Non-park Christmas sites

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jessny

Earning My Ears

Joined

May 5, 2013

• Oct 9, 2015

• #1

We're looking at a trip in early December, staying off-site. I'm only looking to do one (two at most) park days at WDW. We did the Christmas party last year, so I don't know that we would do that again.

Where else would be fun to visit for holiday-themed decor and activities? Both on WDW and Orlando in general.

Thanks!

 

JimMIA

There's more to life than mice...

Joined

Feb 16, 2005

• Oct 9, 2015

• #2

There are a ton of other things to do, but I'll start you with two:

1. "Ice!" at the Gaylord Palms. Remember seeing those amazing Chinese ice carvers on Discovery Channel? They're also in Orlando. Gaylord Palms has them every year and their work is simply beyond description. You can see plenty of pictures online, but the pictures don't begin to capture their magic. And I think if you check around, there are some deals to be had.
2. Celebration, FL -- they have "snow" every evening during Christmas season, and they also have an "ice" skating rink. It's really not ice, but unless you're a figure skater you won't know the difference. You don't need to go there just for the snow -- Celebration is home to a number of very good restaurants, and best of all...Kilwin's!

 

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BonnieA

I don't need no stinkin tag

Joined

Jul 6, 2000

• Oct 9, 2015

• #3

I've never seen ICE, but the prices on Living Social are too good to pass up. I'll get to see it this year.

 

J

jessny

Earning My Ears

Joined

May 5, 2013

• Oct 10, 2015

• #4

Ice sounds amazing! I guess we'd need to pack our heavy coats, but it sounds well worth it! I'm excited to see some off-site stuff this time around. Keep the ideas coming!

 

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7165red

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 17, 2006

• Oct 10, 2015

• #5

jessny said:

Ice sounds amazing! I guess we'd need to pack our heavy coats, but it sounds well worth it! I'm excited to see some off-site stuff this time around. Keep the ideas coming!

Click to expand...

They provide warm jackets.

 

JimMIA

There's more to life than mice...

Joined

Feb 16, 2005

• Oct 10, 2015

• #6

7165red said:

They provide warm jackets.

Click to expand...

They provide very heavy coats. You will freeze.

I don't think I've ever been that cold -- but it was worth it.

 

J

jessny

Earning My Ears

Joined

May 5, 2013

• Oct 11, 2015

• #7

OK, just purchased the livingsocial deal for that. I can't wait. It looks fantastic, and relatively affordable (haha, compared to the parks) with that deal. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

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NinaBella

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 14, 2013

• Oct 11, 2015

• #8

ICE is amazing! Thought about doing it this year, but DH says to pass. There are free shows in the atrium as well. Be sure to explore the resort.

 

staceyrhood

Disney Mom

Joined

Feb 24, 2012

• Oct 12, 2015

• #9

LOTS of fun in Celebration during "now snowing nightly"!!! www.celebrationtowncenter.com

 

KristinU

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 25, 2000

• Oct 15, 2015

• #10

At WDW we very much enjoyed resort-hopping to look at decorations and gingerbread houses one afternoon. We hit Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian. We were staying at Fort Wilderness and also enjoyed walking around the campground loops to look at the lights and displays that everyone does - some people really go all out! They put our little inflatable Minnie and Mickey and set of Bliss Lights to shame!

 

Detailor

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 24, 2007

• Oct 16, 2015

• #11

This year will be our fourth early December visit. Like KristinU, we enjoy visiting several of the Disney resorts for holiday decorations. We generally go to Wilderness Lodge (pretty much our favorite), the monorail resorts and the BoardWalk resorts. This year we're adding the Animal Kingdom Lodge to include something that's a little different.
We're also going to Hollywood Studios for one last time with the Osborne Family Lights - something we think is a must see at that time of year. And since this is the last year for them, apparently there won't be any more opportunities for that show.
Though much less dramatic, we also like stopping in at Celebration for an evening of the faux snow. If you're from the north, like us, it's sort of fun to see snow-like conditions without the cold that goes with it at home.

Dick Taylor

 

Grumpy92

DIS Veteran

Joined

Nov 14, 2001

• Oct 16, 2015

• #12

Love to take the hayride at FW. The campers go all out decorating their campsites (lights, music, animatronics). You can also rent a golf cart and do the same thing.