Thank you,

Annette

Build A Better Mouse Trip

 Not only will they take a professional photo of your entire group, with everybody in the picture, but they will also snap a picture using your camera, just ask!  To take advantage of Disney’s PhotoPass, simply ask any of these photographers for a complimentary PhotoPass card.  Then, present that card to any PhotoPass photographer that you see.  When you get home, visit http:// www.disneyphotopass.com/ and enter the number on the back of the PhotoPass card online to view, edit and order your vacation photos, for up to 30 days after your vacation.

Tip:  Write down the number on the back of your card, or take a picture of the back of your PhotoPass card, as soon as you get it so that you will have the number in case you lose the card!

One great tip is that you can pre-order Disney’s PhotoPass PhotoCD before you leave home.  This will give you high resolution .jpg files of all photos taken by Disney’s PhotoPass photographers that you may edit and enhance as well as print yourself (which can you save you significant money!).  The cost to pre-purchase the CD is $99.95, and if you purchase it after your trip, that cost would be $149.95.  To pre-order your Disney’s PhotoCD, simply visit http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

Author:  Lisa Bandera – one of the wonderful and talented travel agents at Build A Better Mouse Trip.   Would you like Lisa to help with your next Disney vacation?   Just ask for her by name when you contact us.

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll free: 877-815-6515 

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Sure, you can have a great time at the Magic Kingdom, even if they won’t have the Main Street Electrical Parade on the day you’re there.   But isn’t it better to go on the day with the parade?   We can help you with that – we’ll put together an itinerary that puts you in the very best theme park for each day of your vacation.

And you could choose between a meal reservation and the fireworks or parades but isn’t better if we schedule your reservation so that you can do both?  That’s what we do for our clients – we book dining so that you don’t miss anything that you really want to see or do.

You can stand in an hour long – or even longer – line to ride your favorite ride; lots of people do.  But isn’t it better…a whole lot better…if you stand in a 10 or 20 minute line for that same ride?  We provide theme park touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.

You can eat hamburgers and hotdogs your whole vacation but wouldn’t it be better to know which quick-service restaurants offer a better selection with fresh ingredients and more choices?   We can give you this information.

Here are more ways we make your Disney vacation better:

• You’ll know in advance what rides your child is tall enough to ride.
• You’ll know where to find your favorite Disney characters.
• You’ll know when to get FASTPASS tickets to avoid long lines.
• You’ll know when there are fireworks, parades, and special live entertainment.
• We’ll book your dining reservations (subject to availability).
• We’ll make sure you get the best deal on your Disney vacation.

You can spend days researching Disney theme parks, hotels and restaurants but don’t you think it’s better to have someone who can answer your questions with up-to-date information?   We’ve been to all of the Disney hotels and we’ve eaten at the restaurants.   We’re not swimming in money and we totally understand that you too live life on a budget.   We can help you with this stuff…it’s what we do.

Because we are Authorized Disney Vacation Planners, we can book your Disney vacation and provide all this help so you have a better Disney World vacation at no extra cost to you – we book directly through Disney and there are never any extra fees or charges for using our services.  Doesn’t that sound a lot better than trying to do it all yourself?

You can request a free, no-obligation quote right away:

• Use our online form: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/Ordering.php

Or you may have questions about us, about our services, about Disney.   That’s fine with us too – we’re happy to answer your questions.

• Email: info@mousetriptravel.com
• See our website: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/
• Call us – toll free: 877-815-6515

1.  Have a good theme park touring plan.   Touring plans will literally cut hours out of the time you spend in line each day.  Since your trip is coming up quickly, we recommend www.touringplans.com – the subscription is only $10.95 and you can print their excellent touring plans at home or use their smart phone app.   We provide a subscription for free when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip.
2. Arrive at the Theme Parks at least 15 minutes prior to park opening!  The parks are at their least crowded in the first hour or two of the day.   It is so much better to arrive early and take a mid-day break than to arrive late and get in line behind everyone else.
3. Avoid early Character Breakfasts – I don’t want you in a restaurant when the crowds are low, just to leave and get in line when the crowds are building.   Get a late (brunch) seating or, better yet, book Character lunches or Dinners – you’ll enjoy the lower morning crowds in the parks and then sit down to eat when you’re ready for a break.
4. Magic Kingdom opens to everyone (not just Disney resort guests) at 8:00AM on Dec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16 – 31. Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens to everyone at 8:00AM on December 18 – 31. These early mornings mean Disney expects crowds so get there when the park opens and enjoy short lines, then take a mid-day break when the crowds build.
5. Avoid Extra Magic Hours like the plague during peak travel times (when schools are out for Christmas) – the Extra Magic Hour park will be the most crowded park of the day and that morning extra magic hour means getting up painfully early.   Go to a less crowded park.   The only exception & only if you have Park Hopper Tickets – adults and teens with park hopper tickets can enjoy the evening extra magic hours but know that they’ll be crowded and know that you’ll be tired the next day.
6. Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom will have 2 parades on December 3, 10, 17, 19 – 31.  If you can stay up later, the second parade is always a lot less crowded than the first one.
7. Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have 2 performances on December 1 – 6, 9 – 25.  They’ll have 3 performances on December 26 – 31.   The latest performance will always be the least crowded.   December 18 – 31 only, Disney has a great new Fantasmic Dining Experience picnic meal option.  See: http://bit.ly/tw4zRJ
8. Avoid Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Christmas & New Year’s Eve.  These parks will be crazy busy those days.  Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be less crowded.  Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
9. Go to Quick-service restaurants at non-standard times – During Christmas break, try to eat lunch around 11:00AM and dinner around 4:00 – 4:30PM; you’ll enjoy shorter lines at the counter and have an easier time finding a table.
10. Book your December Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip – we’re experts at planning great trips on short notice and will help with your itinerary, dining and touring plans to help you have a great vacation.

FYI: 

• Our December newsletter – with more Disney World crowd warnings, ride closures, special events, and info: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/monthly-newsletters.php#december
• All of the Disney World Resort Hotels now have nightly outdoor movies.  You can see the movie schedules here: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/activity-outdoormovie.php

Build A Better Mouse Trip
http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/
Toll free: 877-815-6515

We were just at Disney World and took some construction photos of the new Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, then we spent some time over Thanksgiving weekend to create our new Disney’s Art of Animation Resort presentation with photos, information, and resort trivia.  We’re pretty proud of the way it turned out. If you’re curious about this resort, you’ll want to check it out at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/images/wdw/ValueArtOfAnimation/index.htm

A lot of the buzz about this new Disney World resort seems to be about “immersing yourself in one of these beloved Disney Animated Movies” and I certainly think that is going to be a very exciting aspect of the Art of Animation resort but I’m not hearing a lot about the way the resort celebrates the animation process itself.   Based on our new construction photos, that animation process is going to be a big part of the theming at this resort.   You can really see what I mean when you look at this photo:

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Building 4 in the Finding Nemo Area

Crowd Warnings:

• Avoid going to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Christmas Day and New Years Eve. There is a good chance that the park could close because of capacity level crowds and the lines will be horrible. Disney’s Hollywood Studios & Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks are much better choices for these days.
• December 1 – 21, 2011. News is getting out about the fun to be had in Walt Disney World in early December but the crowds are only mid-level and quite manageable. Just be sure to watch your “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” dates because the Magic Kingdom will close early those nights and won’t have the Disney’s Main Street Electric Parade, which replaced the SpectroMagic Parade.
• December 22, 2011 – January 2, 2012 – Christmas Break! You will experience “Holiday Crowds” which are even heavier than “Peak” crowds. Disney closed to capacity crowds several times during 06 Christmas Seasons and they expect the same thing to happen again this year. A good touring plan with “Best Days” information is absolutely essential if you don’t want to spend your whole vacation standing in line.
• Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) -We’re so happy to report that Fantasmic! is being offered every night this month. This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it – arrive 70-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package. Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings during the winter break – if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one. Warning: This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes. The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children.
• Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom) - This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade. The Disney’s Main Street Electric Parade will be presented on December 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and January 1, 2, 3. If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier.
• Extra Magic Hours – (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest) – We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day. Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone – that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You’ll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park. This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort – you don’t want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you.
• Pop Warner National Football, Dance, & cheer Events at Walt Disney World – December 3 – 12, 2011. These events take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports and the events themselves will not affect you. You may encounter groups of young athletes and their families in your resort, especially at the All-Star Resorts, and at the theme parks. Don’t let the chatter on some of the forums scare you – this event has a minimal impact on crowds. Enthusiastic youths can raise the noise level at the resorts though; guests staying at a value resort may want to add a request for a room in a quiet location to your reservation. Expect the resort food court to be busy at breakfast, if there are athletic groups staying at your resort.

