With Halloween Time coming up at the Disneyland Resort, spooky preparations are taking place all around Disneyland park. A guest favorite each year is Haunted Mansion Holiday. Soon Jack Skellington and co. will take over the Haunted Mansion, complete with a new Gingerbread House. As we get ready for the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday, here are some fun facts you might not know:

• More than 400 flickering candles and 100 Jack-O-Lanterns create a ghostly glow on the façade of the Haunted Mansion.
• Jack’s faithful dog Zero gathered more than 200 bones to use as décor, garland, and presents.
• More than two dozen additional animated figures “materialize” inside the Haunted Mansion during Haunted Mansion Holiday.
• Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of the original Madame Leota, makes a special spirited performance as the Haunted Mansion’s favorite psychic during Haunted Mansion Holiday. Leota Toombs, Disney Legend and long-time Imagineer, gave life to the head that for decades has floated inside the Haunted Mansion’s Crystal Ball in the Séance Room.
• Every year, a new ghoulish concept is created and Resort Foods bakes up a brand new Gingerbread House for the celebration scene in the Mansion’s Grand Hall.

Things You Might Not Know About Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

When it comes to visiting the Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season, it’s never too early to start planning. That’s especially true in the case of Epcot’s Candlelight Processional, an amazing holiday musical spectacle that features the talents of three choirs, a live orchestra and a celebrity guest narrator that can put anyone in the holiday spirit.

The show is included with park admission, however one of the easiest ways to ensure a seamless Candlelight Processional experience during the busy holiday season is to buy a Candlelight Processional lunch or dinner package. The packages, which are now on sale, include lunch or dinner at an Epcot restaurant, as well as reserved seating at the show and viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in a special fireworks viewing area.

Like many guests, my family and I have made Candlelight Processional package a regular holiday tradition. Last year it was dinner at Italy Pavilion’s Tutto Italia Ristorante. This year, I’m thinking a meal at Via Napoli, followed by a show narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. Which narrator would you choose?

Schedule & Narrators (subject to change without notice):

• 11/25–11/27 – Mira Sorvino
• 11/28–12/01 – Michael W. Smith
• 12/02–12/03 – Whoopi Goldberg
• 12/04–12/06 – To be announced
• 12/07–12/09 – Isabella Rossellini
• 12/10–12/12 – Neil Patrick Harris
• 12/13–12/15 – To be announced
• 12/16–12/18 – To be announced
• 12/19–12/21 – Trace Adkins
• 12/22–12/24 – Susan Lucci
• 12/25–12/27 – Blair Underwood
• 12/28–12/30 – Marlee Matlin

Book Epcot Candlelight Processional Packages Today by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Imagine coming back to your room to discover that Mickey and Minnie have created a holiday In-Room Celebration prepared just for you and your loved ones. This personalized over-the-top celebration is called “Dreaming of a Disney Christmas.” It’s full of so many gifts and surprises and it makes you feel like all of Disney has stopped to create a warm welcome just for you.

But Mickey and Minnie didn’t stop there. While there may be Christmas trees in the parks, now you can have Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Tree delivered to your Walt Disney World Resort room (or we can even ship it to your house). With your family’s name in several spots, you’ll feel like this personalized tree was made for you!

And if you’re looking for something special to place under the tree, we have all sorts of gifts to choose from that can help you give the gift of a memory. Some of them can even be shipped home, but I’ll save that for another post real soon. Just remember, it’s the memories made from these gifts that make your holiday special. So let us join you this season, whether here at Walt Disney World or back at home. We’d be tickled to help you give the gift of a memory. Call 407-WDW-GIFT or visit Disneyflorist.com.

Imagine coming back to your room to discover that Mickey and Minnie have created a holiday In-Room Celebration prepared just for you and your loved ones. This personalized over-the-top celebration is called “Dreaming of a Disney Christmas.” It’s full of so many gifts and surprises and it makes you feel like all of Disney has stopped to create a warm welcome just for you.

But Mickey and Minnie didn’t stop there. While there may be Christmas trees in the parks, now you can have Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Tree delivered to your Walt Disney World Resort room (or we can even ship it to your house). With your family’s name in several spots, you’ll feel like this personalized tree was made for you!

And if you’re looking for something special to place under the tree, we have all sorts of gifts to choose from that can help you give the gift of a memory. Some of them can even be shipped home, but I’ll save that for another post real soon. Just remember, it’s the memories made from these gifts that make your holiday special. So let us join you this season, whether here at Walt Disney World or back at home. We’d be tickled to help you give the gift of a memory. Call 407-WDW-GIFT or visit Disneyflorist.com.

