What not to miss in December?

[cinderminnie]

I am in the stages of planning our Christmas trip to WDW. I know the things like MVMCP/CP/Osborne lights are not to be missed. What else is there to do?

Have you planned your trip yet?

and those that have gone...any tips and things to share what you did?

We will be at SSR Dec 17-23.
So far planned:
Dec 19th DIS DVC Meet
Dec 20th MVMCP and LLT dinner
Dec 22nd CP and LeCellier dinner

Thanks for your help!

 

[wannabee princess]

I think taking the time to visit the other resorts is a nice thing in December - especially the deluxe resorts. They are all decorated for the holidays, and are each so unique and beautiful that you can't miss them!

I also think that seeing Goofy dressed as Santa was fun for our kids - he is in AKL at the trails by Lion King.

Get a Mickey ears Santa hat!

Go to all of the countries in WS at Epcot for the special Christmas/Holiday guests. There are wonderful storytellers in the countries.

If you have little ones, take them to DD to visit Santa!

Go to LTT in MK for dinner and the characters.

If you do pin collecting, do the Santa's Pin List. You can get the list from DD or other pin spots, have it stamped at the various places and get a free pin when it is completed. (not sure if they will do this, but if so, it is a fun "scavenger hunt" type of activity).

 

[Danauk]

I agree with touring the resorts to look at the decorations. We plan to do that on our first full day.
We also plan to take the carridge ride from the WL one evening.

 

[hezreck]

Make sure you check out the Christmas tree at AK. It is so cool!! Also, listen to some of the Santas in the World Showcase. Pere Noel in France, and the Santa in Canada were really good. Also, make sure you see the Voices fo Liberty in Epcot singing Christmas carols. I have never heard them sung so beautifully before! Enjoy!

 

[GEM]

Some of the best things have already been mentioned, like the Santas in World Showcase and touring the other resorts.

We especially love the Grand Floridian and the Wilderness Lodge at Christmas. They're spectacular! You can even do a really romantic "sleigh" ride at the Wilderness Lodge - it's really a carriage made up to look like a sleigh with runners and jingle bells and everything. We did it last year and it was so nice! It takes you along the path through the woods between the lodge and Fort Wilderness.

Also, we love Downtown Disney that time of year. It's so festive! We save up and do lots of fun Christmas shopping there and have it all shipped home.

 

[Terk-1]

These are my absolutely, positively can't miss at WDW in December:

1. The holiday decorations & gingerbread displays at the deluxe resorts.
2. Candlelight Processional -- AMAZING!!!!!
3. The tree lighting at EPCOT
4. The Arch of Lights at EPCOT. This is on the walkway from Future World to World Showcase. At night, the lights dance to music and the fountain near Spaceship Earth dances to the same music. BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[disneyaggie]

Great thread! Thanks for all the ideas! Keep 'em coming!

 

[bcvgal]

Not to beat a dead horse but you can't miss going to the resorts for the trees. I've got pics from so many different resorts and each one is special. Can't wait to scrapbook them.

 

[bcvgal]

Oh forgot do not miss the Osborne Family Lights. It's wonderful!!!!

 

[crow11ad]

Don't miss going to the GF. They have a life sized ginger bread house that they start getting ready for in August. They sell ginger bread. The shingles are so yummy.

 

[disneyaggie]

Let's see some December pictures! Whoohoo!

 

[amandadaddy]

Make sure that you visit the Grand Floridian for the best gingerbread house ever. There's a CM inside selling delicious gingerbread cookies ( you've gotta have one ) and over 20 hidden Mickey's around the house.

There's also a gingerbread house inside the food court at the American Pavillion in the WS at Epcot complete with recipe in pounds, and if you're traveling with kids, be sure to adjust your schedule to see Santa and the Mrs. at the American pavillion...leather mittens, leather boots, unbelievable suit,....totally worth the price of admission.

CP is not to be missed and is best done with a package ( buy the CD ).

Down Town Disney......you've never seen anything like it at Christmas. The window displays are out of this world.

If your diet permits, be sure to buy some of the souvenier hot chocolate mugs at Disney Studios for touring the Osborne Family lights. If you get there for the opening you get to see some Christmas carrolers (sp?) and watch the lights come on and the snow begin.

Enjoy the trip....and Merry Christmas!

 

[milmore104]

My favorite thing to do is the Osbourne Lights. So beautiful. But make sure you grab a cup of Hot Cholcolate and a sugar cookie as you walk around. Nothing says x-mas like hot chocolate and a sugar cookie and all those lights. Be sure to check out the pre show where they turn on the lights. It's a lot of fun. And be sure to get yourself a pair of the 3-D glasses you'll see angels. Take it all in slowly and enjoy it all because it is all so beautiful and if you love x-mas you'll be in your glory.

 

[kathymc]

The tree lighting ceremony at Epcot is pretty cute. Caught it for the first time last trip by accident and will definately return

 

[mickeymousemom]

Definitely the Candlelight Processional
The tree lighting at Epcot
See all the different countries decorated for the holidays and their traditions
MVMCP

 

[Marthasor]

On a practical note - pack scarves, hats and gloves for everyone! I went to WDW in Dec. in '96 and the night we went to MVMCP it was freezing! We were in EPCOT earlier in the day and looked frantically for something warm to wear - they had sold out of practically everything and my friend and I shared the only Mickey scarf they had left!

 

[chesirechik]

On a practical note - pack scarves, hats and gloves for everyone! I went to WDW in Dec. in '96 and the night we went to MVMCP it was freezing! We were in EPCOT earlier in the day and looked frantically for something warm to wear - they had sold out of practically everything and my friend and I shared the only Mickey scarf they had left!

What do you mean by freezing? What was the temp? I've found folks from the south think 40F is freezing which folks from up north think it is sweatshirt weather.

 

[wdwr]

What do you mean by freezing? What was the temp? I've found folks from the south think 40F is freezing which folks from up north think it is sweatshirt weather.

Well I am from Canada and I know cold. I found last December (10-17) freezing. I could see my breath. I had packed mitts thinking at night could be cool..boy was I glad about those, the sweatshirt, the jeans and sweater I had packed. Then I preceded to buy a Mickey Santa Hat to try and keep me warm. I was wearing my Jacket on top of the sweat shirt--zipped!

It was nice the day I landed. Hot compared to when I left Ontario. I think one day it got to 64-66 degrees and I was able to say I was hot sitting in the sun. But that was it!

Did I mention the weather report was calling for 70's when I left on the morning of the 10th. EVERYBODY was cold standing in line for the buses.

But I am going again this year and hoping for the 70s. lol

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Last time I went to WDW over Christmas ('97, I think), the weather was summery! 80's every day, causing my DH to grump endlessly over the heat. So I have to be really careful to remember to pack winter duds, just in case.
Can't wait for the CP...first time experiencing it!

 

[MelodyMack]

You guys are getting me so pumped for our December trip!

Anything else? Any cute little things that really make Christmas time at Disney special?

TIA!
Mel