Thanks to SorcererD91_CM for the real-time pics in the Lounge! See more real-time pics and post your pics here!
Disneyland Resort News:
The 2024 holiday season officially begins November 15, 2024 through January 6, 2025, bringing several new entertainment offerings:
New Entertainment
- “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” singalong featuring the Encanto character (Monday-Friday)
- “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” featuring live mariachi music (Monday-Friday)
- “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” at Fantasyland Theatre with character meet-and-greets and activities
Returning Holiday Favorites
- “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks
- “World of Color – Season of Light” at Paradise Bay
- “A Christmas Fantasy Parade”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening
The new attraction opens November 15 with important access details:
- Only accessible via virtual queue through the Disneyland app
- No standby line initially
- Virtual queue opens at 7 AM and noon Pacific time daily
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass will be available (subject to availability)
Holiday Food & Beverages
New seasonal offerings available November 15 – January 6 include:
- Peppermint Cold Brew Float at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
- Holiday Funnel Fries with caramel and TWIX pieces at Hungry Bear Jamboree
- Sugar Cookie Cocktail at Hollywood Lounge
- Coffee Chip Churro at Cozy Cone Motel
Special Event: Candy Cane Season
The famous hand-pulled candy canes return for 17 days between November 29 – December 25:
- Disneyland Candy Palace: Nov. 29; Dec. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, and 22
- Disney California Adventure Trolley Treats: Nov. 30; Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25
You can get news updates like these, customized to your preferences, anytime in the MouseWait App. Check out the video here and become an ALL-ACCESS or better-yet a Club 333 Founding Member here!
Disney World Resort News:
- Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll: This event, which began on November 8, features 21 uniquely decorated Christmas trees representing various Disney themes, including “The Lion King” on Broadway, “Lilo & Stitch,” “Encanto,” and more. Guests who find all the trees can earn a free souvenir. Additionally, many Disney Springs restaurants and shops are offering holiday discounts until December 30, 2024.
- Disney Jollywood Nights: This separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios runs on select nights from November 9 to December 21, 2024. It includes special shows like “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along” and “Disney Holidays in Hollywood,” along with access to attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror during extended hours. Tickets range from $159 to $179, with discounts available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members.
New Merchandise and Special Offers
- Annual Passholder-exclusive Merchandise: Walt Disney World has previewed exclusive merchandise for the holiday events at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including items for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights.
- Holiday Starbucks Tumblers: New holiday-themed Disney x Starbucks tumblers are available at Walt Disney World, adding a festive touch to your beverage experience.
- Death Star Minnie Ear Headband: A new headband featuring the Death Star from “Star Wars” is now available at Walt Disney World.
Food and Dining
- Thanksgiving Dining: Disney World offers several locations for Thanksgiving dinner, with special menus at places like Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom, which is known for its year-round Thanksgiving feast, and other dining spots like the Hollywood Brown Derby, Satu’li Canteen, and more, offering Thanksgiving-themed dishes.
- Holiday Food at Disney Jollywood Nights: The event features an array of food and beverage offerings, with a particular emphasis on sophisticated bites and cocktails, although lines for food were previously reported to be long.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
- Strategic Planning: Given the expected increase in crowds around Thanksgiving, it’s advisable to plan your park visits, dining reservations, and attractions strategically to make the most of your time at Disney World.
- Fireworks Viewing: For Thanksgiving fireworks, securing a spot well in advance (ideally an hour and a half before the show) is recommended due to the high crowds.
- Discounts: Utilize the holiday discounts at Disney Springs for food and shopping to enhance your experience.
One Subscription.
20+ Travel Apps 🎉
MouseWait ALL-ACCESS
Imagine talking to your assistant in real-time with your AirPods to receive the latest information, food, tips, wait times and more, all without pulling your phone out of your pocket! We’re currently testing this new feature and hope to have it in the apps by November along with a brand new MouseWait for Disneyland and WDW for iOS and Android!
Our new Yellowstone Top Five App is live in the App Store! You can try it for free. If you’re an ALL-ACCESS member, you can unlock the premium version with your subscription. Just install and open the app, and it should recognize your subscription. If it doesn’t, reply to this email, and I’ll fix it!
One subscription, no matter where you purchase, unlocks Ad-free premium versions of ALL our apps + MORE!
Here’s the list and it’s growing weekly:
MouseWait for Disneyland, MouseWait for Disney World, Fort Wilderness, Knott’s Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, Dollywood, Universal Studios Orlando, Sea World Orlando, Busch Gardens, Nashville, Bible Chat: The Encourager, Puppy Chat, RV Camping Chat, Maui Top Five, Cedar Point, Yellowstone Top Five
✅ UPDATED: Disneyland + Disney World Recipe Generator: take a pic of your food, or screenshot food from our Lounge, get a Disney-inspired recipe. We updated the backend on this tool and it works much better now!
✅ Curated Daily Report with LINKS! enter your preferences, we read the news for you, then you get a customized daily report! Check out the video here!
