Performer line-up announced for the ABC and Disney Channel Holiday Season TV Specials

Nov 02, 2018 in "Holidays at the Magic Kingdom"

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Posted: Friday November 2, 2018 12:21pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced the performer line-up for the holiday season 2018 ABC and Disney Channel specials.

Filming the 2017 ABC TV Specials at the Magic Kingdom

Filming at Walt Disney World will take place this year November 7 - 11 2018.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration

“The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” premieres Thursday, Nov. 29, from 9–11 p.m. EST on The ABC Television Network and on the ABC app. Join singer, songwriter and “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors” host Jordan Fisher and “Modern Family” actress Sarah Hyland as they host the magical two-hour event from Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Joined by Disneyland host Jesse Palmer, Disney Parks and ABC will kick off the holiday season with a star-studded prime-time celebration showcasing incredible musical performances, special appearances and Disney magical moments including an extraordinary castle lighting spectacular from Disney Parks around the world – traveling the globe from Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and Anaheim, California, to Paris, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Musical performances include the following stars:

Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning superstar, Gwen Stefani lights up the night with “Feliz Navidad.”
GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter Meghan Trainor performs a medley of her hits.
CMA Award-winning country artist Brett Eldredge, joined by Meghan Trainor, sing the classic holiday duet “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” from Eldredge’s album “Glow.”
Andrea Bocelli shares his unmistakable voice, singing a Christmas classic; then Andrea is joined by his son, Matteo Bocelli, to perform their beautiful new duet, “Fall on Me” from Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.”
Jordan Fisher performs his Christmas hit, “Come December.”
GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Aloe Blacc performs his debut single, “I Got Your Christmas Right Here,” from his first-ever holiday album, “Christmas Funk,” out Nov. 9.
American Idol winner Maddie Poppe sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
Chart-topping, breakout music group Why Don’t We performs a medley of the classic “Silent Night” and their original holiday song “Hey Good Lookin.”

Disney Parks Presents a 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Party

“Disney Parks Presents a 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Party” kicks off Friday, Nov. 23 in the DisneyNOW app and Saturday, Dec. 1, from 8-8:30 p.m. EST on Disney Channel. Hosted by Jordan Fisher and Disney Channel’s “Coop & Cami Ask the World” stars Ruby Rose Turner and Dakota Lotus, this festive half-hour special will feature star-studded musical performances and special appearances by Disney Channel stars Booboo Stewart (Disney’s “Descendants 3”), Kylee Russell (Disney Channel Original Movie “ZOMBIES”), Sadie Stanley (Disney Channel Original Movie “Kim Possible”) and Sean Giambrone (Disney Channel Original Movie “Kim Possible,” ABC’s “The Goldbergs”). Stanley and Giambrone will take viewers behind the scenes of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, where guests will experience the world of Pixar’s “Cars” films and come face-to-face with Lightning McQueen. The experience rolls into Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in spring 2019.

Musical performances include:

Gwen Stefani sings the holiday classic “Let It Snow.”
Brett Eldredge performs “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.”
Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack” star Asher Angel rocks out to “Last Christmas.”
Disney Channel’s “ZOMBIES” star Meg Donnelly brings tropical cheer with her performance of “Mele Kalikimaka.”

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade

“Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” airs on Tuesday, Dec. 25, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. EST, 9-11 a.m. CST/MST/PST on The ABC Television Network and on the ABC app. Airtimes vary, so be sure to check local listings.

This Christmas, Disney Parks celebrates the joy of the season as hosts Jordan Fisher and Sarah Hyland share this magical holiday tradition with families around the globe. Co-hosted by Jesse Palmer, the Christmas Day celebration will be merrier than ever before, bringing together the adored Christmas Day parade, special musical performances, surprise celebrity guests and heartwarming family stories to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Joining the festivities as parade correspondents are Freeform’s “grown-ish” actor Trevor Jackson and star of Freeform’s upcoming series “Good Trouble,” Cierra Ramirez.

