievous otters, a comical elf, and even a jolly walrus, invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration. 

Shamu Christmas Miracles – Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season. 

O Wondrous Night – Experience a live nativity only SeaWorld can bring to life, complete with more than 30 carols, life-sized puppets, and animals in a spectacular Christmas favorite based on The Christmas Story.  Told through the eyes of the animals that were there, O Wondrous Night is a touching, light-hearted, and glorious celebration with a host of angels, animals, and the true glory of Christmas.

Sesame Street’s Elmo’s Christmas Wish – The holidays have arrived, and everybody’s Sesame Street^® friends have come to SeaWorld Orlando for a festive and fun musical celebration! Elmo’s Christmas Wish will soon become every child’s favorite show. Join Rosita, Grover, Zoe and Cookie Monster as they work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wish!

Winter Wonderland on Ice – Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels and light as skaters dazzle and delight in this show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza.

Sea of Trees – Families will stroll through a wintery, watery wonderland as they are immersed in a sea of glistening holiday trees that sparkle to music as they light up the water. New this year is a glistening Christmas tree towering 70-feet above the water. 

 

The Christmas Market – Nestled along the park’s Bayside Pathway, The Christmas Market features festive entertainment and delicious culinary delights. Complete with playful elves, a charming model train village, and the comedic antics of the Christmas Council, the Market is the centerpiece of SeaWorld’s Christmas event. Guests can also relax near the warm glow of the fire pit a holiday cocktail while experiencing a wonderful view of the vibrant Sea of Trees.

Holiday Cuisine

For those looking for unique holiday cuisine, The Christmas Market is filled with fresh-popped kettle corn, waffle cone S’mores, grilled slider sandwiches, short-rib brisket mac & cheese and SeaWorld’s very own apple pie with a unique and delicious twist. Guests can also sip on flavorful hoppy craft brews and specialty flavored hot cocoa located near the stage at Bayside Pathway. Live music under the Gazebo completes the entire experience as guests enjoy the craft brew. 

Guests can now indulge their senses with more than 60 delectable bites and craft brews served on tap with two all-new Tasting & Brew Sampler packages.

Guests can also enjoy a memorable holiday meal, along with a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Fireside Feast. The exclusive dinner features an all-you-care-to-eat menu of holiday favorites and delicious desserts.

Ring In The New Year at SeaWorld Orlando

On December 31, guests can ring in the New Year at SeaWorld Orlando. Vibrant fireworks will fill the night sky and festive entertainment will take place throughout the park, including interactive DJ stations, craft beers and delectable bites. 

A first-of-its-kind water theme park will erupt at Universal Orlando Resort – Universal’s Volcano Bay. It will be an innovative experience filled with incredible thrills and perfected relaxation.  Guests can receive a notification when tickets go on sale and updates about Volcano Bay by signing up for real-time email alerts.

 

Volcano Bay will span 30 fully immersive acres and feature a variety of experiences that range from daring to serene.  Dozens of unique attractions will offer something for everyone, including a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, a peaceful winding river, twisting multi-rider raft rides, speeding body slides that drop from the top of the volcano into the waters below – and more.  And the best part – guests won’t have to wait in long lines to enjoy any of it.

Today, Universal Orlando Resort reveals first-ever details about the park’s state-of-the-art Krakatau Aqua Coaster that will take guests on an exciting voyage unlike any other, and the all-new TapuTapu wearable technology that will redefine the way guests experience water parks.

 

Krakatau Aqua Coaster – Volcano Bay’s State-of-the-Art Marquee Attraction

Krakatau Aqua Coaster will be the star experience at Universal’s Volcano Bay – combining innovative ride technology with water theme park thrills to take families on an unforgettable adventure through the park’s massive icon – the 200-foot Krakatau volcano.

Guests will board specially-designed canoes and propel downwards – and upwards – through the volcano’s interior peaks and valleys.  They’ll twist, turn and plummet along dark passageways, be launched through sparkling waterfalls and so much more.

