Your 2012 Fall and Holiday Guide to (Almost) Everything Disney
(UPDATED: Nov. 11)
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect at Disneyland and Disney World from September to December, as well as other major Disney events. This list will be continually updated as new dates are set and announcements are made, so keep checking back.
FALL: The new Splitsville luxury bowling and dinner lounge at Downtown Disney in Disney World opens, featuring 30 bowling lanes as well as outdoor seating and billiards tables.
FALL: Shanghai, China, opens its first ever Disney Store.
FALL: The Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World opens a new savannah where the “Little Red” elephant was located.
SEPTEMBER 1: The “Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality,” opens in Downtown Disney in Disney World. Guests will be able to interact with Phineas and Ferb, Agent P or Dr. Doofenshmirtz.
SEPTEMBER 1-2: The Disneyland Half Marathon weekend. This 13.1-mile course winds through Anaheim, Calif., and the Disneyland Resort.
SEPTEMBER 1-3: The Great Irish Hooley Labor Day Weekend at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney in Disney World.
SEPTEMBER 3: This is the last performance of “The Magic, The Memories and You!” projection show at Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. A new show will debut in November.
SEPTEMBER 4: “Hocus Pocus” released on Blu-ray.
SEPTEMBER 4-DECEMBER 7: Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 4-NOVEMBER 15: Storybook Land Canal Boats in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 4-NOVEMBER 15: Casey Jr. Circus Train in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 5: International Vulture Day celebrated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
SEPTEMBER 5: Toy Storia Mania at Disney’s California Adventure closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 7: Night of Joy weekend at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The contemporary Christian music festival takes place with a special ticket from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Performing is NEEDTOBREATHE, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, Red, Brandon Heath, Disciple and Royal Tailor
SEPTEMBER 7-OCTOBER 31: Tokyo DisneySea hosts a Venetian carnival-style show called “A Halloween Daydream” featuring Disney characters joined by skeletons.
SEPTEMBER 10-13: Big Thunder Ranch and Space Mountain in Disneyland closed for refurbishment and MuppetVision 3D in Disney’s California Adventure closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 10-14: Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure in Disney World is closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 11: “Ghosts of the Abyss” released on Blu-ray.
SEPTEMBER 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, and 30: Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes fireworks and other surprises.
SEPTEMBER 13: Disneyland Haunted Mansion re-opens.
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| © Steven Liebman A skeleton band in Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade. |
SEPTEMBER 14-18: London Fashion Week takes place where Minnie Mouse fashion is unveiled.
SEPTEMBER 14-OCTOBER 31: It’s Halloween Time at Disneyland in California with special Haunted Mansion Holiday, special ghost encounters at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain turns into Ghost Galaxy and special trick-or-treat Mickey’s Halloween Party on select nights.
SEPTEMBER 15: The Little Mermaid section of Disney’s Art of Animation resort opens. This is the final section of the resort.
SEPTEMBER 17: The Segway tour returns to Epcot.
SEPTEMBER 17-18: Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 18: “Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3” released on DVD and Blu-ray, and “The Great Mouse Detective” released on Blu-ray and Movie Download.
SEPTEMBER 18-19: The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom is closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 18-20: Sailing Ship Columbia in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 25: “The Avengers” released on Blu-ray, DVD and Movie Download.
SEPTEMBER 25-28: Mark Twain Riverboat in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
SEPTEMBER 26: Epic Mickey 2 European release for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
SEPTEMBER 26: Elephant Awareness Day celebrated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
SEPTEMBER28-30: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend. The newly created 10-mile race takes place in and around Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The weekend includes the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash, kids’ races and a family fun run 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
SEPTEMBER 28-30: Night Ranger performs at the “Eat the Beat” concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World. And “Design Star” Season 7 Winner Danielle Colding will appear.
OCTOBER 1: Epcot celebrates its 30th anniversary.
OCTOBER 1: Bistro de Paris in the France Pavilion in Epcot is expected to reopen from refurbishment.
OCTOBER 2: “Cinderella” Diamond Edition on DVD and BLU RAY is released.
OCTOBER 5-7: Casey Noble of “Design on a Dime” appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
OCTOBER 8-18: Starcade in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
OCTOBER 8 – NOVEMBER 16: The Studio Backlot and American Film Institute at Hollywood Studios are closed for refurbishment.
OCTOBER 12-13: The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hosts its own Food & Wine Classic.
OCTOBER 13: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
OCTOBER 14: Disney Channel star Caroline Sunshine is on at for the 22nd Annual CHOC Walk in the Park at the Disneyland Resort. She will take walkers in supports of Children’s Hospital of Orange County around Disney’s California Adventure. More information is available at www.chocwalk.org.
released on DVD; The Santa Claus 2,” “The Santa Claus 3-Movie Collection” and
“The Santa Claus: Special Edition” all released only on Blu-ray.
OCTOBER 17: Country Bear Jamboree is expected to re-open after refurbishment.
OCTOBER 18-19: Gin Blossoms perform at the “Eat the Beat” concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
OCTOBER 18 -25: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is closed for refurbishment.
