Am I getting older or are there fewer Christmas decorations up this year?

[TapCat]

Just got back and had a marvelous time. But it seemed to our group that there were fewer Christmas decorations up in the parks, especially Magic Kingdom. Anyone else have that feeling or is it just us?

 

[goodeats]

Well this was my first time at WDW in December, and there were definitely fewer decorations than DL has. It seemed that only Main Street in MK was decorated.

 

[TnTsParty]

I just got back on Sunday and I actually thought there were more decorations than last year. I didn't make it to MK last year though so I can't compare. But I think there was more decorations in Epcot that I saw last year. And of course there is more lights at the Osbourne Lights. I did miss the big Christmas tree at the resort as POFQ didn't have one but I did see Riverside had one. I was kinda upset. But I wouldn't trade the atmosphere of POFQ for Riverside just for the tree (I LOVE POFQ and now so does my DH!!!)

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

My niece came back from WDW last week. While she enjoyed her trip she did mention that the MK was not decorated as much as in the past.

 

[momof2cutegirls]

Just got back and had a marvelous time. But it seemed to our group that there were fewer Christmas decorations up in the parks, especially Magic Kingdom. Anyone else have that feeling or is it just us?

Funny you should say something about this. We were at MK on Monday, 12.5.05, and I noticed that the huge tree right inside the parks was not up. Neither were the garlands w/ the wreaths that hang above Main St. connecting to the buildings on either side of the street. Those garlands with the wreaths are my favorite!

We returned on Friday, 12.9.05, and noticed that both of these decorations were there! I actually asked one of the CMs who was hanging out on Main St., and she told me that these decorations had been taken down the weekend prior to Mon., 12.5.05, for the Regis/Kelly taping of the parade. Cameras are probably set up at the train station to get a good shot of the view down Main St., and the huge tree and garlands must get in the way!

Just an observation!

I also think that since that area in front of the castle has been re-done (where the Walt & Mickey statue is), it doesn't seem as thought there are as many poinsettias and greenery.

 

[peter11435]

Its funny you should say that. There are actually more decorations around WDW than in past years. Its funny how your mind can play tricks on you. WDW's MK has never decorated beyond Main Street, Toon Town, and some in Frontierland.

 

[Disneyholics5]

We have been going to Disney for years at the Christmas season and have noticed not just this year, but the past few years, there have been less Christmas decorations - still beautiful - but less - I look back at old photos and can definitely see the difference - makes me very sad - they used to have a fabulous nativity show in DTD and that was taken away a number of years back, supposedly due to traffic constraints - it was VERY VERY popular- don't understand why the could not have moved it indoors at one of the convention center rooms say at the Contemporary and was never able to get a reasonable answer from Disney - I hope it does not continue to get less and less, even the cookies and hot chocolate were less this year - but until there are none at all I will be there ever year for our annual Christmas trip (starts day after Thanksgiving for 8-10 days).

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I agree that there were less decorations. Looking back at pictures from previous years you can really notice it.

One thing though, we visited this year December 1 - 9 and throughout the stay things were added (and not just the MK things). It is still beautiful, and I would not miss it for anything, but there are many things missing.

On a side note, a few years ago they were doing Christmas Parade show taping at the UK pavilion with Charlotte Church. It was decorated beautifully!! We said WOW! they really did it up nice this year. The next morning it was all gone All those people on Christmas morning thinking that is what WDW really looks like.

Oh! and another note. The resort decorations, in particular the gingerbread/chocolate villages were alot smaller this year!! It was very apparent since the Food Network show had just been shown. One couple was very disappointed that it was not the same as on the show

I will still go back and to the MVMCP (even without the buttons) and enjoy the cookies and the hot chocolate.

Debbie

 

[jcriket]

I thought the resort decorations were less than normal, the parks seemed about the same, however osborne lights IMO was not as good on Streets of America, as that little neighborhood they were on previously. There may have been more lights, but I guess the houses not being as big was more overwhelming, and there was no begining or end, so it was not as organized walking through, and no glasses , but the trade off for LMA was worth it.

