What are some Christmas must do's at Disney World?--HELP

[drogers1002]

We will be at Disney World for the first time over Christmas for the first time (Dec 21-26 at WLV), we have been several times prior but not over the holidays (except in early Jan and saw the Osborne Lights at MGM since they were still up). We will only be in the parks one day out of the 5 days there (Epcot to see the Candlelight Procession that I hear is moving). What other ideas to you have for Non-park fun to take in the disney holiday experience?? Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[Pooh2]

Tour the resorts to check out the decorations. Our favorites were WL, GF, AKL.
Go see Santa at Disney Springs!

 

[casnider]

I second the resort displays, that was fun and beautiful.

 

[poison ivy]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful. They have activities all week including Christmas singers on select nights.

The Grand Floridian Resort is a must to visit! we love to sit in the Grand lobby; buy treats at the amazing gingerbread house;
enjoy the holiday music and watch families pose for photos with Minnie and Mickey in front of the Christmas tree in their holiday outfits.

The Yacht Club has as amazing train display.

It's such a beautiful time to visit. Enjoy.

 

[Mainemama]

Are you sure you can't make a night for Hollywood Studios? Last year of Osbourne Lights! I am about to take my first Christmas trip, as well. The resorts have special performers and character meets planned during those times. Be sure to look at the resort activities guide!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would I recommend seeing Osbourne lights again.

Each park has their tree. Hotels have gingerbread houses. Grand Floridian has a walk through one.

Christmas Around the World at EPCOT is fun. They have storytellers in each if the countries that share traditions of that country. America shares about Hanukkah and Kwanza. And while not quite to the calibre of Food and Wine Festival, there were some treats in some of the countries. Get a passport at the entrance that you can get stamped. (No prize other than getting a completion stamp.)

Pardon the poor quality photo:

 

[JPDtheJD]

Epcot storytellers!!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

The Epcot storytellers and the Osborne lights in HS if you can make it. It is the last year for them.

 

[csmith041177]

I would absolutely hit Osborne if you had the opportunity. I am kicking myself since we can't get down for the final year. That show is my number 1 favorite thing about Christmas at Disney...absolutely moving. Also agree on the resort visits that others have mentioned...Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge are my favorites. They all have breathtaking lobbies with fantastic trees and very cool-themed decorations. That smell of gingerbread from the house in GF is really cool. And, my guilty pleasure, is to choose down on all the christmas themed snacks that are littered throughout the parks. MMMMMMMMMMM.

 

[MelanieRI]

"What other ideas to you have for Non-park fun to take in the disney holiday experience??"

I always say, there's so much to do at Disney, who even needs to go to the parks! Well, that's especially true at Christmas! I definitely agree with going around to the hotels to check out their decorations, but also look online for the hotel activities list as well. It can be nice to sit on the beach, roast marshmallows and then catch a Christmas movie. The resorts have lots of special holiday stuff like character meet and greets dressed in their holiday clothes in the lobby. At Fort Wilderness, they have a holiday sleigh ride. Even if you don't do the sleigh ride, you can go over to look at all the decorated camp sites. At Poly where you check-in for Ohana, you can watch the special Christmas fireworks and they pipe in the music. Don't forget the Swan and Dolphin, too. They have a Christmas lights show outside on the palm trees, as well as decorations in their lobbies, too. Have dinner at the California Grill and watch as the castle lights up for the holidays and stay for the special fireworks. Disney Springs has lots of different holiday happenings to like carolers, musical acts and holiday variety performers, including Toy Solider stilt walkers.