December in Orlando

[Freyja]

Is there anything special we should do/see when visiting Orlando in December for the first time (we´ve been before, just never during the holiday season)?

Decorations, other than at Disney, or other "Christmassy" stuff?

 

[mom2of2]

ICE at Gaylord Palms is really cool.

Snowing Nightly in Celebration is fun for everyone and FREE

 

[tednvon]

Hey Momof2, how are you...We will be in Sunset Lakes next winter so will miss all the good family atmosphere of Indian Ridge...hope all is well...

Freja, we never miss the great decorations at the 4 big Disney hotels...they are really neat...so take a monorail tour and catch The Grand Floridian and the Poly. Then hop in the car and do the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. WOW
If you have time either walk from Epcot or Boardwalk over to The Beach club and see the the chocolate carousel...again...WOW...have fun...Ted

 

[TinkerBellToo2]

We also will be visiting Disney in early December. We will not be staying on Disney property but would like to see how some of the hotels are decorated.

My question is can people who are not staying on Disney property still visit to see how they are decorated?

And if so what are the ones that should be seen?

 

[Freyja]

We also will be visiting Disney in early December. We will not be staying on Disney property but would like to see how some of the hotels are decorated.

My question is can people who are not staying on Disney property still visit to see how they are decorated?

And if so what are the ones that should be seen?

Yes, anyone can visit the resorts. I´ve heard that the deluxe Disney hotels have amazing decorations and Christmas trees. The Grand Floridian has a HUGE gingerbread house

 

[dgaston]

Last Christmas Day I tried to park at Beach Club and was redirected to Boardwalk. We walked into Boardwalk, toured Yacht and Beach Club (all with cookies and lemonade for Christmas). Then burning a day on tickets, we walked thru Epcot to the Monorail and then visited the Poly, Grand Floridian. My brother, a Carolwood Pacific freak, insisted we go into the MK and ride the train about MK, watching the huge crowds. We were getting tired, but took a boat to Wilderness lodge, checking out the (then) Iron Spike room and catching a bus back to DHS. We boated back to Boardwalk and were satisfid with our tour of the Deluxes, and their gingerbread houses. (Yes we know we missed the Contemporary)

We were able to say we used all the forms of Disney transportation -- monorail, bus, boat, train, on Christmas.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

We're considering checking out the Christmas festivities in Winter Park.

http://www.cityofwinterpark.org/calendar/index.asp?ACTION=calendar&LIMIT=&MONTH=12&YEAR=2008

 

[7165red]

You might like to visit Celebration.It snows every night at 9pm. There are nice shops and restaurants to check out and it's free.

 

[Freyja]

I already have snow here at the moment. I´m going to Florida to escape the snow, lol. Great suggestions however, and I´m sure it´s fun to experience snow while in t-shirts. Thanks everyone!

 

[7165red]

I know what you mean. I live in Syracuse NY and we get heavy duty snow. I think I enjoy the snow in fl because it's make believe. I'm sure you will really enjoy the Desney Resorts. The Poly is real nice no snow at all.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[swilshire]

I guess I'm just old and cranky. We visited the "snow" in Celebration and were very disappointed. It's really just soap bubbles. A LOT of soap bubbles. Kids and adults were acting crazy in it to the point that we were afraid our kids would slip and fall if we let them get into the fray. We also didn't particularly want all that soap in our vehicle. We watched, but didn't let them anywhere near it.

Sheila

 

[stczt]

Subbing, we may be making a trip this winter

 

[Karen101]

The snow in Celebration is fun and they have carriage rides and train rides too!

 

[grammynelliebelle]

When do you all think the decorations at the resorts will be up? And when do they usually come down? We will be down in Nov and then again in early Jan. I hope we can catch some of them on either end. Grammy

 

[7165red]

www.allears.net maybe able to help you with dates.

 

[tednvon]

Hi, Disney usually does all the putting and taking down within a few days. Usually right after Thanksgiving. Most decorations are up by that Monday.
Most decorations are pretty much gone by Jan 3-4. Last year, the Family Lights at Hollywood Studios was up until the 7th or so...worth the trip to see it...
Ted

 

[MattM]

To get a bit of the local scene, there is a nighttime Christmas boat parade on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes every year. They decorate the boats in lights, music, etc, and really go all out. We always have people over for this...its an annual event. I'll get more info for you later on, but it really is a neat little parade.