Universal is using some of the incredible technology that makes its theme park attractions so compelling to create a first-of-its-kind aqua coaster in Florida.  The attraction will use linear induction motor technology, which launches the canoe uphill before it immediately sends riders into a downhill plunge.  This technology – combined with the immersive theming Universal is known for – will make Krakatau Aqua Coaster a unique water theme park attraction that’s fun for the entire family.

 

TapuTapu Wearable Will Redefine the Queue Experience – Less Time Waiting in Lines, More Time Having Fun

Universal’s Volcano Bay will debut a new technology, the TapuTapu wearable, designed to make the guest experience throughout the entire park as hassle-free and fun-filled as possible.  As part of their admission, guests will receive a TapuTapu wearable upon arrival to the park that allows them to do the following with a simple tap:

Virtual Lines.

Guests will be able to virtually wait in line while they play in other areas of the park.  The wearable will alert guests when it’s time for them to ride so they can head to the attraction.

Tap to play.
Guests will discover various “tap-to-play” experiences throughout the park – all designed exclusively for Volcano Bay by Universal’s award-winning creative team.  With just a tap of TapuTapu, guests can trigger special effects like controlling streams of water spurting from whales in Tot Tiki Reef, shooting water cannons at guests snaking down Kopiko Wai Winding River and illuminating images in the volcano’s hidden caves.

Fans will be immersed in the world of America’s No. 1 late-night talk show “The Tonight Show” in a brand-new attraction – “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Today, Universal Orlando Resort reveals new details about the ride – where guests will get up close and personal with the show’s most hilarious segments before taking off on a wild and action-packed race through New York against Jimmy Fallon himself.

The attraction will also feature cameos by familiar faces like Sara from “Ew,” Jimmy in “Tight Pants,” “Tonight Show” announcer Steve Higgins, and Grammy award-winning band, The Roots, who are also the musical masterminds behind the original attraction score.

Here are some additional, never-before-revealed details:

HANG OUT IN STUDIO 6B

Guests can enjoy a special live performance from the Ragtime Gals barbershop quartet in the Studio 6B Club. Plus, guests will have the chance to meet and interact with The Tonight Show’s beloved mascot, Hashtag the Panda.

Studio 6B Club will also give guests the opportunity to play host at their own Interactive Desk where they can send Jimmy Fallon’s famous Thank You Notes to their friends and family, prep for their race with a ‘Jimmy Drive’ retro-style video game, and watch their favorite show clips. 

GET READY FOR A CRAZY RIDE

Guests will board the world’s first-ever flying theater, which seats up to 72 audience members, for their thrilling race against Jimmy Fallon.

The race will take guests through the streets of New York City and all the way to the moon and back. They’ll encounter iconic landmarks from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building to everything in between.

EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE TONIGHT SHOW

As they step foot into the renowned NBC Studios, guests will get an up-close look at significant moments in the 62-year history of one of television’s most popular franchises, “The Tonight Show.”·         In The Tonight Show lobby, guests get VIP access to NBC Studios. They’ll get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see real props and set pieces from one of the longest-running shows in television history – everything from actual suits of past and present hosts to NBC video cameras used to record the show to cue cards used in past episodes.

New Holidays Around the World Marketplaces

Explore what the holidays taste like around the globe at five new marketplaces: indulge in duck confit and dumplings from the Alpine Haus Marketplace, celebrate with the shredded beef tamale from the Three Kings Feast Marketplace, toast with Williams Punch from the Germany Marketplace, and more.

Holidays Around the World entertainment

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the nations of World Showcase, as each country’s holiday heritage comes to life amid joyful music and time-honored traditions.

A cherished Epcot tradition, the Candlelight Processional captures the spirit of the season in the retelling of the Christmas story by celebrity narrators.

In the spirit of the holidays, the sky-filling spectacle IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth adds a special seasonal finale. Holiday greetings in native languages from the countries of World Showcase join with the classic song “Let There be Peace on Earth” to add a heartwarming finish to IllumiNations.

