While the theme parks themselves are amazing during the holiday season, there are wonderful holiday experiences that don’t require a ticket, like a visit to Disney Springs to see it all decked out for the holidays.
My favorite thing would have to be a little resort hopping to see all the holiday decorations and really get in the holiday spirit.
The cozy, rustic charm of Wilderness Lodge just screams Christmas to me. The themeing of the resort in general really lends itself to a holiday celebration. The huge Christmas tree in the lobby is a main focal point and will certainly get you in the Christmas spirit. Use of other natural elements, like pine-cones and antlers really add a woodsy vibe to the resort. And what could be more relaxing than a rest in a rocking chair while starring at a crackling fire. And it’s only a quick boat ride away from Magic Kingdom!
The Grand Floridian Resort is a must do at Christmas time. The resort really embodies its Victorian elegance at the holidays. The highlight of which is the life-sized gingerbread house. This house takes months to prepare and is made of many real ingredients – just like the ones you’d make at hoe. Plus it’s where you can order holiday treats! The Gingerbread House surely is the focal point but all around the resort are touches of the holiday so make sure you don’t miss them – including the large Christmas tree on display in the lobby.
While the Polynesian Resort does not have a large Christmas tree or an edible display, the decorations you will find at the tropical resort are beautiful. Everything is themed to fit in at this tropical resort. While a visit there won’t have you singing White Christmas, you’ll certainly feel the holiday spirit!
The HUGE Mickey Mouse Christmas wreath on the outside of the Contemporary Resort is just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit and Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven at the Gingerbread Holiday Ice Castle in the Grand Canyon Concourse is certainly impressive. Add in the large tree outside and the smaller trees that decorate the lobby and Christmas is in full swing at the Contemporary resort! It is without a doubt worth a visit on a Christmas Resort Tour of Walt Disney World. Don’t forget to pick up your snowman building marshmallow kit!
In General, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is my favorite resort on property. Christmas doesn’t boast an extravagant display although the carousel horse, which is an edible display, is certainly unique! What is worth a visit, however, is the tropical theme trees that you can find thorough the resort. The ornaments are stunning and have provide me with an inspiration or two as we decorate our own home at Christmas.
Next door at the Yacht Club, the holiday display is an amazing Christmas village featuring a working train. Honestly, this is a sight to see – it is intricate and ornate and fits in with the upscale theme of this resort. The rest of the resort decorations are beautiful as well and follow long with the nautical theme you’ll always find at Yacht Club.
The Boardwalk Inn boasts an exciting new addition this year – Ginger’s Bread and Cookie Shop. The sweet shoppe has 124 Mickey’s and is made from 350 pounds of gingerbread, including a Mickey weathervane.! This is certainly the focal point at this resort but that is not where the decorations end – garland and trees and other festive holiday ornaments fill the lobby with Christmas cheer! It is like you walked into a turn of the century Christmas celebration!
And let’s not forget the Swan and Dolphin Resort. Constructed entirely of chocolate, the big feature is the Holiday Santa Scene with a chocolate Santa sitting in his chair, a 7-foot tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker, chocolate fireplace, chocolate Christmas tree and chocolate toy train. The lobby also boasts at 45 ft Christmas tree that is the location for an indoor snowfall and tree lighting (on select nights). And don’t miss a chance to check in with the main man himself – Santa Claus – and the Missus dressed for their Florida vacation! They are greeting guests on select nights.
While the parks provide plenty of holiday entertainment and experiences, there are also so many things to do that don’t require a theme park ticket. While it may be cutting it a little close to book your trip for 2015, now is the perfect time to start planning for Christmas 2016! And booking a Walt Disney World Resort package usually only requires a $200 deposit. So what are you waiting for – there is so much to see and do around the Walt Disney World Resort at the holidays it’s time to start planning!
The holidays magical at Walt Disney World. And now is the perfect time to start planning your 2016 holiday vacation. I would love to help you with all of your travel needs. I am a Travel Magician with World of Magic Travel, the preferred agency of Chip and Co and the Disney Addicts! Email me today at alissa@worldofmagictravel.com to start planning your “Magical” vacation! –Alissa
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