Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
Are any of you runDisney fans? If so, maybe I’ll see you down at Wine & Dine weekend!
We started with 505 stories and bring you this 2.5-minute read. This week we’re talking holiday planning, a big step for Disney’s newest cruise ship, plus new twists on a very popular Disney snack.
Gabe
Sometimes us Disney World fans have a love-hate relationship with the holiday season. Lots of us LOVE all of the holiday cheer around the resort, but it always feels a little weird when it starts to appear this early.
Don’t get us wrong, there’s total magic surrounding the site-by-site transformations! But we’re also weeks ahead of Halloween. In any case, Disney Food Blog spotted what looks like the first of it, some evergreen trees near Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
It’s actually not too early to start thinking about the holidays at WDW. Here are a few reasons why:
Candlelight Processional dinner packages are already on sale (as of this week).
So are tours of the Glimmering Greenhouses at Epcot’s The Land Pavilion.
And several Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates are already sold out.
And if you’re visiting around Christmas, we’re nearing the time when the 60-day dining reservation window will open for your trip.
Bottom line: get your holiday trip plans in order now.
What’s your holiday favorite at Walt Disney World?
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Speaking of the holiday season, one usual favorite is the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian. It’s important to remind you that, unfortunately, that display won’t happen this year due to ongoing lobby renovation.
Construction is coming along though, and the lobby was a bit more in shape this week than it’s been over the past few months. This work is also going to bring us a new birdcage lobby bar.
BTW, if you’re curious when the seasonal decor will show up at various resorts, there’s a great fan-managed list on DIS Boards!
Dessert Party Debut: (Re)launched October 8 at Tomorrowland Terrace, this new fireworks dessert party serves land-themed bites from Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Adventureland. Reservations are open online if you want a sweet way to cap your Magic Kingdom night. (WDWNT)
DVC Perks Return: DVC announced this week that Membership Magic Beyond will be back for 2026 at $99. It’ll go on sale December 9. (DVC Fan)
First Look: Walt Disney Presents, the gallery at Hollywood Studios, just opened an Imagineering preview with models for Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios, and Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom, go peek now if you’re in the park. (WDWNT)
Snack Shuffle: Trilo-Bites and Dino-Bite Snacks close after October 19 as DinoLand continues to wind down. Harambe Market also goes dark Octotober 20, back early 2026 with burgers while Restaurantosaurus and DINOSAUR run through Feb 1, 2026. (wdwinfo.com)
Lottery Alert: Banana Ball hits Walt Disney World May 29-30, 2026 at ESPN Wide World of Sports. It’s Party Animals vs. Loco Beach Coconuts. Join the Ticket Lottery at BananaBall.com by November 1. (Disney Parks Blog)
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny, has been officially handed off. In a ceremony yesterday, shipbuilder Meyer Werft officially transferred ownership to Disney.
The ship is scheduled to cross the Atlantic in the coming weeks, and will do a few preview cruises before her maiden voyage out of Fort Lauderdale on November 20.
We always like to finish with something fun, and what brings us mentally more to the parks than a Mickey Premium Bar? Maybe a new hand-dipped version of course! There are now fun variations all over, and Disney Food Blog has the tough (delicious) job of trying them all out.
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