christmas activities at the resorts

[DisneyWalle]

I read somewhere that there were three disney world resorts that offer a few more Christmas activities than others. Can someone tell me if this is true and if so, what can we expect? These were the three resorts that were mentioned: Beach and Yacht Club, Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Floridian

 

[llqool]

Most of the deluxe resorts will have elaborate gingerbread houses and all of the resorts decorate for the holidays. At the Grand Floridian, they typically have a HUGE gingerbread house that houses a small shop selling....gingerbread. You can look at the house, buy goodies, and they usually have a handout with the recipe on it. The Grand Floridian often has groups performing holiday music (bell ringers, singers, pianists etc).

I remember one year, quite a few yrs back, when there were carolers dressed in Victorian garb passing out chestnuts right as you exited the monorail at GF. But WDW, like everywhere else, has scaled back. Last year I thought there were fewer decorations up (everywhere) than the year before.

 

[danall]

We spent Xmas at Disney in 2008 and we enjoyed going from resort to resort just to see their Xmas and gingerbread decorations - and it's all free. They had the gingerbread decorations at the Deluxe resorts but the other resorts had nice xmas decorations as well and it was nice to see what they had done.

 

[danall]

We also did Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party on Xmas eve one year and New Year's eve another year. It was basically the same but we still enjoyed it both times.

 

[Missytara]

We were lucky enough one year to be there when an older couple with a very large extended family was having their wedding pictures taken in front of the tree at GF. Along with the overstuffed chairs and the piano player in the lobby, it was a wonderful experience we never expected.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We always stay at the Yacht Club. As another poster mentioned they have some carolers singing on the stairs in the lobby. They do have character greetings in the lobby but thats is very close to christmas time. And as other posters have said you really dont know what will happen.

Its only certain days and times, (the carolers) like around 6 pm when you need to get somewhere for a dinner adr. We stopped and listened a few minutes on our way out the door. These are not disney cast memebers but local groups/high schools etc. The yacht Club also has a train display near the captains grile restraunt.

They also had a gingerbread cookie demonstration once at the beach club. Ds and I went. The cast member was terrible, non talkative etc. Total waste of time. We left quickly. Of course the carousel in the bc lobby is beautiful.

The GF has the gingerbread house. Dont buy the shingles. They are terrible. If you time it right you might hear the musical performance in the lobby.

The Swan karaoke is fun. I havent done it, just when we stay there we walk past it. At the Dolphin they have a huge tree tree and railroad. They pick one famiy to turn on the lights each night (I dont know if that is for guests only) and they have had a piano player there in the past around dinner hour too. I think the tree lighting is 5-6 ish.

 

[SharonZ]

luvmarypoppins - I thought I was the only person who thought the gingerbread shingles were horrible!

 

[llqool]

as I recall, the gingerbread tastes more like German gingerbread (lebkuchen) than "American" gingerbread. So it's got more of a spice cookie taste than a sugary taste. I think that's b/c the pastry chef at GF is Austrian/German. Plus the consistency is probably better for building the structures. I actually like the German stuff (and the American version, too)

 

[DisneyWalle]

These are wonderful tips. Does anyone have anymore? How about the polyensian or contemporary? Anything special at those? Also, are any of these resort events published anywhere? I would love to plan (I am a compulsive planner, I admit it) a day to visit about three to four resorts that offer something special and unique.

 

[RaySharpton]

I will be staying at the Dolphin Resort for part of my December trip this year.

I am not sure if the very large 45 foot tall Christmas tree is still being used in the center of the lobby, but I loved the larger train rolling around the bottom of the tree skirt and all of the poinsetta flowers and just the general atmosphere of the lobby during the holidays.

In past years, there were a few Dolphin Resort's Lobby December events that were planned, but I don't know if they will doing the same thing this year.

Twilight Magic:
Each night at 6:00pm, there's the "Twilight Magic" tree lighting ceremony in the Dolphin lobby.

Santa's Workshop:
In Santa's Workshop, children are invited to create a fun arts & crafts project. The workshop opens on select days from 6:00 to 7:00pm in the Dolphin lobby.

Photos with Santa:
Santa will be visiting the Dolphin Lobby to see all the children on vacation. Photos With Santa will take place every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday through December 23. Santa will be there from 6:00 pm 7:00 pm. Digital pictures will be available for purchase for $5.00 or you can take your own photo.

Holiday Performers:
On select nights, the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort will have local performers and choirs providing special holiday entertainment in the Dolphin Lobby. Performances begin at 6:00 pm.

Cookie Decorating:
Every Tuesday and Thursday in December, children are invited to cookie decorating from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Located by the Dolphin Lobby near the holiday tree.

Campfire on the Beach:
Join us every Saturday on the beach to warm up to our campfire and make S'mores. S'mores kits will be sold for $5.00 each and contain six S'mores. This activity begins at 6:00pm

As others have mentioned, the big three resorts with large interior lobbies have huge 45 foot christmas trees in their open lobby decorated differently in their on themes.

Some people like to plan tours of these resorts to see all of the Christmas decorations.

I like to specifically like to see them at night to see all of the christmas lights on, too.

Some resorts used to keep a weekly list of activities at their resort front desk or guest services to see who my be entertaining in the lobby.

Like at the Grand Floridian Resort with the piano player in the lobby near the christmas tree. Or the small orchestra on the next floor of the lobby near the tear room. Or the various chorus groups from churches or high schools. Or bell ringers or story tellers.

At Wilderness Lodge, but to a lesser extend, they do the same thing, but one year one small animal was brought into the lobby via an AK castmember to discuss the animals.

 

[Deon.Newmankgyxc]

yeah i have heard about this thing too

 

[DisneyWalle]

Does anyone know if the Polynesian does anything special or unique at the hotel for Christmas?

 

[DROCKS]

Staying at Wilderness Lodge. Can anyone tell me what time the holiday carolers using begin singing in the lobby? I'm thinking it was 6pm, but can't remember. Thanks.

 

[louey]

We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge one year at Christmas and I remember that Santa Clause and some of the Disney Characters were in the Hotel lobby taking pictures with the Kids. Maybe ask at check in if they still do this.

 

[CanadianPaco]

That tree at the Dolphin is incredible! How beautiful!

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

When are the resorts decorated? I am headed to WDW next weekend for a quick last minute trip. I see that MVMCP is starting as are the Osborne Family Lights. At first I thought that was stupid and way too early. Now I'm really excited to start my Christmas season early.

I see the Candlelight Procession and AK Parade don't start until Thanksgiving Weekend.

When do the resorts decorate? For Thanksgiving Weekend? Now? Or something in between?

Thanks in advance

 

[daisyduck123]

We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge one year at Christmas and I remember that Santa Clause and some of the Disney Characters were in the Hotel lobby taking pictures with the Kids. Maybe ask at check in if they still do this.

Yep.
My family (all dressed in our matching Disney Xmas outfits) got our pic taken with Mickey & Minnie (dressed in their holiday outfits) in front of the lobby Xmas tree. The picture came out perfect!!

Santa was there too, on the other side of the tree, & not one person was waiting to see him. Everyone only wanted Mickey & Minnie.

 

[mickaholic4077]

We also did Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party on Xmas eve one year and New Year's eve another year. It was basically the same but we still enjoyed it both times.

When was MVMCP on Christmas Eve? And NYE????

 

[Gary M]

Staying at Wilderness Lodge. Can anyone tell me what time the holiday carolers using begin singing in the lobby? I'm thinking it was 6pm, but can't remember. Thanks.

We have stayed at WL several times during Dec. and remember the evening Christmas carolers. I can't remember the exact time, but 6 or 7pm sounds about right. Maybe guest services would have a schedule.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I will be staying at the Dolphin Resort for part of my December trip this year.

I am not sure if the very large 45 foot tall Christmas tree is still being used in the center of the lobby, but I loved the larger train rolling around the bottom of the tree skirt and all of the poinsetta flowers and just the general atmosphere of the lobby during the holidays.

In past years, there were a few Dolphin Resort's Lobby December events that were planned, but I don't know if they will doing the same thing this year.

Twilight Magic:
Each night at 6:00pm, there's the "Twilight Magic" tree lighting ceremony in the Dolphin lobby.

Santa's Workshop:
In Santa's Workshop, children are invited to create a fun arts & crafts project. The workshop opens on select days from 6:00 to 7:00pm in the Dolphin lobby.

Photos with Santa:
Santa will be visiting the Dolphin Lobby to see all the children on vacation. Photos With Santa will take place every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday through December 23. Santa will be there from 6:00 pm 7:00 pm. Digital pictures will be available for purchase for $5.00 or you can take your own photo.

Holiday Performers:
On select nights, the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort will have local performers and choirs providing special holiday entertainment in the Dolphin Lobby. Performances begin at 6:00 pm.

Cookie Decorating:
Every Tuesday and Thursday in December, children are invited to cookie decorating from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Located by the Dolphin Lobby near the holiday tree.

Campfire on the Beach:
Join us every Saturday on the beach to warm up to our campfire and make S'mores. S'mores kits will be sold for $5.00 each and contain six S'mores. This activity begins at 6:00pm

As others have mentioned, the big three resorts with large interior lobbies have huge 45 foot christmas trees in their open lobby decorated differently in their on themes.

Some people like to plan tours of these resorts to see all of the Christmas decorations.

I like to specifically like to see them at night to see all of the christmas lights on, too.

Some resorts used to keep a weekly list of activities at their resort front desk or guest services to see who my be entertaining in the lobby.

Like at the Grand Floridian Resort with the piano player in the lobby near the christmas tree. Or the small orchestra on the next floor of the lobby near the tear room. Or the various chorus groups from churches or high schools. Or bell ringers or story tellers.

At Wilderness Lodge, but to a lesser extend, they do the same thing, but one year one small animal was brought into the lobby via an AK castmember to discuss the animals.

thanks for the information on Dolphin, we will be staying at the Swan for 2 nights in a couple of weeks (I'm still hoping avialabitly show up for the rest of our trip but I heard a big convention is on the way on Dec 5)