Christmas Decorations Less?

[toniosmom]

We were at WDW a couple of weeks ago for our first Christmas trip ever and loved seeing all of the decorations throughout the various parks. This past weekend at home, I watched a Disney holiday special on the Travel Channel where they examined the various details of the decorations at all of the parks and resorts. This special was done in 2007 and I was surprised to see some decorations on this special that I didn't see at the parks. For example, it looked like It's a Small World was decorated back then, but when we saw it a couple of weeks ago, it was nothing but the usual ride.

Just curious.....

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think it's at Disneyland that Small World and Haunted Mansion are decorated for holidays. Country Bear Jamboree at WDW used to be decorated, but isn't any more.

I think the GF's lobby was more decorated than ever before. There seemed to be more little trees around, but maybe I'm just noticing them. I noticed smoke coming out of the chimney of the gingerbread house there, not each time we visited but definitely on the 10th. We had visitors from Mexico with us for some of the time, and they were awed with the decorations around WDW and the resorts.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Disney decorations for holidays and special events like Food and Wine and Flower and Garden have decreased greatly over the past several years. The thing I miss most is the Lights of Winter in Epcot. I've seen less decor in the flower beds this year as well. Even at the resorts, the decorations have been downsized this holiday.

 

[jarrdisney]

I think they are slowly having less and less decorations, but at the end of the day, it's not enough to deter us from going. I also thought the GF had some of the best I've seen in a long time. I was more upset that the BW didn't have Christmas music playing outside for a couple days.

 

[Muushka]

Disney decorations for holidays and special events like Food and Wine and Flower and Garden have decreased greatly over the past several years. The thing I miss most is the Lights of Winter in Epcot. I've seen less decor in the flower beds this year as well. Even at the resorts, the decorations have been downsized this holiday.

I agree. We really missed the Lights of Winter this year.

WL has decreased their decorations so much over the years. I almost wish we had never seen the way it was.

 

[dsneygirl]

Definitely they have decreased. This year instead of Poinsettia Trees at the front of Epcot they were made of grass. Pretty but not the same.

At OKW there was no garland on the gate house or the bus stop at HH.

 

[happyann79]

I hope they don't downsize the decorations. There is something so magical about Disney and the holidays!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I can't tell you exactly what trees or garland are no longer out but the decorations used to be a WOW!!! Now, other than the main trees, it's more "let's go look for the decorations".

The Lights of Wonder is one of the biggest missing decorations.

 

[PSC]

We were at WDW a couple of weeks ago and I spoke with an off duty bus driver who was visiting for MVMCP. He told me that the lack of decorations this year was due to the union contract having expired.

I don't know how true this is - I couldn't get confirmation from a boat captain, but I was a bit disappointed in the decorating effort compared to previous years.

 

[Chuck S]

I was there from Dec 1 to 11. OKW was nicely decorated, the poinsettias were out in force in the flower beds near the general store. Then, a freeze was expected and they were covered up, then 2 days later, they'd been completely removed and replaced with more frost resistant pansy type flowering plants. So the lack of landscaping may be weather related this year. But artificial decorations are also visibly decreased in the parks.

 

[dan and scott]

Last year we missed the red and green string of lighting around the actual BWwe had'nt been back for Christmas for a few years and disappointed to see the few decorations at the BW. The BW used to be very lavish with the amount of decor it used as well with the rest of WDW. Remember when the used to have HUGE decorated tree on the Village Green.

Scott

 

[Sammie]

They were definitely downsized last year over previous years. When Disney went to LED lights, and such they simply did not purchase as much garland and trees that they have had in the parks and resorts.

Wilderness Lodge used to have lots more wreaths and garland than they do now. At the Grand Floridian they used to put garland on all the floors in the main lobby now they just put it here and there.

Honestly Halloween seemed to have more than Christmas at the Magic Kingdom.

And I too miss the lights at Epcot.

 

[rillsung]

Yes that was one thing we definately noticed this year! Fewer decorations! Epcot used to have a ton, including the arch (we miss it too...) Now, they only have the various stages for the holidays around the world. They used to also do more at the front of the park (Mickey and Minnie) and where Mickey and Minnie were this year used to be swans. Now it's like they just stuck hats on Mickey and Minnie and didn't bother with much else

 

[mac_tlc]

Anybody else miss the Santa hat on the Earful Tower? It has been a number of years sine ti has been there, but I always thought it was great.

Also never understood why they stopped running the Christmas Country Bear Jamboree show.

mac_tlc

 

[mdsd8700]

We were in Daytona for this past Thanksgiving and went to DD for a day to shop and visited all the deluxe resorts to soak up the holiday spirit. I was disappointed that each hotel didn't have an elaborate gingerbread house and everything seemed less decorated than in the past. We still enjoyed the day immensely however and it gave us a quicky Disney fix.

 

[dcamdad]

Definately less, while comparing pics from 2007 to 2010 even the Christmas trees at each park seemed to have less ornaments on them. Most noticable missing decorations as others have mentioned was the arc going into the world showcase at Epcot.

 

[BroganMc]

EPCOT has just gotten so depressing since the arc (i.e. Lights of Winter) was retired. It used to be a really special park in the Christmas season.

Last year I went to Guest Relations to register my complaint on that. They had a list. Apparently a lot of guests felt the same. CMs weren't happy either. They seemed to believe the lights would be back this year. Something upper management had said probably to placate disappointed guests.

Didn't happen. So next year I'm voting with my feet. I won't be back at New Year's.

Magic Kingdom and DHS are looking as sparkling as ever. It's the management of EPCOT who are phoning it in these days. I really wish the VP would get replaced there so the park can be restored to its glory.

 

[disneynutz]

It's all part of Disney downsizing to increase profits. Two years ago we learned that the Holiday Team had been downsized, their manager let go and brought back under contract just to over see the decoration installation. Now most of the Holiday Team are part time seasonal and less decorations means less employees.

Bill

 

[ELKHUNTER]

I know the decorations for sale in their shops were regular price. Makes me sick we didnt load up in Christmas of 2008 when every ornament was 50% off.

 

[dmancuso]

Less or not, we were there the week of Christmas and everything looked great.