Musical performances include the following:

Gwen Stefani performs “Winter Wonderland” from her Christmas album, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.”
Brett Eldredge sings the holiday classic “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Andrea Bocelli sings the incredibly moving “Ave Maria”; then Andrea is joined by his son, Matteo Bocelli, to perform “White Christmas.”
Host Jordan Fisher performs “This Christmas.”
Aloe Blacc performs “Tell Your Mama” from his first holiday album, “Christmas Funk,” out Nov. 9.
Freeform’s “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” star and Hollywood Records artist Olivia Holt sings a holiday tune.
American Idol winner Maddie Poppe celebrates the season with “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Disney’s dynamic a cappella group DCappella performs the popular Christmas hit “Last Christmas.”
Why Don’t We performs “Kiss You This Christmas” from their holiday album, “A Why Don’t We Christmas.”

Discuss on the Forums

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SukaVayne33Dec 01, 2018

Well I was there, hubby works there and wish I could show ya a pic but no photography or videos allowed. But, it was fun and reason I think he got to be there and take me, was because of one of his friends in either PR or marketing said he could bring me, was because I recently had my last chemotherapy and am now cancer free. So, maybe that's why since he is a rent a cop, LOL security I was able to go. EDIT: I am talking about the recent special on ABC that I went too, Sorry if I was unclear, but that's what I went too.

JohnDNov 30, 2018

You're not kidding. Watching it now. I thought the interview would never end. Not to mention that version of Santa Baby. I feel dirty watching it. About the only wholesome and actually good part was the duet of the Father / Son Boccelli's.

HauntedPirateNov 30, 2018

D'oh! Forgot about that change...

donsullivanNov 30, 2018

In recent years, the parade portion of the Christmas morning show has been shot at Disneyland only. Walt Disney World is used for many/most of the live musical performances.

JohnDNov 30, 2018

If you can't wait to watch it again, you can watch it here: https://abc.go.com/shows/the-wonderful-world-of-disney-magical-holiday-celebration/episode-guide/season-01/01-magical-holiday-celebration Just click your TV provider and enter login info.

Almac97Nov 30, 2018

It was cringeworthy. I know there's a script and all, but the girl from Modern Family and the guy from (???) completely overemphasized and over-acted every line. We couldn't get through that, so we decided to come back to it... only to be greeted with about 1,000 Gwen Stefani upskirt shots. Hey, I'm a 35yr old male. Maybe Disney was giving a little holiday present for select adul... nah I can't even joke about it, it was that bad. That was a SHORT skirt, and the constant need to go to the cameraman below stage level made it almost seem intentional. Then they had to interview Gwen for 10 minutes. What was wrong with the elaborate parade and surprise appearance from Santa formula?

larryzNov 30, 2018

I'm guessing she's married to a CM...

wendysueNov 30, 2018

I watched part of a special last night, but turned it off. Same old entertainment. nothing new

HauntedPirateNov 30, 2018

Unfortunately, they tape the Christmas Parade in early November, and guests are no longer allowed to view or be present at the tapings. It's Cast Members who now make up any crowds you see in the broadcast.

SukaVayne33Nov 30, 2018

I actually got to be lucky and go with the hubby this year at MK, last year we did AK, its fun, and watching it now trying to see if we can be seen. I hope they have the Disney Christmas Parade, how hard is it to get tickets for that, I am sure its hard, but would like to take my friends mom from Staten Island, especially since we both had our last Chemo on the same day, and she is coming to Orlando to see me during the holidays.

JohnDNov 30, 2018

It just aired.

JohnDNov 30, 2018

Watching the special now. Seeing the Father/Son Bocellis is enough for me.

SteamboatJoeNov 08, 2018

Santa Baby is worse IMHO.

MisterPenguinNov 08, 2018

The 'feminist' interpretation of the song comes from a much later time and such an interpretation doesn't provide any evidence that that is indeed what is happening in the song. The best evidence is to go back to the Loessers who originally wrote and performed the song. In the libretto, they named to two parts 'mouse' and 'wolf.' It was eminently clear what is happening. Sure, 'mouse' is tempted, but 'mouse' also has doubts. Doubts that 'wolf' is wolfishly bulldozing over. Sometimes is a cigar is just a cigar. And someone is pressuring someone else to smoke it.