Christmas Decorations at Disney

[dfchelbay]

Does anyone know how early Disney begins decorating for Christmas. We'd like to make reservations and we have a family member who has NEVER been to WDW. We want so much for her to see all that Disney does for the Christmas holiday. I know the Osbourne's lights aren't until the end of November, but how early can we expect to see the castle encased in lights and all the other fabulous Christmas decorations, both at the parks and at the hotels. I love what each of the hotels do for the holidays too.

Any info/dates would be helpful in planning for our family member to join us. Thanks everyone.

 

[Shan-man]

I believe decorations start going up around the 18th and are largely done by the first week of December.

 

[ntsammy5]

 

[hornblower91]

Our family went the Thurs. before Thanksgiving and left the day b/f Thanksgiving last year. At the start of the trip there were a few things up at the hotels. We went again on Tues (the week of Thanksgiving) and most everything was up. When we got up Wed. morning (the day we left) they had finished the decorations at the fort the night before so everything was finished the day before Thanksgiving. The Magic Kingdom was fully decorated as was Hollywood studios (on Sun. and Mon. of that week) but as you stated, they didn't start the Osbourne lights til after Thanksgiving.

 

[BradyBz12]

Last year the MK was fully decorated for the first MVMCP on 11/10. Only thing missing was the big tree, which went up 12/8 after they taped the Christmas parade.

Other parks/resorts were decorated at varying rates with everything being done in time for the big kickoff the Friday after Thanksgiving.

This year there seems to be some discrepancy as to when Osborne will officially start - I'm seeing dates of 11/28 and 11/30 on different sites.

I'd still expect MK to be all done by the first MVMCP, which this year is also 11/10.

 

[gmflanigan]

Does anyone know how early Disney begins decorating for Christmas. We'd like to make reservations and we have a family member who has NEVER been to WDW. We want so much for her to see all that Disney does for the Christmas holiday. I know the Osbourne's lights aren't until the end of November, but how early can we expect to see the castle encased in lights and all the other fabulous Christmas decorations, both at the parks and at the hotels. I love what each of the hotels do for the holidays too.

Any info/dates would be helpful in planning for our family member to join us. Thanks everyone.

Decorations go up 11/10. We go for MVMCP every year. We asked a CM several years ago what was the earliest and were told 11/10. The Osborne lights are on then also.

 

[BradyBz12]

Decorations go up 11/10. We go for MVMCP every year. We asked a CM several years ago what was the earliest and were told 11/10. The Osborne lights are on then also.

Actually, starting last year they pushed the big holiday kickoff (incl. Osborne Lights and Candlelight Processional) back to start the Friday after Thanksgiving.

This year there are conflicting dates posted for Osborne start. Looks like it's either going to be 11/28 or 11/30.

 

[mikmouse]

Decorations go up 11/10. We go for MVMCP every year. We asked a CM several years ago what was the earliest and were told 11/10. The Osborne lights are on then also.

Nope, Osborne lights will not start that early. Last year they waited until after Thanksgiving and I expect they would do the same this year. They were very slow with decorations last year. Only MK for MVMCP and even then they didn't have the Christmas tree up!

 

[mikmouse]

Last year the MK was fully decorated for the first MVMCP on 11/10. Only thing missing was the big tree, which went up 12/8 after they taped the Christmas parade.

Other parks/resorts were decorated at varying rates with everything being done in time for the big kickoff the Friday after Thanksgiving.

This year there seems to be some discrepancy as to when Osborne will officially start - I'm seeing dates of 11/28 and 11/30 on different sites.

I'd still expect MK to be all done by the first MVMCP, which this year is also 11/10.

In previous years they put the big tree up before the taping of the parade but it was always off to the side of the Castle near future world. Then it got moved to the front after the party. We know that because we were there through the entire thing. I guess with cutbacks now they just skip it entirely until after parade which isn't fair to others.