Best resorts for the Christmas feel?

[Dis2times]

Thought this might be a fun thread for those of us planning Nov/Dec trips (I know there are LOTS of us!)

What are your favorite resorts for viewing Christmas decorations/getting in the Christmas spirit? I know if it is 80's Florida Dec. it may not feel so Christmassy for us (we used to live in Chicago) so I was wondering what resorts have the Christmas spirit in bundles. What resorts are the least Christmassy?

I would imagine WL and GF are great at Christmastime.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I posted a similar question yesterday (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=761835), and am interested to see further replies to your thread!

Of the pictures I've seen it looks like most of the deluxes go all out, and I also liked the look of the POR and POFQ at holiday time.

I can't afford GF, but am entertaining renting DVC points to stay at the BCV, or keep my fingers crossed for an AP rate at the WL. I might book a AAA rate at POFQ in the meantime - can't decide.

I wouldn't want to stay in CSR or AKL I don't think around the holidays. I like traditional holiday decorations, and don't know if those would be as readily apparent there. When I went to Playa del Carmen mid-December last year, there were only a couple of poinsettias around, and it didn't feel like Christmas time at all!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

For me the best resort with the most Christmas feel is The Wilderness Lodge!
I was almost in tears with its beauty.

 

[ciera321]

We just took our first Christmas time trip to DW and stayed at WIlderness Lodge. That was the perfect fit for ust with all the beautiful decorations, fireplaces, just a great place for the holiday time!!!

 

[Dis2times]

We just took our first Christmas time trip to DW and stayed at WIlderness Lodge. That was the perfect fit for ust with all the beautiful decorations, fireplaces, just a great place for the holiday time!!!

So glad! We'll be at VWL for 5 nights. We're scheduled POR for our last two nights, but knowing how I've flip-flopped on that issue, I'm sure it will be changing up until the last minute.

 

[Kim&Chris]

We stayed at the Poly for Christmas '02, and while I loved the theming, it definitely wasn't Christmassy in a way that we were used to. Lots of Hawiian-themed decorations & music, which we LOVED, but if you're looking for good ol' fashioned Christmas cheer, then take a look at the GF. That place was incredible. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the huge gingerbread house constructed right in the lobby. Not to mention the incredible amounts of poinsetias (sp?) landscaped throughout the resort. And the HUGE, gorgeous Christmas tree right in the center of the lobby was breathtaking.

 

[erinz]

WL and GF!!!!!

 

[funnybunny921]

as a child i loved when we would go to the swan or dolphin. I also loved the decor at the Boardwalk.

 

[ducklite]

IMHO the Boardwalk offers the most stunning traditional look. The AKL has an amazing exotic look. And the WL, well...it's "Christmassy" there year round!

Anne

 

[Greg K.]

We stayed at the GF one December, and adored it. The tree, the music, the chestnuts roasting outside...just incredible atmospherics all around. One night, they even had bell ringers in the lobby!

The WL has an awesome tree and theming, too -- you will feel like you are in the north woods!

But we stayed at the BW one year around Thanksgiving...went to bed one night with no decorations anywhere, and then woke up to find the whole resort completely decorated! It's festive and fun, and they really go all out.

 

[MiJo]

after doing a "resort tour" in December of 2000, we would both say WL, hands down. Next would probably be the YC. Although, the resorts are all nicely decorated at Christmas.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I agree with the poster who said Boardwalk. When you walk up to the Village Green on the way to the lobby and see that big Christmas tree made out of Poinsettas, I think that's beautiful. And all the lovely Christmas music playing on the Boardwalk.

 

[yogibigdog]

Went on the backstage Yuletide Fantasy Tour this past December. If you get a chance you should book it. We went to Epcot, MK, AKL, GF then went backstage to the Holiday Services building. They told us the newer resort with the grand trees (like GF,WL and AKL) actually were designed with the tree in mind. That’s way they are so beautiful. An older resort like the Poly does not have room for a huge tree. The Dolphin has a huge poinsettia tree with a train around it. Each hotel has it own theme. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Christmas time is my favorite time to go to Disney. The Holiday Service was very interesting highlight of the tour. This is where they design and store all the decorations for the parks, resorts and the cruise ships. Even though it was December and mostly everything was decorated the building still had many more decorations inside. CM still working on decorations.

 

[franw]

As beautiful as the lobby at the GF is at Christmas, I'd have to go with the Boardwalk also. The decorations are incredibly beautiful and it has a warm Christmasy feeling throughout. But then I am partial to the BWI any time of year.

 

[Danauk]

We are staying at the BCV over Christmas and new year and can't wait. The resort looks stunning in the pictures that I have seen plus I love the location. I can't wait to see the WL and GF though.

 

[MsMoneyPenny]

I wouldn't want to stay in CSR or AKL I don't think around the holidays. I like traditional holiday decorations, and don't know if those would be as readily apparent there. When I went to Playa del Carmen mid-December last year, there were only a couple of poinsettias around, and it didn't feel like Christmas time at all!

We went to CSR this past Christmas and although it was not as amazing as WL or GF, we were not disappointed. There were gorgeous trees (around 6ft) in the lobby area by the fountain, and a huge tree where you check in with lots of poinsettias around the base. All along the corridors were small wall mounted trees, and outside there were garlands, it really was very very pretty and Christmasy. Disney really do seem to pull out all the stops at their resorts.

 

[fam4jc]

We are going in December for our 10th Anniversary! So far I have Mon thr Thurs nights at a 1bdrm boardwalk villa and and search for our weekend resort... Looks like we made a good choice for the first part of our stay. Which resort would you all suggest for the most beautiful Chirstmassy feel and the most romantic for the Fri - Sun portion of our stay?? I am leaning towards WL since we have never stayed there before.

 

[BadgerBruce]

We love to visit as many resorts as possible in the holiday season. We like to stay at the Epcot resorts when we go that time of year. The Boardwalk resort has great decorations & the Dolphin has a huge tree in their lobby. There's nightly (?) storytellers or choirs in the lobbies of BC/YC. The whole Crescent Lake area is especially nice in December. Never stayed at CSR in December, but did visit. The lobby & hallways of El Centro are beautifully decorated! Did enjoy the decor at GF & WL, too.