Here’s something you may have missed over the Thanksgiving weekend. Actor Brian Austin Green and his wife, actress/model Megan Fox, dropped by and spent a part of their holiday at the Walt Disney World Resort. We caught up with the couple as they stopped to snap a photo in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park.

Who else was in the parks over the Thanksgiving holiday?

Did you spend your Thanksgiving at Disney Parks? Let us know how in the comments.

Top 5: Thanksgiving at Disney Parks

1. A Disney Family Thanksgiving Feast – Love to eat but want to skip the cooking and cleaning? Find out how to spend your next Thanksgiving with some of our favorite characters at Disneyland Resort.
2. Thanksgiving Day Parade at Disneyland Park – Take a look back at last year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at Disneyland Park.
3. Unique Centerpieces Created by Disney Parks Florist – Disney Parks floral experts show you four holiday centerpieces you can create at home.
4. A Memorable Feast With All the Trimmings at Disney’s Vero Beach – Thanksgiving brunch at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is an annual tradition for many locals, and includes turkey and stuffing as well as chilled seafood like snow crab, poached salmon, peel-and-eat shrimp and mussels.
5. The Blessing of the Four Directions at Walt Disney World – Have you seen the Blessing of the Four Directions performed in the lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge? Check it out in this video.

So this year to fill any holiday voids, I’m decorating with the magic of Disney with ornaments, stockings, and more. Whether you’re looking to decorate in traditional holiday hues or a modern, more contemporary palette, Disney has created colorful collections to fill your home with festival charm.

If you’re looking to decorate in simplistic style, Disney’s Victorian Collection is sure to delight – we’ve enhanced the classic, sophisticated Victorian style with soft and creamy colorful shades, added punches of burgundy along with new jeweled textured fabrics and velvety ornaments.

Or maybe you’re looking for a fresh new holiday approach? Look no further than Disney’s Bohemian Holiday Collection. Be inspired this season with glistening jewel tones and silky, ethnic textiles that have been embellished with beads, tassels and glitter. Disney’s Bohemian collection is sure to make the holidays bright!

And the best part about the festive décor that I shared with you? It’s all available online at DisneyParks.com/Store. And with Cyber Monday just around the corner, you can get the items above and so much more on sale. This Cyber Monday, we are offering 10 percent off a $50 purchase, 15 percent off a $75 purchase, 20 percent off a $100 purchase, and 25 percent off a $125 purchase or more. Plus when you shop online Monday, November 29, you get free shipping on your entire order.

So this year to fill any holiday voids, I’m decorating with the magic of Disney with ornaments, stockings, and more. Whether you’re looking to decorate in traditional holiday hues or a modern, more contemporary palette, Disney has created colorful collections to fill your home with festival charm.

If you’re looking to decorate in simplistic style, Disney’s Victorian Collection is sure to delight – we’ve enhanced the classic, sophisticated Victorian style with soft and creamy colorful shades, added punches of burgundy along with new jeweled textured fabrics and velvety ornaments.

Or maybe you’re looking for a fresh new holiday approach? Look no further than Disney’s Bohemian Holiday Collection. Be inspired this season with glistening jewel tones and silky, ethnic textiles that have been embellished with beads, tassels and glitter. Disney’s Bohemian collection is sure to make the holidays bright!

And the best part about the festive décor that I shared with you? It’s all available online at DisneyParks.com/Store. And with Cyber Monday just around the corner, you can get the items above and so much more on sale. This Cyber Monday, we are offering 10 percent off a $50 purchase, 15 percent off a $75 purchase, 20 percent off a $100 purchase, and 25 percent off a $125 purchase or more. Plus when you shop online Monday, November 29, you get free shipping on your entire order.

Many Disney Parks Blog readers will be unplugging on Thursday to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family at home (or in the parks). And our blog team will be doing the same. So, we wanted to let you know that publishing will be lighter than normal during the next few days. But be sure to check back beginning Friday for an early look at some Cyber Monday deals, a special post from Disney Cruise Line and a Thanksgiving edition of “Take 5.”

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

As Thanksgiving Day nears, chances are you’ve got turkey on your mind. We do, and we’ve found some interesting facts to share before you enjoy your big turkey meal. It’s estimated that guests consume more than 1.6 million turkey drumsticks every year at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort – that’s 2.5 million pounds of turkey. So, how much of the total are you responsible for?