My daughter and I experienced a weekend Adventures by Disney vacation to New York City.  We loved this quick getaway!  The trip started on Thursday and ended on Sunday.  From booking to heading home, the whole experience was stress free!  Here is a quick guide to an Adventures by Disney experience.

Arriving to the Destination

When booking my trip, I included airfare into my package.  This way I had some support of Adventures by Disney, if anything went wrong with my flight.  The flight was an easy direct flight and all went well on my flight into New York City.  As a travel expert, I normally book my own flights, but I do recommend including your flights into your Adventure by Disney (ABD) package.

Once we landed in NYC, we walked down to Baggage Claim to find our town car driver holding a sign with our name on it.  I was traveling alone with my 9 year old daughter, so this made me feel safe and again stress free.  In addition, our driver was a careful driver!  If you have ever taken a taxi in NYC, you know exactly what I am talking about.  Our driver was careful maneuvering around the traffic to our hotel.

Hotel Accommodations

Adventures by Disney is a luxury tour company.  You enjoy exclusive experiences and top rated hotels.  Our hotel was near Times Square, just a few minutes walk.  It was a quaint hotel.  The highlight was the size of the rooms.  They were suites, not just typical smaller NYC rooms.  We had a mini kitchenette, two bathrooms, a huge living room, and a separate bedroom.  For NYC, these suites were HUGE.  That is one of the benefits of booking an Adventures by Disney vacation.  You stay is more exclusive hotels.

Dining

Most of your meals are included with an Adventures by Disney tour.  These meals are little hidden gems around the city.  On the first day of our NYC tour, we dined in a private area of the old church renovated into a pizzeria called John’s Pizza.  This restaurant is always a “must do” on our New York City vacations.  The entire meal was planned for us with appetizers ready to go, once we arrived to the restaurant to a selection of pizzas and desserts.  We left the restaurant stuffed!

This is just one of our experiences.  Several of the restaurants were in private areas, just for our group.  Many of the Chefs would come out and give us the history of the restaurants and NYC.  It was not just dining, but an experience!

Experiences

The experiences is why I book and Adventures by Disney!  You will enjoy once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that you would not get to see or do on your own or with any other tour company.  During our Adventures by Disney, we had so many highlights.  Here are just a few of the behind the scenes opportunities we got to experience.

• Behind the Scenes at Good Morning America:  This morning was an early day, but AMAZING!  We walked from our hotel (as a group) to Good Morning America in Times Square.  We walked right into the backstage area to the green room.  We had coffee and treats waiting for us!  They first took us to the control room.  We were right in the middle of the control room for the Good Morning America show.  I was so close to the action that I could have pushed one of the buttons.  It was incredible to see the behind the scenes of how they run the show.  After seeing the control room, they took us to the set.  We stood in the back while the hosts and film crew filmed Good Morning America LIVE.  In between takes, the hosts came over to say hi and get pictures.  My favorite part was waving to all of the fans outside the windows.  In the past, I had been one of those fans.  Today, I was inside waving back at them.
• Front Row for Jason Derulo:  After Good Morning America, we hopped on a tour bus to Central Park to another surprise.  It was the GMA Concert Series.  They had blocked off a front row area, just for us for the Jason Derulo concert.  We literally showed up, were escorted to our area, and then the show started.  It was amazing!

• Behind the Scenes at the Prop Room:  As a Disney fan, we have our favorite Disney movies turned into Broadway Shows like the Lion King and Mary Poppins.  Imagine our surprise, when we show up to the theater to be escorted to the Disney Prop Room.  We got to learn about some of the props from the Broadway Shows and even try them on.  It was amazing!
• Learn a Song & Dance from Aladdin:  This day could not get better, but it did.  We were then escorted to a dance studio.  We met up with (2) choreographers from Aladdin.  They taught us one of the songs and dances from the Aladdin Broadway Show.  This was so much fun!  Later in the evening, we got to see the Aladdin Broadway Show.  It was spectacular to look at everyone in our group singing and mini dancing to the same routine as the actors.  That was truly a VIP experience!

