Christmas decoration review

[Herbie]

We spent last weekend in Orlando to see the decorations. We managed to hit the MK, Epcot and HS all on Saturday. We loved the Castle done in lights, and the Osborne Specticle was awesome. We were some what under-whelmed by the rest of the decor. I guess we expected more? Maybe TV just makes it look more wow? Our hopes too high? We had a great time despite the parks being packed all evening (open till 1am). This was the first time we ever had a line getting on the WED WAY Peoplemover! Fortunately we got there at 8:30 am and had lots done by noon.

I would like to give credit to SEA WORLD. I think they have a great CHRISTMASY FEEL. The sea of trees light show is awesome. The Polar Express is great, and the whole park is decorated very well.

 

[dan and scott]

We were there the week before ------and yes they did a LOT MORE years ago. More lights More decorations. Everything oooozzzzed Christmas!--- Once more the degree of declining Disney difference!

Scott

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . they did a LOT MORE years ago. More lights More decorations. Everything oooozzzzed Christmas!--- Once more the degree of declining Disney difference!

. . . alas, you are right
. . . they are making more profit (per the annual report)
. . . yet, they are cutting back on the Disney Experience
. . . pitiful

I would like to give credit to SEA WORLD. I think they have a great CHRISTMASY FEEL . . .

. . . agreed
. . . the difference between SeaWorld and Disney is HUGE
. . . SeaWorld does go all-out for the holiday

 

[hollygolitely93]

We are just back and were underwhelmed...with exception to spectacle of lights, of course!

 

[Herbie]

Glad im not the only one......

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We were mostly underwhelmed with the resort decor. Poly was a bust (I miss the gingerbread), BWI was a joke, the little tree outfront is about the size of the one in my living room! And of course I still miss the lights of winter, but I'm almost over that now and if you forget those things were ever there the decorations are top notch and are still better than I can find anywhere else.

 

[DisGirl819]

We just came back. I loved the decorations, but I also feel like there could have been more. The deluxe resorts had/have amazing decorations and trees. We loved them all so much. My favorite tree was at the Yacht Club and I loved the gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club. The Grand Floridian was beautiful. I felt like Epcot could have used a lot more decorations. It almost felt like they just said "Hey, here is a bunch of garland a wreaths, toss em up anywhere"

 

[hollygolitely93]

We like the CP area with the twinkling lights. I expected more pointsetta's and twinkling lights scattered in trees in the park and retaurants and such lit up.

Once you got off Main Street we thought MK was a bust.

And would it hurt them to throw a scarf on the characters...??? Phineas and Ferb and Camp Mickey were the only ones in the spirit that we saw.

 

[RMulieri]

The only place I really feel that is lacking is Epcot..Since they did away with the Lights of Winter displays the park seems like an afterthought

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

We are here now and I agree - we are underwhelemed. Every year seems to have cutbacks on the Christmas decor. I think Disney is worried about offending those who dont observe Christmas. you can see CP if you want and you can listen to Joyful if you want, but I guess they are trying to keep it from being in your face everywhere you go.

 

[Tink415]

The decorations were very under whelming this year except for Osborne Lights, the castle lights and the new castle light show before the fireworks, what an awesome show!! We didn't like the castle in flames tho and some people around us at the dessert party loudly gasped in horror when they saw that).

Most of the resorts except WL and GF, and maybe YC, just looked dull... the newish lights on most trees are not warm at all, I really dislike them. POR had hardly any decorations, used to be so beautiful, its sad.

 

[Glenn]

My cousin is just back from wdw & said he felt that they cut back the decorations again this year. They own DVC & the whole group goes this time of the year. Smaller trees, fewer decorations he is not a happy camper. With the hassel of getting reservations this time of year he's thinking of skipping Cristmas next yr.
Why are they cutting. CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. I feel they want to see how little they can give you for your dollar. They value the 1st time customer who is there for their once in a lifetime visit and dont put much value in that repeat customer.
My cousin is intending to send a letter to complain about all the cutbacks, decorations, food and so on. He has over 300pts & has been a member for a long time. Like he said it might not help but if no one complains the cuts will just get worse & worse. (have you seen the no pickle thread?). If youre a repeat visitor & dont like what youve seen this Christmas, write or at least email your concerns & complaints to WDW.

