VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[CarolynFH]

Does anyone know when the Christmas festivities begin at WDW, whether it be park decorations going up, resorts decorated, etc.?

Disney is famous for decorating MK overnight, after the last MNSSHP is over. I think you can find videos online of the process. The other parks are done over the next few weeks. The resorts are decorated in a sequence that's determined by a lottery, so it varies each year. This thread will tell you when each resort was finished last year: https://www.disboards.com/threads/🎄...tions-at-disney-resorts-thread-2024🎄.3932476/.

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks twinklebug!!
Great info as I love to see the Christmas decorations
Our DGD has a ballet recital early Dec and we don’t want to miss it so we backed up our original plan from early Dec trip to Nov
Best of both worlds

Oh wow! Enjoy!

I look forward to the day I'll be invited to a grandchild's event like that - I'm due to become a first time grandmother in January, fingers crossed for mom & baby! Hope to make many Disney memories with the new disney lover in the family.

 

[bluecastle]

Jimmytammy: we have gone the week before Thanksgiving week for our past 2 trips and really loved it. Very comfortable temperatures, not huge crowds, Christmas decorations in MK and HS, as well as Christmas music, holiday overlay on Listen to the Land even though Epcot doesn’t get totally decorated and start their WS festivities until after Thanksgiving, and some of the resorts start to decorate. Since Thanksgiving is late again this year, it’s hard to predict when they will start. Last year, when Thanksgiving was on the 28th, the tree at WL went up on Wednesday night the 20th. In 2022, we stayed at Kidani and when we left on the 19th, the tree at AKL had not been put up yet. (and Thanksgiving was on the 24th) So, the resorts are unpredictable. If I think of anything else, I will post again, or if you have any questions, please ask! By the way, I would do the exact same thing for my granddaughter!!

 

[yaksack]

We were at WDL in November one year and it was very nice. If you like Christmas decorations WL is awesome, but Fort Wilderness is worth checking out as well.

 

[jimmytammy]

Oh wow! Enjoy!

I look forward to the day I'll be invited to a grandchild's event like that - I'm due to become a first time grandmother in January, fingers crossed for mom & baby! Hope to make many Disney memories with the new disney lover in the family.

Congratulations! Nothing like it. So happy for you

We just went with our grands to Tweetsie Railroad yesterday in Blowing Rock NC and it was so fun to watch it all through their eyes. Great memories have been made with them at WDW too. Our littlest Ella Mae absolutely loves the characters and cries when we have to leave them.

 

[jimmytammy]

Jimmytammy: we have gone the week before Thanksgiving week for our past 2 trips and really loved it. Very comfortable temperatures, not huge crowds, Christmas decorations in MK and HS, as well as Christmas music, holiday overlay on Listen to the Land even though Epcot doesn’t get totally decorated and start their WS festivities until after Thanksgiving, and some of the resorts start to decorate. Since Thanksgiving is late again this year, it’s hard to predict when they will start. Last year, when Thanksgiving was on the 28th, the tree at WL went up on Wednesday night the 20th. In 2022, we stayed at Kidani and when we left on the 19th, the tree at AKL had not been put up yet. (and Thanksgiving was on the 24th) So, the resorts are unpredictable. If I think of anything else, I will post again, or if you have any questions, please ask! By the way, I would do the exact same thing for my granddaughter!!

Very Comfortable temps and not huge crowds! You got my attention

 

[sleepydog25]

We were at WDL in November one year and it was very nice. If you like Christmas decorations WL is awesome, but Fort Wilderness is worth checking out as well.

Yeah, FW has great decorations set up by the campers. Used to visit them every time I went during the holidays. It's tougher to get to FW now, as I would simply walk over via the bike path or drive over and then around the compound. Don't think you can do that anymore, either.

 

[jimmytammy]

We were at WDL in November one year and it was very nice. If you like Christmas decorations WL is awesome, but Fort Wilderness is worth checking out as well.

