By D23 Team
With brand-new holiday magic unfolding across Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, more than 200 D23 Gold and General Members gathered at the shopping, dining, and entertainment district on December 13 for two unique celebrations filled with yuletide charm and cheer!
The afternoon kicked off with D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration, which invited members to stop by a series of locations to receive a sprinkling of D23 holiday magic—from a complimentary D23 reusable mug at Market Stalls to a delicious treat at Amorette’s Patisserie and a complimentary cup of hot cocoa at Aristocrepes. Attendees were also the first to have the opportunity to purchase the brand-new D23-Tech on Demand phone case, unveiled that day at the Marketplace Co-Op!
Members then gathered at the Waterside Stage and enjoyed reserved seating for a special presentation with Lisa Borotkanics, manager of Walt Disney World Holiday Services. During the question-and-answer session with D23’s Steven Vagnini, Lisa revealed the inspiration behind the brand-new décor found across Disney Springs—from the detailed decorations at The Landing and Town Center to the Disney character-themed Christmas Tree Trail at the Marketplace—as well as a glimpse at what it takes to transform the entire Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line ships, and Castaway Cay for the holiday season!
After experiencing the Disney Springs Tree Lighting Ceremony, D23 Members took their places along the waterside near Bongo’s Cuban Café to enjoy premium viewing of the new show Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration. With gorgeous weather conditions, the 300-drone spectacle (the first time a drone show of this scale has ever been performed in the United States) immersed guests in the spirit of the season as the perfect kiss goodnight.
While D23 Members continued to enjoy the winter wonderland of Disney Springs, nearly 40 Gold Members who registered for D23’s Moonlight and Mistletoe Dinner made their way to STK Orlando at The Landing, for a special dining event on the outdoor patio. With a beautiful moon adding to the already breathtaking view of Disney Springs, D23 Members enjoyed a private culinary experience that featured the chef’s festive favorites and a specially crafted holiday-inspired cocktail.
Moonlight and Mistletoe attendees were surprised to discover that each table featured a different special guest from around The Walt Disney Company, including Maribeth Bisienere (senior vice president, Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Water Parks, and Miniature Golf), Tom Vazzana (entertainment show director), Lisa Borotkanics (manager, Holiday Services), Caitlin Busscher and Nathaniel Palma (2015–16 Walt Disney World Ambassador Team), and Michael Vargo (vice president, D23 and the Walt Disney Archives), as well as D23’s Kristin Rodack, Tyler Slater, and Steven Vagnini. Throughout the evening, members mingled with these special guests, sharing favorite holiday memories and behind-the-scenes stories of bringing the magic to life in their unique roles.
At the conclusion of the memorable evening, each guest received a very special gift: a holiday box containing reproductions of some of the D23 Team’s favorite Disney Studio holiday cards, reproduced from the collection in the Walt Disney Archives. In addition, our friends at UNIQLO joined in the spirit of giving and distributed totes for every attendee!
It was a breathtaking way to celebrate the spirit of the season as the final D23 event of 2016. Stay tuned for more exclusive events from D23 in the new year ahead!
