Christmas time resort hopping

[angelmom27]

We are going to be staying at the Fort for Christmas. I want to take one day to do resort hopping. We have never been to Disney during the holidays and we have never stayed on property either. So I dont know much about what they have. I just found out about Beaches and Cream. So I am going to plan for us to stop there during a good time for a nice ice cream sink. It will be me, DH, DS13, DD10, DS9, DD7, DD5, DD4, and DD 23 months. So some good things that they would like would be great too.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are going to be staying at the Fort for Christmas. I want to take one day to do resort hopping. We have never been to Disney during the holidays and we have never stayed on property either. So I dont know much about what they have. I just found out about Beaches and Cream. So I am going to plan for us to stop there during a good time for a nice ice cream sink. It will be me, DH, DS13, DD10, DS9, DD7, DD5, DD4, and DD 23 months. So some good things that they would like would be great too.

Beaches and Cream is a very small place. Getting a table for nine is going to be difficult, especially during Christmas time. Most of the seating is booths, counter seats and a few tables.

 

[MBELSANTI]

HI there!

We did this back in Christmas 2008- New Year 2009 and it was a wonderful experience. All of the resorts have their own themed trees. I would def recommend taking the monorail to GF, Poly and CR and don't forget to take the boat over to WL...what a breathtaking tree in their lobby! Also, I would recommend the carriage ride at FW campgrounds...I think they call it the "sleigh ride". They take you on a Christmas light tour of the campgrounds...now let me tell you, some of these 6 figure campers and trailer sites are decorated better than most homes! Unbelievable and my son and I had a great time when we went. Check it out although with your large party you would probably need more than 1 carriage...might also cost you a lot.

Also don't forget to hit the Epcot deluxes..YC/BC each have their own trees and other displays set up...just lovely and also Boardwalk...some of these resorts also have Photopass at certain times so you can you holiday photos taken in front of their trees. I know we did it at GF. Have a great time!!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Here is the info:
•Holidays at Walt Disney World

This horse drawn "sleigh" ride is a fun way to celebrate the season at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

Price: $60.00 per group

December 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Can accommodate 4 adults or 2 adults with 3 children ages 9 and under.

This 25 minute sleigh ride departs every 30 minutes from 5:30 - 10:30 pm. Check in at the Blacksmith's shop near the Settlement area.

This excursion can be booked up to 180 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY


Have a great time!!

 

[angelmom27]

Here is the info:
•Holidays at Walt Disney World

This horse drawn "sleigh" ride is a fun way to celebrate the season at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

Price: $60.00 per group

December 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Can accommodate 4 adults or 2 adults with 3 children ages 9 and under.

This 25 minute sleigh ride departs every 30 minutes from 5:30 - 10:30 pm. Check in at the Blacksmith's shop near the Settlement area.

This excursion can be booked up to 180 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY


Have a great time!!

Thanks for the tips. I do agree that is a bit too much for our family size. But we are renting a golf cart for our time there so we will be able to see the decor. I even printed out the rule sfor decorating our site. It wont be nothing as spectacular as some of the others but the kids will have fun.

 

[MinnieGolf]

I love Christmas at WDW! My best tip is to NOT spend a day touring the resorts. Instead, incorporate the resorts into your park and dinner plans. For example, on the day we go to Magic Kingdom, we take a break and hop the monorail to see resort decorations. The first year we took in all three resorts, but now we just go to the Grand Floridian, usually to have dinner there and spend a little more time in the lobby and buying treats at the lifesize gingerbread house. (We weren't as wowed by the Poly and WL decorations, but that's just us.)

On the day we visit Animal Kingdom, we hop the bus to AKL. When we're going to Epcot or DHS, we tour the Boardwalk area. The chocolate carousel at Beach Club is a must-see, and the Boardwalk Resort has a nice display.

It's not necessary to see every resort or even every deluxe resort (again, that's our opinion). While the resorts have themed decorations, not all are elaborate enough to justify taking time away from enjoying the parks.

We have found that it's much more time efficient to include the resorts in our park/meal plans rather than devoting a whole day just to resort exploration. The time spent on transportation (if you use Disney's buses/monorails/boats) will eat up a good portion of the day if you try to hit the resorts in one day.

