Disapointed with Decorations

[kangaroodle]

Gingerbread houses - They only one I saw advertised was at Grand Floridian, which is where I had seen a hole lobby full before. So I was extreamily disapointed to see only one there and half of it was a store.

Now the one at Beach Club, that one was cool and we found that by mistake. We just happened to have dinner reservations there. Interactive too. There were hidden mickeys through out the display.

I have been to see the Gingerbread house at GF several times and never saw it take up the entire lobby! As I remember it has always been like it is now, including the store. The Gingerbread house has hidden mickeys on it too.

The gingerbread carousel at the Yacht and Beach Club is cool too as well as the train and roller coaster!

 

[ntsammy5]

We missed Christams time last year and went at Halloween instead. Since 2000 we have been 8 times at Christmas and will be going again in a week. I'm sure there are some things I will miss, but I am still looking forward to it.

I liked Osborne a lot more befiore they reduced the size of the backlot so much. I'll miss the light box at Epcot too, but I still have my flashing Goofy Christmas hat. That counts for something!

 

[mollybeasley]

We planned our Thanksgiving vacation to meet family in Orlando and see the decorations at Disney. I remember many years ago being in awe at all the decorations at the parks and hotels and really feeling ready for the holiday season. We went to 6 major Dis hotels and 2 parks and I have been less than impressed.

Did you see the Osbourne Lights at Hollywood Studios (after 6pm)?

I heard that there are some country specific holiday decorations and stories at the World Showcase at Epcot.

Someone posted some pictures of holiday topiaries, but I didn't see where they're located. They were clever, but they won't jump out at you if you're looking for colorful decorations.

 

[Sorahana]

I didn't even notice the tree wasn't there when I went over a week ago, then again it's been a couple years since I was there when it was decorated *feels silly she didn't notice the missing tree*.

I loved the decorations I did see, I especially loved the castle lighting since I've never seen it before until this past trip .

 

[Violet Parr]

I have been to see the Gingerbread house at GF several times and never saw it take up the entire lobby! As I remember it has always been like it is now, including the store. The Gingerbread house has hidden mickeys on it too.

The gingerbread carousel at the Yacht and Beach Club is cool too as well as the train and roller coaster!

I'm pretty sure the gingerbread house has been the same for 10 years.

 

[ntsammy5]

I'm pretty sure the gingerbread house has been the same for 10 years.

Yeah, back in antiquity it used to cover the whole area from GF to MK (ABOUT 10 ACRES), but they stopped doing that when the otters kept eating it. Otters are notorious for that.

And for drinking lots of beer. Otters are lushes.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

To DisneyinDecember Thanks for posting the pictures. THAT is what I remembered seeing and was looking forward too. We won't be back during this time of year again. I will stick to January and September when the parks are less crowded.

Your very welcome!!! Going to Epcot to see the Lights of Wonder & watching it dance to the music was one of the highlights of our December trips, I truly miss that & the tree ceremony & presents underneath at Epcot, it is very sad to see now when you know what it used to look like.

Also, the lack of white lights in the trees at Magic Kingdom & Epcot World Showcase were VERY noticeable to me. I tend to be very OCD & notice every little thing & when it is taken away from the experience, it is very sad !!!

Thank goodness they still have the Osbourne lights at DHS, but I also noticed the lack of white lights in the surrounding trees there as well as the years have progressed.

Still, it is one of our favorite time of the years & I have emailed Disney with my thoughts, but I guess it comes down to the bottom dollar & that is frustrating........

 

[webbmom]

Can you send me a PM on how to contact WDW about that.
I did go to AK today. We saw the Jingle parade and each of the character trees. that was neat.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I see a lot of threads that talk about what is missing- but isn't the Christmas overlay on the castle reasonably new? It seems to me that would be a pretty major addition. And I must live in the sticks, because the trees at my local malls look nothing like the park trees... I don't think things are "less then". Although I freely admit they're different.

 

[Violet Parr]

I see a lot of threads that talk about what is missing- but isn't the Christmas overlay on the castle reasonably new? It seems to me that would be a pretty major addition. And I must live in the sticks, because the trees at my local malls look nothing like the park trees... I don't think things are "less then". Although I freely admit they're different.

