Although the Canada-US border is currently closed, there may be some considering a trip to Walt Disney World this year and will be interested in learning what to expect.
Yesterday (September 8th), the Disney Parks Blog released a post telling us what we can expect. A summary of all of the festive happenings is now on the Disney Canuck website and will be kept up-to-date as more information becomes available.
There are a few key takeaways:
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional NOT Happening
Let's start with the bad news. These two popular events over the holidays have been cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19. It's clear that neither of these events will be able to go ahead since the lack of parade, snow and fireworks in the Magic Kingdom eliminates the main attractions for the party special ticket and the inability to use the full choirs and pack audiences into the American Gardens Theater makes the processional a no-go.
No Gingerbread Houses at Resort Hotels
There will be none of the giant gingerbread displays at resort hotels. The official reason is to maintain social distancing (we will see if that's true if they choose to put out / cancel halloween displays this year) but in fairness, the issue is most likely related to the shutdown earlier this year.
Disney chefs start working very early in the year to start making the gingerbread for these scenes and with the furloughs, reduced staffing levels, and uncertainty, there likely is not enough time to pull these together.
There Will Be Merchandise, Decorations, and a Modified EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Despite all of the festive favourites that are not happening this year, there will be decorations, merchandise, festive foods, snowfalls at Disney Springs (instead of Main Street USA to allow for better social distancing) and a modified version of the Festival of the Holidays by the looks of it, with the Taste of EPCOT Food and Wine booths transforming to holiday kitchens.
I'm sure that at this point, Disney is trying to find ways of bringing some holiday magic under what must be the most difficult of circumstances and we'll get more clarification as things start getting finalized.
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