Which resort for Christmas trip???

[Sweet Pea]

I'm trying to plan a Christmas family trip for DH and our two kids who are 5 and 2½. Our first WDW trip was in May, and we loved it! So, we've decided to go again from Dec. 16-23. (Taking advantage of the annual pass!!!) Other than the Grand Floridian, what other resorts have great Christmas decorations? We stayed at the CBR and the Contemporary in May and loved them both, but we'd like to try someplace new. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[Mystic]

I was at DW last November and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. We were lucky enough to be there as everything was being decorated for Christmas and the Lodge was fully decked out. I loved it. There is an 8 storey Tree in the lobby as well as lots of smaller trees throughout the hotel, garlands on the railings and decorations on the wall sconces. And to top it off a roaring fire in the lobby fireplace. There is nothing more welcoming than walking into the WL lobby after a day in the parks seeing all the decorations with the fire blazing in the background.

 

[vilegirl]

I would have to agree. WL has beautiful Christmas decorations. I think, also, with the whole theme of the resort, it just adds to the Christmas spirit. :sohappy:

 

[pat in the hat]

I have always wondered about the resorts at the holidays . . . does anyone have pictures?

 

[Erik]

We have done the WL, Ploynesian and Grand Floridian over our December trips - while we enjoy them all - I have to agree with those above, the Wilderness Lodge looks great with the Christmas decorations! It's our favorite for the holidays!

 

[SpectroMan]

My first thought was the Grand Floridian. I stayed there this past Christmas and it was beautiful. My next choice would either be the Wilderness Lodge or the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They both have huge trees, and they are both so warmly decorated that really does feel like christmas.

If you like the Grand Floridian decorations, the Boardwalk has somewhat the same style during Christmas. It is much brighter and more colorful, but it is almost the same feeling as the Grand Floridian.

 

[Goofy4WDW]

I've stayed at Coronado Springs Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas. Both were beautiful. We also did resort hopping, and all Disney resorts are decked out. It's a wonderful time to go to WDW.

 

[Kadee]

If you haven't booked yet, call and see what is available and make your choice from that. All rooms book up quick for Christmas. You may get lucky since you are going the week before, but if I were you, I'd call ASAP! You may not get a room, or at least one that you want. We booked POR months ago. Now it is all booked up.

I think any resort would be fine. (As long as it isn't a value)

 

[TimonRulz]

I"m always on a budget, so I'd stay at POP Century. We were there last year and going to be there again this year. I dunno why, I just love it!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I would also vote for Wilderness Lodge.
My second choice would be Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk, partly cause its easy to visit all three and you are in walking distance to Epcot, my favorite Christmas park location.

Thanks for reminding me...Christmas in July in only a week... :xmas:

 

[swimmom]

WL is also my choice at Christmas. We stayed there last year and I was doing laundry very late or actually early in the morning. I had the entire lobby with the exception of the CM's at the desk to myself. It was really awesome being the only one in the lobby. We also took a "sleigh" ride one night from WL to FW and back. Very quiet and peaceful way to end our day.

 

[hcswingfield]

Christmas trip

Remember that everything will be more crowded at Christmas, including the transportation system. You might want to stay at one of the Epcot resorts: Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club. That way you'll at least be walking distance from Epcot and Disney/MGM. We stayed at Beach Club last December and thoroughly enjoyed it. I even got to meet Marlee Matlin in the elevator. She was the narrator for the candlelight service at Epcot that night. The decorations aren't as lavish as at the resorts with larger lobbies (Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge) but they do convey a great holiday spirit.

 

[slappy magoo]

To combine the advice of two other posters, if you're seriously considering going to WDW near/during the holidays, book now. Time's a-wasting. They're usually busy during the holidays anyway, but this year has so far been butt-kicking busy for them. I'd also suggest an Epcot area resort, so you're at least within walking distance to two of the parks. Plus, if it becomes so busy that you're about to go nuts, you can just as easily walk out and enjoy your hotel without a lot of traveling time. And it won't be so hot, so the walk might be really enjoyable.

