Christmas decorations at DVC resorts....Comparison

[bradpga]

We recently stayed at BWV during the week of Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time . The Christmas decorations were out in full swing at the resort as well as the parks . It was definately a "special" feel during this time of year. We visited VWL and ate lunch there one day. I was impressed with the decorations there as well. We rode through SSR (home) and OKW on our way out of town to check out the decorations but did not see a stich! Not a sign of Christmas . Very dissapointing! (we did not get out of the car though) Also- we made the loop around the boardwalk (lake) and walked past BCV to check it out and I noticed they also had no decorations. Maybe there were some in the lobby but none out back. SO- was I overlooking something or is BWV and VWL the only resorts that decorate? What was your findings on this particular subject when staying at DVC resorts during the Christmas season? I would like to vacation during this week again , but would not consider staying at any other resort than BWV or VWL due to this.

 

[Doctor P]

I'm not sure what you were looking at (or perhaps they were behind schedule), but we have stayed at OKW and BCV during Xmas time, and have visited nearly every other on-site resort (DVC or not). They are all decorated nicely, both inside and out in almost all cases. We have pictures of the nice outside decorations on both sides of BCV ("front" and "back") as well as the nice outside decorations at OKW. Sorry that you didn't see them or that they weren't up for you to enjoy. VWL is awesomely decorated at Xmas--perhaps the best of any resort, but the others aren't bad either.

 

[dumbo71]

All of the resorts decorate.

I think you really summed it up though. BWV and VWL are my favorites for a Christmas trip. I'd stick with one of those.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We alternate December visits between VWL and BWV, but always go over to the BC to see the carousel and the display of a skiing village at the YC. The carousel is especially wonderful...a few hidden Mickeys.

These are in the lobbies, but I think there must be some pointsettia trees around outside. That's what I remember most from my 1 night SSR stay one December.

Bobbi

 

[byoung]

We will visit all the resorts during are mid Dec trip. Love the decorations.

 

[WOW]

Christmas decorations are wonderful all over the WORLD. I especially like the Poly

 

[SFLTIGGER]

How long do the resorts leave their decorations up? We are planning a couple of days around NYE and just wanted to make sure that they will still be up. Also, a little off topic, but how about the parks? Do they stay decorated also?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

How long do the resorts leave their decorations up? We are planning a couple of days around NYE and just wanted to make sure that they will still be up. Also, a little off topic, but how about the parks? Do they stay decorated also?

They will be up. The earliest I ever saw decorations coming down was at the BCV on January 1, they were digging up the planted poinsettias. They slowly start coming down after New Years.

HBC

 

[canwegosoon]

We toured the following resorts during our Christmas Vacation

BW/BWV - Lobby stunning, the Green area was also nicely decorated
YC-very nice
BC/BCV-very nice
GF-very nice-victorian
WL/VWL-Lobbies stunning, outside very nice in the front area
Poly-very nice
Contemporary - saw very few inside, outside very nice at night

My favorites are BW/WL
**I am not a fan of the new chairs in the BC lobby, and with the rugs rolled up it gave the lobby a very Morocan(IMO) feel, not a Beachy feel...but the decorations are beautiful.

 

[Doctor P]

We toured the following resorts during our Christmas Vacation

BW/BWV - Lobby stunning, the Green area was also nicely decorated
YC-very nice
BC/BCV-very nice
GF-very nice-victorian
WL/VWL-Lobbies stunning, outside very nice in the front area
Poly-very nice
Contemporary - saw very few inside, outside very nice at night

My favorites are BW/WL
**I am not a fan of the new chairs in the BC lobby, and with the rugs rolled up it gave the lobby a very Morocan(IMO) feel, not a Beachy feel...but the decorations are beautiful.

Just goes to show you--Contemporary has some of the most awesome inside Christmas decorations you will ever see, but I suspect most people never see them because they don't come in the "front entrance". They probably have the one of the most sophisticated of the chocolate sculptures that I have even seen, and their regular Xmas decorations in that area are also quite nice. However, until last year I had never seen that area of the hotel.

 

[canwegosoon]

Just goes to show you--Contemporary has some of the most awesome inside Christmas decorations you will ever see, but I suspect most people never see them because they don't come in the "front entrance". They probably have the one of the most sophisticated of the chocolate sculptures that I have even seen, and their regular Xmas decorations in that area are also quite nice. However, until last year I had never seen that area of the hotel.

You might be right, we entered through the doors that lead to the boats, and the monorail. I thought the floor with CM and CSH would be decorated too.

 

[Doctor P]

You might be right, we entered through the doors that lead to the boats, and the monorail. I thought the floor with CM and CSH would be decorated too.

Yeah, their decorations are fairly sparse in a lot of the heavily traveled areas. Each of the resorts has a holiday sign near their tree or heavily decorated area that provides an opportunity for photo ops. Contemporary's was all the way downstairs on the side facing the parking lot facing the Magic Kingdom.

 

[keliblue]

We love the AK lobby and Christmas tree very much Also Boma's has a wonderful African scene all made of Food

 

[dwelty]

This year SSR was one of the last resorts to get their decorations (I think about the 2nd week of December). We were there December 16-22 and they were all up by then (Large Christmas Tree in Lobby and Christmas Garland in waiting area, as well as Ponsiettas everywhere). We visited OKW as well and they had them up. Hotel based DVC are easier to decorate due to the large Lobby. I think BWV and VWL have the best decorations of any DVC. The Grand Floridian and Grand Californian at DLR have the best decorations overall (IMHO)

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We love the AK lobby and Christmas tree very much Also Boma's has a wonderful African scene all made of Food

For some reason, AKL did not have their African scene this past year. I asked a couple of CMs about it, but they couldn't shed any light on why it wasn't there.

The Poly also didn't have a gingerbread display when we were there. I learned that they didn't currently have a pastry chef.

My favorite holiday decoration is the carousel at the Beach Club. I even got to ask Chef Stefan a question about it.