Holiday Resorts That Are Must Sees

[hayesdvc]

We will be visiting the World the first week of December. DW loves all types of Christmas decorations.

What and why are your can't miss top three resorts which are decorated the best?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Top three for me would be:

1) Wilderness Lodge
2) Grand Floridian
3) Animal Kingdom Lodge (though Beach Club is right up there, too, with the chocolate carousel)

 

[Nancyg56]

I love WIlderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, BEach and yacht Clubs, and ANimal Kingdom Lodge. I also thing a wagon ride through Fort Wilderness is a lot fo fun when the campsites are all decorated.

 

[GPC0321]

Got to stay at the Grand Floridian during the holiday season last year. It's stunning!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Grand Floridian, Beach Club, Yacht Club and Wilderness Lodge. They are well worth the visit.

 

[MissionMouse]

If you are looking to capture a Christmas feel then I would suggest Wilderness for a rustic flair, but for a Victorian feel with a touch of gingerbread and at time a small musical group playing, then I would say adventure over to the Grand Floridian. Just remember the spirit of the season is in you.

 

[clayfolks]

Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House).

 

[BeachPrincess]

For those who have done a resort hopping day to view Christmas decor, what is the best/most efficient way to travel to each one? Also, does the Polynesian have anything worth seeing during the holidays? TIA

 

[mommyrosa2]

I love WIlderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, BEach and yacht Clubs, and ANimal Kingdom Lodge. I also thing a wagon ride through Fort Wilderness is a lot fo fun when the campsites are all decorated.

I second the wagon ride thru Ft. Wilderness. We did this a few years back and took one of the last rides of the evening and it was beautiful!

 

[hayesdvc]

I second the wagon ride thru Ft. Wilderness. We did this a few years back and took one of the last rides of the evening and it was beautiful!

How do you sign up?

 

[TJA]

The top 3 for us are GF, WL, and I'll count YC/BC/BWI as one because you can see all 3 of them by just walking around the boardwalk loop. We did a split stay between BC and GF last year and really loved both of them all dressed up for the season. However, GF wins the all-around award for us. I remember sitting at the courtyard pool after dark one night and seeing the deer and Christmas lights come on and we just looked at the main building in awe thinking how happy we were to be there!

 

[Nancyg56]

How do you sign up?

Oh my gosh, is has been a few years! We signed up right outside of the HDDR building.

 

[Babsy]

For those who have done a resort hopping day to view Christmas decor, what is the best/most efficient way to travel to each one? Also, does the Polynesian have anything worth seeing during the holidays? TIA

Yes, the Poly is nice and all the resorts are individually decorated. But the decor is themed to the resort and the more traditional Christmas decor seems to be the GF (victorian) and the WL (rustic northwest). For many people the feeling of Christmas time is just especially nice at these two resorts. It is nice to see all the resorts dressed up in their unique Christmas finery, though.

MK resorts can be viewed by taking the monorail loop and then the boat to the WL/FW. (from CR or MK). Epcot resorts are easily viewed by walking around to each one in turn. Other resorts may be most efficiently visited using a Minnie van or Uber type transport.

 

[cassie58]

Agree that GF is a must see, especially the giant gingerbread house. The displays at Poly and Contemporary are not as exciting, but you could do the monorail loop to catch all in one trip. Could work it around a dining reservation, or during day at MK - could use as a midday break, or if leaving early on MVMCP night. Wilderness is beautiful, and others mentioned, you could hop the boat to the Fort after to catch the wagon ride to see the lights(if there at night of course - it does have a fee) - could also be done as part of an MK day. We love AKL at any time of the year, and think it is great to experience - similar set up to WL, if you could not do both. It is a 5 minute bus ride from AK, so could also do as a break midday, or at the end of the day. As PP mentioned above, you can do BC/YC/BWI as a group as well, again as a break at Epcot or around dining or Boardwalk night plans. Love the carousel at BC. Here is a link which highlights some of the resort holiday decor: https://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/christmas-in-disney-world-hotels.html For the wagon ride, you just show up, a lot of people jump on after HDDR show since it is right outside Pioneer Hall. While not regarding the resorts, seeing the castle lit is our favorite activity! Have a great trip!

 

[BeachPrincess]

Agree that GF is a must see, especially the giant gingerbread house. The displays at Poly and Contemporary are not as exciting, but you could do the monorail loop to catch all in one trip. Could work it around a dining reservation, or during day at MK - could use as a midday break, or if leaving early on MVMCP night. Wilderness is beautiful, and others mentioned, you could hop the boat to the Fort after to catch the wagon ride to see the lights(if there at night of course - it does have a fee) - could also be done as part of an MK day. We love AKL at any time of the year, and think it is great to experience - similar set up to WL, if you could not do both. It is a 5 minute bus ride from AK, so could also do as a break midday, or at the end of the day. As PP mentioned above, you can do BC/YC/BWI as a group as well, again as a break at Epcot or around dining or Boardwalk night plans. Love the carousel at BC. Here is a link which highlights some of the resort holiday decor: https://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/christmas-in-disney-world-hotels.html For the wagon ride, you just show up, a lot of people jump on after HDDR show since it is right outside Pioneer Hall. While not regarding the resorts, seeing the castle lit is our favorite activity! Have a great trip!

Thanks, this is very helpful!

 

[BeachPrincess]

Yes, the Poly is nice and all the resorts are individually decorated. But the decor is themed to the resort and the more traditional Christmas decor seems to be the GF (victorian) and the WL (rustic northwest). For many people the feeling of Christmas time is just especially nice at these two resorts. It is nice to see all the resorts dressed up in their unique Christmas finery, though.

MK resorts can be viewed by taking the monorail loop and then the boat to the WL/FW. (from CR or MK). Epcot resorts are easily viewed by walking around to each one in turn. Other resorts may be most efficiently visited using a Minnie van or Uber type transport.

We've seen GF, WL and AK but never Contemporary or any of the Epcot resorts. I think we'll focus on the Epcot resorts first and then if time, visit others. Thanks for the info, appreciate it!

 

[mommyrosa2]

How do you sign up?

I actually had booked ours before we left for our trip and paid in full ahead of time by calling the Disney reservations line and they transferred me.