Hi there! Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most interesting theme park news around Universal Orlando, the Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland Resort, other theme parks and more.
- Let out your best grito! Holidays at the Disneyland Resort is returning from Nov. 15, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2025, and along with it, a wide variety of festive, family-friendly entertainment. New at Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park, sing along with Mirabel and her friends to the beloved songs from Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Encanto" at "Mirabel's Gifts of the Season" outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park and gather round to listen to heartfelt stories and timeless songs at "A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel" on Buena Vista Street. At night, head over to Paradise Bay where an all-new water short highlighting Walt Disney Animation Studios' new film "Moana 2" will be presented before "World of Color - Season of Light." Over at Disneyland Park, get ready to pose for holiday photos with Santa Claus and select Disney characters at the all-new "Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!" at Fantasyland Theatre. Check out our guide to the hoppiest holidays at Disneyland for the full list of new and returning entertainment!
- Of course, you can't have a holiday season without sweets and treats! Luckily, Disney released its foodie guide to Holidays at Disneyland Resort. We can't wait to dig into new yuletide bites Chicken Al Pastor Pizza Slice at Alien Pizza Planet, Black Forest Bundt Cake at Edelweiss Snacks, Darth by Peppermint at Galactic Grill and Gingerbread Cookies at Harbour Galley. Need something to wash all that down? There are tons of new seasonal sips, such as the Peppermint S'mores Hot Chocolate at Cafe Daisy, Eggnog Old-Fashioned at Carnation Cafe, Peppermint Cold Brew Float at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor and Peppermint Mocha Cold Brew at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. Check out our guide to the yummiest holiday treats and foods at Disneyland Resort for the full festive list!
- That's not all, though! Disney ALSO dropped the foodie guide for Disney Festival of Holidays at Disneyland Resort. The limited-time menu items highlight a range of holiday festivities, including Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. New this year, get ready to feast on the Barbecue Pulled Pork Cornbread Bake at A Twist on Tradition, Chicken Chicharron at Brews & Bites, Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron at Favorite Things and Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding at Aunt Cass Cafe. There are also tons of new refreshing bevvies, such as the Cranberry Christmas Mule at Holiday Duets, Cookies and Cream Hazelnut Hot Cocoa at Winter Sliderland, Ponche de Frutas at Disney ¡Viva Navidad! at Paradise Garden Grill and Spicy Jamaica Agua Fresca at Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill.
- Would you believe that that's not all the new food and drinks coming to Disneyland Resort?! From Nov. 15, 2024, to Jan. 7, 2025, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is celebrating Life Day! May the Force (and your appetite) be with you as you nosh and sip on Wookiee Ookiees and Blue Milk with Golden Lichen paddy Frog Eggs at Milk Stand, Life Day Cheese Branch with Kat Saka's Secret Sauce and Sarjenn Snowcap at Kat Saka's Kettle, Kashyyyk Cake and Kublag Curry and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and Millaflower Toast and Keshian Spiced Cream at Oga's Cantina. Oh, and don't froget to pick up a Wookiee Life Day Bucket at Kat Saka's Kettle on Nov. 17, 2024, while supplies last!
- Before we fully move away from sweets at Disneyland Resort, Disney announced the distribution schedule for its famous hand-made candy canes! You can grab these iconic holiday treats at Candy Palace & Candy Kitchen at Disneyland Park on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24 and at Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure on Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25. For a chance to purchase, wristbands or a mobile waitlist system will be used, as quantities are very limited. If a waitlist is activated, you can add your name and phone number at the location to receive a text back with a time to purchase your candy cane, while supplies last.
- Heading over the east coast, Walt Disney World Resort is also gearing up for the holidays! Get ready for your tastebuds to travel to a winter wonderland with each bite and sip at Disney Springs, Disney Resorts Collection, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. We can't wait to try new treats such as the Christmas Present Petit Cake at Amorette's Patisserie, the Festive Tart at The Mara at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Linzer Cookie Mousse Torte at ABC Commissary and the Snack for Santa at Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus.
- Craving s'more? Satisfy your sweet tooth at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park with some campfire classics, starting Nov. 7, 2024. Check out the S'mores Churro at Eight Spoon Café, the S'more Martini at Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge, the S'mores Hot Chocolate at Isle of Java and the S'moresosaurus Shake at Restaurantosaurus.
- Rounding out iconic holiday offerings at Disney, gingerbread season is already in full swing at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort! New this year, EPCOT will welcome an 8-foot-tall Gingerbread Spaceship Earth, modeled after the beloved attraction, at CommuniCore Hall starting on Nov. 29. (It'll even light up and dance to music throughout the day!) Over at Animal Kingdom Lodge, be sure to check out the Life-Size Baby Gingerbread Giraffe and Baby Zebra Displays and treat yourself with tasty bites, such as the Gingeraffe Cookie. Additionally, the famed Gingerbread House at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has returned for its 25th sweet year, as have the life-sized Holiday Carousel at Disney's Beach Club Resort, the beautiful BoardWalk Deli Gingerbread House at Disney's BoardWalk Inn (starting Nov. 12) and the dazzling Castle Display at Disney's Contemporary Resort (inspired this year by the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights). You'll also find a delicious selection of sweet treats at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, starting on Nov. 21, and on the West Coast, at the Grand Californian Great Hall Cart, from Nov. 15 to Jan. 5 — alongside the mesmerizing Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Gingerbread Display, starting Nov. 22!
- SeaWorld San Antonio shared a frogciting new look at its newest coaster coming soon to Rescue Jr, Beach Rescue Racer, with a birds-eye look at the track layout and a first look at the concept art for the beach jeep coaster cars! This 1,300-foot coaster will focus on giving tadpoles the feeling of rushing to the rescue of animals in need.
- Did you know you can visit the North Pole right from San Antonio? Get ready to step into the heart of holiday magic and enjoy a festive feast with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their cozy home at SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration. Gather 'round the table to share a delightful dinner, complete with all the seasonal trimming and listen to the first couple of Christmas share a special holiday story just for you and your family. Reserve your spot now for an evening filled with warmth, laughter and a little holiday magic!
- Get ready to deck the halls at Knott's Berry Farm! Starting Nov. 22, 2024, the thrilling theme park transforms into a festive wonderland filled with holiday cheer, sparkling lights and seasonal treats. Mark your calendars and come celebrate the magic of the season at Knott's Merry Farm.
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news.
Hoppy planning!
