by Brittany DiCologero & Chaz Saldi
This week’s news recap features much awaited info on Halloween and Christmas party price changes, along with some new meet and greets, quick service dining at a Disney Vacation Club property, and new entertainment!
Halloween and Christmas party news
Price increases for both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party took place this week when tickets for the 2016 season went on sale. The increases follow the same set up as the tiered admission pricing for the parks that also debuted this year. As you’d probably guess, the earlier dates and weeknights are cheaper, with the more expensive party nights being weekends and dates closer to the official holidays- the most expensive being $105/adult for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on Halloween, and $99/adult for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on December 22, which is the closest date to Christmas that the party is offered.
Also new for 2016 is a castle stage show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Little details have been released thus far, but we do know that the show will feature castle projections and characters including Mickey (and presumably the rest of the Fab Five) along with Peter Pan, Snow White, and Toy Story characters including Woody and Jessie.
Olaf brings more “Frozen” fun to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The lovable snowman from the hit film now has his own meet and greet in the park, in the Echo Lake area near Star Tours. Olaf will be greeting guests in front of a summery backdrop, in a location to be called “Celebrity Spotlight.” To us, the name “Celebrity Spotlight,” seems to imply that the characters will occasionally be changed out, similar to how the Animation complex was before.
“Finding Dory” comes to the Seas with Nemo and Friends
Characters from “Finding Dory” have recently begun making their way into the Orlando theme parks, as they are now featured in the Turtle Talk with Crush attraction at Epcot. This attraction will now include favorite characters from the original film like Nemo, Marlin, Squirt, and Dory herself, alongside new characters like Destiny, a whale shark, Bailey, a Beluga, and Hank, a Septopus.
New grab and go breakfast offerings at Grand Floridian villas
Guests staying at the villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa will now have the option to purchase grab and go breakfast items at the villas before heading to the parks without stopping at the quick service location in the resort’s main building. Menu options include the usual quick service grab and go items such as muffins, fruit, coffee cake, and donut holes.