 

[ebtbmom]

I totally agree. The majority of the decorations were at the park's entrances. I remember thinking while we were back in Frontierland, "wow, you wouldn't even know it's Christmas time". And in Epcot, other than the small areas where the story tellers were, there was practically no decorations in WS.

 

[ADP]

I agree as well. The decor around the theme parks was underwhelming compared to years past. I noticed a lack of decor around the common areas. Gift shops and restaurants appeared to boast decorations on the outside and inside, but the common areas were definately lacking.

 

[wbeem]

This graphic just came out on the Disney Parks blog.

How much more decoration do you want from Disney World?

 

[quirty30]

We were also there last weekend and I was somewhat underwhelmed by the decorations at the Magic Kingdom. I visited there about 10 years ago and remember so many more decorations - we had our picture taken in a very festive looking sleigh and made it our Christmas card that year. But we were really pleased with the decor at the MK area resorts....CR, Poly, GF and WL. I thought all were done up nicely and tastefully. Gingerbread tree at CR and Gingerbread House at GF were great. Kids LOVED Osborne Lights at DHS. My grumpy 10 year old daughter just went crazy with her camera there - totally got her in the Christmas spirit. And I thought all the park Christmas trees were wonderful. All of WDW can't be like the Osborne Lights. Some of it was subtle but still lovely. We planned this trip just to see what Christmas at Disney was like and overall we were impressed. And we thoroughly enjoyed the weather...I can't wait to plan another December trip.

 

[goofyernmost]

My thought is that Disney had made an effort to "tone it down" a little. Remember that not all Disney guests are Christian. It is still a massive display but, I think, that they have kind of realized that the "in your face" manner from the past might just be a little uncomfortable for many people.

We have to realize that Disney World is not a defined "Christian" theme park. It's an everybody theme park. The fact that they do as much as they do is commendable. They haven't given into political correctness completely, just a little.

 

[LarryNabisco]

People complain about everything

 

[LarryNabisco]

My cousin is just back from wdw & said he felt that they cut back the decorations again this year. They own DVC & the whole group goes this time of the year. Smaller trees, fewer decorations he is not a happy camper. With the hassel of getting reservations this time of year he's thinking of skipping Cristmas next yr.
Why are they cutting. CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP. I feel they want to see how little they can give you for your dollar. They value the 1st time customer who is there for their once in a lifetime visit and dont put much value in that repeat customer.
My cousin is intending to send a letter to complain about all the cutbacks, decorations, food and so on. He has over 300pts & has been a member for a long time. Like he said it might not help but if no one complains the cuts will just get worse & worse. (have you seen the no pickle thread?). If youre a repeat visitor & dont like what youve seen this Christmas, write or at least email your concerns & complaints to WDW.

Well, they are having to give away dining just to get people in the parks. What exactly do you expect?

People like your cousin complaining (with the true hope of getting something from WDW for nothing after the complaint) those are the kind of guests who lead to the parks cutting back.

If someone is truly not happy, then they should simply stop going or scale back visits. To write or email a complaint about Christmas decorations being scaled back (relative term) is an absolute embarassment.

 

[catm]

Well, they are having to give away dining just to get people in the parks. What exactly do you expect?

People like your cousin complaining (with the true hope of getting something from WDW for nothing after the complaint) those are the kind of guests who lead to the parks cutting back.

If someone is truly not happy, then they should simply stop going or scale back visits. To write or email a complaint about Christmas decorations being scaled back (relative term) is an absolute embarassment.

Thank-you for saying pretty much what I was thinking! Even if they have cut back the last few years, it hasn't been by that much. This will be our 4th year of spending Christmas at Disney and I would hazard to guess that there is nowhere in the world you can find as many Christmas decorations. If you really feel that dissatisfied then don't go, stay home... but I'm pretty sure you aren't going to find that level of decorating anywhere else.