Disney Season: Fall 2014

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — From Labor Day to Thanksgiving there's a bounty of festive offerings at Walt Disney World Resort to satisfy all tastes. With an art show, sporting events, annual holiday parties, concerts and international food fest, the Vacation Kingdom is the place to celebrate the golden days of the harvest season.

The fall lineup kicks off on September 1 with the popular Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party offering three extra nights of happy haunts. Here's more:

Family Friendly Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Extends to 26 Nights

Not-so-spooky ghosts and goblins return this fall with three extra nights of fun during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, delighting fun-seekers of all ages in the Magic Kingdom. On select nights September 1 through October 31, the Magic Kingdom will host this special hard ticket event from 7 p.m. – midnight. Highlights include Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade; Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular; Disney characters dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes; and candy galore with treat trails throughout the Magic Kingdom. Plus partygoers can enjoy favorite attractions including the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Visit Disneyworld.com/Halloween for party dates and prices, or call 407-W-DISNEY.

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

This year will mark 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. There is also a two-night ticket option, which is $108 for both nights and includes a 1-day admission to one of Disney's two water parks or DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park if purchased no later than August 5.

Tickets are subject to availability and entertainment is subject to change without notice. Night of Joy admission is a special ticket event and is not included in any other form of ticket media. Tickets are valid during specific event hours only. To purchase tickets, or for more information about the event and the benefits of coming as a group, check out NightofJoy.com or call 407-W-DISNEY.

19th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Extended to Record 53 Days in 2014 — New Dates Run Sept. 19-Nov. 10

Disney's fall culinary extravaganza will arrive a week early this year and debut new flavors from South America when the 19th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival kicks off Sept. 19 at Walt Disney World Resort. The 2014 festival runs a record 53 days – up seven days from the previous 46-day event — until Nov. 10 and introduces its first Patagonia Marketplace showcasing tastes of Argentina and Chile.

Celebrated for its creative tapas-sized dishes and inspired sips, high-energy entertainment and premium signature dinners and tastings, the festival will sizzle with a variety of ethnic and specialized marketplaces. Guests can pair wines and beers with their food as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade.

Celebrity and Disney chefs will present culinary demonstrations, and beverage experts will host daily wine tastings and mixology seminars for a nominal fee. Eat to the Beat concerts starring pop bands such as Rick Springfield and The Pointer Sisters will rock the festival party each evening. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) or visit epcotfoodfestival.com for information and updates about booking premium culinary programs, dinners and tasting events such as the popular Party for the Senses.

A Frightfully Good Time Awaits Disney Cruise Line Guests this Halloween

Disney Cruise Line will treat guests sailing this fall to a spooktacular 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 late 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. Other experiences include spooky storytelling, interactive movies, special character meet-and-greets and Halloween-themed arts and crafts.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.

Disney Fit Challenge Invites Athletes to Compete September 26-28

The sport of competitive fitness, which is growing rapidly nationally and internationally, is coming to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort this September. The inaugural Disney Fit Challenge, a three-day competitive fitness event comes to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Sept 26-28. The competitive fitness event, involves athletes competing in different fitness challenges that test a participant's speed, strength, skill, endurance, balance and power and are based on age and skill level.

Registration remains open at www.espnwwos.com. Daily admission for spectators is $16.50 for adults and $11.50 for children and can be purchased at the sports complex box office.

First-Ever Disney Princess Cup Soccer Event Set for October 10-12

The first-ever Disney Princess Cup (Oct. 10-12) will feature a 6 versus 6 player format involving girls ages 9-14. The tournament is open to teams and individual players and will also include a pep rally featuring a Disney Music recording artist, an awards ceremony, a speaker series geared towards empowering young girls, and designated free time for teams and parents to visit the Disney theme parks. All participating athletes will receive a pair of soccer cleats from Puma, the official soccer equipment sponsor of Disney Soccer. Register for the Disney Princess Cup at www.espnwwos.com.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Celebrates Fifth Anniversary November 7-9

Runners will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort on Nov. 7-9. Participants in the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, which is sold out, will run a 13.1-mile nighttime race on Nov. 9 through Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The race weekend will also include Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K and runDisney Kids races on Nov. 8. To register for the runDisney kids races and to purchase the few remaining tickets for the Disney Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste Party at Epcot, visit www.runDisney.com.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Delights Holiday Revelers Nov. 7- Dec. 19

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will celebrate the joy of the season for 19 magical nights from November 7-December 19. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World Resort guests have been mesmerized by this festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit. Dates for 2014: Nov. 7, 10, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 30
Dec. 2,4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19

Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows featuring Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. The fun continues with a holiday "Celebrate the Magic" castle projection show and Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season nighttime fireworks spectacular. Guests can enjoy experiences and attractions, including the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

Downtown Disney Transforms to Art Lovers Paradise With Festival of the Masters

Downtown Disney invites guests to the 39th Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels November 7-9. This world-renowned fine arts festival features more than 130 artisans showcasing their unique works in painting, sculpture, photography and other categories. This open-air festival also will offer live entertainment, hands-on activities for kids and delectable food offerings. Additional information can be found at www.disneyworld.com/artfestival.

Orlando Classic Returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex November 27-30

Eight of the top men's college basketball teams in the country will compete in the Orlando Classic over Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Nov. 27, 28 & 30, at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The 2014 Orlando Classic features 12 games over the three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in the championship game Sunday, Nov. 30. For more information, visit www.espnevents.com/orlando-classic, or www.disneysportsnews.com.

Disney Offers Free Dine With Magic Your Way Package

The fall and holiday seasons just got more magical at Walt Disney World Resort with special savings. Guests can enjoy a free dining plan when they buy a non-discounted six-night/seven-day Magic Your Way Package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Free dine includes one quick service meal, one table service meal, and one snack per person, per night.

The offer is valid for arrival most nights:

August 31 to October 3, 2014
October 26 to November 1, 2014
November 9 to November 20, 2014
December 12 to December 23, 2014

The Disney Dining Plan is honored at more than 100 select Walt Disney World Resort restaurants, while the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan (available for packages that include a stay at Disney Value Resorts) includes meals and snacks at more than 50 dining locations. Guests must book by August 8, 2014.