Got plans for New Year’s Eve yet? This year, many locations at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort are hosting special events that just might be the perfect way for you to ring in the New Year. Plus, enjoy outdoor live music and entertainment for the whole family throughout the Downtown Disney area!

Here’s a roundup of what’s happening – and just a reminder, there are no New Year’s Eve fireworks at Downtown Disney.

DisneyQuest – This interactive gaming location will host a special New Year’s Eve event December 31, beginning at 8 p.m., that will feature two DJ dance parties, a meal and beverage, access to all DisneyQuest attractions, meet-and-greets with Disney characters, and a New Year’s Eve countdown and confetti drop at midnight. Tickets cost $50 per person and are available online or by calling 407-934-7639. Day-of tickets can be purchased at DisneyQuest for $60.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes – This brand-new addition to Downtown Disney will host its first New Year’s Event Party, for ages 21 and up, on December 31, featuring great food and beverages, a DJ, dancing, pool tables and more. Special Bowling Packages cost $175 per person (minimum 4 people) and includes 3.5 hours of bowling and shoe rental, choice of one appetizer and one entrée per person, two drink tickets, one bottle of champagne or house wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Table Packages cost $100 per person and include a 3.5-hour table reservation, choice of one appetizer/entree per person, two drink tickets, one bottle of champagne or house wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. For more information, email SocialDirectorsOrlando@SplitsvilleLanes.com or call 407-938-PINS.

Bongos Cuban Cafe – Head to Bongos for a New Year’s celebration that features a four-course dinner, champagne, party favors, live music and a midnight celebration. The party lasts from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. To reserve your table, contact GRodriguez@BongosCubanCafe.com.

Raglan Road – New Year’s fun begins at 6 p.m. with house band Creel and Irish dancing. In addition to great food, the pub will also offer complimentary champagne toasts at 7 p.m. and midnight.

House of Blues – The reggae band SOJA will take the stage at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Tickets cost $37-$40, and the concert is open to guests of all ages. Visit the House of Blues website for tickets.

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil – All guests attending the December 31 performances will receive a limited-edition Walt Disney World Resort/Cirque trading pin. Shows are at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. For tickets, contact 407-WDW-SEAT.

Babycakes – Ring in your New Year’s resolutions with healthy treats from Babycakes NYC. Schedule your pick-up orders at least 48-hours in advance for December 30-January 1, 2013, and receive a 20% discount.

Planet Hollywood – Now through December 31, you can buy two merchandise items and get the third free. (No other Promotions or Discounts, vouchers apply. Discount not good on jackets. Free item is the lesser priced item).


Read more news from Downtown Disney in the posts below:

• World’s Largest Splitsville Set to Open December 19 at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
• Phineas and Ferb & YOU: Free Fun at Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World Resort Now Through December 1
• Living Statues Bring Guests Into the Show at Downtown Disney in Florida

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Holidays, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

UPDATE:This event has been filled to capacity. Please click here to view a list of the accepted event attendees. If you are on the list and do not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at WDW.BlogMeetUps@disney.com.

We’re wrapping up this year’s series of exclusive Disney Parks Blog Meet-Ups at the world’s largest Splitsville at Downtown Disney in Florida. And today, you have the opportunity to sign-up and attend the big party.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 17, and runs until 9:30 p.m. You’ll have the chance to bowl on the lanes before the official opening date and, of course, there will be light snacks and a few more surprises.

Space is limited, so RSVP now by sending us an email with your name, address, and if you’ll be inviting a guest to WDW.BlogMeetUps@disney.com.

Also, here are a few things other things you should know:

• All participants who sign up for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18 or older.
• Limit one guest per registrant.
• We will send an email to individuals whose valid RSVPs are received by us via email before we reach the planned capacity to confirm their attendance for the event.
• If confirmed, it will be necessary for the registrant and guest to check in at Splitsville for access to the event. The confirmation will include those details.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
• Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value.
• Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person plus one guest.
• If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation and your name does not appear on the list of confirmed attendees (which will be posted as an update to this article), then your RSVP was not accepted.
• The event and individual appearances are subject to change or cancellation.

This post will be updated when capacity has been reached. Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Hope to see you there.


Read more about Splitsville Luxury Lanes in these posts:

• World’s Largest Splitsville Set to Open December 19 at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
• Splitsville Almost Ready to ‘Roll In and Rock Out’ at Walt Disney World Resort
• A Refreshing Spin on Alley Eats at Downtown Disney

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Meet-Up, Splitsville, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

Wow, in the last 48 hours, we’ve shared some exciting announcements, including a flying Disney Dragon, ribbon cutting for Test Track and the grand opening of New Fantasyland. Today, there’s more to share. We just held a media preview for the world’s largest Splitsville right here in Downtown Disney. Minutes ago, Splitsville founders Guy Revelle and Mark Gibson confirmed that the lanes are scheduled to officially open on December 19.

And if you’re as excited as I am about the opening of Splitsville, we’re planning something special for you: we will be offering the opportunity to be one of the first people on the lanes during a Disney Parks Blog Meet-Up. Follow @WaltDisneyWorld and @DisneyParks on Twitter or keep checking the Blog in upcoming days for first word on when you can RSVP for the Downtown Disney event.

