Dateline Disney: September/October 2014

In This Edition:

• Magic Kingdom: Night of Joy with award-winning headliners; Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party brings 26 nights of happy haunts
• Epcot: Delicious eats, rockin’ beats and splendid sips await guests during 19th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Frozen Fun Continues
• runDisney: Thrills, chills and a nighttime run fill The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend
• Disney Cruise Line: Spooky cruises set sail this fall

Family Friendly Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Begins Sept. 1 at Magic Kingdom

Halloween’s happiest haunts will reappear for 26 “spook-tacular” nights of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom.

From Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, the after-hours special ticket event will immerse guests in the Halloween spirit. The bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular will illuminate the sky in bursts of orange and green fireworks. In “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” the Headless Horseman parades a gang of ghostly characters down Main Street, U.S.A. for a haunted, but happy, Halloween season.

Disney villains take center stage in 2014 with “Villains Mix & Mingle — Live on Stage” castle show; and Club Villain, an all-new nightly character dance party experience takes over the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in Frontierland. Mischevious villains will be available for guests to meet all night long in locations throughout the park.

The night of ever-so-slightly frightful fun begins at 7 p.m. and runs until midnight, with guests encouraged to don their favorite Halloween costumes and partake in trick-or-treating around Magic Kingdom.

Party dates in 2014 are:

• Sept. 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26 & 28
• Oct. 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31

To purchase advance tickets, guests can visit disneyworld.com/halloween or call 407-W-DISNEY.

Disney’s Night of Joy Celebrates a Stellar Line-Up of Christian Music Sept. 5-6

This year marks the 32nd year for Disney’s Night of Joy, where the best in Contemporary Christian music meets the excitement of the Magic Kingdom. From contemporary hits to hard-hitting, high-energy rock, there’s something for every kind of music fan Sept. 5-6 at Walt Disney World Resort.

This year’s lineup showcases a stage-load of talent on each night.

• Friday, Sept. 5:  Hillsong United, Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, for KING & COUNTRY, Mandisa, Building 429, Matt Maher, The Neverclaim
• Saturday, Sept. 6: Skillet, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Britt Nicole, Colton Dixon, Rhett Walker, We As Human, 1 Girl Nation

Single-night tickets are $59 plus tax in advance and $69 plus tax on the days of the show. To purchase tickets, or for more information about the event, guests can visit NightofJoy.com or call 407-W-DISNEY.

19th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Opens Sept. 19

A rockin’ after-hours street party and a premium food-and-beverage package for Walt Disney World Resort guests will debut during the 19th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase Sept. 19 – Nov. 10, 2014.

The festival kicks off a week early and runs 53 days and features more than 270 chefs, including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country.

Festival guests will be able to pair wines and beers with savory and sweet dishes from more than 25 ethnic and specialty marketplaces as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade and earn stamps on their complimentary festival “passport” souvenirs. Champagne, cocktails and “mocktails” also will be on festival menus.

Eat to the Beat! is back with live entertainment every night at the America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. Returning favorites such as Hanson, Air Supply and more take the stage in September and October, along with new acts include Jo Dee Messina, Fuel, Jim Brickman and Los Lonely Boys.

For details on all special events, including the popular Party for the Senses and signature dining experiences, guests can visit www.epcotfoodfestival.com.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Extra Four Weeks Added to ‘Frozen Summer Fun LIVE!’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The “Frozen” fun of Arendelle won’t melt away on Labor Day, as “Frozen Summer Fun LIVE!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been extended through Sept. 28, 2014.

The popularity of the icy special event prompted Anna, Elsa, Olaf and their polar pals to extend their stay at Walt Disney World Resort beyond Sept. 1, 2014 (the originally announced closing date for the event).

Fans of “Frozen” have been flocking to the flurry of fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since July 5, enjoying immersive experiences like the “For The First Time in Forever: A ‘Frozen’ Sing-Along Celebration” and ice skating (on real ice!) inside Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post & Frozen Funland.  Anna, Elsa & Kristoff are also welcomed by guests daily in an 11 a.m. processional down Hollywood Boulevard while ice cutters, skaters and skiers join the cavalcade.

Nearly all of the event’s components will continue daily, with the exception of the “Frozen Fireworks” spectacular.  The fireworks show will be presented each night (except August 23) through September 1, and then on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from September 5-28.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend Oct. 3-4

Disney villains take center stage for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend, Oct. 3 – 4. The weekend features a haunting nighttime 10-mile race starting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, running through ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and finishing, appropriately enough, near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Runners and guests are invited to the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash post-race party where they can enjoy live music, Disney characters and access to attractions such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock “n” Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and Toy Story Mania! until 4 a.m. Admission to the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash is included for runners, while friends and family can purchase tickets for the party.

Families also can enjoy the Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run and runDisney Kids’ Races at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Saturday, Oct. 4.  A two-day runDisney Health and Fitness Expo featuring several vendors and a speaker series takes place on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 – 4 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. For more information visit www.rundisney.com/tower-of-terror-10-miler

Frightfully Good Time Awaits Disney Cruise Line Guests this Halloween

Disney Cruise Line will treat guests sailing this fall to a wickedly good time as the Disney ships transform into a ghoulish wonderland filled with frightfully fun events and activities, special decorations, unique menu items in the restaurants and themed parties on deck.

In 2014, Halloween on the High Seas takes place on most voyages aboard all Disney Cruise Line ships from September through October. This extra-spooky celebration features Halloween-themed parties, lively entertainment and elaborate décor, including The Pumpkin Tree, which magically transforms throughout the cruise.

To celebrate Halloween, the Disney Magic sails three-, five- and seven-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Sept. 27 to Oct. 26; the Disney Wonder sails four-, five- and six-night Bahamian cruises departing Sept. 26 to Oct. 31; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Sept. 7 to Oct. 31; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises departing Sept. 6 to Oct. 25.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.

Guests Can Enjoy Fall Savings at Disney Resort Hotels

Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort this fall can save up to 30 percent on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, including Deluxe Villa Resort rooms and Deluxe Resort rooms.

This offer is valid for stays most nights October 4 through November 25, and November 29 through December 23, 2014 and must be booked by October 3, 2014 and some restrictions apply.

To book this special offer, guests can visit DisneyWorld.com/fall or call 407/WDW-1896.

All photos courtesy of the Walt Disney World Company.