What not to miss during Christmas Season

[Yvet]

I'm totally not a obsessive planner, really i'm not

We are going during Christmas Season and i have a list of things that we want to do and see.
But i sure can need some help from y'all.

This is a list of thing we want to go see and do:
Outside WDW:

• ICE at Gaylord Palms.
• The Polar Express Experience at Sea World.
• Go see Celebration in Christmas style.

At WDW:

• Visit DTD.
• Get a photograph with Santa at DTD.
• Visit Hotels that are decorated (GF, BC, BW)
• Vist the Swan & Dolphin Hotel.

In the parks, MK:

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Dec 9 (bought tickets)
• Visit Santa.

In the parks, EP:

• Candlelight Processional 2008, Dec 2 (bought a dinner package)
• The nightly tree-lighting ceremony.
• Storytellers.
• Illuminations.

In the parks, AK:

• Santa Goofy’s Wild Wonderland.
• Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade.

In the parks, DS:

• Osborne Family Lights.

Here are my questions:

• How much time do i have to plan for ICE??
• Which hotels should i visit, which hotels must i visit??
• Should you recommend visiting the Camgrounds??
• Is there a special Illuminations??
• Where can i find the characters all dressed up in their Christmas gear for photo oppertunities??

And this question was already answered by the podcast team during the last emailshow, but i want to make sure i understood correctly.
The lenght of the shows during MVMCP:
Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - 40 min
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade - 15 min
Holiday Wishes - 10 / 15 min
Celebrate the Season Show - 15 / 20 seems like 4-5 days.
Belle's Enchanted Christmas Stoytelling - ??

Thanx for all the help and tips.

 

[disneym2m]

I believe all of the resorts have some sort of holiday decoration. You really don't want to miss the Grand Floridan with the huge gingerbread house. The Beach Club had a gingerbread carousel last year. And the Boardwalk always has a neat gingerbread display.

Illuminations will have holiday music. Last December (2007), they played "Let There Peace Be On Earth" as part of the holiday music.

I know the character at AK are dressed in holiday scarfs and hats. I am not sure about the other parks. I don't remember seeing them dressed up. The characters will be dressed in their holiday outfit for MVMCP.

I think you have covered everything else. Have a great trip. WDW is amazing during the holiday season. Also check out each Christmas tree at each park.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Yvet -- If you haven't already seen it, here's a link to the info. on this website for information on holidays @ WDW:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/christmas_world.htm

Looks like there's a sleigh ride at WL that might be fun for the two of you to do as well!!!

Ohhhh...I also just noticed there are quite a few activities at the Swan/Dolphin too -- this looks fun:

Campfire on the Beach:
Join us every Saturday on the beach to warm up to our campfire and make S'mores. S'mores kits will be sold for $5.00 each and contain six S'mores. This activity begins at 6:00pm

 

[Yvet]

I have gotten a lot of info from the link you gave me, that was my first link where i looked before i went on planning things....
I'm obsessivly hitting that lkink since somewhere in July

The sleighride is nothing for us because Emiel is allergic to horses, so we skip that part....

 

[scarlett873]

I didn't see DATW with Ursula and Company on your list! That's certainly a special event not to be missed! This special-not-to-be-missed holiday event is scheduled for Dec 12 and/or Dec 13. Time is still to be decided...

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

The sleighride is nothing for us because Emiel is allergic to horses, so we skip that part....

Ahhhh that's too bad -- good thing there are so many other things to choose from.

 

[Yvet]

I didn't see DATW with Ursula and Company on your list! That's certainly a special event not to be missed! This special-not-to-be-missed holiday event is scheduled for Dec 12 and/or Dec 13. Time is still to be decided...

Uehmmm i'm afraid posting my Mousefest agenda......
Because it's packed.......
Mousefest is something extra just like visting everything during the Christmas Season.

But DATW is included, just like the TS Mania event!!!!!

 

[Yvet]

I have addited some new question and also updated the list what we want to go see and do.

Here are the new things included.

Outside WDW:

• Go see Celebration in Christmas style.

At WDW:

• Visit Hotels that are decorated (GF, BC, BW)
• Vist the Swan & Dolphin Hotel.

Here are my questions:

• Should you recommend visiting the Camgrounds??

Still could use a lot of opinions, sugestions ect ect.
All the help is needed and wanted......

 

[robind]

In the parks, AK:

• Santa Goofy’s Wild Wonderland.
• Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade.

I haven't heard of this one - what is it, where and when? I love the Jingle Jungle Parade.

 

[katscradle]

Definitely visit the campgrounds.
My recomendation is to go and eat there for dinner one evening.
Either at the review or at winding trail.
Then go for a walk. When you get done hop the bus back to the reception
for the bus or car your back to your resort.
We stayed there for 4 days on our trip last year and rented a golf cart and spent the evening touring the resort one night.
It was truly amazing.
Cristmas is my favorite time of year so it was really great for me.
You won't believe what the people do until you see it.

 

[WaltD4Me]

If you can make it to the campgrounds I really recommend that one too. The people camping there all decorate their spots and it's really something to see!

I loved the decorations at The Beach Club, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. I thought they were the best.