Have fun at Christmastime and enjoy the beautiful decorations! And be sure to get a chocolate-covered gingerbread shingle at GF. It's the best!

 

[MinnieGolf]

OP, I re-read your post and noticed that you also ask for suggestions for activities. Be sure to see the castle lights at Magic Kingdom, the Osborne Lights at DHS and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Those are must-dos and will capture the Christmas spirit. If you can, try to catch the lights at DHS when they're first turned on for the evening. That will be the most crowded, but it's awe-inspiring. Then be sure to come back later in the evening when the crowds have thinned out; take the time to walk through all of the "streets" and note all of the details in the lights. There are hidden Mickeys, menorahs, a Halloween cat, etc.

World Showcase at Epcot has numerous holiday activities. Most countries have costumed storytellers who tell about their holiday customs. We spend a lot of time at Epcot during the Christmas season because it seems to be the most festive park.

Each park has a huge holiday tree that is perfect for photo opportunities, by the way. Your children will enjoy seeing the themed decorations and the enormous trees.

Happy Holidays!

 

[chalee94]

here are some resort pics to get you in the mood:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1676426

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1852086

 

[patty57]

You are staying in one of the best places for holiday decorations! The displays at some of the campsites are amazing. It would also be easy for you to hop the boat to Wilderness Lodge to take in the giant tree and have a seat by the fire. Santa Mickey and Minnie often post for pictures with kids in the WL lobby.

 

[sndral]

On MK day hop on the resort monorail and get off at the GF - the tree is beautiful. In the evening they sometimes have music, and last year the piano man in the lobby passed out instruments for the kids to play along w/ him - it was quite fun to watch and the kids appeared to have a blast. Oh and they have the lifesize gingerbread house in the lobby as well. Back on the monorail to the MK, wishes at the castle is a must see night time event.
On DHS day - the Osborne lights are a must see - breathtaking.
On Epcot day, wander out the back gate and over to the beach club lobby - the chocolate carousel is remarkable. Last Dec. during the midafternoon beaches and cream wasn't too crowded and the outdoor tables would have worked for a large family - but it is a small place. Maybe if there's room after checking out the carousel, or if the rockers on the porch are empty or even some of the benches along the lake would work to decamp with your ice creams. Then back into Epcot to watch the holiday illuminations and if so inclined get in line to see the candlelight processional. The countries have christmas themed actors, santas, etc. so it's worth it to just wander that part of Epcot.
AKL has a beautiful tree, so it's worth taking the bus over there from AK and then wandering out to see the animals on Arusha savanna. If the buses aren't running back to AKL (it closes early) then you can grab a bus to DTD. (or transit via an open park.)
Downtown Disney's Christmas shop is also a fun excursion, plus there's the huge Disney store to visit.
The tree at WL is huge and worth a visit to see.

 

[angelmom27]

Thanks so much I am loving all the tips you guys are giving. I never knew about some of the stuff you guys are telling me about. This is making me even more excited. I cant wait for the kids to see all of the stuff. One of the things I did plan was the Candlelight Processional. I am going to do the dinner package so that way we can guarantee a spot for the show and they now include a seating area for Illuminations too. Christmas is my favorite time of the yr and I can already tell that it is going to be even more magical at Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...One of the things I did plan was the Candlelight Processional. I am going to do the dinner package so that way we can guarantee a spot for the show and they now include a seating area for Illuminations too. ...

They don't really guarantee a spot for the Candlelight Processional with the Dinner Package. You just get in a different line that enters before they allow the non-dinner package guests to enter. If you show up late, you may still wind up standing in the back. You still have to stand in line, but your lines goes first. Make sure you get in the right line.

 

[MBELSANTI]

I agree with the others about Candelight Processional being a must-see! We went when Edward James Olmos did the reading...he was so overcome with emotions Overall just a wonderful way to cap off the holidays!

Oh I forgot to add that the golf cart rental sounds great! I would love to camp there someday...beats Boy Scout camp LOL!

 

[JVP1]

Does the Candlelight Procession dinner package open up the same time the regular dining reservations open? And are all the Epcot Restaurants part of the package?

 

[mickeye]

I agree with MinnieGolf. We're going for our first Christmas visit this year and I've put a lot of research into it. I'm coordinating our hotel visits with our meal ressies and park days. Such as: A MK day with a CP breakfast and dinner that night at the 1900 Park Fare in the GF. Then at that time, we will visit the GF and take in all of their decor and the giant Gingerbread house. Another day will be an EPCOT day with dinner at the Beach Club (right outside of EPCOT's back entrance); we will try the Cape May Cafe for the first time and see the Beach Club's decor and chocolate carousel, then walk right back to EPCOT for Illuminations. It just seems like it will flow easier and put a little bit of park into each day. Also, don't forget that as pretty as the resorts are, many guests say the Parks are just as pretty and festive.

 

[angelmom27]

Does the Candlelight Procession dinner package open up the same time the regular dining reservations open? And are all the Epcot Restaurants part of the package?

From what I know the time is the same. Some restaurants have a lunch option too. I was actually thinking of doing the late lunch option. And its not all the restaurants but a good amount of them. There is some more info about it here on the disbords in the info section. I know I ran into it by accident when I was searching around for info.

 

[mouse2mouse]

A very magical time to go! You will make great memories!

 

[Masonmj84]

My plan is to do the resort hoping in conjunciton with deluxe dining (we're taking my parents on a mid-December trip). The idea is to eat dinner at a resort that's proximate to the park visited that day (and show up at each resort 30-45 minutes before our ADR).

Here's my planned itenerary:

Arrival night dinner - Poly ('Ohana)
Day 1- HS - YC (Yachtsman)
Day 2 - MK - WL (Artist Point)
Day 3 - AK - AKL (Jiko)
Day 4 - EP - BW (Flying Fish)
Day 5 - MK - GF (Citricos)
Day 6 - EP/DTD/Ft. Wilderness - CR (Cali Grill - this is sort of our wandering day, which will start out with a breakfast at BC/Cape May)
Departure day breakfast - Poly (Kona)

My parents have never eaten at a Disney signature restaurant and none of us have seen the Christmas decorations in the resorts. Can't wait.

 

[MinnieGolf]

My plan is to do the resort hoping in conjunciton with deluxe dining (we're taking my parents on a mid-December trip). The idea is to eat dinner at a resort that's proximate to the park visited that day (and show up at each resort 30-45 minutes before our ADR).

Here's my planned itenerary:

Arrival night dinner - Poly ('Ohana)
Day 1- HS - YC (Yachtsman)
Day 2 - MK - WL (Artist Point)
Day 3 - AK - AKL (Jiko)
Day 4 - EP - BW (Flying Fish)
Day 5 - MK - GF (Citricos)
Day 6 - EP/DTD/Ft. Wilderness - CR (Cali Grill - this is sort of our wandering day, which will start out with a breakfast at BC/Cape May)
Departure day breakfast - Poly (Kona)

My parents have never eaten at a Disney signature restaurant and none of us have seen the Christmas decorations in the resorts. Can't wait.

You've picked some great restaurants! Yum! If you love crab cakes, be sure to order the crab cake appetizer at Flying Fish. It comes on a bed of delicious slaw and is so filling that I often have that as my entree. It is the best crab cake I've ever had, period. It's hard to go wrong with the filet at Cali Grill and the salmon at Artist Point. By the end of your week, you're going to be stuffed!

Your plan will allow you to see the best resort decorations in the most time-efficient manner and have delicious meals at the same time. Well done!

 

[MBELSANTI]

My plan is to do the resort hoping in conjunciton with deluxe dining (we're taking my parents on a mid-December trip). The idea is to eat dinner at a resort that's proximate to the park visited that day (and show up at each resort 30-45 minutes before our ADR).

Here's my planned itenerary:

Arrival night dinner - Poly ('Ohana)
Day 1- HS - YC (Yachtsman)
Day 2 - MK - WL (Artist Point)
Day 3 - AK - AKL (Jiko)
Day 4 - EP - BW (Flying Fish)
Day 5 - MK - GF (Citricos)
Day 6 - EP/DTD/Ft. Wilderness - CR (Cali Grill - this is sort of our wandering day, which will start out with a breakfast at BC/Cape May)
Departure day breakfast - Poly (Kona)

My parents have never eaten at a Disney signature restaurant and none of us have seen the Christmas decorations in the resorts. Can't wait.

Your itinerary and ADR's sound great! Enjoy!