Stress FREE

As a female travelers with a child traveling alone in New York City, it was such a relief to have (2) NYC local guides (that were Disney Cast Members) there to assist us every step of the way.  We literally woke up and arrived on time.  The guides would take us everywhere.  They would tip the town car driver.  They would pay for the meals and tip the servers and singers.  Everything was included.  I did not have to take out my wallet once.  I did not have to worry about any lines or tickets.  It was truly a stress free vacation.

For some of the visitors in our group, our guides did a little bit more.  There was a family in our group that had a sick child.  Our guides helped them with doctors, a pharmacy, arranged transportation once they felt better to join our group, and was there for support.  When traveling to a new city, it is incredible to have a local there for guidance along with a concierge to make sure you have the best experience possible.  That is exactly what happened to this family during our trip.

Extra Magic

It is Disney, so there is always extra magic!  The guides are always taking pictures.  Of course, you still want to bring your camera, but they will be taking a lot of pictures for you during your vacation.  At the end of the vacation, they will email you all of the pictures to download from home.

Disney loves pins!  With the Adventures by Disney tours, you get a new pin each night (commemorating your experience that day).  You can add all of these pins to your lanyard to wear during your adventure and it is a great souvenir after your vacation.

Lots of swag!  Before you even leave for your Adventures by Disney, you will receive goodies.  For our trip, we received a nice documents/passport holder and bag.  These were fantastic for our Adventures by Disney getaway.

Our Adventures by Disney experience to New York City was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.  We had such a great time and we cannot wait to take another Adventures by Disney vacation with the whole family.

How Can I Afford It?

The Adventures by Disney vacations are a luxury tour with truly exclusive experiences. With that, comes a higher price tag!  I suggest starting your Adventures by Disney experience with a weekend trip like San Francisco, Nashville, or New York City.  These trips are shorter weekend trips and are much more affordable.  There is a reason Adventures by Disney has a huge repeat guest ratio.  Once you take one ABD, you will take more.  Try a shorter weekend to test it out.  It is less expensive and it is a good jumping point for Adventures by Disney.

Another tip is plan early.  As soon as Disney releases the Adventures by Disney trips for the next year; go ahead and book your trip.  You can pay the deposit and then make small monthly payments until the final payment.  It is like a travel layaway plan.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

It’s a Christmas party like no other, with joyful music, a shimmering Cinderella Castle, characters in their festive finery and the Magic Kingdom decked out and even more magical for merry-making guests of all ages. Disney princes join princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall. Guests can meet Nick and Judy from “Zootopia” in Tomorrowland. The special party – complete with cookies, cocoa and snow flurries – begins at 7 p.m., after regular park hours.

All new! Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

New to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Mickey and his pals host some of their friends for an unforgettable Christmas soiree filled with medleys of delightful classic and contemporary holiday songs, and magical holiday projections on Cinderella Castle building to a sensational, snowy finale.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

The enchanting holiday parade during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party transforms Main Street, U.S.A. Santa Claus, gingerbread men, elves, reindeer, toy soldiers and other friends from the North Pole join Mickey and his pals. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf from “Frozen” join in the fun.

SeaWorld Orlando Penguin Receives One-of-a-Kind Wetsuit

Guests visiting Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando can see one penguin that does not quite look like the others. She’s wearing her very own wetsuit. This SeaWorld Orlando penguin received this one-of-a-kind wetsuit.

 

The female Adelie penguin recently experienced feather-loss, which can happen to penguins in their natural habitats and wild populations. As a result of her feather-loss, the bird had a hard time naturally regulating her body temperature. SeaWorld’s aviculture team set out to assist her and created a wetsuit to mimic her former coat of feathers. The coat was designed and sewn by SeaWorld’s wardrobe department and custom fit just for her.  

 

While wearing her wetsuit the penguin swims, sleeps and eats alongside her fellow penguins. This is just another extraordinary example of how SeaWorld Orlando cares for the marine animals at the park.