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Category Archives: Events
Epcot’s Holidays Around the World Schedule
Epcot’s Holidays Around the World begins November 25th and runs through December 29 (2011). Here is the lineup of events.
What: Illuminations: Reflections of Earth-With Peace on Earth Finale
Where:World Showcase Lagoon
When: 9:30pm
What: Candlelight Processional (for a list of celebrity narrators click here)
Where: American Gardens Theatre
When: 5:00pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm.
What: Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season Featuring D’Vine Voices
Where: Fountain Stage
When: 1:15 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:15 PM and 4:15 PM (daily)
Holiday Storytellers-Around the World Showcase Pavillions
What: Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings)
Where: Mexico
When: 1:45, 2:35, 3:20, 4:05, 4:45, 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30pm
What: Sigrid tells the tale of a mischievous Christmas Gnome; Julenissen
Where: Norway
When: 3:10, 3:50, 4:30, 5:10, 5:50, 6:35, 7:15 and 7:55pm
What: The Monkey King tells his tall tale about the Chinese New Year
Where: China
When: 12:10, 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 3:20, 4:00, 4:50 and 5:50pm
What: Helga tells the story of the first Christmas tree and the tale of the first Nutcracker
Where: Germany
When: 1:00; 2:00; 2:55; 3:55; 5:30; 6:05; 6:40; 7:15pm
What: The Christmas witch, La Befana, tells the tale of her first Christmas 2,000 years ago
Where: Italy
When: 1:00; 2:00; 2:40; 3:20; 4:20; 5:20; 6:00; 6:45pm
What: Tell Santa what you want for Christmas and meet Mrs. Claus
Where: American Adventure
When: 1:30–2:40; 3:30–4:40; 5:30–6:40; 7:30–8:40pm
What: The Spirit of Kwanzaa
Where: American Adventure
When: 12:20; 1:05; 1:50; 2:35; 3:20; 4:05; 4:45; 6:00pm
What: Hanukkah-history of the lamp that burned miraculously for eight days
Where: American Adventure
When: 12:15; 1:00; 1:45; 2:25; 3:25; 4:00; 4:50; 5:45pm
What: Learn about the Japanese customs of the New Year and the Daruma doll
Where: Japan
When: 12:50; 1:25; 2:15; 3:05; 4:00; 4:50; 5:35; 6:45pm
What: Hear the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child when Pere Noel reads a letter from a little girl.
Where: France
When: 11:20; 11:55; 12:30; 1:15; 2:05; 3:30; 4:20; 5:05pm
What: Celebrate the customs of Ramada and Ashura with Taarji
Where: Morocco
When: 2:10; 2:55; 4:30; 5:35; 6:15; 7:20pm
What: Meet jolly Father Christmas
Where: United Kingdom
When: 2:45; 3:55; 4:35; 5:25; 6:10; 6:45; 7:30; 8:25pm
What: Nowell, a Canadian lumberjack, tells how he found Santa at Christmastime
Where: Canada
When: 11:15; 12:00; 12:45; 1:30; 2:30; 3:30; 4:30; 5:15pm
To make your trip worry free book with Michele@PixieVacations.com and have a Pixie Perfect holiday!
Related articles
- 2011 Event Details: Christmas at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
- Experience A Walt Disney World Holiday Tour! (onlywdworld.com)
Top Celebs Headline Candlelight Processional at Epcot
Academy award-winning actress Mira Sorvino returns to Walt Disney World Resort Nov. 25-27, 2011, to kick off Candlelight Processional, the enormously popular Disney holiday celebration that will continue nightly through Dec. 30, 2011, at Epcot.
