Christmas Decorations at the parks

[Nohal]

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.

 

[toolmanjan]

The closer to Christmas the more decorations will be displayed. The ginger bread house at the GF is a work in process it may not be completed if you visit early in the month.

 

[ElsieAstronaut]

The MK decorations have to all be up in time for the first MVMCP, which is 7 Nov this year. The Christmas parade starts out only running during parties, then after Christmas day moves to daily runs.

Other parks don't have as much of a time limit because they aren't effected by the party, however when we went in mid-november last year, most everything was up and running, except for the Epcot holidays around the world stuff. (which starts 25 Nov this year)

 

[hiroMYhero]

Also will the resorts (especially gingerbread house at GF) be up at that time?

The gingerbread displays are completed prior to Thanksgiving and most of them remain on display through January 1st.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I was at the GF during thanksgiving in 2014 and the gingerbread house was up the Tuesday before when we arrived.

 

[oceanmarina]

I was there this week. I saw this huge crane. When I asked what it was they told me they were starting to decorate the castle for Christmas

 

[siskaren]

The Christmas parade starts out only running during parties, then after Christmas day moves to daily runs.

The Christmas parade starts running during the day the day after the last Christmas party, which is on December 22 this year.

 

[chigirl]

We went 11/16-11/21 in 2014 and GF and Contemporary were decorated, WL where we stayed, was not. MK was fully decorated, except for the big tree. Epcot had the giant tree. The castle looked amazing, but I was underwhelmed by Main Street. I think the fall decor is better. We did MVMCP and loved it.

 

[spidet1964]

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 decorations were up.

 

[spidet1964]

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

We went 11/16-11/21 in 2014 and GF and Contemporary were decorated, WL where we stayed, was not. MK was fully decorated, except for the big tree. Epcot had the giant tree. The castle looked amazing, but I was underwhelmed by Main Street. I think the fall decor is better. We did MVMCP and loved it.

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

 

[Lothlórien]

The closer to Christmas the more decorations will be displayed. The ginger bread house at the GF is a work in process it may not be completed if you visit early in the month.

This is not correct. I have been going for 13 years at the beginning of December. The gingerbread house is completed within the last 2 weeks of November, ready for viewing by Thanksgiving. Disney does not continue to add decorations throughout the month. They do decorate in phases, but they get it together very quickly and have everything ready for the Christmas season after Thanksgiving is over.

 

[Lothlórien]

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 visit every single year (last 13 years) the first 10 days of December. We have never visited and not seen the hotels or parks decorated for Christmas.

 

[Shellyred8]

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.

We have gone to WDW several times during the first week of December. It's a FANTASTIC time to go!!! Most, if not all of the Christmas decorations are up by then. We have always seen all of the gingerbread houses during that time, including the GF.

The only thing to be aware of is that the Pop Warner football crowd will be at WDW from Dec 3 - 10th. So, if you are planning to stay at a value resort, you are going to have to endure that crowd. We have always stayed at one of the Deluxe hotels (DVC) during this time, and we didn't have any issues.

 

[chigirl]

This is not correct. I have been going for 13 years at the beginning of December. The gingerbread house is completed within the last 2 weeks of November, ready for viewing by Thanksgiving. Disney does not continue to add decorations throughout the month. They do decorate in phases, but they get it together very quickly and have everything ready for the Christmas season after Thanksgiving is over.

The gingerbread house was complete by 11/19 in 2016 but wasnt open for business...it was blowing the good smelling stuff out of the chimney.

 

[chigirl]

Oops 2014 I meant

 

[siskaren]

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.

 

[Lothlórien]

The gingerbread house was complete by 11/19 in 2016 but wasnt open for business...it was blowing the good smelling stuff out of the chimney.

I was about to ask if you had a time machine.....and why you are not sharing.

 

[Minniekins]

We are going Nov 12 thru 20th. Now wondering if EP or DHS or AK decorations will be up by then. I know MK will be, with the parties starting Nov 7th. Hopefully OKW decos will be up for us, hoping for as many resorts decos as possible to be up. Ooh, and 50's Prime Time Cafe in DHS, love their Xmas tree and decos there!

 

[chigirl]

We are going Nov 12 thru 20th. Now wondering if EP or DHS or AK decorations will be up by then. I know MK will be, with the parties starting Nov 7th. Hopefully OKW decos will be up for us, hoping for as many resorts decos as possible to be up. Ooh, and 50's Prime Time Cafe in DHS, love their Xmas tree and decos there!

I went around that time in 2014...the parks were decorated and the gingerbread displays were up, but the resorts were not fully decorated. WL was not decorated at all. BOG and Prime Time were both decorated, I remember.

 

[chigirl]

I was about to ask if you had a time machine.....and why you are not sharing.

Lol...Im going to WDW in a week, working overtime at my real job, and also serving as an unpaid wedding planner/florist for a wedding the day before I leave. My brain is fried!!! But if I did have a time machine, I'd be chillin by the pool at POR right how!!!