Also don't miss the tree lighting at Epcot and also the Santas at Epcot.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Personally, I thought the Polar Express thingy at Seaworld was overhyped, and didn't live up to my expectations...but I did enjoy seeing the polar bears and belugas in the viewing area after the "show".

The Holiday IllumiNations is an addition to the end of the regular IllumiNations fireworks. It is wonderful, colorful, moving. See it more than once, if you can.

Buy a piece of gingerbread from the gingerbread house in the GF lobby. Actually, I like the gingerbread men better than the gingerbread shingles. They also sometimes have performers in the GF lobby...pianists, singing groups. I've seen pianists in the Dolphin lobby as well.

 

[Yvet]

O.k. I've noted everything and thanx for the help....

There is so mucht to see and do that we can't do everything.
I want to but don't wanna go commando the whole time, it's vacation....

If there are 3 things that you can tell me not to skipp, the realy must do's what would it be???


Robind, here is the link with more information:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/Jingle-Jungle.htm#hm-jingle-click

 

[Launchpad11B]

O.k. I've noted everything and thanx for the help....

There is so mucht to see and do that we can't do everything.
I want to but don't wanna go commando the whole time, it's vacation....

If there are 3 things that you can tell me not to skipp, the realy must do's what would it be???


Robind, here is the link with more information:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/Jingle-Jungle.htm#hm-jingle-click

1. Candle light processional
2. Osborne family spectacle of lights
3. MVMCP at MK

Just my top 3. Hope you have a blast no matter what you choose to do!

 

[goofybeagle]

They also do skits in the United Kingdom streets in Epcot. My husband was picked to play scrooge a couple years ago. It was really fun to watch and a not miss if you happen to be in the area when they are doing it.

 

[Geef]

The Gingerbread House @ The Grand Floridian is cool, and you can buy and eat some Gingerbread!

 

[Yvet]

Can anybody tell me how long Belle's Enchanted Christmas Stoytelling takes???

 

[foxlore]

We're new to Orlando so learning the ropes ourselves. However, we have done WDW at Christmas and I agree - Candlelight processional and Osborne are not to be missed. For those with kids I'd highly recommend Mall at Millenia's Santa. Our neighbors said it was by far the best in the area and I have to agree. $40 got us a CD with 20+ candids of our child and Santa - well worth the price and he's a great Santa! We did Santa at DTD last year - very nice, but the typical Santa pics more or less... We'll definitely continue at MAM for a few years... Also, I've heard nothing but raves for ICE - it's on our to do list this year. We also want to putter around the resorts - haven't seen them all yet. We have annual passes now so we've already started hitting the holiday happenings at WDW. So far everyone is decorated - even holiday parades already... I was a bit surprised - thought those wouldn't be happening until closer to Thanksgiving. We're toying with heading to the Studios today - haven't been there recently to see if they are all decorated... I'd imagine so...

Anyway, have a GREAT trip! It's been cold the past few weeks so do plan to bring some warmer clothes. They keep saying we're going to warm up, but so far no go. Apparently this is colder than the Jan norms - 30-40 at night and it's in the 60s during the days. You'll likely be fine, but we're freezing! LOL I know utterly pathetic.

 

[angelegod]

I'm totally not a obsessive planner, really i'm not

We are going during Christmas Season and i have a list of things that we want to do and see.
But i sure can need some help from y'all.

This is a list of thing we want to go see and do:
Outside WDW:

• ICE at Gaylord Palms.
• The Polar Express Experience at Sea World.
• Go see Celebration in Christmas style.

At WDW:

• Visit DTD.
• Get a photograph with Santa at DTD.
• Visit Hotels that are decorated (GF, BC, BW)
• Vist the Swan & Dolphin Hotel.

In the parks, MK:

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Dec 9 (bought tickets)
• Visit Santa.

In the parks, EP:

• Candlelight Processional 2008, Dec 2 (bought a dinner package)
• The nightly tree-lighting ceremony.
• Storytellers.
• Illuminations.

In the parks, AK:

• Santa Goofy’s Wild Wonderland.
• Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade.

In the parks, DS:

• Osborne Family Lights.

Here are my questions:

• How much time do i have to plan for ICE??
• Which hotels should i visit, which hotels must i visit??
• Should you recommend visiting the Camgrounds??
• Is there a special Illuminations??
• Where can i find the characters all dressed up in their Christmas gear for photo oppertunities??

And this question was already answered by the podcast team during the last emailshow, but i want to make sure i understood correctly.
The lenght of the shows during MVMCP:
Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - 40 min
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade - 15 min
Holiday Wishes - 10 / 15 min
Celebrate the Season Show - 15 / 20 seems like 4-5 days.
Belle's Enchanted Christmas Stoytelling - ??

Thanx for all the help and tips.

I went to the GayLoard palms tons of fun
I would love to see the polar express
If you find santa at DTD let me know
Santas Goffy wonderland I hand no idea it exsited so I would love to see that

 

[Yvet]

Thanx for the tips.

Just typical Santa Pics are good for us....
We don't have Santa here (we have Santa but he is not around in shops to make pics with him).

It's colder in Orlando right now but here it is cold mid 30's - low 40's.
So for us it's hot in Orlando.....
But it's strange not to know what to bring.
This weekend i've decided to bring a bit of everything and when i need some more of just one thing (a sweater or jeans) then i'm going to buy it.....