Sorvino is among a dozen celebrities, ranging from contemporary Christian and country music artists to a soap opera legend and award-winning actor, who will take the stage for the joyous retelling of the Christmas story. They join a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir at Epcot America Gardens Theatre for performances at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. most nights. The lineup (artists subject to change):
Nov. 25-27: Mira Sorvino
Nov. 28-Dec. 1: Michael W. Smith
Dec. 2-3: Geena Davis
Dec. 4-6: Edward James Olmos (guest shows at 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. only)
Dec. 7-9: Isabella Rossellini
Dec. 10-12: Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 13-15: Lorraine Bracco
Dec. 16-18: Chita Rivera
Dec. 19-21: Trace Adkins
Dec. 22-24: Susan Lucci
Dec. 25-27: Blair Underwood
Dec. 28-30: Marlee Matlin
For a guaranteed seat to Candlelight Processional, guests can purchase a special dining package (on select nights) by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Candlelight information online is at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/candlelight-processional/
Related articles
- Geena Davis to replace Whoopi Goldberg at Epcot’s Candlelight Processional (chipandco.com)
- News & Events coming to Disney World in November / December 2011 (chipandco.com)
MLS Cup Runner Up Houston Dynamo to Lead Strong Disney Pro Soccer Classic Field
Houston, Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact, FC Dallas and Sweden’s B.K. Hacken join field that also includes Sporting KC and Orlando City Soccer; Event to feature newest MLS franchise Montreal Impact; Sporting KC and Houston Dynamo to clash in MLS East title game rematch
The Houston Dynamo, which reached the MLS Cup championship game Sunday, is among the six teams that will round out the Disney Pro Soccer Classic field at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in February 2012.
Houston joins Toronto FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Montreal Impact, FC Dallas and Sweden’s B.K. Hacken in the eight-team field that also includes Orlando City Soccer and Sporting KC. In all, the 2012 field boasts six MLS squads – twice as many as a year ago.
‘This is unquestionably the best Disney Pro Soccer Classic field we’ve had so far. This will be a rare opportunity for fans to see so many marquee pro soccer teams in one place and experience the game in an intimate, family-friendly atmosphere.’
— Patrick Dicks, Disney sports manager
The Houston Dynamo has played in three MLS Cup title games in the last six years and had gone undefeated in its last nine games leading up to the title. The Dynamo return to Disney for the third straight year and will open the tournament on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m., against Sporting KC in an MLS Eastern Conference final rematch, followed by Montreal Impact versus Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 8 p.m.
Orlando City Soccer is the reigning USL Champion, but will have stiff competition from the MLS teams. Defending Disney Pro Soccer Classic Champion FC Dallas, led by star Brek Shea, is back at Disney after reaching the MLS playoffs this season. And Toronto FC will be playing for the third straight year at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which is the team’s official pre-season home.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which joined MLS in 2009, and Sweden’s B.K. Hacken will be making their Disney Pro Soccer Classic debuts.
The Classic begins with a week of pool play Feb. 24-March 1, followed by the championship game March 3. The tournament will offer fans unique interaction with players, such as the Orlando City Soccer “Fan Fest” on Feb. 25 when fans can meet players and pose for photos with the team’s trophies.
Single session tickets for the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, which include entry into two games, go on sale for $15.50 Dec. 1 through Ticketmaster (800/745-3000 and ticketmaster.com) and at the sports complex box office. All-tournament passes are $69.
Travel packages are available now for domestic MLS fans through AnthonyTravel.com and for Canadian MLS fans through Merit Travel. The packages may include accommodations near Walt Disney World Resort and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, game tickets, ground transportation, discounted Disney theme park tickets, VIP access to player and coach meet-and-greets, etc.
2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic Schedule
| Date | Home | Away | Time | Pool |
| Feb. 24 | Sporting KC | Houston Dynamo | 6 p.m. | 1 |
| Feb. 24 | Montreal Impact | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 8 p.m. | 1 |
| Feb. 25 | Orlando City Soccer | Toronto FC | 6 p.m. | 2 |
| Feb. 25 | B.K. Hacken | FC Dallas | 8 p.m. | 2 |
| Feb. 26 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Houston Dynamo | 1 p.m. | 1 |
| Feb. 26 | Sporting KC | Montreal Impact | 3 p.m. | 1 |
| Feb. 28 | Toronto FC | B.K. Hacken | 6 p.m. | 2 |
| Feb. 28 | Orlando City Soccer | FC Dallas | 8 p.m. | 2 |
| Feb. 29 | Sporting KC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 6 p.m. | 1 |
| Feb. 29 | Houston Dynamo | Montreal Impact | 8 p.m. | 1 |
| March 1 | Toronto FC | FC Dallas | 6 p.m. | 2 |
| March 1 | Orlando City Soccer | B.K. Hacken | 8 p.m. | 2 |
| March 3 | TBD | TBD | 6 p.m. | Consolation Game |
| March 3 | TBD | TBD | 8 p.m. | Championship Game |
All Eight Teams Confirmed for 2012 Old Spice Classic at Disney
Pre-season tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex includes Vanderbilt and Gonzaga
The eight-team field for the 2012 Old Spice Classic will feature Vanderbilt and Gonzaga, both preseason top 25 teams, along with Clemson, Davidson, Marist, Oklahoma, UTEP and West Virginia. The event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Nov. 22, 23 & 25, at the HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla.