Because you'll be leaving for home just before the main deluge, you may luck out with relatively peaceful and small crowds, but an Epcot resort really helps you hedge your bets. It'll probably get more and more crowded as it gets closer to the holidays, so consider hitting MK & AK first, saving MGM & Epcot for later when it'll get busier.

And start planning your dinner reservations ASAP, too.

Oh, and of course, have a great holiday!

 

[swimmom]

We stayed last year the week before Christmas and it was definately busy. Maybe not as busy as the week between Christmas & New Year's, but definately not a low crowd time of year. Staying at an Epcot resort would definatley have it's advantage. However, since the MK was open later than Epcot/World Showcase, two nights we saw Illuminations (which I might add was awesome last year) then took the monorail over to the MK and saw Wishes. From MK we then had boat transportation to WL.

You might want to go on disneyworld.com and check out which resorts are available for your stay before you get your mind set on one specific one.

 

[jenniferk]

I have stayed at the Boardwalk, Yacht Club, and Wilderness Lodge at Christmas. All the resorts were decorated equally beautiful. The feeling at the Boardwalk was really fun and lively. At the Wilderness lodge you feel like you are up north because of the lodge feeling and it really felt like Christmas. Those were the two that had really good atmospheres at Christmas. They both were pretty equal in decorations.

 

[RickEff]

One thing I always enjoy is staying at two resorts when I go. I usually do several days at a moderate resort, and several at a deluxe. I've been to DAKL during the holidays, and I love the tree and the decorations.

The only tree I really dislike, is the Contemporary's that's out front. I find it looks like a green triangle with plain red decorations.

If you do stay at two different resorts, Disney moves all the bags for you. Just pack a small back with a change of clothes if you're going swimming, etc - or just to the park and come back to your new resort and your bags will be there! (Gets there around 3PM or so, normal check in time)

Have fun whatever you do - Christmas is a great time to go, and you're going at a GREAT time. No lines to speak of until the weekend before Christmas.

Rick

 

[Craig & Lisa]

this past Thanksgiving 2004 we stayed at BCV, our home (DVC) one morning on our way out we saw that they had dropped off a small carosel with four horses on it, thought oh wow that's nice for christmas, well, when we came back for a rest they had started to cover the whole thing with chocolate and gingerbread, the minute you walked into the lobby you were hit with the aroma of chocolate, it was incredible, and they also put 5 hidden mickies in gold leaf on it, plus a solid 50lb choc santa the on a pedestal was the ingredients on a slab of white choc, written in choc icing, got vids and pic's it'll take time to find them and hopefully figure out how to put them up here.:xmas:

 

[shari71]

Is it just the week before Christmas that gets busy? We are going Dec 3-10, but waiting on year end bonus to see what we can afford. I would hate not to be able to get in because of four more weeks wait. Especially since I have a % of hotel that if used and then rescheduled becomes no longer valid.

Funny to; we are going with our 5 year old and 2 1/2 year old.

 

[slappy magoo]

Is it just the week before Christmas that gets busy? We are going Dec 3-10, but waiting on year end bonus to see what we can afford. I would hate not to be able to get in because of four more weeks wait. Especially since I have a % of hotel that if used and then rescheduled becomes no longer valid.

Funny to; we are going with our 5 year old and 2 1/2 year old.

Historically, according to the Unofficial Guide, the weeks following the end of the Thanksgiving Day weekend, but before the beginning of the Xmas onslaught (figure 12/15) are amongst the least-busy times to go. Now, anything can change with the year WDW has been having, but the law of averages says you shouldn't have any worries getting mobbed. On the minus side, many of the parks might close earlier, esp. AK & MK (hope Extra Magic Hours work out for ya!).

 

[SpectroMan]

Historically, according to the Unofficial Guide, the weeks following the end of the Thanksgiving Day weekend, but before the beginning of the Xmas onslaught (figure 12/15) are amongst the least-busy times to go. Now, anything can change with the year WDW has been having, but the law of averages says you shouldn't have any worries getting mobbed. On the minus side, many of the parks might close earlier, esp. AK & MK (hope Extra Magic Hours work out for ya!).

Last year we stayed till December 23, and none of the days were packed. But maybe that was because it was almost freezing cold. It did feel like Christmas though!