A good touring plan is a very important tool for dealing with Christmas Break crowds. You can have a great trip and avoid long lines by doing just a little advance planning that will make sure you see and do the things that are important to you in a way that keeps you ahead of the crowds.We provide three choices for custom touring plans – 1) a subscription to Tour Guide Mike, a highly respected online planning service and Disney planning community with 45,000 members, 2) the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, the most popular guide book available with information on every resort, restaurant, attraction and activity, or 3) A subscription to Touringplans.com – at no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip. Call us toll free at 877-815-6515.

New Character Meal  at Disney World:

• Beginning December 4, 2011 – Character lunches with Daisy and Donald Duck will be added to Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. This location has offered a character breakfast for some time now and we’re very excited about the addition of lunch. In our opinion, character lunches are better than character breakfasts because you get to ride the rides while the crowds are at their lowest (morning) and then sit down for a meal when the crowds are heavier and you’re ready for a break. This location does participate in the Disney Dining Plan.

Special Events for December: Christmas at Disney World

• November 11, 2011 – January 3, 2012  – Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Millions of lights decorate the Streets of America backlot area. No extra charge – included with the cost of admission.
• Candlelight Processional (Epcot) – November 25 – December 30th, 2011. Nightly: 5:00, 6:45, & 8:00PM. A large choir, orchestra, and celebrity narrators retell the Christmas Story in the America Gardens Theatre. This beautiful production is extremely popular and fills to capacity. TIP: Arrive at least 45 minutes early for the 5:00PM performance for your best chance to get in with a minimum wait. This year’s celebrity narrators (subject to change without notice):   Nov. 25 – Nov. 27th: Mira Sorvino  /  Nov. 28 – Dec. . 1: Michael W. Smith  / Dec. 2 – Dec. 3: Whoppi Goldberg / Dec. 4 – Dec. 6: Edward James Olmos  / Dec. 7 – Dec. 9: Isabella Rosselina  / Dec. 10 – Dec. 12: Neil Patrick Harris   / Dec. 13 – Dec. 15: Lorraine Bracco  / Dec. 16 – Dec. 18: To Be Announced  / Dec. 19 – Dec. 21: Trace Adkins  /Dec. 22 – Dec. 24: Susan Lucci / Dec. 25 – Dec. 27: Blair Underwood  / Dec. 28 – Dec. 30: Marlee Matlin with interpreter Jack Jason
• Holiday’s Around The World (Epcot) – November 25 – December 20, 2011. The World Showcase pavilions will each feature a special holiday storyteller that tells about Christmas (or other holiday) festivities in that country. No extra ticket needed – included with your park admission. Check your Epcot Times Guide. Storyteller Locations: American Adventure: Story of Hanukkah, Santa Claus, Story of Kwanzaa /Canada: Papa Noel China: The Monkey King /France: Pere Noel / Germany: Helga /Italy: La Befana / Japan: Daruma Vendor / Mexico: The Three Kings  /Morocco: Taarji / Norway: Julenissen /United Kingdom: Father Christmas
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Magic Kingdom – 7 PM to Midnight - November 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 28, and 30; December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16,  and 18. This event requires a special ticket – your Magic Your Way ticket won’t get you in. Tickets are $55 – $67 depending on the date and age of the participant. It is a fun event but it costs a chunk of change so use your own judgment as to whether this is a “must do” event for your trip. Just call and we’ll be happy to answer your questions or to book those tickets for you. If you are not doing this event, you will want to be aware that the Magic Kingdom closes early – at 7PM – on the nights of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and they generally won’t have the Disney’s Main Street Parade those nights.
• Animal Kingdom – Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade ~ November 8, 2011 – January 3, 2012. A special holiday parade where Mickey Mouse and his friends celebrate teh season safari style.
• Christmas Church Service at Walt Disney World – December 25, 2011. Religious services are being offered at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the Fantasia Ballroom. Catholic mass is December 25th at 8:00AM and 10:15AM. Protest service offered at 9:00AM. Guests are asked to use the WDW transportation to the Contemporary Resort – parking will not be available at the resort. Start at the Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to the Contemporary Resort or use the walking trail. Guests parked at the Walt Disney World Ticket and Transportation Center (also Magic Kingdom parking) can take the monorail to the Contemporary Resort.