✅ Sticker Fairy: Design custom stickers for the Lounge or anything else you want, like merchandise or t-shirts. You own the designs!
✅ NEW in Sticker Fairy: Turn Yourself Into Any Character with Image to Sticker!
✅ Unlimited Dining Alerts for Disneyland and Disney World
✅ Expert Priority Email Support: We answer your questions 7 days a week!
✅ Disneyland + Disney World VISION Tour Guide: take a pic, get top five tips!
✅ Unlimited trained ChatGPT chats: ask anything about the parks and Kate will search the web, compile answers, and save you time and money!
✅ lounge.land private Lounge: SAVE 15 HOURS and $500 PER TRIP!
✅ 1000 MouseWait Credits per month: for ALL-ACCESS members on our monthly and yearly plans.
If you have any suggestions for new apps, please reply and let me know!
UNLOCK ALL-ACCESS TODAY!
MouseWait Secret Santa Exchange 2024
From the Lounge by GodofWine: It is that time again for the MouseWait Secret Santa Exchange! All communications will come from [email protected] and you will be emailed a Google Form to fill out.
Here’s how it works:
1. Send an email to [email protected] to participate.
2. You will get an email from me with a few attachments; a questionnaire link, a detailed rules page, and an FAQ page.
3. After reading the Rules and FAQ, fill out the questionnaire and submit it.
4. Keep an eye on your email/spam folders.
5. Sign-ups end on November 15th.
6. You will receive your match on or before November 22nd.
7. All gifts need to be sent out on or before December 15th.
You may participate as a family or have each family member participate individually. Keep in mind for every package coming in, you’ll have a package going out.
You may participate if you are outside the US.
You may sign up to only be an Elf (you will not get a gift in return).
Weekly Disneyland Resort Crowd Report
November 6-10, 2024
- Moderate crowds expected
- Pre-holiday period with manageable wait times
- Weekdays recommended over weekend visits
November 11-17, 2024
- Notable Events:
- November 15: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening
- November 15: Holiday season officially begins
- Expect higher crowds due to new attraction and holiday kickoff
- Avoid if possible due to opening weekend excitement
November 18-24, 2024
- Moderate to heavy crowds building toward Thanksgiving
- Best days: Monday-Tuesday (November 18-19)
- Avoid: Thursday-Sunday (November 21-24)
November 25-December 1, 2024
- Post-Thanksgiving week offers lighter crowds
- Excellent time to experience holiday offerings
- Weekdays particularly favorable
December 2-8, 2024
- Light to moderate crowds
- Full holiday entertainment schedule
- Ideal week for visiting with shorter wait times
December 9-15, 2024
- Moderate crowds
- Last recommended week before holiday rush
- Weekdays still preferable to weekends
December 16-22, 2024
- Crowds begin to increase significantly
- School breaks start
- Not recommended unless necessary
December 23-29, 2024
- Peak holiday crowds
- Expect capacity crowds
- Maximum wait times for attractions
December 30, 2024 – January 7, 2025
- Heaviest crowds of the year
- New Year’s Eve will reach capacity
- Holiday season concludes January 6
Best Weeks to Visit
- December 2-6, 2024
- November 18-22, 2024 (avoiding Thanksgiving)
- December 9-13, 2024
Holiday Season Highlights
- Complete holiday decor and entertainment
- Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure
- Special seasonal treats and merchandise
- Holiday overlays on select attractions
Professional Tips
- Book dining reservations 60 days in advance
- Consider Genie+ service during busier days
- Arrive at park opening for shortest wait times
- Visit Tuesday through Thursday for best experience
- Make park reservations well in advance for holiday dates
Check out our real-time MouseWait Crowd Index in the MouseWait App! Our Crowd Index is currently down in the Disneyland App and we’re working to restore it!
Get the perfect gift from our Amazon Disney Store here (MouseWait benefits from your purchases)
Weekly Walt Disney World Resort Crowd Report
November 13-17, 2024
- Moderate to heavy crowds following Veterans Day
- Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios on November 13, 16
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom on November 14, 15, 17
November 18-24, 2024
- Moderate crowds with increasing levels toward weekend
- Disney Jollywood Nights on November 18, 23
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on November 19, 21, 22, 24
November 25-30, 2024
- Peak Thanksgiving crowds expected
- Disney Jollywood Nights on November 25, 30
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on November 26, 27, 29
December 1-7, 2024
- Heavy crowds continue post-Thanksgiving
- Disney Jollywood Nights on December 2, 7
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on December 1, 3, 5, 6
December 8-14, 2024
- Heavy holiday crowds
- Disney Jollywood Nights on December 11, 14
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on December 8, 10, 12, 13
December 15-21, 2024
- Very heavy crowds as Christmas approaches
- Disney Jollywood Nights on December 18, 21
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on December 15, 17, 19, 20
December 22-31, 2024
- Peak holiday crowds
- Expect maximum capacity at all parks
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays continues
January 1-7, 2025
- Very heavy crowds through January 5
- Crowds begin to decrease January 6-7
- Holiday decorations begin coming down
Special Events During This Period
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (November 29-December 30)
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Select nights through December 20)
- Disney Jollywood Nights (Select nights through December 21)
Recommended Visit Dates
If you must visit during this period, the best options are:
- November 13-15 (moderate crowds)
- December 2-5 (relatively lighter holiday crowds)
Dates to Avoid
- Thanksgiving Week (November 25-30)
- Christmas Week (December 22-25)
- New Year’s Week (December 26-January 1)
Additional Notes
- All parks will feature special holiday entertainment and decorations
- Extended park hours during peak periods
- Advance dining reservations highly recommended
- Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections strongly advised during peak dates
Check out our real-time MouseWait Crowd Index in the MouseWait App!
