The winter holiday season is in full swing at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The holiday merriment kicked off on November 5 when Queen Elsa lit up Cinderella Castle for the first time (in forever). Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and even Olaf take the stage each night for ‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ show. During the show Elsa uses her powers to transform the castle into a glittering ice palace.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is happening on select nights through December 19 and new additions for this year include a meet-and-greet with Jack Skellington as “Sandy Claws,” and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade featuring Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf.

Guests can also stop by the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland for a festive ride on the holiday-themed Jingle Cruise.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is taking place each night through January 4, 2015.

The Candlelight Processional begins at Epcot on November 28 and continues through December 30. Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are available on select nights and it includes a meal and guaranteed seating for a performance in addition to a pre-arranged spot to view IllumiNations.

The World Showcase will host Holidays Around the World and guests can celebrate the holiday traditions in each pavilion. There is also a Gingerbread Village in The Land pavilion and special holiday merchandise, food, and beverage items throughout the park.

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Fall is a great time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort and there are new room discounts for guests planning a vacation this year.

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival starts in mid-September and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins September 1. Later in the season after the Halloween decorations come down the Magic Kingdom is decked out for the winter holidays.

These new room-only discounts will give guests up to 30 percent off the rack rate. The discounts are valid for stays most nights October 4 through November 25, and November 29 through December 23, 2014.

Guests interested in the fall room discounts must book by October 31. For more information visit the Disney Parks website.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party just got a dose of villains added to the mix.

Disney has announced an all-new premium dessert party will take place during the Mickey’s Not-S0-Scary Halloween Party this fall.

The Villians’ Sinister Soiree: A Takeover of Cinderella Castle will include preferred viewing for the 8:15 performance of Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and Happy HalloWishes Fireworks.

Lady Tremaine – Cinderella’s evil stepmother – is taking over Cinderella’s Royal Table each night of the party, inviting some of her Disney villain friends for a dessert party in addition to live music.

Admission for the Villains’ Sinister Soiree: A Wicked Takeover of Cinderella Castle is $99 per person and admission to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is also required. Admission to MSSHP is $62 for guests ages 10 and older and $57 for guests ages 3-9.

The event cannot be booked online, so guests wishing to attend the Villains’ Sinister Soiree must call 407-939-5262.

The Dessert Soiree during the Villains’ Sinister Soiree is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. on September 1, 9 and 12; and at 10:15 PM only on September 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28 and October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 31.

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The Disney Food Blog recently announced the grand launch of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival ebook!

This full-color, instantly downloadable PDF e-book features more than 220 pages of marketplace booth menus, photos, and more.

If you’re planning a trip to the 2014 Epcot Food and  Wine Festival, this e-book is a great resource for all your planning needs.

The e-book features detailed information on the Food and Wine Festival including an updated FAQ section, photos of the food at this year’s Festival, tips on stretching your food dollars, and more.

Readers will also find a full schedule of daily activities for every day of the Food and Wine Festival, a printable World Showcase booth menu checklist, themed World Showcase booth crawls, touring strategies, recipes, and a full index of the wine, wineries, cocktails, beer, and food available at this year’s Festival.

You can order the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival ebook for $3 off the cover price when you use the code MENUS at checkout. The ebook is an instantly downloadable PDF that can be installed on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

For the most up-to-date information on all things Epcot Food and Wine Festival, be sure to visit the Disney Food Blog’s 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page.

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If you’re visiting Walt Disney World over the Fourth of July holiday you will have a chance to celebrate at several of the theme parks.

The Magic Kingdom is celebrating on July 3 and 4 with a  14-minute, 360-degree fireworks spectacular, ‘Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.’ The fireworks display will be shown each night at 9 p.m.

At the American Adventure in Epcot Disney characters will be dressed in their patriotic attire, and the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corp will be performing on July 4 at 1, 2:15, 3:30, 4, and 4:45 p.m. The Voices of Liberty are scheduled to perform at the America Gardens Theater at 12:30, 1:45, and 3 p.m., and they’ll also be performing inside The American Adventure Rotunda at 4:15 and 5 p.m.

The July 4 performance of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth will feature a grand finale salute to America an 10 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is presenting a ‘Rockin’ 4^th of July Celebration’ beginning at 6 p.m. near the Sorcerer’s Hat. During the evening, Mulch, Sweat & Shears will perform at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. The party ends with a special rock ‘n roll fireworks show at 10:15 p.m.

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If you are staying at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort between August and December of this year be prepared to make some different quick service dining choices.

The hotel’s Intermission Food Court is closing August 1 for a months-long refurbishment. According to the Disney Food Blog, the food court is scheduled to be closed from August 1 through December 20.

All-Star Music Resort guests will be able to purchase “grab and go” food selections at the Melody Hall Arcade, and transportation will be available to the All-Star Sports Resort so that guests may dine at the End Zone Food Court. (The End Zone Food Court underwent its own transformation last August).

Thanks to the Disney Food Blog for use of their photo.

Are you staying at the All-Star Sports Resort during the refurbishment? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about the changes.

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If you’re planning a vacation to Walt Disney World this fall, you’re in for a season full of fun.

The magical fall season kicks off  September 1 with the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of the year.

The party takes place on 26 nights throughout September and October. The hard-ticket event takes place on select nights through October 31, and highlights of the party include Happy HalloWishes, Mickey’s Boo-to-You parade, and trick-or-treating throughout the park.

Later in September the 19th Epcot International Food and Wine Festival begins. This year’s festival has been extended to a record 53 days – it begins September 19 and runs through November 10.

The festival features tapas size dishes from more than 30 marketplace booths and guests can take part in culinary demonstrations by celebrity chefs, in addition to wine tastings and mixology seminars. The Eat to the Beat concert series is also part of the festival and includes acts such as The Pointer Sisters and Rick Springfield.

Be sure to visit the Disney Food Blog’s 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page for the most up-to-date information on the Food and Wine Festival, including menus, seminar information, and photos.

Other special events this fall include the Disney Fit Challenge on September 26-28, the first-ever Disney Princess Cup Soccer Event on October 10-12; the Festival of the Masters on November 7-9; Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select dates from November 7 through December 19; and the Orlando Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from November 27-30.

For guests visiting Walt Disney World this fall, Disney is offering Free Dining with a Magic Your Way Package. The dates are: August 31-October 3; October 26-November 1; November 9-20; and December 12-23. Packages must be booked by August 8.

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There’s nothing more exciting than surprising your little ones with a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort and now there’s a new vacation package that makes it easier on your wallet.

The new ‘Families With Little Ones’ promotion is geared toward families with kids ages 3-9  who might be headed to Walt Disney World for the first time, and is valid for stays on most night from January 5 through February 12, 2014.

For $999, a family of three (two adults, one child aged 3-9) can get a 3-night, 2-day stay that includes 2-day theme park tickets, Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan, and three nights in a standard room at a Value Resort. The Art of Animation is excluded from this offer. Children under 3 are admitted free to Disney parks.

There’s so much for the youngest members of your vacation party to do at the Walt Disney World theme parks including visiting New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom where they can meet the princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall. The youngest thrill-seekers can take a ride on The Barnstormer Featuring the Great Goofini or maybe save the universe on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

The restaurants at Walt Disney World have kid’s menus and also offer crayons and coloring books to keep the little ones entertained. And at the resorts you’ll find great themed pools and fun activities for the whole family.

To book the ‘Families With Little Ones’ vacation package visit Disneyworld.com or call 407-939-7750. Packages must be booked by December 31, 2013.

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As the holiday season begins, the Walt Disney World Resort has some festive and magical events planned for guests.

Over at the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is happening on select nights through December 20.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is hard ticket event takes place on select dates in November and December. Guests get to enjoy a stage show with Disney characters in their holiday best, a holiday parade, and even snow flurries on Main Street U.S.A. The remaining dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are: November 22, and December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20.

Each Disney Park is celebrating the holidays with special events.

At the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle is glowing with 200,000 shimmering white lights, and guests can also take a cruise on the Jingle Cruise as the Jungle Cruise gets a holiday makeover.

