Need help planning a "Best of Disney at Christmas" trip!

[GEM]

Little Paul (will be 18 months at the time) and I are planning a short trip to the world in early December with my mom, Paul's Nana. She has never been before and we are all so excited! However, this is going to be a short trip, 4 nights only, and we just want to hit the extra special Christmas highlights. If you were going on a short trip that time of year, with someone who had never been before, what things inside and outside of the parks would you make sure to see and do? We are staying at the Grand Floridian and want to spend some time enjoying ourself there as well. I've been many times and my mom doesn't care at all about "seeing it all". We just want to take it easy, soak up the festive atmosphere, do things that Paul and Nana can enjoy together, and make some special memories. Suggestions?

 

[ead79]

GEM, you have picked a wonderful time of year to visit! December is my favorite time of year to go to the World, and here are my suggestions:

--Get a picture of Paul made with Santa at Downtown Disney, then you can have it put in a frame and can even have the frame engraved at the Disney Days of Christmas store at DTD. We got this done on our honeymoon, and we love the picture.

--See the Osborne Spectacle of Lights at MGM--it snows and there are vendors selling hot chocolate. Plus, it's a relaxing low-key activity that is a lot of fun.

--See the tree lighting ceremonies at the various parks. They are really fun ceremonies that bring out the Christmas spirit.

--Tour some of the resorts to see their Christmas decorations. The WL, AKL, and BWI are recommendations of mine, but they are all neat to visit.

--Consider doing Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It's a lot of fun, but I would wonder about Paul even being awake since it's so late at night. Bring warm clothes for this--it really can get pretty chilly in the evenings.

 

[disneymania]

The different Santas in countries in EPCOT. Think they read a story or did something different in each one. Cute pics.

Have lots of pics taken with characters dressed in their holiday clothes.

Country Bears Christmas Show

Definitely the Osbourn Family Light Show in MGM

One memory that stands out in my mind was when I was on the flying dinosaur ride (similar to Dumbo) in AK & we were flying through the air with super loud Christmas music being piped in. I remember thinking, "it doesn't get any better than this".

Buy a character Santa hat for everyone as soon as you get there & wear them every day. I wished I had purchased one but as the trip progressed, seemed to be a waste for just a few days.

Enjoy the decorations at the hotels.

Now you have me wanting to go back this DEC.!!

 

[SnowWitch]

Ditto to all the suggestions above. We always make it a point to go to the other resorts and look at their Christmas displays. Lifesize gingerbread house at the GF, themepark made out of sugar and candies at the BWV's, carousel made of sugar and god knows what else at the BC, and so. The Osbourne Lights are a must, CP at Epcot, various Santas at Epcot.

 

[GEM]

Thanks! DH and I have been this time of year several times before and it is one of my very favorite times! (I also love being there for the Halloween party.)

I love all the suggestions so far - especially the tree lighting cermemonies and pic with Santa. I think mom would really like that. We didn't get Paul's picture with Santa this past Christmas (his first) because it was too risky to take him out somewhere like the mall and expose him to all those people.

We are definately doing the party! Unless he changes a lot in the next few months, little Paul has no problem staying up late. When we were there in May, we closed down Epcot one night at midnight during the Evening Extra Magic Hours - and Paul was wide awake and loving it. We'll just plan on spending that day doing something relaxing - maybe touring the resorts to see some deocorations - so everybody will be rested.

I have a question about the Osborne Lights. I think mom and Pau would both LOVE that, but everytime I have been to see them it has been wall to wall people, and I know that neither of them would like that. Is there a good time to go seem them to avoid the throngs. We always seem to just get pushed along and there's no way to even move or see what's on the other side of the street. Any suggestions?

I'd also love some more ideas about the smaller, maybe less known special things that we might enjoy around Christmas time. I love that kind of thing. It's the sort of thing that Disney does best!

Also, does the Grand Floridian do anything special this time of year. We've seen the decorations there - the wonderful tree and gingerbread house. Do they have any special activities or anything? We've always stayed at the Wilderness Lodge on our past December trips, and they've had things like carriage rides, bell choirs in the lobby, storytellers, etc.

Thanks for the help!