In 2006, we stayed over Christmas at SL - had visions of sitting by the fire in the Redwood bar after the parks but found we didn't have time anyway - nor did we have time to enjoy the pool - so much going on at Xmas. Also we stayed in one of the lodges - not attached to the main building furthest away from the parks and we felt 'out of it' a bit.
Last year we went back again over Christmas and stayed at the Sante Fe and actually really enjoyed it - we stayed in a room right by the canal and nearest the park - the walk was hardly further than our SL room.
We are going back to SL in March but would definitely stay at SF again (we have stayed there twice now) - the bar is nice at SL and we stopped off for a drink last year but there is usually a live act in SF's bar.