Which resort for best Christmas "atmosphere"

[KarenB]

We are in the works of planning the week before Christmas at WDW next year. Even though it will be a blast, it will be the first time since the kids were born (13 years)that we won't be in a snowy little Pennsylvania town for the holidays.

I think VWL would have the best "feel" for Christmas, but the kids (DSs 11 and 13) want BWV as the number one choice. Does BWV decorate for the holidays as well as other resorts?

We will be checking out on Christmas Day. Are there any special activities going on at the resorts for Christmas Eve and Day??? Of course, Santa will have to find our room!!!!!


Thanks
Karen

 

[DVCDAVE]

In my opinion ONLY.....Grand Floridian !!!. None of the DVC's are even in the same league as the GF when it comes to Christmas Decor. I guess I just like the Victorian Atmosphere that Christmas is associated with.

I will probably get a lot of heat for this one.........

 

[KNWVIKING]

... the Christmas atmospere. We've visited at all the resorts this time of year and to our taste's it's the WL.

 

[rfassett]

Ditto, KNWVIKING!

Leaving in 6 days for a 10 night stay at VWL.

Wish we were there already!!!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Here's another vote for VWL, The darker atmosphere (that many DVCers complain about) provides a great contrast for all the Christmas lights and decorations. Plus, the fireplace can't be beat if there is a chill in the air, and the smell of it really gives a sense of a little cabin in the woods. Spent Christmas there in '96 and actually had some falling snow.

 

[DisneyLodgerz]

It's the Lodge, hands down. My wife likes to tour the hotels to check out the Christmas decorations when we go during the holiday season. Believe me, we've seen them all.

We also bought into VWL partly because of the Christmas atmosphere. This is usually the time of year that when we take our trek to Disney. I guess it is the warm feeling that the Lodge has over any of the other places. You can't beat that lobby, with the huge tree, Christmas carolers, crackling fire, and smell of burning wood.

I can't wait to get there. We are counting the days.

 

[Regina]

I just returned from the VWL, and it's magnificent during the Holidays. Not only do they have that incredible tree in the main lobby, there's a beautiful tree in the lobby of the VWL section. Each day started and ended with that lovely tree glistening away.

Yes, the GF is beautiful, but it doesn't have the warmth of VWL.

 

[dkellumw]

Question?

We will be going November 17th (Sunday) thru the 21st (Thursday) 2002. This is the week before Thanksgiving.

Will the Christmas lights be up that week or will they go up the week of Thanksgiving?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by DVCDAVE
In my opinion ONLY.....Grand Floridian !!!. None of the DVC's are even in the same league as the GF when it comes to Christmas Decor. I guess I just like the Victorian Atmosphere that Christmas is associated with.

I will probably get a lot of heat for this one.........

Hey, six posts since yours and no heat! I guess everyone is in the Christmas spirit already.

Oh, and I'm voting for VWL as well....it's a natural fit for the season!

 

[Beth]

dkellumw.

We were at BWV for Veteran's Day weekend, and the decorations were up in the lobby. Someone here on the board posted that they had gone up that previous Thursday night. I heard from a guest on one of the boats that she was told that BWV was the first of the Disney resorts to be decorated, but I'm not sure...

I've always heard that the decorations go up "right around Thanksgiving Day," but it sounds like they're getting them up a little bit earlier. I'm pretty sure that someone else here on the Board posted that VWL went up early, also.

Have a great trip - we just got back from our "5th-annual, long-weekend, early December" trip! It was wonderful, as always - just a little too warm....

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have to agree with most here. No Disney resort, DVC or otherwise, has the Christmas decorations of WL! They are the BEST!

 

[Peggy Sue]

We just returned from 12 sun filled days this past Sunday. We visited all the resorts to check out their christmas decorations.

Yes, the WL is fantastic, very warm feeling with that soaring tree. We also liked the cozy lobby rooms at the DVC building, very warm and inviting.

That said, that BWV decorations are fantastic too. The lobby is filled to the brim with garland and ornaments and two beautiful trees. Because this lobby is narrow, the decorations appear to be everywhere you look. In the evening, the place just sparkles. Also, walking out of the BWV and looking at the other reorts all lit up for the holidays is lots of fun too. The Dolphin has a fantastic tree worth taking a look at too, and the yacht and beach club has a chocolate merry-go-round in front of the tree that is fantasic..and in operation! For christmas activities, you can't beat the international gateway access to Epcot and all touring all the countries to listen to how they celebrate the holidays.

We stayed at OKW, our favorite DVC resort. The lobby had nice decorations, as well as the area by the pool, it was also nice to see other members had brought along lights to display out on their balconies (we did too!) However, for holiday decor and FUN, my vote would have to go with the BWV's and the surrounding area.

Nothing can top the Grand Floridian, it just takes your breath away when you walk in, but this is in the main building and not all the out buildings, where most end up staying. The GF is a great place to visit, sit for a spell and have a drink. Their gingerbread house is fanastic too!

Have a great time!

 

[timC]

We visited both GF and VWL, during our Thanksgiving trip. Without a doubt (IMHO), VWL is the best. All they need is a couple of snow making machines in the roof, and the scene would be perfection.

By the way, they do have snow (er...bubble) making machines at MGM.... Sonofagun, it does look at behave just like real snow.

 

[DVCDAVE]

WOW ! You are right, NO heat !!, But I am glad I am not alone in selecting GF, Peggy Sue liked it too. Oh, by the way I liked WL too, but I voted for GF because of the Victorian Theme. Just my taste though......

 

[KarenB]

Thanks for all the opinions!!!

DVCDAVE.....I bet GF is absolutly beautiful!!!! Unfortunalty, it was not one of our choices But we will have to take a peek while we are there.

VWL would be MY top choice, but with 2 (almost) teenagers, the excitement is at Boardwalk! I think it will be a great stay where ever we are


Oh...I must start a list and put Christmas lights for the balcony!

Karen

 

[DisneyKidds]

It depends on what "feel" you want. I used to say thet the WL was second only to the GF for Christmas decorations. As far as the decorations themselves I guess I'd still say that. The tree in the GF is the biggest, the life size gingerbread house, the beautiful white lighted deer, the victorian elegance - very nice.

However, we are WL converts and just made an offer on a VWL resale and will be going back to the WL after Thanksgiving next year and beyond. The decorations at the WL are wonderful as well. The tree in the lobby is huge and the decorations throughout are wonderful. What we think is best about the WL is the warm, comfortable, homey (spelling?) feel you get at the WL. It is just soooooo relaxing and inviting. There is Christmas music playing throughout the resort - they may have that at GF but I don't recall it or didn't notice it. At the GF you see Christmas, at the WL you feel Christmas - sounds kind of corny I know, but that is how we feel. I guess for us now the GF is a must see but the WL is a must stay.

Good luck with your decision, you can't go wrong.

By the way, the BW is wonderful as well. The decor is classic Christmas with wonderful glass ornaments throughout. I can't imagine what they spend on ornaments alone. Last year they had a big tree outside in the courtyard and a gazeebo or something made out of gingerbread in the lobby - these weren't there the week after Thanksgiving while we were there this year. Hopefully they put them out after we left. The location of the BW is great.