Christmas Visit w/o MVMCP

[mickeysmith]

We will be in Orlando for a few days in December and have it worked out to visit MK for one day. We have never seen the castle decorated and can not wait! This will be a day where there is no Christmas party scheduled. It looks like there will be fireworks and a parade. Are these holiday themed or is that just for the party? I was curious as to what we would be able to see / do on a non-party night that was holiday oriented. Most of the info I can find is just party related. (Which we would love to have been able to schedule it for a party night. It just didn't work out.) Also, we thought we would visit the Grand Floridian to see the giant gingerbread house. Are there other gingerbread houses to see, as well? TIA for your help.

 

[sharonabe]

The park will be decorated, but Wishes will be the regular Wishes. There won't be a parade that night since MSEP has ended. There should be an afternoon parade, but it will not be holiday related. Other than the decorations and your planned visit to Grand Floridian's gingerbread house, it'll just be regular MK.

 

[mickeysmith]

The park will be decorated, but Wishes will be the regular Wishes. There won't be a parade that night since MSEP has ended. There should be an afternoon parade, but it will not be holiday related. Other than the decorations and your planned visit to Grand Floridian's gingerbread house, it'll just be regular MK.

Excellent! Do they do any kind of show when they light the castle on a non-party night?

 

[sharonabe]

Excellent! Do they do any kind of show when they light the castle on a non-party night?

OOPs, I forgot about the castle lighting. YES they will do the short show to light it up, so you'll want to be in front of the castle to see it.

 

[Accident]

Are there other gingerbread houses to see, as well?

Contemporary usually has something but it's less grand and more like a ginger bread pop out book, aka very flat. The others are a gingerbread stand in boardwalk which sells gingerbread treats and I think they usually have a carousel and a train setup in yacht club. Grand floridian is the one that is impressive to see if you are limited on time and the epcot ones are nice to see but in my opinion not worth going out of your way. boardwalk kind of looks like just another stand selling things but inside the lobby. Of course this may not be what happens this year so watch the disney parks official blog when they start to post about them being built during november to know what is where..

Other places of interest, wilderness lodge is a quickish boat ride (and faster bus ride) to see that lobby. that resort is probably the most decorated and the largest tree is put into the lobby. its just a holiday tree but it's like Rockefeller plaza tall.

Excellent! Do they do any kind of show when they light the castle on a non-party night?

yes they do this nightly. If you really want the holiday in mk experience, you want to be at MVMCP (which is cheaper for after 4 limited crowd entrance than a 1 day ticket) for the parade, fireworks, stage show, special treats, free cookies, etc. that is all holiday themed. Also it snows from main street during it and there is holiday music in the background.

 

[mickeysmith]

Contemporary usually has something but it's less grand and more like a ginger break pop out book, aka very flat. The others are a gingerbread stand in boardwalk which sells gingerbread treats and I think they usually have a carousel and a train setup in yacht club. Grand floridian is the one that is impressive to see if you are limited on time and the epcot ones are nice to see but in my opinion not worth going out of your way. boardwalk kind of looks like just another stand selling things but inside the lobby. Of course this may not be what happens this year so watch the disney parks official blog when they start to post about them being built during november to know what is where..

Other places of interest, wilderness lodge is a quickish boat ride (and faster bus ride) to see that lobby. that resort is probably the most decorated and the largest tree is put into the lobby. its just a holiday tree but it's like Rockefeller plaza tall.



yes they do this nightly. If you really want the holiday in mk experience, you want to be at MVMCP (which is cheaper for after 4 limited crowd entrance than a 1 day ticket) for the parade, fireworks, stage show, special treats, free cookies, etc. that is all holiday themed. Also it snows from main street during it and there is holiday music in the background.

I so wish we could have worked it out to be at the party. I love MNSSHP and really wanted to be there for MVMCP. My 18 year old DD is looking into doing the college program. Fall would be fab for mom to visit with all the fun!! One day . . . .

 

[Accident]

I so wish we could have worked it out to be at the party. I love MNSSHP and really wanted to be there for MVMCP. My 18 year old DD is looking into doing the college program. Fall would be fab for mom to visit with all the fun!! One day . . . .

Does your MK day happen to be after dec 22? once the last party happens, they switch to doing most of the party shows, fireworks and parade during the regular day.

 

[mickeysmith]

Does your MK day happen to be after dec 22? once the last party happens, they switch to doing most of the party shows, fireworks and parade during the regular day.

No, it's December 20.

 

[BlueFairy]

You should take the time to visit WL. The theming lends itself to a cozy mountain Christmas feel. Also, the lights in FW that the campers put around their campsites are worth seeing. You can tour on your own or do the wagon ride or a private carriage ride.

 

[Hopefully]

You should take the time to visit WL. The theming lends itself to a cozy mountain Christmas feel. Also, the lights in FW that the campers put around their campsites are worth seeing. You can tour on your own or do the wagon ride or a private carriage ride.

I wouldn't take time out of a Dec 20th MK day to visit 2 resorts.

 

[mickeysmith]

You should take the time to visit WL. The theming lends itself to a cozy mountain Christmas feel. Also, the lights in FW that the campers put around their campsites are worth seeing. You can tour on your own or do the wagon ride or a private carriage ride.

Thank you! I wish I could stay longer and take it all in. Hopefully one day!!

 

[mickeysmith]

I wouldn't take time out of a Dec 20th MK day to visit 2 resorts.

I think we will check in the evening of the 19th and go see the GF, bypassing our usual Disney Springs visit on check in day. That way we can open and close MK on the 20th!

 

[sharonabe]

I think we will check in the evening of the 19th and go see the GF, bypassing our usual Disney Springs visit on check in day. That way we can open and close MK on the 20th!

AAAGGGHHHH! Another thread reminded me of something else. Make sure you ride JINGLE Cruise...the Christmas version of Jungle Cruise.

 

[mickeysmith]

AAAGGGHHHH! Another thread reminded me of something else. Make sure you ride JINGLE Cruise...the Christmas version of Jungle Cruise.

I thought about getting a FP for this one!

 

[cgattis]

Do any of the characters wear special holiday outfits outside of MVMCP? We've only been in December once and don't remember any.