When Splitsville opens, it’ll initially offer walk-ups only. To reserve a bowling or dining spot, you’ll need to visit a Splitsville greeter who will assist you. A phone reservation number will be available at a later date.

Also, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the second floor will be reserved for guests ages 21+ who arrive after 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit DisneyWorld.com/Splitsville. You can follow the conversation now on Twitter by using the hashtag #WDWSplitsville.

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Splitsville, Video, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

Downtown Disney is where I started my Disney career more than 14 years ago. For years, I’ve enjoyed the plethora of shopping, dining and entertainment options (oh, Splitsville, I can’t wait unit you are open!) It’s a great place to visit especially during the holidays. In anticipation of Black Friday on November 23 this year, I recently strolled through the festive Downtown Disney area searching for some great deals. Here is a recap of what I found.

Lego Imagination Center – Downtown Disney Marketplace

• November 23 only – Lego Imagination Center will be offering pull cards that may reveal either 10%, 20% or 50% savings. Cards will be available while supplies last.
• November 23-26 – Guests who make a purchase over $99 will receive a special gift with purchase: a holiday Lego set.

RIDEMAKERZ – Downtown Disney Marketplace

• November 23 only – Build one RIDE and build a second RIDE for free. The free RIDE must be of equal or lesser value. Free RIDE is stock and includes a free wheel street chassis, stock wheels and treads. R/C upgrade and additional accessories are not included. No exclusions on RIDE bodies*.

littlemissmatched – Downtown Disney Marketplace

• November 22-23 – Receive a Free Knit Wit with every $50 purchase! Also, enjoy 30% off all full price merchandise!

Apricot Lane – Downtown Disney Pleasure Island

• November 23 only – Door buster deals and 50% off select items in the store.

Orlando Harley Davidson – Downtown Disney West Side

• November 23 – Free ornament with $50 or more purchase.

Something Silver – Downtown Disney West Side

• November 23 only – Spend $100 and get a $20 voucher to use before December 31, 2012. Limit of one voucher per guest.

Portobello – Downtown Disney Marketplace

• November 23 – Bring your receipt from any Downtown Disney retail location to receive a complimentary gelato for lunch.

*Body of equal or lesser value. Free RIDE includes freewheel street chassis, stock wheelz, and treadz. Additional accessories not included. Offer not valid online. Offer valid November 23, 2012 only. Offer may not be combined and cannot be bought, sold or exchanged for cash or coupons. Not valid on prior purchase, a RIDEMAKERZ BASH® or RIDEMONEY® gift cardz. Not valid with any other offer. Local and state taxes, as applicable, are payable by bearer. Valid in the U.S. only. Limit one per person, per visit. Nontransferable. Offer good while supplies last. Void where prohibited or restricted. Where required cash value 1/100 or 1 cent.

Tagged: Downtown Disney, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

Construction has been underway on the new Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Downtown Disney for several months now, and I bet you’ve been wondering how things are going over there.

Me too.

So, I decided to pop by there the other day to check out the place and find out firsthand what’s going on behind those construction walls. Splitsville founders Guy Revelle and Mark Gibson, two of the driving forces behind the project, suited me up in a hard hat, vest and safety glasses and allowed me to take a look around. Afterwards, they talked to me about what we can all expect when the doors to the place are finally swung open.

I was really interested in what they had to say. I thought you would be too, so we shot this video of them talking about everything from the construction process to the excitement surrounding the greatly anticipated grand opening later this year.

 
Sorry, I could only show you a little of the actual venue right now because there’s still some construction going on (some of the video you’ll see includes renderings and video from their Tampa location), but I’ll definitely have a full video tour for you once we get a little closer to the grand opening. Be sure to check back here regularly for more updates from me, in particular when I announce the official grand opening date.


Read about Splitsville at Walt Disney World Resort in these posts:

• A Refreshing Spin on Alley Eats at Downtown Disney
• First Look: Peek Inside Splitsville, Coming Soon to Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
• Splitsville Project to ‘Rock In and Roll Out’ at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Video, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort

This year’s Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels is underway at Downtown Disney and we spent the first day scouting things out for you. Here’s a taste of what’s going on this weekend.

It’s going to be a great weekend to head out to the Festival. If you’re joining us, here’s a complete list of Disney artist appearance times and locations and other information about the event.

Take a look at more from Festival of the Masters in the posts below:

• Behind The Scenes: Creating Disney Art for the Festival of the Masters at Walt Disney World
• ‘Flock of Sheep’ Sculptures to be Unveiled at Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
• Fantastic Art Featured at 37th Festival of the Masters from November 9-11 at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

Tagged: Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, Video, WDW

Filed: Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier this week, Will Gay shared an exclusive wallpaper of one of the many works of art you’ll see at this year’s Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels at Downtown Disney. Today, Will is giving a special behind-the-scenes peek at how he created a few others, including one of my favorites – Mickey’s Joy Ride.

The Festival begins today and runs through Sunday. To help you, we’ve posted artist appearance times and a few other details you need to know before heading out. Hope to see you there.

Read these posts for more about the Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney:

• ‘Flock of Sheep’ Sculptures to be Unveiled at Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort
• Festival of the Masters Returns to Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort This Weekend
• Fantastic Art Featured at 37th Festival of the Masters from November 9-11 at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

Tagged: BtS, Downtown Disney, Festival of the Masters, Video, WDW

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Downtown Disney, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort