Disney in December?

[kagmypts]

We are taking our kids to Disney as an early Christmas present! We will return home on December 17. While we have been to Disney multiple times over the past several years, we have never been when the Christmas decorations are up. I can hardly wait! Anyway, is there anything we should make sure to see or do? I would love any Christmas-related advice.

 

[TowMater92]

Check out the deluxe resorts if you have time and really want to see the Christmas decorations, the gingerbread displays are huge. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the MK is something you can do, it's not what it use to be but you can watch the Christmas parade that they show on TV every year. The Candlelight processional at Epcot is something else to see. It all depends on what you plan to do.

 

[LilDisHelper]

Be careful that you bring jackets to WDW ... In the Winter Months the Weather in Fl Goes crazy .....
So be awere, sometimes It gets a little cold in Winter !

 

[sharonabe]

it's not what it use to be but you can watch the Christmas parade that they show on TV every year

This is not true. The Christmas parade at the MVMCP is NOT the one they show on Christmas morning on TV. The TV parade is taped either some time in Nov or very early in Dec.

is there anything we should make sure to see or do? I would love any Christmas-related advice.

The Holiday storytellers in EP around WS are awesome. Our favorite is Norway!
Make sure you stop for a moment at the miniature train set up in Germany; it's decked out in Christmas decorations too.

 

[CynBeth]

Last year they had the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs. We also enjoy what other have said about seeing the decorations at the deluxe resorts, MVMCP, and CP plus storytellers at Epcot.

 

[kagmypts]

I am getting so excited. We have added the deluxe resorts to our list. The candlelight procession and storytellers at Epcot sound right up our alley as well! Is there a schedule of the storytellers, and is the candlelight procession at the same time every day? This trip is really about soaking up the holiday season and less about the normal rides/attractions. Thank you!

 

[sharonabe]

I am getting so excited. We have added the deluxe resorts to our list. The candlelight procession and storytellers at Epcot sound right up our alley as well! Is there a schedule of the storytellers, and is the candlelight procession at the same time every day? This trip is really about soaking up the holiday season and less about the normal rides/attractions. Thank you!

You should be able to find information on this year's Candlelight Processional at Disney's website or wdwinfo.com. It shows every night starting the Friday after Thanksgiving. There are three shows per night. You may or may not want to look into booking a CP dining package.

The storytellers schedule will be on the daily schedules you get at the entrance to the park. There will probably be a schedule somewhere online before you go. They start at 11:00 and usually go until 8:00 or so. Each country has their own, and they are at various times throughout the afternoon.

 

[ShadeDK]

The Candlelight Processional occurs three times daily (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15). They have not announced all of the celebrity narrators that likely will be there during your visit, but Trace Adkins is the narrator for Dec 15-17. CP dining package is highly recommended to guarantee seating in the theater, but it is possible to get in stand-by (although you will have to line up early). If being close isn't important it's still possible to hear and see some of it from outside the theater.

 

[shanew21]

Look at the Christmas party schedule. It may not be worth it for your family, but you must be aware of it, as Magic Kingdom closes at 6pm on those nights.

 

[TowMater92]

This is not true. The Christmas parade at the MVMCP is NOT the one they show on Christmas morning on TV. The TV parade is taped either some time in Nov or very early in Dec.

Yes it is it has the same floats and is the one they show on tv Christmas morning but you are correct they tape the parade they show Christmas morning before Christmas. They add bands, celebrities and a few things for the Christmas day parade but the floats they use at MVMCP are the same along with a lot of the dancers.

 

[Bete]

The Grand Floridian resort is fabulous at the Holiday. They have an orchestra in the lobby balcony playing Christmas tunes. In between their sets there is a piano player doing Christmas music. There is a life size ginger bread house with hidden mickeys. Of course, there are gorgeous decorations, too. Santa Claus makes an appearance on a schedule. You can enjoy all of this even though you are not a resort guest. If you go on a Magic Kingdom fireworks night you can watch them from their pier; it's near Narcossee's. There are plenty of restaurants at this resort. You can even have tea in a special tea room. We usually visit here on our first night; because, we don't have a full day on arrival to enjoy the parks.

I would suggest a dinner package for the candlelight processional. You get guaranteed seating for the show. They are on sale now.

Epcot will have music near the fountain that's for the holiday.

Illuminations at Epcot will end with a holiday extra.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

The holidays around the world at Epcot is not to be missed. The storytellers are awesome. I highly recommend seeing Italy, Norway, UK, and Germany. Those are little more involved and some humor. The candlelight processional is not to be missed either. Also, the holiday version of illuminations is amazing. I like the additional version the best of any firework display at Disney. That is not to be missed.