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We are nearly halfway to Christmas! That seems unbelievable! How is the year halfway over? Then again, all of the years have sort of blended together since 2020, so maybe it’s not all that strange after all. To celebrate, Disney is doing a “Halfway to the Holidays” event from June 13-15 with limited-time treats, goodies, and merchandise throughout the week!
Related: Disney Drop Adds Some Holiday Cheer to Your Summer
The most exciting thing about halfway to the Holidays? Christmas announcements. They’ve promised to release some exciting news throughout the week, and our heads are buzzing thinking about what it could be. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party details will undoubtedly be released. Dates for EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays will likely also be announced. Holiday Kitchens revelations are certainly a possibility. There is one thing, though, that we are hoping beyond hope is revealed.
Credit: Jill Bivins
Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. We know it’s a long shot with all the money spent on the castle projections. It’s unlikely that they would bring back the Dreamlights and scrap the projections. Then again, they have had a good three-year-run, and that’s more than Harmonious got, so stranger things have indeed happened.
The Cinderella Castle Dream Lights were a Christmas staple at Magic Kingdom. They made their first appearance in 2007. For seven years, Cinderella and friends called upon the Fairy Godmother to light up the castle each night during the holiday season. In 2014, however, the citizens of Arendelle moved in to light up the night.
Related: Complete Guide to Christmas at Magic Kingdom
The dazzling display fell victim to the pandemic, with entertainment being cut across the parks and things being so uncertain in 2020 Disney World did not put them up that year. Later the 50th-anniversary decorations took over the Castle, and the lights would have been impossible. Now, though, with the pandemic in the rearview (operationally speaking) and the 50th decorations gone…could the lights finally be back?
Credit: Jill Bivins
I’ll admit, the first time I saw them I gasped. I stopped in my tracks in awe and audibly gasped. They are simply breathtaking, and no photos will ever do them justice. You just have to see them for yourself. The projections that replaced the Dream Lights are nice, don’t get me wrong. The technology is incredible, and they give off the warm glow of Christmas. They do not compare to the Dream Lights, though. This is a case of a classic being a classic for a reason. No amount of technology can replace that nostalgic feeling of seeing the castle lit up with the most beautiful Christmas lights you’ve ever seen.
Credit: Jill Bivins
We are holding our breath and eagerly waiting for Disney’s Christmas announcements. Disney doesn’t usually tease us by telling us in advance there will be an announcement unless it’s big news. If the lights are coming back, we expect it will be part of the upcoming announcements. Stay tuned right here at Disney Dining because as soon as we know, you’ll know.
