Resorts decked out for the holidays?

[mommaU4]

Hey guys, I've heard the WDW resorts are really something to see at the holidays. My question is can you go and just walk around a resort even if you're not staying there? Do you have to pay for parking at the resorts? And which resorts have the best decorations that we just have to see. I heard the tree in the AKL lobby is pretty spectacular. Anywhere else? Thanks for the info!

 

[luv2nascar]

The GF is really beautiful decorated for christmas. They have a huge gingerbread house in the lobby downstairs. Big enough for a lady to be inside selling cookies and such. Hugh christmas tree.

 

[RachelTori]

Hey guys, I've heard the WDW resorts are really something to see at the holidays. My question is can you go and just walk around a resort even if you're not staying there? Do you have to pay for parking at the resorts? And which resorts have the best decorations that we just have to see. I heard the tree in the AKL lobby is pretty spectacular. Anywhere else? Thanks for the info!

Absolutely! If you're there during the Holidays, you MUST resort hop!!! Most resorts will give you a temporary parking permit if you tell them you're eating there.

AKL lobby is gorgeous as is WL. I absolutely LOVE the Epcot resorts. Boardwalk is my favorite. GF has the gingerbread house in the lobby - and they sell some of the most delicious goodies!!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Boardwalk is one of the harder ones to get a parking pass for since it gets busy at night. One way around this is to park at the Yacht/Beach club and walk around the lake. It isn't that far and you can see the other resorts on the way around. It is definately fun to walk around and see all the different decorations.

 

[ciera321]

We stayed at WL last December and we spent one evening resort hopping. The lobby at WL was wonderful and I spent time there just sitting and absorbing!!! The GF and AKL were both beautiful, especially the GF with the gingerbread house and all the gorgous victorian Christmas decorations. Victorian is not my style, but oh my gosh it was just so beautiful!!!

 

[dennisnlisab96]

We LOVE the WL. We watched the tree being put up a couple years ago and it was great.

 

[MinnieSummer]

If you plan to visit during park hours you can take the monorail to MK the do the resort only loop to visit the resorts on the monorail. Switch monorails and go to Epcot then walk through to the interational gateway and visit the Boardwalk Resorts. The take a bus back to MK and the boat over to WL. From there go back to your car and drive to AKL and CSR (a moderate that has the best decorations).

Even if you don't get to see all of them visiting the monorail MK ones will be special.

 

[TnTsParty]

Last year I was staying at AKL and saw the beautiful decorations there. I knew I just HAD to take the monorail to Grand Floridian to see the decorations there - they were breathtaking especially the full size gingerbread house. I had never been inside this resort before and was plesently surprised.

What other resorts have GREAT/can't miss decorations. We will be staying at POFQ and I am thinking of adding a 4th day so that we can have time to resort hop!! My DH doesn't know that yet but he will be ok with it!! LOL

 

[poohangel]

Are just the deluxe resorts worth seeing? Any other resorts are not to be missed? This will be our first time at Christmas time and quite possible our last, where I work no vacations are to take in November or December,this is a one time deal with the boss.

 

[PamNC]

you can walk around the resorts to check out the decor. It's a beautiful thing and a great way to kick off your holiday. They all have great decorations, but the ones that stand out for us are Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht & Beach Club, Dolphin (huge tree with a big train that goes around it), and AKL.

Take part in the extra festivities. Like the sleigh ride from WL.

PamNC

 

[graygables]

We like to take a day just to resort hop. What we do, however, is pay for valet parking at our first stop ($7?) then valet at the rest of the deluxe resorts for free for the rest of the day. Yes, we have to tip, but to me, it's a little Christmas gift to them and it's a little bit of luxury (and a huge convenience). It makes for a lovely day. BTW, when I have the valet tag, I rarely get "hassled" at the guard stop, just tell them I'm there to valet. Make sure you take lots of photos!

 

[MickeyNicki]

If you plan to visit during park hours you can take the monorail to MK the do the resort only loop to visit the resorts on the monorail. Switch monorails and go to Epcot then walk through to the interational gateway and visit the Boardwalk Resorts. The take a bus back to MK and the boat over to WL. From there go back to your car and drive to AKL and CSR (a moderate that has the best decorations).

Even if you don't get to see all of them visiting the monorail MK ones will be special.

That was very helpful to me too!! Thanks