What are the “can’t miss” Christmas attractions

[happily single]

I am planning an “epic” 12 hour trip to Disney with my ds15. Originally the plan was to spend several hours at MK followed by a few hours at Epcot (World Showcase/Candlelight Processiona). but then I got thinking about Hollywood StudiOS and how they used to have the Osborne Lights.

we will have park hoppers and a rental car so jumping to a few parks is doable.

what are the can’t miss attractions?

 

[mixmastertoy]

Def monorail hotel loop to look at decor - esp Grand Floridian for the Ginger Bread House

 

[cgattis]

While I like seeing the monorail hotels, for a one-day trip, I’d focus on the parks. MK has the Jingle Cruise, a Space Mountain overlay, and decorations/lights around the Speedway (which I might actually do to see the lights LOL). Epcot May have the storytellers in each country depending on when you go, plus a pic with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the America pavilion was a must for us (in their gorgeous velvet outfits). At AK, we put on Santa hats and took pics with Santa Goofy; don’t remember anything else there, except a pic with the tree (which you could do at each park). I love the vintage-look Christmas decorations at HS, plus there’s the billboard “show” which you might catch right around dark? Also JBJb, but I think I remember you’d have to leave before that.

 

[Sandi]

If I had only 12 hours, I’d probably skip this, but I love visiting Fort Wilderness to see all the campers’ decorations. Many are over the top awesome. Can’t wait to walk through the campground in December.

 

[TinkSassy]

With only one day that is tough:

I would go to MK for the tree and Jingle Cruise (I would grab the Friendship boat to see the Gingerbread House at the GF - I think that is the one don't miss on the monorail loop)
HS is best at night - you have Sunset Season's Greetings (snow, projections on ToT and billboard shorts playing), Decorations Everywhere and the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam show
Epcot - this is the Festival, going from country to country seeing their "Santa" or (we love the UK Father Christmas), trying the food and of course Candlelight Processional

These are the highlights - unless you will be there Christmas week (when the Christmas Parade and shows are running during the regular park day at MK)

 

[maleficent55]

If I had only 12 hours, I’d probably skip this, but I love visiting Fort Wilderness to see all the campers’ decorations. Many are over the top awesome. Can’t wait to walk through the campground in December.

i realize this is an old post, but hey! It's research.... So do you mean people who are staying in the campsites decorate their own spaces? This sounds pretty cute!

 

[Sandi]

i realize this is an old post, but hey! It's research.... So do you mean people who are staying in the campsites decorate their own spaces? This sounds pretty cute!

Hi and sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, yes, yes!!! The people who stay at the Fort Wilderness campsites decorate their spaces. Some have elaborate decorations -- lights, inflatable snow globes, plastic Mickey Santas, little train sets, etc. There were a few sites without any decorations and they actually looked a bit out of place amongst the heavily decorated campsites. We did not end up going in December of 2020 (pandemic and all), so I do not know the extent to which sites were decorated most recently. We were there in each of 2017-2019's winter holiday seasons and always made time to go to FW to walk around after dark. If you google Fort Wilderness Christmas decorations you will see some amazing displays. I'm hopeful to have a holiday trip this year or next. It is beyond cute.

 

[Rick195275]

i realize this is an old post, but hey! It's research.... So do you mean people who are staying in the campsites decorate their own spaces? This sounds pretty cute!

Not sure if this will still be the case but something to be aware of, for Halloween 2020 I’m pretty sure they were restricting people who were not staying at the campgrounds from going due to Covid. People also decorate their campsites for Halloween