Disney Does the Holidays – By the Numbers

Each year as the Christmas Season approaches, Santa's elves spread out across the Walt Disney World Resort. From late summer, they are busy dressing up the theme parks, hotels and shopping areas to be ready to entertain and dazzle the millions of guests that will join them for their holiday celebrations. You won't believe the numbers the Walt Disney World Resort adds up while they prepare for this joyous time of year. All four theme parks are decorated to the hilt for the holiday season. The Disney hotels, water parks and other attractions don't disappoint either as they dress to impress all of the special holiday guests that will pass through this month. During this great time of preparation, they rack up some impressive numbers. Imagine this:

There are a total of 1,500 trees decorated in various ways across the Walt Disney World Resort property. This includes one tree at Disney's Contemporary Resort that has a 26' wide base and a 45' tall tree at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort that displays 60,000 miniature LED lights.

And speaking of lights, there are 8 million of them glistening throughout the resort's theme parks, hotels and attractions. Six miles of them are at the Disney-MGM Studios as part of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Along with the tremendous mileage of lights, the Walt Disney World Resort strings 15 miles of garland to boost the holiday spirit. On the trees decorated around the resort, you will find over 300,000 yards of ribbon and bows. Add to that more than 800 entertainers including singers, dancers, storytellers, musicians and characters, and you have a Walt Disney World Christmas.

When it comes to numbers, DWTickets.com wants to be number one on your holiday celebration list, so we are here to give you the best discounts on Walt Disney World tickets. Visit DWTickets.com for all of your Christmas ticket needs, and you can be sure you are getting the cheapest theme park tickets and best deals to be found anywhere.

Spaceship Earth Updates on the Way

The icon of Epcot is getting a makeover just in time for the park's 25-year anniversary. A few weeks ago, we told you that this futuristic theme park at Walt Disney World was turning 25. And no matter how old you are, DWTickets.com is your best source for cheap tickets to come on down and celebrate this quarter-century milestone.

Spaceship Earth has always been the focal point for the second Walt Disney World Theme Park and is a huge favorite for many of the park's guests. What Epcot visitor doesn't have a vacation photo in front of the big golf ball? One complaint of late, however, was that the ride had become outdated, perhaps even boring. Not wanting to be left behind - it is supposed to be a futuristic journey after all - Disney recently announced that their imagineers will soon present EPCOT guests with a "re-imagined" Spaceship Earth.

The premise of the ride has always been an historical travel through time. It takes you on a visual journey through the history of the world, from the beginning of time to the farthest edges of the future. The rehab will enhance each guest's trip with new scenes, light effects, refreshed costumes and sets, and brand new narrative and music. The "time machines" that transport guests throughout their adventure will be equipped with touch screens that allow riders to join in and create their own vision for the future.

The new Spaceship Earth has been made possible by a partnership between Disney and Siemens, a 150-year-old company specializing in electronics and electrical engineering. Both companies say the partnership is a great match because they are "committed to innovation." And that is what Epcot is all about! The Siemens' presence will also be displayed at the exit of Spaceship Earth with "Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow." an exhibit where guests can play and learn even more after they disembark from their journey through the past and future.

For those of you planning your vacation now, the new and improved Spaceship Earth Pavilion is expected to be fully open at EPCOT in Spring of 2008, but the new ride should be up and running in the next few weeks. DWTickets.com has the best deals on discount Walt Disney World admission packages, so order up now and be ready to experience the newest EPCOT attraction with it reopens next year!

Coming to Epcot!!

September 28th marks the kick off of the 12th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This year's line up of countries includes Morocco, South Africa, Greece, France, New Zealand, Scandinavia, and lots more. The Food and Wine Festival is a great opportunity to sample foods and beverages from places that you may never get the chance to venture to. Admission to the festival is included in your park admission. Food and wine tastings range from $1.00-$7.00.

For those of you looking for a more private affair, you can always opt for a specialty dining event. If the 2007 events are any bit as fun as they were last year, you are in for a treat! For an added cost guests can attend prestigious wine schools and tastings, multi-course dinners, chef school and more fun events. Disney will start accepting reservations at 7 a.m. on August 6th. These events are POPULAR so be sure to save your spot. Many events also require park admission. Buy your tickets at DWTickets.com and save now!

Star Wars Weekends at Disney MGM Studios

Buckle up and slide into your Star Speeder vehicles while Jedi knights and droids will join forces as Star Wars Weekends come back to Disney MGM Studios in June. Star Wars Weekends will begin this year on June 1, 2007 and run every weekend until June 24. Guests can come to MGM Studios theme park and take part in this special celebration every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Star Tours attraction at MGM will have special events taking place outside, with Mickey Mouse dressed up as a Jedi Knight outside the queue. Disney-MGM Studios admission is required to attend the event, and discount tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE!

Lucky children at the park will be randomly selected to participate in a Jedi Training Academy and learn the skillful art of lightsaber techniques. Besides many collectibles on display, there will also be autograph sessions, Star Wars trivia, and lots more. Star Wars Weekends is at Disney's MGM Studios every weekend during the month of June, so come down to the park and attend this amazing event with your family.

Shopping at MGM Studios

When going to Disney's MGM Studios, there are so many different places to see if you are looking to shop for some Disney-related merchandise. Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards in MGM Studios are two places that have some very interesting memorabilia. You have to check out the stores outside Aerosmith's Rock N Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror. They are right next door to each other, and have some really sweet looking t-shirts and jackets. I was even able to find a book of original music from Aerosmith to play guitar to. Click Here to get your MGM tickets at a discount and pass the savings along to your kids by getting them some cool merchandise at the Disney stores.

Other great shops at Disney's MGM Studios are Villains in Vogue where you can get Disney World villain apparel and gifts, as well as cool trinkets for your home. The Writer's Stop is a very unique book store at MGM, and Tatooine Traders has all the Star Wars collectibles and merchandise. When coming to Disney World, and especially MGM Studios, don't just go on the rides and buy food, but check out the retail stores too. I promise you there is something in there for everyone, and it is always interesting to browse around and see what they have going on.