The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration Airs November 30th 2017
A special edition of The Wonderful World of Disney will feature Sneak Peeks at new lands and new ways to start the Christmas Season:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Press Release
Merry holiday moments from Disney theme parks around the world and a star-studded cast of
entertainers will launch a “25 Days of Christmas” countdown when "The Wonderful World of
Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration" airs Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, from 9:00–11:00 p.m. EST
on The ABC Television Network.
The magical two-hour event will be hosted by Emmy® Award-winner Julianne Hough,
multiplatinum recording artist and television personality Nick Lachey, and sports star, broadcast correspondent and commentator Jesse Palmer. The show will give viewers a front-row seat to a Disney Christmas party like no other – a family holiday tradition brimming with colorful lights, snow flurries, memorable music and more. From the Cinderella Castle stage at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Hough and Lachey will perform a spectacular opening number named for the primetime special.
Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel will join fellow “Frozen” star Kristen Bell to perform
together for the first time on primetime television. The pair, who voiced the characters of Elsa
and Anna in the animated blockbuster, will perform in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at
Disneyland Park in California accompanied by a 30-voice choir. The two stars of stage and
screen will sing “When We’re Together” from the brand-new Walt Disney Animation Studios
featurette, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.”
The holiday special’s other unforgettable, wish-come-true moments will include an
extraordinary castle lighting extravaganza from Disney theme parks around the world –
traveling the globe from California and Florida to Paris, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
A Sneak Peek at New Star Wars- and Toy Story-Themed Lands
The force will be with all who tune in for a sneak peek at Disney’s new Star Wars-themed lands,
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opening at both Disneyland Park in California and Disney’s Hollywood
Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in 2019. The new lands promise adventure on a
galactic scale when guests steer the Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission in one
attraction and engage in a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance in
another.
From the edge of the galaxy “to infinity and beyond,” viewers will discover Andy’s world in the
new Toy Story Land to open next year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World
Resort in Florida. The new family-friendly Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and the Alien Swirling
Saucers attraction will join the original Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction to give Woody, Buzz
and Andy’s entire toy collection a backyard play land scaled to render park guests seemingly
toy-sized.
Musical performances in the primetime special will include:
• Ciara will perform a joyful Christmas medley, including “Jingle Bells” and “Jingle Bell Rock”
from a sparkling Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Grammy Award-winning country artist Darius Rucker will sing “Winter Wonderland.”
• Emmy-nominated actress and singer Lea Michele will be joined by special guest Joey
McIntyre to sing the classic holiday duet, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
• Multiplatinum-selling group Fifth Harmony will sing “Can You See,” from The Star
soundtrack, plus “The Christmas Song.”
• Fitz and the Tantrums will perform their platinum-certified hit, “HandClap,” and their
original Christmas song, “Santa Stole My Lady.”
• Multi-Grammy-nominated trio Hanson will light up the night singing “Finally It’s
Christmas,” from their recently released Christmas album.
• Boy band In Real Life will sing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
• Multiplatinum powerhouse Jason Derulo will perform “This Christmas.”
Viewers at Home Will Be Able to “Glow with the Show”
For the first time, viewers will be able to “Glow at Home” during select performances in the
holiday special, thanks to the brand new “Made with Magic® 3.0: Connected Ear Hat” and the
Shop Disney Parks app. Leveraging Bluetooth® technology, the Shop Disney Parks app enables
viewers wearing the new 3.0 edition ear hats at home to sync with the ABC holiday special
playing on the viewers’ TVs or other devices. Viewers will feel like they are part of the show.
The app also has a remote-control feature to adjust the ear colors and speed of the strobe – a
brand-new feature for the Made with Magic® Ear Hats. If viewers at home don’t have the
special edition ear hats, not to worry. The Shop Disney Parks app will allow them to enjoy a
second screen experience as their mobile phone comes alive, mirroring the spectacle on-screen
during select performances. The Made with Magic® 3.0: Connected Ear Hat and the interactive
ear hat remote control feature on the Shop Disney Parks app will both be available Nov. 17.
Holiday magic is endless as Disney theme parks transform into winter wonderlands filled with
seasonal attractions, joyful entertainment, festive décor and special treats that make every day
feel like a holiday. The spirit of the season shines even brighter in these magical places where
families share traditions and make memories together.