Tournament Field
- Gonzaga is ranked No. 19 and Vanderbilt is ranked No. 22 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
- Gonzaga and West Virginia advanced to the third round of the NCAA Championship, while Clemson and Vanderbilt second round participants
- UTEP earned an National Invitation Tournament (NIT) berth and Davidson competed in the Championship Basketball Invitation (CBI)
Tournament Information
The 2012 Old Spice Classic, a bracket-format tournament, will feature 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 a championship match Sunday, Nov. 25.
Sponsors include Old Spice, ESPNU and ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) will serve as the event’s sponsoring conference for the seventh straight year.
Notre Dame captured the 2010 Old Spice Classic title, while Florida State won the 2009 Classic. Previous winners include Gonzaga in 2008, North Carolina State in 2007 and Arkansas in 2006.
The Old Spice Classic is owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN.
Travel Information
The family-friendly tournament is a weekend-long affair at the Walt Disney World Resort where participating teams practice, play and enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks. Fans can purchase official hotel accommodations and game tickets by going to http://www.anthonytravel.com/espn/old-spice-classic or by calling 888-632-6951. Additional information can be found on the Old Spice Classic Web site at www.oldspiceclassic.com.
Related articles
- Sixth Annual Old Spice Classic Continues Holiday Hoops Tradition at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (chipandco.com)
- Amateur Sports Get National Broadcast Exposure in November at ESPN Wide World of Sports (chipandco.com)
Fun facts about Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort
Miles of garland, ribbon, twinkling lights and glitter transform Walt Disney World Resort into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Here’s a sample of what guests will experience throughout the Vacation Kingdom:
- 1,300 decorated trees throughout property
- A wreath 25 feet in diameter adorning the Cirque du Soleil building at Downtown Disney West Side
- 10 miles of twinkling rope lights in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- 150 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations for 24 resorts, 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney and other locations
- 15 miles of garland strung and 1,314 wreaths hung throughout the Vacation Kingdom
- 300,000 yards of ribbon and bows draping over Christmas trees across property
- 8.5 million lights strung throughout Walt Disney World Resort
- 100 percent of the lighting used for holiday décor is LED
- 11 countries dressed for Holidays Around the World at Epcot World Showcase
- More than 800 performers each night during Candlelight Processional at Epcot
- More than 200 guest choirs during the entire run of Candlelight Processional
- A Christmas tree in Magic Kingdom with a base 25 feet wide
- One 70-foot-tall tree takes center stage in Disney’s Contemporary Resort entrance lobby featuring nearly 35,800 white LED lights
- 6 life-sized creations cooked up by Walt Disney World pastry chefs, including:
- One 16-foot-tall gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa baked with 1,050 pounds of honey and involving more than 160 hours of decorating
- One life-size gingerbread carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort featuring ponies made of chocolate and fondant, giant candy cane poles, handcrafted poinsettias and hand-painted portraits of famous Disney characters
- 100 percent chance of snow flurries during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, taking place on select holiday evenings in Magic Kingdom
- 365 days of the year that guests can shop for holiday merchandise at the Disney’s Days of Christmas shop in Downtown Disney Marketplace
Related articles
- Coming to Disney Spring 2012 (chipandco.com)
- 2011 Event Details: Christmas at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
