By Carly Ransom
Light Up the Season is a cheerful yearly event celebrating all the joy that the holiday season brings!
D23 Members celebrated the spirit of the season at this year’s event on December 10, 2023, where dazzling decor brought merriment to all corners of The Walt Disney Studios lot.
Magical moments were had by all as guests enjoyed merry musical acts including Holiday Harmony, BLOW Brass, MeloD23, and Mark LeVang on piano.
The holiday season is the perfect time to enjoy sweet treats, and Members did just that as they sipped on hot cocoa and cider while strolling past festive photo ops, including the Hall of Wishes presented by Meta from Disney’s Wish! Exclusive shopping opportunities, traditional carnival attractions, food trucks, and artist and book signings added to the fun.
Never ones to miss a celebration, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Santa Goofy all showed up to impress in their holiday best, ready to meet their greatest fans!
Guests enjoyed complimentary holiday beverages from Hyundai while exploring the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition—the first-ever vehicle designed with visual input from Walt Disney Imagineering.
For those looking for a savory treat, the Babybel booth added the perfect touch of cheesy cheer, while Disney Rewards gifted attendees with a festive lithograph to ring in the holiday season.
What’s the holiday season without a little shopping? Fans were treated to discounted shopping opportunities from Citizen, Collectors Editions, Iron Studios, Lionel, RSVLTS, and The Op Games. Many generous guests embodied the spirit of giving by donating their purchases and other toys to the Marines Toys for Tots Program in collaboration with the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive!
No holiday celebration is complete without timeless classics, and Members had the chance to reminisce while watching screenings of Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Toy Tinkers, Puppy for Hanukkah, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, and more in the Main Theater on the lot!
A 6-foot tall LEGO diorama with over one million pieces representing the AVATAR alien moon of Pandora was on display, allowing guests to take their holiday celebrations out of this world!
To round out the evening, guests participated in fa la la la fan trivia, winning epic prizes from LEGO, Iron Studios, Lionel, and more that surely made spirits bright! Each D23 Member also left with a commemorative ornament inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wish.
While holiday enchantment glistened from all around The Walt Disney Studios lot, what truly made the evening magical was the joy that our fans brought. On behalf of the D23 team, we wish you a happy holiday season and a fantastic new year!
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