Christmas Decorations

[SueEllen]

Seeing the thread about the Grand Floridian tree and looking at the pictures of the difference in the two got me to thinking.

I have been to DisneyWorld MANY times over the holidays (okay, in the last 11 years I have been each and every year at sometime while the Christmas decorations were up.)

Last year when I went down the first weekend of December I had a friend with me who had never been to Disney at Christmastime in all of her years of traveling to the parks. It was quite interesting to see things through her eyes.

This brings me to my point--having been to Disney at Christmastime for so many years I noticed a steady decline in the amount of decorations that were up last year. In fact, one thing I distinctly noticed (because we were staying in the Epcot resort area) was that the Boardwalk no longer had the garland and lights on the balconies that they used to have. There were many other things I noticed, such as fewer decorations in the parks (especially the Magic Kingdom) and a general decline overall.

My friend had no clue about this and thought everything looked quite lovely. As we went along and I was commenting on all of the things that were missing we thought about it a minute and got a good laugh. While we were seeing the exact same decorations, we both saw it completely differently!!
Perception is everything. To the person who has never seen the decorations at Disney it is BEAUTIFUL. To the seasoned traveler who has been to see them multiple times it is quite depressing!

So to those of you who have been over the years and seen the Holiday decorations of the past--what are your thoughts over the years? Have you seen as much of a decline in the amount and quality of the decorations as I have? Did it affect your trip? I'm curious to see how others feel.

Don't get me wrong, it is still beautiful. Just not as pretty as in years past. I'm hoping to get down there in just a few weeks to see for myself again this year.

Sue Ellen

 

[SueEllen]

Doesn't anyone have any opinions on the Christmas decorations over the years?

Anything you miss?

Anything new you have noticed?

Sue Ellen

 

[off2disney]

Sue Ellen, I've never been during Christmas; in fact, this will only be my third trip to Disney, so I can't give my opinion, but can say that I'm truly looking forward to seeing it with my 6 y/o grandson. I think he'll really enjoy MVMCP.

 

[floridaminnie]

I have been at christmas time every year for the past ten years and there has been a decline in what they put up for Christmas.

Was just there this past weekend and they are putting up the christmas decorations at the resorts and some less ovious things at the parks. Gets one in the Christmas mood!

 

[DaveH]

I have noticed the decline in decorations over the years also. A good example for is at WL. The Mickey and friends totem pool outside the merchandise store. For years there was a santa hat on the top one, now nothing. The amount everywhere seems to be down. We go the week after Thanksgiving and love it. The CP and MVMCP are musts for us. I do whish they would bring back the Jolly Holiday program but in a different place.

 

[floridaminnie]

We also missed the HOlly JOlly dinner. It was so much fun and then it dissappeared to never return.

 

[CarolA]

I agree that perception is 90%, but I think attitude is the other 10%. If you are going around comparing things I think you just set yourself up for disappointment.
It's the same with your hotel room. If you stay at the GF and then the All Stars and spend your entire All Star visit saying....At the GF I had a bellman and I don't here, then you are probably going to hate the All Stars and have a bad time on your vacation. If you accept the All Stars for what they are you can have a great time.

Plus memories are faulty. I have heard descriptions of things that I know never happened or did not exist and we all tend to romantize Disney anyway.

And as for new things, since I started going at Christmas they have added several hotels and a park! Look at that decorating schedule that someone posted a few weeks ago. They already have the maintenance crews working all night for weeks just to get this stuff up.

 

[SueEllen]

I have pictures from every visit we have taken to Disney. I find it interesting to compare the differences at different times of year.

The first year we went to Flower and Garden (back in 1994) I remember BEAUTIFUL topiaries. All over the World Showcase the topiaries were filled with colored flowers to accentuate them. I have the most beautiful picture of Belle & The Beast topiaries full of beautiful yellow and blue carnations. There are not nearly as many of these as in years past also.

But back to Christmas--I miss the Santa hat on the "earful tower" at MGM. I miss the lights and garland at the Boardwalk on the balconies. I miss the extra touches at the Magic Kingdom along Main Street. I miss the poinsettia trees.

I LOVE the Giant Gingerbread houses. I love the gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club. I love the tree lighting ceremonies at the parks. I enjoy the storytelling in each country at Epcot with the "santa" of the land.

I have noticed that Disney has put up a few less decorations each year. From year to year the difference is subtle--but if you look at pictures from several years back the difference is amazing.

Just my thoughts--

Christmas at Disney is incredible no matter what. I love Christmas decorations and really miss the old decorations.

Sue Ellen