Updates from the Lounge
Brighten your day with a grand circle tour through the MouseWait Lounge! You’ll find incredible posts like the ones below.
Upcoming Events at Disneyland & Disney World
Here is our updated list of upcoming events and refurbishments for both Disneyland and Disney World:
For a larger view, visit this page. You can also access it from the “Home” tab of the MouseWait for Disneyland and Disney World.
And now, let’s take a look at Walt Disney World:
Help keep this newsletter going with MouseWait Credits!
ALL-ACCESS members, AND those who spend at least $99 in Credits in a calendar year get exclusive access to our new Sticker Fairy to generate their own custom Stickers + our NEW image to Sticker generator! Get your Credits here
Your Weekly Disneyland Resort Food Report
The holiday foodie guides are here for DISNEYLAND and WALT DISNEY WORLD!
The holiday season officially begins November 15, 2024, bringing over 100 new food and beverage items across both parks.
Standout Macarons
- Alien Reindeer Macaron at Alien Pizza Planet: Features salted caramel buttercream, chocolate ganache, and brownie pieces
- Santa Baymax Macaron at Lucky Fortune Cookery: Filled with peppermint buttercream and chocolate ganache
Seasonal Specialties
- Darth by Peppermint at Galactic Grill: A layered dessert featuring chocolate sponge, peppermint mousse, and themed decorations
- Christmas Stuff at Red Rose Taverne: A holiday version of the gray stuff with lingonberry jam
New Holiday Churros
Several new flavors have been introduced:
- Cranberry Churro (near Buzz Lightyear)
- Peppermint Hot Cocoa Churro (near Castle)
- Coffee Chip Churro (Cozy Cone Motel)
- Dutch Apple Churro (Hollywood Land)
Money-Saving Tips
The Sip and Savor Pass is returning for the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure. Choose between:
- 4-credit pass
- 8-credit pass (Final pricing to be announced)
VOYAGEERS: Finding Hidden Treasures in the Parks
Images courtesy of Parkendium
The sweet tradition of hand-pulled candy canes at Disneyland has a fascinating history that dates back to 1968, just two years after Walt Disney’s passing. While Walt himself wasn’t directly involved in establishing this holiday tradition, it emerged during a period when the park was still closely following his vision for maintaining high-quality, handcrafted experiences.
The Birth of a Holiday Tradition
The tradition began during a time when Disneyland was actively expanding its seasonal offerings. The candy makers at the Candy Palace on Main Street U.S.A. decided to create something special that would embody both the holiday spirit and Disney’s commitment to craftsmanship. These weren’t just any ordinary candy canes – they were meticulously handcrafted 18-inch masterpieces that would become one of Disneyland’s most sought-after holiday treats.
The Art of Candy Cane Making
What makes these candy canes truly special is the dedication to traditional craftsmanship. Each candy cane takes approximately two hours to create, with candy makers starting their work as early as 5:00 AM. The process must take place in a specially controlled environment where the temperature is maintained between 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit – any deviation from this range would prevent the candy from forming properly.
Interesting Trivia
Here are some fascinating details about Disneyland’s legendary candy canes:
- Some of the candy cane makers have been perfecting their craft at Disneyland for as long as 36 years.
- The original candy canes from 350 years ago were completely white and straight, without the signature hook or red stripes we know today.
- Each candy cane weighs approximately five ounces and has a shelf life of about one year.
- The tradition has become so popular that the park now uses a virtual queue system to manage the crowds, a far cry from the early days when guests would line up for hours.
Today, while most companies produce candy canes by machine, Disneyland maintains its commitment to hand-pulling these holiday treats, staying true to Walt Disney’s legacy of exceptional quality and attention to detail.
The tradition has become such an integral part of Disneyland’s holiday season that securing one of these coveted candy canes has become a badge of honor among Disney enthusiasts.
Well, that’s all for this week!
Hit reply and let me know how I can make this newsletter better!
Wishing you the best week,
Kelly
November 12, 2024 Issue #46 to 29,891 Disney fans.
Overwhelmed with Disney vacation planning?
Get MouseWait ALL-ACCESS today!
Make sure to follow MouseWait on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook