Best Christmas Resort?

[DisGirlAllie]

So in the DisGirlAllie household, there's word of a Christmas trip on the horizon (maybe this year, maybe next year, maybe in ten years when we win the lottery and I've paid off med school). While discussing this amazing possibility a slight tiff broke out: what resort to stay at? The Animal Kingdom Lodge, so peaceful and relaxing. The Wilderness Lodge, so rustic and fun. The Polynesian, so tropical and beautiful. They're all in the running. So I thought about it and decided to pose the question to the wonderful people on the DIS.
What resort would you stay (or have you stayed) at for Christmas? And why?

 

[sjs314]

I always said I would stay at the GF if I went for Christmas but here I am our first trip ever at Christmastime and we will be staying at the BW. I do not think you can go wrong with WL, GF, or any of the Epcot Resorts. AKL is beautifully decorated too. IMO The Poly and CR are the least appealing, but that is just me.

 

[MMS1125]

We went resort hopping on our December trip in 2011 to see the decorations (stayed @ CSR) and WL was by far the most beautifully decorated for Christmas. I loved the GF as well but WL won hands down for me

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

For our family no other resort feels more like Christmas than WL. The very first time we visited WL was around the holidays and we fell in love with it. Since that time we always said one day we would wake up at WL on Christmas morning. We finally made that dream come true last Christmas and there was never a doubt in my mind that we were at the right resort for our Christmas trip.

We are going back around the holidays in 2013, for Thanksgiving, with DH's family. After looking over the resorts and decorations most of the family has agreed that WL is the place to be for the holidays. We have stayed at BC for Thanksgiving before, and it was great. We enjoyed all the decorations at the Epcot area resorts, but the resort itself didn't feel very much like the holidays, too beachy!

All the resorts are decorated beautifully, and you'll probably be happy at any of them, but I can't image spending the actual Christmas holiday anywhere other than WL.

 

[mickeynut1]

The WL is our favorite during the holidays . It's a beautiful resort any time of year, but especially during Christmas time. The lobby is beautiful and has a cozy atmosphere with the huge fireplace surrounded by rocking chairs .

 

[danceintherain]

If I ever go for Christmas, I want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[MagicallyDelicious]

Wilderness Lodge, hands down!

 

[sharadoc]

Fort Wilderness by far! Here's just a taste of what you'd see on your way back from the MK boat dock.

 

[mmmears]

WL, GF, and AKL are all really spectacular when decorated. Which one I guess depends on which "look" appeals to you the most. WL lends itself the most to the xmas theming, but I would happily book any of those three.

 

[disneymomjcs]

Fort Wilderness by far! Here's just a taste of what you'd see on your way back from the MK boat dock.

I love it! We have been to Disney so many times and have never looked around. We need to do this, thanks for sharing

 

[tinkerbellybutton]

If you book the Holiday Sleigh ride at Fort Wilderness the driver takes you around to all the campsites. We did this last Christmas and it was a wonderful evening. The driver was well equipped with a nice blanket for us, candy canes, and some soft music playing.....all that was missing was Christmas like weather. LOL. It was very, very warm last Christmas!

 

[disneymomjcs]

Every resort has its own wonderful Christmas feeling!

My favorites are Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom for their warmth and unbelievable decorated lobbies and resorts. Port Orleans is also lovely.

I love the Grand Floridan but it is bright and grand. I love to visit all the resorts and see the fabulous Gingerbread Creations.

The value resorts are decorated with trees and a little decorations but not as much as the Deluxe or Moderates.

 

[MagicallyDelicious]

Fort Wilderness by far! Here's just a taste of what you'd see on your way back from the MK boat dock.

That was so cool! I wish I'd have known about that back when my three were younger!

 

[happy2012]

I bet WL has a true Christmas feel. But Idream of staying @ the Poly someday........

 

[herb102211]

I think all of the deluxe resorts are beautifully decorated for the holidays! For us, it’s between the Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Floridian, but I think I’d have to give the edge to the Wilderness lodge. It’s gorgeous with the fireplaces going and all of the decorations in the lobby!

 

[sharadoc]

I love it! We have been to Disney so many times and have never looked around. We need to do this, thanks for sharing

That was so cool! I wish I'd have known about that back when my three were younger!

It's literally only 10% of what you can see. I recommend making a night of it but instead of a sleigh ride, rent a golf cart. You can go at your own pace and see everything. The sleigh ride usually only does one loop and doesn't go into the smaller ones. Dinner at Trail's End, Chip and Dale at the campfire in their Christmas stuff, Holiday Wishes on the beach too. As long as it's not freezing cold, you can spend at least 5 to 10 pm there.

In 2010 it was about 23 degrees, so we got way too cold driving around and went home early. And we brought blankets, thermal underwear, gloves, hats, scarves - everything!

 

[minijeanie]

Our family stayed at BW and it was wonderful. we also got to viw the BC,YC Swan And dolphin. It was really beautiful.

If I were to go again I would probably want to stay at WL..The fireplace in the lobby would have to be spectacular and all with the rustic setting I would think it would be breathtaking

 

[DisneyCrazyMomma]

Another WL lover here! Been three times at Christmas... WL has been my favorite of the ones we've stayed at, and looked at... it is all so pretty though... can't go wrong

 

[DisneyCrazyMomma]

Fort Wilderness by far! Here's just a taste of what you'd see on your way back from the MK boat dock.

So this may be a silly question, but I've never camped at Disney.. are all the decorations brought and set up by the campers themselves? So cool!!

 

[Greysword]

We have stayed at BC for Thanksgiving before, and it was great. We enjoyed all the decorations at the Epcot area resorts, but the resort itself didn't feel very much like the holidays, too beachy!

That's what it is like growing up in Florida, especially on the coast! hehe. Christmas lights are viewed in a convertible with the top down on your way home from Clearwater beach!

So this may be a silly question, but I've never camped at Disney.. are all the decorations brought and set up by the campers themselves? So cool!!

Yep. There is a segment about it in one of the Travel Channel Christmas specials. This is actually a great low-cost evening activity!