In Epcot, guests can celebrate Holidays Around the World throughout World Showcase, while Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates with The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights through January 5. And Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be rings in the holidays with Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.

The Candlelight Processional takes place at Epcot on select nights beginning November 29. The show features celebrity narrators reading The Christmas Story, accompanied by a 50-piece live orchestra and a mass choir.

The celebrity narrators for 2013 are:

• November 29 – Dec. 1 – Gary Sinise
• December 2-3 – Neil Patrick Harris
• December 4-5 – Ashley Judd
• December 6-7 – Whoopi Goldberg
• December 8-10 – Sigourney Weaver
• December 11-13 – Dennis Haysbert
• December 14-16 – James Denton
• December 17-19 – Edward James Olmos
• December 20-22 – Trace Adkins
• December 23-25 – Steven Curtis Chapman
• December 26-28 – Blair Underwood
• December 29-30 – Amy Grant

Performances of the Candlelight Processional take place at 5, 6:45, and 8:15 p.m. at the America Gardens Theater. Guests can purchase a Candlelight Processional Dining Package that combines lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional.

Walt Disney World Resort guests can ring in the New Year with special meals at the parks and at some resorts. The Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot’s Germany has lunch and dinner New Year’s celebrations, and La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico has a New Year’s Eve dinner. Le Cellier is offering three seatings for guests, while Monsieur Paul in France starts the New Year’s celebration at noon with available seatings throughout the day and evening.

Special New Year’s Eve dining is also planned at Flying Fish Café at Disney’s Boardwalk, Citrico’s Victoria & Albert’s, and Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian, California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. A New Year’s Day brunch is planned for Chef Mickey’s, while a New Year’s Day breakfast is on the menu at Boma.

For all the information you need to plan your holiday trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, our friends at the Disney Food Blog wrote the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holiday 2013 e-book. It features 270 pages of information on holiday dining, resort decorations, entertainment, and more. You can purchase and download the e-book at the DFB Store.

In just a little over a month from now one of Disney’s most popular special events will kick off once again.  I’m talking about that mecca of foodie bliss, the 18th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.   This elite gathering of all things delicious kicks off at Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park on September 27th and runs for a staggering 46 days until the curtains come down November 11, 2013.  The annual event features 30 Marketplace booths, wine & beer tastings, culinary seminars & demonstrations, celebrity chefs, and a rockin concert series.  Much of which is included in your theme park admission!

With so much to see and do, the Food & Wine Festival can become a little overwhelming even to the experienced Disney traveler, but our friends over at Disney Food Blog have got you covered.  Not only do they have up to date reporting on all things F&W on the blog, but today they just published a mini-guide to take all the stress out of planning your touring strategy for the event.  With all the answers right at your fingertips we’re thrilled share with you “the grand launch of the DFB Guide to the 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book!”

The unstoppable AJ Wolfe shares her knowledge and expertise in over 190 pages of Food & Wine Festival entertainment, activities and events.  Plus, this fantastic guide is just in time because the booking window for special events opens on August 13th!  Inside you’ll find absolutely everything you need to know about Food & Wine Festival gathered into one place.

• A daily schedule of events including seminars, tastings, demos, and concerts
• A World Showcase Marketplace Booth Menu Checklist with detailed information and full color pictures to help you decided which booths to stop at.
• Fun Themed World Showcase booth crawls to help you find your favorites.
• Customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, visits with kids, and more.
• Full food, wine, beer, winery, and chef indexes, including dates and locations of where you can find all your favorites.
• Music playlists for the Eat to the Beat Concerts
• Epcot Food and Wine Festival recipes
• And so much more!

It’s all in this handy downloadable file that’s easily installed onto your mobile devices to take along with you.

To celebrate the launch of this new e-book there’s even a discount code.  You can get the new mini-guide for $3 off the regular purchase price for a limited time — just use code CHEFS at the check-out!  As always there’s a 30 Day 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with your purchase.  So what are you waiting for?  Go download your copy today!