When are Christmas Decorations put out in WDW?

[Lovetoplanx3]

Hello,

I am trying to plan some time in Disney in December and wanted to know when Disney puts out the bulk of their Christmas Decorations. I am trying to figure out the earliest time to go in December and still have all of the most decorations. As always your information and suggestions are always welcome.

Regards
Steve

 

[laur roo]

I was there Dec 2-10 in 2009, and everything was fully decorated already. I believe the holiday decorations go up in late November, so anytime in December is wonderful!

 

[DNightmare]

The decorations go up either the week before Thanksgiving or that same week.
I have seen them decorating the POP Century, is amazing to see how they transform the resort overnight.

 

[Metro West]

 

[Lovetoplanx3]

Awesome. Thank you for the responses. I was hoping to go when the crowds are pretty low.

 

[scottcpa]

I received a great pin code via email yesterday for travel at the end of 2011. We are trying to decide between the following dates: Nov 26 - Dec. 3, or Dec. 10 - Dec. 17. The week in between is not included in the offer.

Which week will be the best? We plan to stay at Wilderness Lodge and don't want to miss the Christmas decorations and events (Candlelight Processional and Storytellers in EPCOT, gingerbread houses in resorts, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, etc.).

Thank you for your help!

Scott

 

[Coach81]

We may go next Thanksgiving.. hoping to see some of the decorations if it happens!

 

[charliebrown]

Being a lurker for years, this is probally the most asked question we get.

 

[Lovetoplanx3]

Scott what pin code did you get? Is that some type of rewards deal?

Regards
Steve

 

[bks135]

They are always up the week before Thanksgiving, and they are beautiful.

 

[rimommy]

I have gone the beginning of November for the past 2 yrs and the Christmas Decorations are usually being put up. Mickeys christmas party usually starts around the second week of Nov. so the parks are decorated by then. The hotels might take a little longer.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I've gone early November and the decorations were going up. Seems as they take down the Halloween they put up the Christmas decorations in one sweep.

Two or three years ago they televised Christmas at Disney on the Travel Channel. While interviewing a customer she slipped that it was Veteren's day week.

 

[FordPrefect]

Reversing the question, how soon do the decorations come down after Christmas? Anyone know?

 

[WhitGB]

We were there during this week in 2010, while the decorations were up at MK, they were being put up at HS. Much to our disappointment there were NO resort decorations yet. We were hoping to see some before we left (we were at WL and wanted to see the tree).

I am trying to plan a date to take my mother back this Dec to see the resorts, Epcot and the Candle Light Processional.

So, it really depends on what you are hoping to see regarding the decorations.

Hope this helps.

 

[fast43]

I would also like to know when the decorations do come down. We are doing a New Year's cruise and returning to Walt Disney World on Jan 3. I am afraid we may be to late for the decorations.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I would also like to know when the decorations do come down. We are doing a New Year's cruise and returning to Walt Disney World on Jan 3. I am afraid we may be to late for the decorations.

The deocrations usually start coming down on Jan. 3 and are all gone by Jan. 5.

As some other posters have said, The Christmas decorations start going up right after the Halloween deocrations come down. MVMCP usually starts around November 8, so all of MK is usually decorated by then (with the exception of the tree, which does not go up until after the ABC Christmas Day Parade is taped during the first week of December). All other resorts and parks start getting their decorations up, but not all will be decorated. Other Christmas events like The Candlelight Processional and Epcot's Holidays around the world will not start until after Thanksgiving. The year before last The Osborne lights also started after Thanksgiving and everyone was in an uproar about that. Haven't seen any dates yet for this year's Osborne Lights at DHS.

 

[fast43]

They waste little time. I guess when we return on the 3rd, we better see as much as we can. Are the Osborne's lights taken down that quickly too?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

They waste little time. I guess when we return on the 3rd, we better see as much as we can. Are the Osborne's lights taken down that quickly too?

The Osborne Lights ended on January 3, 2011. Haven't seen dates for this holiday season yet, but that's when they usually come down.

 

[fast43]

Thanks. We will probably miss them if we return on the 3rd.