Temporary Attraction Closures and refurbishments:

• Ariel’s Grotto & Pooh’s Playful Spot (Magic Kingdom) have closed to make room for the big Fantasyland expansion project.
• Mickey’s Toontown Square (Magic Kingdom) closed on February 11, 2011. A new area is being contructed in this space. The Walt Disney World Railroad will continue to run but the Toontown Station will be closed during construction. The Disney Princesses, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Meet-an-Greets are now in the new Town Square Theater; FASTPASS tickets available. Tinker Bell and Friends are meeting guests at Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook at the Adventureland Verandah in the Magic Kingdom.
• Honey, I Shrunk The Audience 3D (Epcot) has been replaced by Captain EO, featuring Michael Jackson
• Yakitori House (Restaurant – Epcot) will be closed August 8, 2011 – December 1, 2011.
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach (water park) – is closed October 20 – December 3, 2011 for its annual refurbishment.
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon (water park) – will be closed December 4, 2011 – March 17, 2012 for its annual refurbishment.
• Disney’s Polynesian Resort - Beach Sand Renourishment from Dec. 24, 2011 – Jan. 10, 2012.
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Spa will be closed from September 19, 2011 to Mid-2013. The fitness center will remain open. Spa services are available at The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Stprings Resort.
• Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course will be closed November 28 – December 7, 2011.
• Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course will be closed December 8 – 16, 2011.
• Disney’s Osprey Ridge & Lake Buena Vista Golf Courses will be closed Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2011.

Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) -New luggage procedure for late night arrivals. Luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM. Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk.

Disney Theme Park Touring Plans:

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans – this is even more important during holiday travel seasons. During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines – our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners. During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times. But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone’s priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.

We offer three great options for touring plans at no extra cost to you when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip – For more information, see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

Do you need this information for some other month?  You can see all of our newsletters at http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/monthly-newsletters.php

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll free: 877-815-6515

A man paints the Tramp Icon at Disney World's Pop Century Resort Hotel

Cleaning up this doggy is a two-man job!

Tramp will soon be looking good again for his Lady.

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll free: 877-815-6515

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for most nights from October 30 -November 18, November 26 – December 23, 2011. This offer can be applied to packages but only the room portion is  discounted.  Remember that your arrival night is the important night for qualifying for a Disney World Discount – you still receive the discount for the full length of stay even when your Disney vacation extends past the promotion dates.  For example, book a qualifying package with a December 23rd arrival date and you’ll receive a discount for your whole Christmas vacation at Disney World.  Discount subject to availability.   This will probably be the last discount offered for 2011 travel to the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Call us today to book your package:

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll free: 877-815-6515

Enchanted Grove at Magic Kingdom is now Cheshire Cafe

The menu is the same but the name of the Enchanted Grove refreshment stand at the Magic Kingdom theme park has changed to Cheshire Cafe.  The snack shop is located near the Mad Tea Party ride and  so the name change ties it to the “Alice in Wonderland” theming of this part of Fantasy Land.   We don’t have our own picture of the new sign yet but you can see the Disney Food Blog’s photos here: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/11/10/first-look-magic-kingdoms-cheshire-cafe-photos-and-menu/

Build A Better Mouse Trip
Toll free: 877-815-6515

[UPDATED 10-31-11 to include information about The Magic, The Memories and You plus new dates for The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios and new dates for Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade at Disney's Animal Kingdom.]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - It’s the month before Christmas and throughout Mickey’s house, the trees are all glowing, bringing smiles to The Mouse. Choirs are singing, bakers taking great care, sounds and smells of the season are filling the air…

At Walt Disney World Resort in 2011, it begins to look a lot like Christmas as early as Nov. 8. Santa’s elves bedazzle every corner of the Vacation Kingdom for a seasonal spectacle filled with heartwarming stage productions, enchanting parades, garlands and wreaths, millions of sparkling lights and even the first flakes of winter.

And with a ho, ho, whole lot of cheer being spread over more than a month, guests have more choice as to when they join in the magical, one-of-a-kind celebration.

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – On 19 special nights, holiday revelers can delight during this cheery, family-friendly event. Party-goers embrace the joys of the season – sipping cocoa, catching a “snowflake” and enjoying merry shows, fireworks, carolers and special character meet and greets.

This after-hours party on select nights between Nov. 8 and Dec. 18, 2011, features a sleigh full of merriment:

• An enchanting Cinderella Castle adorned with Castle Dream Lights (through Jan.8)
• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself, and for the first time Duffy the Disney Bear.
• An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
• Live entertainment featuring Disney characters
• Meet and greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters in Holiday attire, including Phineas & Ferb in Tomorrowland, the Seven Dwarfs in Frontierland and Duffy the  Disney Bear in Town Square.
• Complimentary cookies, apple slices and hot cocoa
• A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Many popular Magic Kingdom attractions open for fun

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place Nov. 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18, 2011, from 7 p.m. until midnight. Day-of-event pricing is $62.95 and $57.95 for ages 3 to 9. Savings of $6 per ticket are available if tickets are purchased in advance. Visit Disneyworld.com/holidays.

Castle Dream Lights – Each evening of the season, Cinderella Castle shimmers with lights brought to beaming brightness during a ceremonial show performed at dusk. Beginning Nov. 4 and continuing through Jan. 3, 2012, Cinderella and favorite Disney characters decked out in festive holiday garb take center stage and magically transform Cinderella Castle into an ice palace draped with 200,000 ice cycle-white lights – a breathtaking focal point to a park ready for revelers with wreaths, bows, garland, towering Christmas trees and scarlet poinsettias dominating the landscape.

The Magic, The Memories and You! – The nightly light show on Cinderella Castle gets in “the spirit” throughout the holidays with a special segment that wraps the Magic Kingdom landmark in colorful bows and boughs, gift paper and ribbons, ornaments, candy stripes and multi-colored strands of lights … and gingerbread.

Epcot

Candelight Processional – An inspirational retelling of the Christmas story accompanied by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra punctuates the reason for the season during this time-honored Epcot tradition. Each evening Nov. 25-Dec. 30, 2011, a celebrity narrator (from a lineup that includes Steven Curtis Chapman, Marlee Matlin and Neil Patrick Harris) takes to the America Gardens Theatre stage and shares the story of Christ’s birth. Guests can sing along as the trumpeters and full orchestra offer a riveting performance featuring seasonal melodies. Shows are at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.

To ensure a seat for this memorable performance, Candlelight Dinner packages are available at select Epcot restaurants. They include a special fireworks viewing area and guaranteed seating for Candlelight Processional. For bookings call 407-WDW-DINE.

