Christmas Decorations at the parks

[Robo]

If you want to see the Christmas parade that week you'll have to buy a party ticket. We were there the week after Thanksgiving and all the deco

They usually put up the big tree right before Thanksgiving after they film the tv special.

While it's true that the tree doesn't go up until after they film the Christmas parade, that usually happens the first weekend in December, not before Thanksgiving. Last year the parade was filmed in November, but that isn't typical.

Yes, to both statements, under "traditional" circumstances.
However...

Last year, they did not build the typical and traditional "parade host platform" in Town Square.
The reason that the MK Christmas Tree is not set up until after the the parade is recorded for TV is that the tree
would be in the way of the "host platform."
So, last year, there was no platform and no need to wait to put up the tree.
And, last year's parade on TV had no traditional hosts sitting there, well, "hosting."

We don't know if the lack of the platform was a one-time thing, or if it's the "new normal"
and, if so, they can put up the MK Christmas tree along with all of the rest of the decor for MVMCP this year and every year.

Stay tuned.

 

[Robo]

As an addition to my previous post:
It is surprising to many guests to know that the MK flagpole, normally standing in the exact center of Town Square, is actually moved to a spot in front of City Hall when they need(ed) to have the TV host platform in that center of Town Square spot.

It's a standard tall metal flagpole, and you'd not think that it would be able to be moved at all (much less easily moved,)
but, they do it overnight when the need arises.

AFAIK, they move the flagpole to City Hall when they construct the Christmas Tree in Town Square.

So, if you're there during the holidays, take a look at the MK flagpole and see where it's sitting that day.

 

[Zentra]

For the past 3 years we have gone the day after Thanksgiving and spent a week there. The gingerbread house was up at Grand Floridan and all the Christmas trees in the parks were up and decorations everywhere including Downtown Disney, I'm sure it will be the same for Disney Springs now. You should have no worries about not seeing it decorated. Everything will be up, the Disney cast members are amazing at getting all the parks decorated.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Will the christmas decorations be completely up in the parks by the first week of December? Also will the resorts (especially gingerbread house at GF) be up at that time? We went for Jersey week years ago and I remember they had already started putting up decorations. When does the Christmas parade start? Going at Christmas time to see the decorations has been on my bucket list for a few years so trying to get a trip in the year.

I was there the week BEFORE Thanksgiving in 2014 and MK was fully decorated. By the end of our trip DHS, AK, and Epcot were mostly decorated. The gingerbread houses all finished by the end of that week as well. What wasn't happening? Candlelight processional & the storytellers around World Showcase. Those were about the only things not done/happening. I imagine by Dec 1st everything is done.

 

[Robo]

I was there the week BEFORE Thanksgiving in 2014... What wasn't happening? Candlelight processional & the storytellers around World Showcase.

Yes.
And, just to clarify, the Epcot events you mention always begin Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

 

[DonaldDuck77]

We were there 11/11-11/15 in 2013. In addition to MK, AK and HS had Christmas trees (along with the now defunct Jingle parade and Osborne lights), and GF had gingerbread house up (don't know if it was "completed").

 

[dkrauss]

Will the Christmas decorations be completely up in the parks by the first week of December? Also will the resorts (especially gingerbread house at GF) be up at that time? We went for Jersey week years ago and I remember they had already started putting up decorations. When does the Christmas parade start? Going at Christmas time to see the decorations has been on my bucket list for a few years so trying to get a trip in the year.

My wife and I visited the 1st week of December in 2015. To us it seemed as if all the Decorations were up............in the parks. Maybe not all complete in the hotels but pretty darn close. I know last year the Gingerbread House was up in GF...............the tree was up in WL. It was beautiful

Can't guarantee anything.........but sometimes history is a tell.

Have a great vacation!

Doug

 

[nikkid1]

We have gone a few times the week after Thanksgiving, and everything is always done then. Last year we went about two weeks before Thanksgiving. By the end of our trip they were putting up the gingerbread house at the Boardwalk, MK was in full swing, HS and AK was as well. Epcot was turning over as 11/16 was the last day of food and wine, so the switch was basically overnight.
As for the GF gingerbread house, it was done, but not open for business yet

 

[Spridell]

Yes, to both statements, under "traditional" circumstances.
However...

Last year, they did not build the typical and traditional "parade host platform" in Town Square.
The reason that the MK Christmas Tree is not set up until after the the parade is recorded for TV is that the tree
would be in the way of the "host platform."
So, last year, there was no platform and no need to wait to put up the tree.
And, last year's parade on TV had no traditional hosts sitting there, well, "hosting."

We don't know if the lack of the platform was a one-time thing, or if it's the "new normal"
and, if so, they can put up the MK Christmas tree along with all of the rest of the decor for MVMCP this year and every year.

Stay tuned.

This is correct.

If you search youtube there is video of the first Christmas party on Nov 8 2015 and the tree WAS UP. They taped the parade on Nov 10-13

So it is very possible they no long need to have the tree down for the taping.