OT: Resort after DC stay at Christmas - Williamsburg?

[disneymom2one]

Hi.

The short story is that we (me, dh, high school freshman daughter) are going to DC the week prior to Christmas. We usually (nine of the past ten years) spend that time at WDW but we're switching things up and going to DC. For various reasons, we can't do Christmas with extended family (although we see them at other times). It makes me quite sad actually so we usually just lose ourselves at Disney - so much to do - total holiday spirit.

We'll be in DC from the 18th to the 24th but I want to wrap up DC on Christmas Eve because I just don't want to be in DC for Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day. Being in a big city that's mostly closed on Christmas is NOT fun for us.

The plan as of now is to go to Colonial Williamsburg. It looks like they have a lot going on during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We like that! I've been studying last year's planner (this year's comes out in September) and it seems like a great solution. We have reservations to stay on site at Williamsburg Lodge for the 24th - 27th.

That being said, I keep reading HORRIBLE reviews of CW. Am I missing something? I should mention that we went to St. Augustine a few months ago and loved it. We like kind of getting somewhere and being walking distance to shops and restaurants.

The other option would be to take the train back down to Hilton Head and spend a few nights at DVC - Hilton Head (we're coming from the south). I'm just not convinced Hilton Head has a lot going on either.

Any thoughts? I'm really happy with the rest of our trip - but I want to make sure CW is worth the $$$ and will do for us what we need it to do.

Thanks!

 

[NCRedding]

I love CW and never understand the negative reviews. I would love to spend some time at Christmas there. The lodge is very conveniently located to the historic area and to Merchant's Square. I've never stayed at the Lodge, but I have attended a conference there and really liked the look of the public areas.

I would think there would be more going on in CW than in HH, and that it would feel more Christmasy.

 

[PlutoPony]

Well I'm with NCRedding on this. We like CW and have been there several times. It's been a couple years since we visited between Christmas and New Years but the atmosphere was very festive, albeit in a simpler way. The decorations in the restored area are from the time and consist mostly of greens, fruit, candles and things like that - very nice but certainly different from what we see today. Imo I'd take CW over HH. Traffic down from DC is often a bear, so I'd recommend leaving early in the day rather than late.

Not much out side of CW will be open in town on Christmas day, so make sure you get dining reservations as soon as they open them up.... they'll fill up fast and you could be SOL if you don't. Other special events will also fill quickly in our experience.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

There is so much history and charm in that entire area. I like Colonial Williamsburg.