Best Holiday/Christmas resort?

[cruisehopeful]

Excluding the California resorts, where's the best resort for Holiday theming? I was looking at planning Merry Time Cruise, but it got me thinking that maybe I would rather do Aulani if it's decked out for the holidays. And that led me to thinking about some of the WDW resorts or even Hilton Head.

I already have a cruise booked next summer with my desired itinerary. I think I can survive pushing out a Merry Time to a further year. So, potentially, I would like a very nicely themed resort for 2025. I tend to find things to keep busy wherever I go. Theme parks aren't important, but I would go to them if I was near them.

What are your favorite resorts for the holidays and why? What type of nonpark things did you do?

 

[Dis507]

I have to go with VGF, my home resort. It has always been fully decked out for Christmas. The lobby is incredible, the gingerbread house that’s built to scale. The grounds. It would have to be the most Christmasy resort I’ve ever seen.

On the downside, all of the grandeur brings thousands of visitors and the main building can be insane. The monorail can be practically impossible to get on, the parking lot is so full that unless you are staying at the resort you will get turned away. It’s truly a doubled edged sword.

But that is just me.

 

[TCRAIG]

No contest - Boulder Ridge at Wilderness Lodge…

 

[NVDISFamily]

Just hope you’re not considering CA options because you have been to the grand cal and Disneyland resort during that time a bunch already…. VGC in late November is awesome

There seems to be a bunch of good options at WDW. I’d pick between WL and AKL. GF based on what I’ve heard from locals during our last trip seems like it just has too many people.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Just hope you’re not considering CA options because you have been to the grand cal and Disneyland resort during that time a bunch already…. VGC in late November is awesome

Yes it's my home resort. I've been many times and will be there again this year. After just looking at videos of Boulder Ridge at Christmas, I am thinking it may be too similar, even though it looks much more decked out.

 

[Disney Spaz]

I would say VGF or CCR. VGF has a very busy lobby during certain hours but first thing in the morning and later at night it is wonderful, peaceful, and beautiful. CCR is probably a lot like VGC but it too is beautiful I would look at videos of both CCR and BRV as they are different in how they are decorated for the holidays. IMHO BRV is more toned down then CCR.

 

[keishashadow]

Yes it's my home resort. I've been many times and will be there again this year. After just looking at videos of Boulder Ridge at Christmas, I am thinking it may be too similar, even though it looks much more decked out.

Own @ WL, have enjoyed VGC (not @ Xmas), reminds me of home as to general vibe

not one to cast shade on anyone's home resort, am of the mind WL's whole package just cannot be duplicated. Xmas decorations are just the gingerbread on top of our annual early Dec trips

I actually have felt a twinge of guilt when visiting the gingerbread house @ VGF; imagining the throng would be more than a bit annoying to those staying there.

FYI Studios are hard to come by the first week in December, even at the 11th month window.

 

[2010dvcfan]

WL, hands down, no other resort can hold a candle to that lobby for Christmas theming. That's why we all get up and get on the computers to book right at the opening day for reservations and they are gone within minutes.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

The answer to this question depends on your quintessential Christmastime and, specifically, the photo or postcard that comes to mind. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offers a Victorian-inspired Christmas whereas Disney's Wilderness Lodge offers a Smokey Mountains-inspired Christmas.

 

[sndral]

Excluding the California resorts, where's the best resort for Holiday theming? I was looking at planning Merry Time Cruise, but it got me thinking that maybe I would rather do Aulani if it's decked out for the holidays. And that led me to thinking about some of the WDW resorts or even Hilton Head.

I already have a cruise booked next summer with my desired itinerary. I think I can survive pushing out a Merry Time to a further year. So, potentially, I would like a very nicely themed resort for 2025. I tend to find things to keep busy wherever I go. Theme parks aren't important, but I would go to them if I was near them.

What are your favorite resorts for the holidays and why? What type of nonpark things did you do?

We typically go during the holidays, either the first couple of weeks of Dec. or just after Christmas when the decorations are still up. Irrespective of where I stay I always visit the big 3 (GF, WL, AKL Jambo) to check out their towering Christmas trees. Disney Springs is decked out for the holidays & have their Christmas tree stroll - although I preferred it when the trees were along one walkway rather than dispersed throughout as they’ve been lately.
I always swing by the BC lobby to see the Christmas carousel there.

We book one of our 2 home resorts right at 11 months because availability disappears by 7 months.
The main lobby at the Grand Floridian (one of our home resorts) has the gingerbread house & the massive Christmas tree & often the grand piano player will play carols.

At our other home resort -AKV - we book Jambo w/ its lovely multistory tree & oversized edible animal display.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Wilderness Lodge in general, and BRV in particular because you get the decorations and second tree in the BRV lobby as well.


Boulder Ridge Lobby:



Main Lobby:

 

[lovin'fl]

Copper Creek or Grand Flo.

 

[hhisc16]

Excluding the California resorts, where's the best resort for Holiday theming? I was looking at planning Merry Time Cruise, but it got me thinking that maybe I would rather do Aulani if it's decked out for the holidays. And that led me to thinking about some of the WDW resorts or even Hilton Head.

I already have a cruise booked next summer with my desired itinerary. I think I can survive pushing out a Merry Time to a further year. So, potentially, I would like a very nicely themed resort for 2025. I tend to find things to keep busy wherever I go. Theme parks aren't important, but I would go to them if I was near them.

What are your favorite resorts for the holidays and why? What type of nonpark things did you do?

DHHIR is a nice resort for December.

First two weeks are low points and normally nice weather.

Shelter Cove and DHHIR are big into holiday decorations for December. Plus the local restaurants.

We have stayed at PVB, AKV, and BRV/CCV for holidays as well. They are all great!

 

[Cybertruck]

A Christmas stay is magical. Our family favorite is Wilderness Lodge. Favorite activities at Christmas are resort hopping to see all the decorations, scavenger hunts (the All Stars one is across all 3 resorts), and a Monorail snack or meal crawl. A Lapu Lapu is a favorite stop on our Monorail crawl. The Disney Spring Christmas trail is another good one but it can be crowded especially at night. As empty nesters a good family meal allows us time to reconnect.

 

[Pens Fan]

It's the WL resorts for us - no contest. We book CCV every year in early December and wouldn't even consider staying anywhere else. I understand the love for VGF and the gingerbread house is adorable, but the crowds it draws is a big negative for me. We do try to swing by to see it, but are always glad we aren't staying there.

We sometimes combine our Dec stay with a Thanksgiving week stay at HHI and quite enjoy watching the transformation of not only the resort but the entire island to Christmas. Plus, I don't have to cook Thanksgiving dinner - win!!!

 

[DonMacGregor]

It's the WL resorts for us - no contest. We book CCV every year in early December and wouldn't even consider staying anywhere else. I understand the love for VGF and the gingerbread house is adorable, but the crowds it draws is a big negative for me. We do try to swing by to see it, but are always glad we aren't staying there.

This is how we feel, 1000%. For us it's a BRV 2BR the first week of December every year.

 

[DisTravels]

Excluding the California resorts, where's the best resort for Holiday theming?

When do the Christmas ornaments/theming typically start and when is it fully up?

 

[davidhr]

When do the Christmas ornaments/theming typically start and when is it fully up?

Mid November usually. Order changes every year, so most/all resorts should be done by the first week of December.

 

[keishashadow]

The Disney Spring Christmas trail is another good one but it can be crowded especially at night.

Seems I'm in minority but liked it better when in separate area by old bus stops.

People tend to lounge on walls around some of the trees (haunted mansion one near Lego comes to mind). When crowded, it can be difficult to get a clean pic of trees