Holidays around the World - Throughout World Showcase, international storytellers share traditions and tales from their homeland. Strolling along the promenade during the Holidays around the World celebration may put you face-to-face with the good-hearted witch La Befana, known in Italy for filling children’s shoes with treats, or the jolly gift-bearer Father Christmas in the United Kingdom. There are meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the American Adventure, plus other legendary icons who share messages of goodwill. The celebrations of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are celebrated as well.

The evening is capped by “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” the mesmerizing Epcot spectacular on World Showcase lagoon featuring fireworks, laser lights and water choreographed to a musical soundtrack – with a holiday finale.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights – Entering the Hollywood Studios backlot, guests discover a virtual city of lights. On, over and among the cityscape buildings are millions of dazzling bulbs, dancing lights and animated displays synchronized to high-energy holiday tunes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Nov. 10-Jan. 7, 2012. The spectacle will not be operational Dec. 8.

It’s truly a mega-watt spectacle for the eyes with colorful wreaths, twirling carousels, flying angels, Santa and his reindeer, swirling snow flurries, and amazing 3-D effects around every corner.

The tradition began in 1986 in Arkansas, at the home of businessman Jennings Osborne, who strung 1,000 lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter. After the exhibit grew larger and brighter each year, it was transported to Disney in 1995 where the light exhibit now mesmerizes guests from all over the world each year. The tradition continues after Jennings’ death on July 27, 2011.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade – King Louie and Baloo lead a rousing musical cavalcade – safari style – through the park from Nov. 10 to Jan. 3, 2012, during Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. The wild side of Disney’s Animal Kingdom blends with a playful spirit of the holidays as Chip & Dale, stilt walkers and savannah friends dance alongside decorative floats at 4 p.m. daily. The savory scent of chocolate floats thru the air as Minnie’s candy cane and hot cocoa float roll by.

Santa Goofy’s Holiday Village at Camp Minnie-Mickey has decked the halls big time with festive décor. A perfectly trimmed Christmas tree adorned with animal crafted ornaments welcomes guests at the park’s entrance. Carolers spread holiday cheer and Santa Goofy and friends greet guests for photo opportunities.

Downtown Disney

With dozens of shops that stretch from the Marketplace to the West Side (and plenty of taste-bud-tempting treats!), Downtown Disney is a shopper’s delight. There are one-of-a-kind boutiques such as TrenD, a sports shop at Team Mickey, plus enough toys, games, character merchandise, and costumes to fill Santa’s sleigh at Once Upon a Toy and World of Disney. There’s also Fuego by Sosa Cigars, Ghirardelli Chocolates, Basin (soaps and bath products), LEGO Imagination Center and much more – including Disney’s Days of Christmas where guests can choose Disney ornaments and decorations any season of the year.

School choirs and bands often perform at the dock stage to ring in the season. Kids can pose for pictures and sit with Santa Claus, Nov. 19 – Dec. 24, 2011.

Resort Hotels

Disney resort hotels are dressed up for the holidays, offering an ideal home-away-from-home during the season. An intricate, life-size gingerbread house cooked up by Walt Disney World pastry chefs is a must-see at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The yummy sugar shack is baked with 1,050 pounds of honey, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 35 pounds of spices and more. It even has a chimney that puffs out delicious cinnamon smoke.

A magnificent gingerbread carousel complete with chocolate and soft-candy ponies and oversized candy-cane poles takes center stage at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Other hotels are spruced up with wreaths and trees decorated with miles of garland, ribbon and glistening ornaments. Check each hotel for holiday dining offerings and special entertainment.

Disney World Crowd Levels, Ride Closures, and Special Event Information: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/monthly-newsletters.php#top

November & December Room Rate Discount: Must book by Nov. 19, 2011 . Save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for most nights from October 30 -November 18, November 26 – December 23, 2011. This offer can be applied to packages but only the room portion is discounted.   For all available discounts, see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/monthly-newsletters.php#discounts

Contact Us Today To Book Your Disney Vacation

Build A Better Mouse Trip
http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll free: 877-815-6515

Source: http://wdwnews.com/releases/2011/11/01/disney-season-the-holidays/