Everything you need to know about WDW Christmas- Tips & Secrets

[AMG373]

Last years trip was so cold except for the last day and it was mid-70's. We are hooked now after 4 years. It just doesn't seem like the holidays until we come home. This year is extra special because our older DD and DSIL will be with us for their first Christmas visit. Can't wait!!! Still waiting to see who the guess celeb is going to be for 12/16-12/19.

Hi, narrator for Dec 16-18 is Chita Rivera according to list I got earlier today. Trace Adkins is then on from the 19th.

 

[gonecrusin]

Hi, narrator for Dec 16-18 is Chita Rivera according to list I got earlier today. Trace Adkins is then on from the 19th.

Darn I thought I was going to have to volunteer! No matter who it is it is a great experience. Thanks for the info.

 

[aprilp]

We went in 2009 and the Grand Floridian's decorations (not just the gingerbread house) were amazing. We sat in the lobby and listened to the live music, but I'm sorry to say we forgot to look for the roasted chestnuts they supposedly have. Will have to look for that this year (anyone know where they do it at?). We have a dinner reservation at Cape May Cafe (Beach Club Resort) on 12/2 so we are excited to get to see the gingerbread/chocolate fondant carosel also. I'm hoping its not TOO chilly in the evenings because after our Cape May Cafe dinner I wanted to take the boat over to DHS and see the Osbourne Family lights, then come back to hang out in epcot as it will be a EMH night. Love epcot at night thought I REALLY miss the Lights of Winter. Back to the weather, both in 2008 and 2009 when I went we were able to wear jeans and short sleeves during the day and add a light jacket in the evenings(it was perfect!). I wouldnt mind having to wear long sleeves during the day but am hoping it doesn't get too chilly at night.

 

[Marblies]

The roasted chestnuts and hot spiced wassail are just inside the main doors. You walk straight into them.

 

[RaySharpton]

one thing i'm really looking forward to are seeing the resorts this christmas. . i was wondering if it would be worth it to see the swan and dolphin?

Dolphin Resort has a huge lobby like GF, WL with a very large tree.

http://www.santasfavoriteresort.com/calendar.html

A lot of activities including tree lighting ceremony. I don't know about this year, but last year, in the causeway between the Swan and Dolphin across from the boat launch, Santa gave photo ops; roasting chestnuts were given away with cider. But I don't see the chestnut activity on the calendar this year.

one thing i'm really looking forward to are seeing the resorts this christmas. my favorite resort is saratoga springs, but i have heard nothing about their decorations. QUOTE]

Maybe there will be more at SSR this year.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dolphin Resort has a huge lobby like GF, WL with a very large tree.....

Maybe I'll see you there again this year, Ray?

 

[RaySharpton]

Any rumor of the Lights of Winter returning to Epcot? I thought I recall reading that Disney didn't put them up one year because they were upgrading the lights to be more energy efficient and they would return at some point....

I am sure I didn't dream that up, anybody know if the lights will be back?

I really, really miss the Epcot Lights of Winter display and the music, but everyone says that it will never come back again. Every year, I look up at the end of Illuminations and sigh wishing they were there again.

http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog...he-lights-of-winter-holiday-archway-at-epcot/

 

[PlutoBaby]

Ahh Christmas...my FAVORITE time to go! Okay here goes:

Epcot: love to find something to put on my tree from every country

-try to make reservations for a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package (gives you primo Illuminations watching spot and better seating for the show) Ms. Rosselini is my favorite narrator!

Magic Kingdom: Mickey's VMCP is a winner! Catch as many shows as you can. The Dancing Reindeer are the best!

-Later parades aren't usually quite as crowded but pick a spot early. Anywhere in front of the castle always works.

Studios: Osborne lights are AMAZING! If you go later in the evening, it's not quite as crowded, especially if you go during Fantasmic.

-There's a great little Christmas shop across from the Muppet Show, next to Pizza Planet. Goods can always picked up at the front of the park or delivered to the gift shop at your hotel as long as it's on the property.

Hotels: are all decorated to the hilt by Thanksgiving. Boardwalk and Grand Flo usually have AMAZING gingerbread or chocolate works of art!