Yes! I feel the same way. I LOVED the Lights of Winter and will be sad to not see them this time (although dh thought they were a bit chintzy looking.) However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the castle overlay even morel! On our last trip, we all took one last look before leaving the MK on our last day.

I just don't understand the "Disney only cares about the bottom line" bit. I don't buy it. The castle overlay (started during YOAMD) is newer and has got to be MUCH more expensive than the Lights of Winter ever was.

 

[cbsnyber1]

I do miss the Lights of Wonder but WDW is a better holidays experience then Universal or Sea World.

Well, I hate to break the news to you, but I'm from the frozen north and I don''t care how many decorations any park throws up, nothing compares to the decorations we have right here in my small town - including snow, ice, and frozen breath. Was at MK last December and never got into the Christmas feeling until we returned home - it's just weird in the warm weather, but the cold is what I'm used to.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Can you send me a PM on how to contact WDW about that.
I did go to AK today. We saw the Jingle parade and each of the character trees. that was neat.

http://allears.net/pl/contact.htm

 

[Luv2Roam]

Were disappointed yesterday when we went deluxe resort hopping to see displays.
Beach Club has the carousel.
Did not venture to Yacht Club. But most likely they have their ski village.
Contempory -- just a large gingerbread tree. Nice due to it's size. But overall unimpressive. Of course there was a counter to buy all things gingerbread. (Larger than the tree. ) Seems like they just tired of the gingerbread theme, except to sell it.

Poly -- nothing.

GF -- the usual. We were there in the afternoon and there were no roasted chestnuts. But maybe that starts in December. And I do not recall the exact time that starts for the day.

Word of warning -- ASK at the GF gingerbread house the prices (they are not marked).
I should have known better! Now I know why I have not bought the large cookies in the past. I paid over $17 for a cookie!
dumb me..... That was our group's joke of the day. That is outrageous. (Even when the CM said $17 something, I thought I misheard - and it was $7 something -- until I pulled my sales slip out of the bag.) Lesson learned.


Oh -- WL. Nothing. But I was not expecting anything beyond a tree.

 

[Magicbus]

Well, I hate to break the news to you, but I'm from the frozen north and I don''t care how many decorations any park throws up, nothing compares to the decorations we have right here in my small town - including snow, ice, and frozen breath. Was at MK last December and never got into the Christmas feeling until we returned home - it's just weird in the warm weather, but the cold is what I'm used to.

Well, I hate to break the news to you, but I'm from the frozen north too and I don't care how many decorations your small town throws up, I hate the snow, ice, and frozen breath. Was in Maine last December and never got into the Christmas feeling until we returned home to sunny Florida. It's torture to be in the cold weather, the warmth is what I'm used to, now.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are remembering many years ago, they've definitely cut back. If you're not remembering the past I am sure the current decorations are most impressive.

I believe MK does put up a large tree, but they do not do so until after the taping of the Christmas parade for broadcast (first weekend of December) because it blocks areas that need to be free for the parade taping. I know they used to move the tree, but now they just wait to put it up until after the taping.

 

[JandT'smom]

Just back and big let down compared to last year Thanksgiving week.

 

[Zuzu03]

Well, I hate to break the news to you, but I'm from the frozen north too and I don't care how many decorations your small town throws up, I hate the snow, ice, and frozen breath. Was in Maine last December and never got into the Christmas feeling until we returned home to sunny Florida. It's torture to be in the cold weather, the warmth is what I'm used to, now.

Haha! I know how you feel! I been living here in Vermont for 13 years now and have had my fill of white Christmases! I grew up overseas and had Christmas in Australia for 4 years, so I'm good with a warm, sunny beach on Christmas day! I hate fighting the snow, cold, ice and winds! Nice to visit, but when you have to schlep to work in it every day, it pretty much sucks.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

Can you send me a PM on how to contact WDW about that.
I did go to AK today. We saw the Jingle parade and each of the character trees. that was neat.

Here you go, just in case other's want to send one......

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/contact/

I would use the "My Recent Walt DisneyWorld Visit" Drop Down Category
..

You could even attach this link/discussion for their viewing pleasure.

 

[Violet Parr]

Just back and big let down compared to last year Thanksgiving week.

How so? Any particular specifics you can point to? Pictures from last time compared to pictures from this year?

 

[Broncobilly83]

Hasn't there been a thread like this every Christmas for the last couple of years?