OCTOBER 19-21: Brian Patrick Flynn – HGTV.com, “Design Happens” contributor appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
OCTOBER 20: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
OCTOBER 22-NOVEMBER 8: “it’s a small world” in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.
OCTOBER 23: “Secret of the Wings,” the latest Disney Fairies adventure, will be available to own on Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack and Digital
OCTOBER 23: Downtown Disney at Disneyland opens an ice skating rink that brings you straight into the world of Tinker Bell. The rink will be between the AMC12 Theaters and the ESPN Zone for a limited time.
OCTOBER 24-25: The Boneyard at The Animal Kingdom in Disney World is closed for refurbishment.
OCTOBER 27: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
OCTOBER 28-JANUARY 5, 2013: Typhon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment.
OCTOBER 31: Bat Day celebrated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
OCTOBER 31: Disneyland will celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland during Halloween Time.
NOVEMBER: A new nighttime projection show on the Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World begins. A specific date has not yet been announced.
NOVEMBER 1-8: Big Thunder Ranch closed for refurbishment.
NOVEMBER 2: Walt Disney Studios movie “Wreck-It Ralph” is released. Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the “good guy” star of their video game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he’s tired of playing the role of a bad guy. Before the movie, Disney’s new short “Paperman” will also debut.
NOVEMBER 2-4: Marianne Canada of HGTV.com, “Design Happens” contributor appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
NOVEMBER 3: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
NOVEMBER 5: Space Mountain closed for refurbishment.
NOVEMBER 9-12: Emily Henderson of HGTV’s “Secrets From a Stylist” appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.
NOVEMBER 9- JANUARY 4: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights takes place on the Streets of America at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.
NOVEMBER 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with the enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa and special shows.
NOVEMBER 13: “Brave” and “Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 2” released on DVD, Blu-Ray and Movie Download.
NOVEMBER 14: The windows outside Barneys New York on Madison Avenue will be unveiled to show the 2012 Electric Holiday campaign. Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino is creating an original score for the display, the released stated.
NOVEMBER18: “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is released.
NOVEMBER 19: The New Fantasyland rides open: Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, The Be Our Guest Restaurant and Enchanted Tales with Belle.
NOVEMBER 22-25: The Old Spice Classic at the ESPN World of Sports in Walt Disney World with eight basketball teams and 12 games.
NOVEMBER 23-25: The Junior Soccer Showcase takes place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World. The FYSA-sanctioned tournament offers younger age groups the chance to experience the same great national competition as their older counterparts in the original Disney’s Soccer Showcase in December.
NOVEMBER 23- DECEMBER 30: Holidays Around the World – Candlelight Processional at Epcot in Walt Disney World. Epcot features Yuletide traditions, decorations and entertainment. The Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story with celebrity narrators accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir.
NOVEMBER 23-25: Candlelight narrator is Geena Davis.
NOVEMBER 26-29: Candlelight narrator is Neil Patrick Harris
NOVEMBER 30- DECEMBER 1: Candlelight narrator is Whoopi Goldberg
DECEMBER 1-20: The Candlelight Processional and Ceremony at Disneyland starts.
DECEMBER 1-8: The annual Pop Warner Super Bowl and Pop Warner Cheer and Dance Championships takes place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
DECEMBER 2-4: Candlelight narrator is Andy Garcia.
DECEMBER 4: “Finding Nemo” Ultimate Collector’s Edition comes out on DVD and Blu-ray.
DECEMBER 5-7: Candlelight narrator is Blair Underwood.
DECEMBER 6: The grand opening of the New Fantasyland takes place.
DECEMBER 6: Test Track in Epcot is tentatively scheduled to reopen after refurbishment.
DECEMBER 8-9: Candlelight narrator is James Denton.
DECEMBER 17-19: Candlelight narrator still to be announced.
DECEMBER 26-28: Candlelight narrator is Amy Grant.
DECEMBER 27-JANUARY 3: Disney’s Soccer Showcase takes place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This is the ultimate place for top clubs to be seen by hundreds of college coaches looking for great soccer talent.
DECEMBER 29-30: Candlelight narrator is Marlee Matlin/Jack Jason
DECEMBER 31: New Year’s Eve Part at DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World.
Here’s a sampling of what will be happening in the Disney Universe. The Ultimate 2013 Disney Universe Guide will be unveiled October 1 to help you plan your upcoming trips.
DURING THE YEAR: Tokyo Disney will update its Star Tours ride. Free Wi-Fi will be rolled out to all Disney World parks.
MID-2013: Expansion of the Aulani Disney Resort should be complete.
JANUARY 1: Disney World cuts back its Extra Magic Hours in the evening from 3
hours to 2 hours.
JANUARY 2-MARCH 19: Splash Mountain is closed for refurbishment.
JANUARY-APRIL: More than 500 items from the Walt Disney Archives continues to be on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
FEBRUARY 22. 24: Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World.
MAY 4: Expedition Everest Challenge 5K run.
AUGUST 9-11: The third D23 EXPO is held at the Anaheim Convention Center.
SUMMER: Phineas and Ferb assemble with The Avengers and Spider-Man in a TV special.
LATE SUMMER: The California Grill re-opens.
LATE FALL: B Hotels & Resorts will open a new resort in the Downtown Disney.
