This is the weekly news, rumors and refurbishments update for Walt Disney World for the week of November 2, 2014.
Here are the four biggest updates from around the resort for the past seven days…
1. The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights has returned for 2014
Now through January 4, 2015 the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be home to one of the largest Christmas lights displays. With over 5 million LED Christmas lights, a canopy of RGB lights, animated windows, and falling snow, the spectacle is not one to be missed. To top it all off, the lights are synchronized to some of your favorite holiday carols.
The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights is nothing new having been delighting guests at the park since 1995, but that may change very soon. If you are at Walt Disney World for the holidays, I highly recommend you take the time to view the display. It’s impressive to say the least and it might be on its way out.
There were strong rumors last year that the lights would not be returning for 2014, but that turned out not to be the case. Instead, plans got pushed back and now it is even more likely that the lights will not return in 2015. This is of course due to the highly anticipated and still rumored Star Wars Land in conjunction with the expansion of Pixar Place.
That half of the park may be a wall city by late next year and might not be able to handle the crowds the Osborne lights draw even if the Streets of America remains open. I just hope Disney has a plan to relocate the Spectacle of Dancing Lights since it’s their best holiday offering and a major attendance booster for the park.
2. The Jingle Cruise returns for a second year at the Magic Kingdom
The Jungle Cruise skippers have become homesick for the holidays and turned the attraction into the Jingle Cruise. The Jingle Cruise is basically The Jungle Cruise with some holiday humor and homemade decorations. The Jungle Cruise will remain the Jingle Cruise until the end of the year and will be open during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Look out for some Christmas fun while visiting the world famous Jingle Cruise!
3. Animated Magic Shots debut at Walt Disney World
As part of the Memory Maker package, guests now have the opportunity to take an Animated Magic Shot at certain locations listed below.
- Epcot, behind Spaceship Earth
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Hollywood Boulevard
- Epcot, at Norway Pavilion
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, bridge near Expedition Everest
An Animated Magic Shot is a photo with a character animation applied afterwards. Simply ask the PhotoPass Photographer for an Animated Magic Shot and you’ll be able to view and download the video online as part of your Memory Maker package.
4. The breakfast menu for Trattoria al Forno is now available
Trattoria al Forno is a new restaurant opening December 18 at Disney’s Boardwalk. It replaces the former Kouzzina by Cat Cora. The dinner menu was released last month and now the breakfast menu is below.
Trattoria al Forno will be open for breakfast from 7:30am – 11:00am and will serve dinner from 5:00pm – 10:00pm.