We love WL that time of year(well, we actually love it all the time)but its especially beautiful at Christmas season. I will never forget our 1st trip there in 01, we walked in and I was awed by the tree and the mass of the main lobby. I spent several mins just looking up and admiring(a bit teary eyed too)while Tammy was trying to check us in. She called me over for some info and I was totally oblivious

We went to FW last time we were there in Dec. Awesome decorations, campers go all out there! I would love to stay there from maybe Oct til Apr. Wonder how much that would cost?

 

[CarolynFH]

Yeah, FW has great decorations set up by the campers. Used to visit them every time I went during the holidays. It's tougher to get to FW now, as I would simply walk over via the bike path or drive over and then around the compound. Don't think you can do that anymore, either.

There’s a bus from WL to FW Settlement, or you can take the boat that circulates between WL, FW, and CR after 3 PM.

There are sometimes restrictions on travel to FW at times like Halloween, though.

 

[jimmytammy]

There’s a bus from WL to FW Settlement, or you can take the boat that circulates between WL, FW, and CR after 3 PM.

There are sometimes restrictions on travel to FW at times like Halloween, though.

Crazy thing I never knew, there is also a bus that runs direct between Ft W and WL. It drops off and picks up near the settlement

We were there back in late Feb, early March and our DS Casey told us about it
Sure enough, it showed up and took us back to WL
It was dark but I believe we were on parts of the former paved walkway between WL and FW
Sure wish they would bring that back

 

[jimmytammy]

A few shots from Tweetsie Railroad yestredsy
And light fixture from mountain home we are staying in

 

[yaksack]

What is the direct phone number for the resort?

 

[sleepydog25]

There’s a bus from WL to FW Settlement, or you can take the boat that circulates between WL, FW, and CR after 3 PM.

There are sometimes restrictions on travel to FW at times like Halloween, though.

Crazy thing I never knew, there is also a bus that runs direct between Ft W and WL. It drops off and picks up near the settlement

We were there back in late Feb, early March and our DS Casey told us about it
Sure enough, it showed up and took us back to WL
It was dark but I believe we were on parts of the former paved walkway between WL and FW
Sure wish they would bring that back

All true, but that's still not easy to get over to FW and see all the lights since you have no vehicle within FW you can drive around in, and walking all the various loops is quite a bit of exercise.

 

[jimmytammy]

What is the direct phone number for the resort?

This is one I have used before, but its been awhile
1-407-934-7639

 

[yaksack]

This is one I have used before, but its been awhile
1-407-934-7639

Thank you

 

[Mle8308]

Thank you

Just FYI, that is not a direct WL number, it's a number to central reservations (407-WDISNEY). You really can't call a resort directly anymore unless you have a specific person's extension. Even when you call the front desk from a resort room, it's not being answered by a CM at the hotel front desk. It's a call center, however they can transfer you to the resort if necessary.

 

[sleepydog25]

Just FYI, that is not a direct WL number, it's a number to central reservations (407-WDISNEY). You really can't call a resort directly anymore unless you have a specific person's extension. Even when you call the front desk from a resort room, it's not being answered by a CM at the hotel front desk. It's a call center, however they can transfer you to the resort if necessary.

Fine tuned to say that when you call DHHIR (and I think VB), you do get the resort's front desk. Agree that all the ones at the World are on a call center service.

 

[jimmytammy]

Just FYI, that is not a direct WL number, it's a number to central reservations (407-WDISNEY). You really can't call a resort directly anymore unless you have a specific person's extension. Even when you call the front desk from a resort room, it's not being answered by a CM at the hotel front desk. It's a call center, however they can transfer you to the resort if necessary.

Whoops, my bad! I had that number programmed in my phone as WL, should have had it listed at WDW. As I said, been forever since I called directly to WL, so I must have not had the proper one

 

[bluecastle]

Jimmytammy: your description of the first time seeing the WL tree brought back very strong memories. I dreamed of going to WDW and staying at the WL at Christmastime for a long time and it wasn’t until December 2009 that we finally were able to do it. I walked into the lobby and the tears came as I stood there overcome by the happiness of my dream finally coming true and amazed at its beauty and height! Then we went to MK that night and my 2nd dream came true, seeing the castle lights. Another stand still crying moment. ( I really miss those lights!)