Making Christmas Merrier at Walt Disney World
I’m already thinking about the most wonderful time of the year because when it comes to Disney, it’s never too early to start planning! With reservations open to book 180 days in advance, it’s time once again to give everyone the broken record lecture: Reservations at the most popular restaurants must be booked exactly 180 days out, preferably first thing in the morning to get a decent time (or in some cases to even get a reservation at all). All of my December Disney clients have their restaurants booked and itineraries set! Yet another perk of using an agent and not paying a dime more than doing it yourself. Anyway, back to Christmas in Walt Disney World!
While I’ve visited Walt Disney World multiple times over the years, I had not been there during holiday time until last November (2014). I went with some other travel agents so we were on the move visiting as many restaurants, resorts & rides as we could! One of the first things you will notice is just how beautifully the resorts are decorated. You are immediately in the holiday spirit before ever visiting a park. Once you do hit the parks, you’ll find more decorations, holiday music, special events and treats upon treats only available during this time of the year.
Here are my top 10 favorites as to why you should take the kids during this time of the year… be prepared for lots of smiles.
10) Resort decorations: When Disney does something they definitely go all out. The decorating is done at night so if you arrive and your resort isn’t decorated yet, it may be the next morning! A team of decorators work throughout the night to transform the parks and resorts. They manage to decorate about 5-6 resorts a night. I happened to arrive very late at our resort and they were hard at work getting everything completed. Some of my favorite properties that were decorated were The Wilderness Lodge (gorgeous lobby) and The Grand Floridian (you'll read more about the gingerbread house below).
9) Weather: While you may find it too cold to get into the pool on some days, to me, it’s such a great temperature to walk around the parks. Obviously weather patterns change all the time and I can’t predict what it will be like when you go. You can probably get away with jeans and a t-shirt during the day with a light jacket or heavier sweater at night. The week prior to my arrival, a few clients visited there and were in shorts most of the time. Either way, I rather be there standing in line when it’s pleasant and not so hot.
8) Park decorations: I love all the special touches that you will find throughout the parks. From the huge Christmas trees, thousands of poinsettias, to holiday signs and extra decorations on buildings, they make it so festive to visit! You'll hear holiday music as you enter the parks which sets the mood for a truly magical day. Take a look at this time lapse video of Main Street USA being decorated overnight!
7) Christmas Goodies: I kind of have a thing about desserts; it’s a losing battle when faced with a glass case filled with all sorts of sweets. On top of the fact that they were Christmas themed, I lost count of all the desserts I purchased based on the cuteness alone. There was of course lots of Christmas merchandise available for purchase. I picked up a few ornaments and I just had to buy a Christmas Sweatshirt with Mickey on it (not something that would normally be included in my wardrobe)…..when in Rome.
6) Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: This is a special event held on certain nights in November & December. Magic Kingdom closes early and only those who have purchased the special event tickets can stay to enjoy the extra festivities such as snow on Main Street USA, complimentary hot chocolate & cookies and a special Christmas Parade. Cinderella's Castle will shimmer with the Castle Dream Lights. There is also a special fireworks show Holiday Wishes – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season which is set to traditional holiday music. The special holiday parade, Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, will take place twice an evening during the party. So fun!!
5) Illuminations: Reflections of Earth Holiday Finale: The Illuminations show in Epcot takes place nightly and is one of my favorites no matter what time of the year I see it. However, Disney really goes all out during the Christmas season and including a "Peace on Earth" holiday finale that will leave you filled with the Christmas Spirit (at least it did for me).
4) Candlelight Processional & Festivities at Epcot: Experience the sights and sounds of Christmas where special guest speakers retell the story of Jesus born in Bethlehem accompanied by choral and orchestra performances. Celebrities lined up for 2015 include Neil Patrick Harris, Edward James Olmos, Whoopi Goldberg and others. The Candelight Processional is extremely popular and fills up quickly. Unless you have a reservation for the candlelight dinner package, attendance in on a first-come, first-served basis. My favorite part of Epcot during this time is Holidays Around the World where each of the different countries showcase their traditions & decorations. I love walking around Epcot at night and experiencing the shops & restaurants in the different countries. From pretzels and beer in Germany to wine tastings in Italy, it's fun to eat and drink your way through Epcot!
3) Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios: When walking into Hollywood studios during the day, it will probably feel much like the park any other time of the year (with the exception of the huge tree outside the entrance). However, if you visit at night, you cannot miss the HUGE display of lights... over 5 million down the Streets of America. It's really quite amazing and certainly something to be seen when visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays. It can be very busy especially earlier in the night (lighting begins around dusk) so if you have older kids, you may want to wait until a little later to visit. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to view them all depending on crowds.
2) Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian: Years and years ago, I saw a show which featured what went into baking and creating the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian. For whatever reason (maybe because of my love of Christmas and desserts), it’s one of those things that I wanted to witness for myself. There was no way I was leaving Disney without seeing that gingerbread house! It just so happened that when we went to the Grand Floridian, Executive Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek, who has been in charge of creating the masterpiece for years, was out visiting with people. I just HAD to get a picture with him! I think the ladies I was with and the chef were wondering why this woman was so excited to see him....oh well, it was a memorable moment for me.
1) Getting in the Spirit: “I have to bring my kids here next year!" I’m not sure how many times I said that over the days I visited the park in 2014, but I know it was a lot. There is just something about Disney and seeing it through your children’s eyes that truly make it a magical place whether during the holidays or any other time. If you have been there with your children, I’m sure you will agree. If not, it’s a place that hopefully you will be able to take them to while they are the perfect age. I am sticking to my word and taking my kids back in November exactly 1 year later (to the day).
I am so excited to see their expressions and to experience it all with them this year. As many parents like to do, we are making it a surprise and will tell the kids the night before. It will be our way of kicking of the holiday season and this time I will be able to share the excitement right along with them.