 

[ztbz]

I remember when Disney use to have Real Christmas Trees in the Parks, in fact the Magic Kingdom had 3 real trees two at Cinderella’s Castle and one at Town Square on Main Street USA. I always use to love the scent of the Real Tree just as soon you walked past the Train Station, now Disney uses artificial trees every year using the same Tree for each park. By the way did anybody notice that Disney had the Christmas tree near the castle for Thanksgiving but was later moved to Town Square where it is now.

As another poster had said, Disney use to do the nativity show at the Marketplace (Downtown Disney) I believe they did away with it because it was a Christian show, not because it was crowded, Disney use to fill up the Marketplace parking lots during the month of December for 3 shows each night, it was the best show at Walt Disney World.

Another show that Disney did away with was the Christmas Dinner show that was held at the Contemporary Resort convention center, it was also a popular show that would Sell Out on many nights, which feature the Disney Characters in the Holiday show.

 

[peter11435]

As another poster had said, Disney use to do the nativity show at the Marketplace (Downtown Disney) I believe they did away with it because it was a Christian show, not because it was crowded, Disney use to fill up the Marketplace parking lots during the month of December for 3 shows each night, it was the best show at Walt Disney World.

Not to be rude but there is no way it had anything to do with being a Christian show. If that were their reason they would have stopped the Candlelight Processional at Epcot a long time ago. The reason for stopping the show at DTD was a combo of crowds and cost.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

Yes, absolutely! Osborne Lights made up for alot of that though. I think I enjoyed walkng through that than anything else I did on our trip. It was like a sensory overload.

 

[goodeats]

I remember when Disney use to have Real Christmas Trees in the Parks, in fact the Magic Kingdom had 3 real trees two at Cinderella’s Castle and one at Town Square on Main Street USA. I always use to love the scent of the Real Tree just as soon you walked past the Train Station, now Disney uses artificial trees every year using the same Tree for each park. By the way did anybody notice that Disney had the Christmas tree near the castle for Thanksgiving but was later moved to Town Square where it is now.

Yes, I think the fake identical trees are part of the fact I was disappointed in the Christmas decorations. They were just so cheezy, and didn't feel like Christmas at all. The Candlelight Processional was amazing though!

Oh and the reason the tree was moved was so they could tape the Christmas parade without blocking the 'sightlines'.

I was not disappointed by the food displays, especially the Gingerbread house at GF! They were all about the size I expected, some people don't realize that TV makes things seem bigger.

 

[Disneyholics5]

yes, the Contemporary show was terrific, we used to go every year and it was always a sell out - still can't figure out why they stopped that one - there is certainly plenty of convention space available throughtout Disneyworld for them to keep it going - and it was sooooooooo popular, just as the Nativity show that I mentioned - you could not get near DTD they came from all over the area for that one - I try not to think that it is because it was a Christian show although it did enter my mind - and I have again given it serious thought seeing so many less decorations. I hope the trend does not continue. That being said I LOVE Disney. Merry CHRISTmas.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

WE just got back from DW and I have to agree that there were not as many decorations as I seem to remember from other trips.

We still enjoyed going from resort to resort to see the decorations and I have a picture of my hubby with almost every tree.

IMHO, the Osborne lights did not seem as special on the big city streets as they did on the Backlot . Maybe I am just thinking that they are more Christmas looking in a residental setting. My hubby enjoyed them so much he wanted to go two nights. He likes any lights he does not have to put up, not that he ever has. lol

Slightly Goofy

 

[bytheblood]

Disney is struggling and getting CHEAP.

 

[Disneyholics5]

I agree with you and enjoyed the Osborne lights on the backlot much better, they are still beautiful - but I miss them in the backlot. Merry Christmas

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Imagine how lovely those lights might be around the World Showcase at Epcot? On second thought they might take away from the other worldly charm of the place. Just a passing thought.

Slightly Goofy

 

[peter11435]

Disney is struggling and getting CHEAP.

Disney is far from struggling. And saying Disney is getting CHEAP is like saying Donald Trump is poor. Sure a few things have been cut back on but for the most part the parks are still great all year long and even more so at Christmas.