1. A Tribute to Earl the Squirrel
The star of the show this week was the opening of the 2021 Holiday Tribute Store in Universal Studios Florida. This Tribute Store is only the second of its kind, and while this year represents the same general theming: Santa, Earl the Squirrel, The Grinch, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this year’s store is a distinct step up from its inaugural version. Come through the Tribute Store to peek into Santa’s Workshop, explore Earl’s Christmas Curios Museum & Emporium, ascend the top of Mt. Crumpit, and attend the Yule Ball.
Read full details of the store and all its offerings in our guide page here.
2. Under the Mistletoe…Pines
In addition to the Tribute Store, a few new holiday elements across Universal Orlando Resort have popped up. Most notable of these is Mistletoe Pines Village in CityWalk. This pop-up walkway features exclusive food and beverage items that are as charming as the venue from which it’s served. Guests staying at Universal Orlando Resort hotels are also in luck — all the hotels have their holiday decor up and ready to get people in the spirit of the season.
You can enjoy the Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort until January 2, 2022.
3. Velvet Unplugged Returns to Universal Orlando Resort
The intimate performances held in the lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel are officially back. Guests are welcome to enjoy the show in standing room only or purchase tickets for cafe-style tables of up to four people. Over the years, the Hard Rock has welcomed both well-established and up-and-coming guests to entertain in their lobby for guests to enjoy. Seth Glier will perform on November 19, and Carl Dixon will perform on December 17.
Get tickets for Seth Glier here, and tickets for Carl Dixon here.
4. All Celebrity Narrators Announced for EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional
All the celebrity narrators at EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional have been announced. Auli’i Cravalho (Moana), Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid), Chita Rivera (West Side Story), Alton Fitzgerald White (Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway), and Pat Sajak (Wheel of Fortune) are just some of the guest hosts that will guide visitors through the story of Christmas through song and dance. EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional will take place nightly beginning November 26 and concluding December 30, 2021.
See a full list of celebrity narrators here.
5. Disney Plus Day
November 12 was the premier of Disney Plus Day. This brand-awareness holiday celebrates the second anniversary of the streaming service. To commemorate the milestone, Disney+ released new and exclusive titles, including films such as Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, Jungle Cruise, and Home Sweet Home Alone in addition to specials like Olaf Presents, a series of shorts where Olaf, the lovable snowman from Frozen, briefly and hilariously retells the plot of beloved Disney films. Disney+ also IMAX-enhanced a number of Marvel movies, including Iron Man, Black Panther, and Avengers: Endgame.
6. SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
To round out this recap of festivities, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is also going on now through January 2, 2022. A number of new and old favorites alike are elements of this seasonal celebration. Some of our favorite returning things? The character meet-n-greet with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Sesame Street Christmas Parade. A new favorite is sure to be the concert series, “Sounds of the Season,” which takes place on select nights at the Nautilus Theater.
Check out our guide page here for the inside scoop on SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.
That’s it for this week’s news. See you at the parks!
