The Holiday season is upon us as we visit two parks in this week’s Dateline Disney World photo update. But first, a bit of Disney Springs news.

Disney Springs is ready to celebrate the Holiday season in style! Several fan favorites are back along with some special new events. Every evening at 6pm, the Marketplace Christmas tree will be illuminated in a special tree lighting ceremony. Be on the look out for toy solider stilt walkers and life sized toys.

Disney Springs Christmas Tree trail is a new addition this Holiday season. The Marketplace plays host to fifteen different Christmas trees, each focusing on a favorite Disney Character or Movie Moment. You’ll discover a light dusting of  “ snow” and enjoy beloved Christmas songs. Don’t miss Santa! He’s taken up residence in Santa’s Chalet. Plan on visiting early, but no matter when you stop by you can pick up a pager that’ll hold your place in the queue.

A couple special events at Disney Springs  this upcoming weekend. On Nov.  18, Once Upon a Toy will be hosting Game Night with Disney Design Group artist Quynh Kimball from 7 to 9pm. “Disney Theme Park Edition III Monopoly” and” Pirates of the Caribbean Battleship” are just a couple of the board games Quynh helped design.

On Nov. 18-19, The Art of Disney will feature an Artist Showcase with David Buckley, Will Gay, Joe Kaminski, and Darren Wilson.  They are scheduled to meet Guests from 6 to 9pm both days.

Now, off to Disney Hollywood Studios for some Christmas cheer . . .

The Christmas tree is outside the Studios.
The Christmas tree is outside the Studios.

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Disney Hollywood Studios Christmas
Welcome to the park!
Cute trees on the light posts.
Cute trees on the light posts.
Filming took place this weekend for the Disney Holiday Special show.
Filming took place this weekend for The Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Celebration.

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The stars are out on Sunset Blvd.
The stars are out on Sunset Blvd.

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More filming in the courtyard near Brown Derby.
More filming in the courtyard near Brown Derby.
A Moana preview is now happening in the One Man's Dream theater.
A Moana preview is now happening in the One Man’s Dream theater.

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Bleecker Street...hmm...
Bleecker Street…hmm…
New giant trees have been planted at the end of Pixar Place to draw attention away from Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land construction.
New giant trees have been planted at the end of Pixar Place to draw attention away from Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land construction.

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Back to that Bleecker Street thing. That is the address of the Sanctum Santorum, home of Doctor Strange.
Back to that Bleecker Street thing. That is the address of the Sanctum Santorum, home of Doctor Strange.
There is a Daily Bugle newspaper dispenser. This is very interesting given Universal's Marvel presence in their park.
There is a Daily Bugle newspaper dispenser. This is very interesting given Universal’s Marvel presence in their park.; however, the contract stipulates  CHARACTERS can’t be used…do you see any characters around?
There are no mentions of Marvel, and this meet and greet area is not mentioned or advertised on guidebook or the My Disney Experience app.
There are no mentions of Marvel, and this meet and greet area is not mentioned or advertised on guidebook or the My Disney Experience app.
More references to the good Doctor.
More references to the good Doctor.
Sadly, as it wasn't announced on the app or guidebooks, I stood around for a while only to find out that Doctor Strange doesn't work on Sunday.
Sadly, as it wasn’t announced on the app or guidebooks, I stood around for a while only to find out that Doctor Strange doesn’t work on Sunday.

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Only another month until Rogue One!
Only another month until Rogue One!
The Piggy statue by Muppet Vision is now...
The Piggy statue by Muppet Vision is now…
...a planter. Rumor has it this is only temporary as piping gets changed out for construction. If not, well, water features don't last forever.
…a planter. Rumor has it this is only temporary as piping gets changed out for construction.
Pizzerizzo opens this Friday!
Pizzerizzo opens this Friday!

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Current view of where Streets of America used to be.
Current view of where Streets of America used to be.

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Star Wars is coming.
Star Wars is coming.

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Off to the next park!
Off to the next park!

 

The holidays are off to a roaring start at Animal Kingdom as well . . .

Animal Kingdom's tree is out front once again.
Animal Kingdom’s tree is out front once again.
Holiday decor is up at the entrance.
Holiday decor is up at the entrance.

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A few Pandora views. Not much different to see here.
A few Pandora views. Not much different to see here.
Disney is working towards a Spring 2017 opening, but we should find out more at Destination D this weekend, which has a large event for Avatar featuring Joe Rohde and James Cameron.
Disney is working towards a Spring 2017 opening, but we should find out more at Destination D this weekend, which has a large event for Avatar featuring Joe Rohde and James Cameron.

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Some more views of Pandora.
Some more views of Pandora.

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The Harambe decorations are awesome.
The Harambe decorations are awesome.

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Kangaroos!
Kangaroos!

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The pathway behind the Tree of Life is open once again, and is a great alternative to the pathway between Africa and Asia.
The pathway behind the Tree of Life is open once again, and is a great alternative to the pathway between Africa and Asia.
It offers some breathtaking views of the Tree of Life.
It offers some breathtaking views of the Tree of Life.

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Holiday decor in Dinoland.
Holiday decor in Dinoland.
Dinosaur is still closed. Some sources have suggested that the refurbishment is done, yet Disney is keeping the ride closed to allocate resources to both Rivers of Light and Pandora. Who knows!
Dinosaur is still closed. Some sources have suggested that the refurbishment is done, yet Disney is keeping the ride closed to allocate resources to both Rivers of Light and Pandora. Who knows!

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The Rivers of Light area sure is beautiful.
The Rivers of Light area sure is beautiful.

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We'll end this week with a supermoon over Everest.
We’ll end this week with a supermoon over Everest.
Could be worse.
Could be worse.

Well, that does it for this week. What do you all think? Are you planning a visit to see the new offerings? Excited to hear more about Avatar? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.