Shopping: if you want anything personalized, it won't be quick, so get your stuff picked out as early as possible and plan on coming back quite a while later to pick it up. WARNING: Downtown will be CRAZY!!

 

[RaySharpton]

Maybe I'll see you there again this year, Ray?

Hi, Dan. Remember our breakfast at the Dolphin Resort last year? I really enjoyed dining with you. Can we make a few more plans this December for meet and greets or a meal? I sure would like to see you more than once.

 

[RaySharpton]

Double post, sorry.

 

[RaySharpton]

Hi there, out of curiousity can I ask if you could see the narrator clearly? I have dinner package for CP on Sat Dec 3rd (now Geena Davis) so will get to see the whole show then, but I see that Edward James Olmos is the narrator a few days later and would like to see him in the flesh (Battlestar Galactica fan ) . I don't want to wait for hours having already seen CP a few days earlier, but if I thought I could just see him from standing outside I would make the effort to be in Epcot during one of his shows. Thanks.

Here is an older photo from mouseforless of James Olmos as the narrator and I'm a Battlestar Galactica fan, too.

I love Disney Candle Light Processional, too.

And there are some trees, but the color and the music and the huge choir are still worth standing outside the fence to catch a view. Just pick a spot to see the podium amongst the tree limbs if possible. You may not have to wait as long as you would behind the fence as you would in line, but I wouldn't wait for the last minute. The 5pm show is historically less crowded, but not always. Most people like to see the event in the dark.

Can you see the narrator in the above photo, I don't recognize her face? Just look for the podium when you are trying to find a spot outside the fence to see the narrator and maybe your camera can get a better close up shot of your favorite narrator.

 

[opieandy1]

Great site.....We will be there 12/17-12/21. We wanted to make one visit to DTD, but wasn't sure when would be the best time (crowds). Any recommendations?

 

[vanillarum]

Call me a softee, but PlutoBaby, your signature brought tears to my eyes. Very nice !!

 

[RaySharpton]

Great site.....We will be there 12/17-12/21. We wanted to make one visit to DTD, but wasn't sure when would be the best time (crowds). Any recommendations?

I really love visting DTD at night. I guess that it may be more crowded at night than day time because of locals getting off work and visiting. Just as the weekends might be more busy for the same reason.

But I usually just visit anytime and go with the flow and enjoy the sites and the lights and the music.

Here Disney's link to holiday time at DTD:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/de...isney/special-events/festival-of-the-seasons/

I love visiting the DTD Christmas Store every year.

And Christmas Trees with very large presents underneath them. Someone forgot to wrap the presents...oh...oh.

 

[eculmone]

I'm posting so I can see my ticker/countdown in the words of Elf 'SSSSSSAAAANNNNNNTTTTAAAAA' DH thinks I'm nuts, but this site is my stress reliever

 

[momimouse27]

I haven't had time to read all these pages yet-lots to do today!-but just a quick question. When will the decorations go up for Epcot? I know MK will already have them done now, because of the MVMCP.

We are leaving Wed. and I really would love to see some decorations at Epcot. Anyone know about resorts?

 

[RaySharpton]

DisneyStore.com has another 25% Off Sale on Theme Park Items again using the code "PARK25", November 4-6, 2011, if you want to buy some things before your December trip.


http://www.disneystore.com/theme-pa...&att=20111104_Parks25offWeekend&RRID=13322155


Also, look around for Theme Park for more items not shown in link above for mickey santa hats.


If you spend over $75.00, you get free shipping and handling.

 

[Jenna319]

Does anyone know when the DTD tree is put up? Gorgeous!

 

[aprilp]

The roasted chestnuts and hot spiced wassail are just inside the main doors. You walk straight into them.

We came in at the monorail entrance so maybe we were on the wrong level. Will definitely find the main entrance this time! Thanks!

 

[zyezye]

We're just so excited to be going the week before Christmas. Can't even imagine how beautifully the parks and resorts will be decorated. Have seen it all on tv, including the Gingerbread Homes at the Grand...now we'll be there!