Xmas must do and don'ts

[BUZZCRUSH]

We've been to Disney many times, but this will be our first trip at Xmas with our 5 year old and 11 year. We will only be there 6 days, so I'm thinking of skipping Animal Kingdom entirely, but if we do what will we miss seeing at Xmas? What do you consider to be the must do's at Xmas or what could we skip? We are staying at Beach Club Villas. Thanks!

 

[onesandzeros]

Here are some of my favorites at Xmas. The Osborne Family Christmas Lights at HS is a
must see no brainer, the RV decorations over at Fort Wilderness Campground are a hidden
gem, Beach Club Resort life-size gingerbread carousel, Yacht Club Resort model village,
Grand Floridian Resort gingerbread house/store. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at MK
and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.

 

[mbisenius]

We've been there once at Christmas and are going to be there again this year. The Candlelight Processional at Epcot is great as well as the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios. We also plan to go to Grand Floridian to check out the Gingerbread House. I read somewhere there is a Gingerbread Carousel at Beach Club. One of our favorite things to do last time we were there for Christmas was just to look at all the decorations - they are beautiful and everywhere!!

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Don't miss the Osborne Lights, the gingerbread house in the lobby of the Grand Floridian, and the decorations in the Magic Kingdom. Jingle Jungle (the DAK holiday parade) is only marginally different from the regular parade, so I think it's expendable.

I also recommend Candlelight, and I say this as someone who isn't the least bit religious. If you like Christmas carols, then go.

I'm very partial the Christmas parade and Holiday Wishes, which makes Very Merry worth it for me.

 

[Raven66]

We've only done the World at Christmas once. It's so beautiful. I loved looking at all the Christmas trees. The AK big tree is gorgeous. It has animal ornaments all over it. We also liked the Osbourne lights. We went and gawked at the gingerbread house. There was just so many things to look at. HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[disneypearl]

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is my favorite must do at Christmas time. I absolutely love it and can stay and enjoy those lights and music forever. Try and find the hidden purple cat. It is in a different hard to find spot each year.

 

[ladydi]

Loved the osbourne lights as well. My kids were 8, 8, and 5 when we were there at Christmas. They really enjoyed meeting all the different storytellers at Epcot. Each world has a storyteller. They met Father Christmas and Pere Noel. They learned how to spin a dreidel in America and my youngest was bellydancing in Morocco as her brothers played the drums. They also enjoyed meeting the witch in Italy (her name escapes me.) Very fun and educational too!

 

[Mukta]

Osborne Lights, Castle lighting and Epcot storytellers are all fantastic.

I also really enjoyed visiting all of the Deluxe resorts to see their decorations. The tree and gingerbread house in the GF are spectacular.

 

[disney magic 06]

I've only been to wdw once at Christmas, and wouldn't miss AK , it's my favorite park. Even of it was only half a day, I'd still go.

The Osborne lights were a highlight and of course .MK castle lights, we also enjoyed visiting the resorts, they were beautifully decorated.

 

[timeman]

My list of things to see at Christmas Time down there includes a couple of other parks that are not Disney along with Disney. Here is my list of things I don't miss.
1. Castle Dreamlights at the Magic Kingdom
2. Osborne Lights at DHS
3. Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian
4. Gingerbread display at the Contemporary
5. Gingerbread Carousel at the Beach Club
6. Train display at the Yacht Club
7. Chocolate Santa Masterpiece at the Swan
Now here is where I leave Disney and list the other things I check out.
8. Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Studios
9. Grinchmas at IOA
10. Seaworld for their amazing Chistmas displays and shows.
This year I am planning on checking out Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa when I go earlier in December so I can compare it to the one at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

If you have a car, I would HIGHLY recommend a trip over to Gaylord Palms to check out the ice sculptures they have there. They're quite stunning. Last years theme was Shrek the Halls. Not sure what it will be this year.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Since it is your first time to the parks at Christmastime I would suggest really planning most of your trip around the Christmas stuff. DOn't miss the Christmas party, and plan to go to the Osborne Lights a couple nights, and go to the Candlelight Processional and maybe treat yourself with the dining package. The Jingle Jungle parade at AK is really cute too. We like to see the storytellers at Epcot and do a snack/drink around the world at the same time. By staying at the Beach Club you'll be able to see the awesome gingerbread carousel. Take time to see other resort's decorations too, GF, Wilderness Lodge, and Boardwalk are pretty cool.

 

[bethymouse]

Osborne Lights a must! Castle lights- gorgeous! AK- Jingle Jungle Parade maybe. If you're pressed for time, then, yes- I'd skip AK due to the fact it doesn't have as much of the "holiday" feel IMHO.

 

[onesandzeros]

Overnight I thought of another hidden Xmas gem. If you have a car, the “Now Snowing Nightly”
in the town of Celebration is worth a look-c. Main street is closed off and covered in snow (fake white substance). Each showing has snow falling from above and carols. There’s a Christmas train to ride, ice skating rink, and a Santa meet and greet.

 

[boilerpicc]

We went just after Christmas for the first time this past year. We skipped AK entirely, mostly because I was pregnant and couldn't go on most of the rides. We didn't miss it at all. We spent the bulk of our time in Epcot going through the countries and listening to each of the storytellers (perfect for staying the the Beach Club). Spend a couple of nights at the Osborne Lights. That was the coolest part for my husband and I. Also, get prepared for some serious crowds. I have heard they aren't too bad before Christmas, but continue to get bigger from Christmas to New Years. NYE was absolutely insane. I have never seen it that crowded. 3 hr+ waits for Soarin.

 

[Epcot-Rules]

The Osborne Family Christmas Lights is my favorite. I would think twice about skipping AK, the weather will be cooler so I find the animals tend to be more active. In the summer they hide out in the shade in the middle of the day.

 

[disneygirl76]

We've been to Disney many times, but this will be our first trip at Xmas with our 5 year old and 11 year. We will only be there 6 days, so I'm thinking of skipping Animal Kingdom entirely, but if we do what will we miss seeing at Xmas? What do you consider to be the must do's at Xmas or what could we skip? We are staying at Beach Club Villas. Thanks!

Tour all the resorts and see the Christmas decorations
Buy a gingerbread from Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Osborn Lights
Tour all the countries for the holiday performances
Jingle Jungle Parade at AK (it is cute)
Castle Lights

 

[dreamfinder]

AK
The Jingle Jungle Parade - basically the same as the normal Jammin Jungle Parade but with some garland and stuff on the floats.
Their big Christmas tree out in the front plaza area before the entrance gates.
Santa Goofy in camp Minnie Mickey, and the other characters will normally have hats, scarves, etc.

Will it ruin your trip? I don't think so. I would rank them as all below Osborne Lights, Candlelight Processional, and MVMCP. So if you need to drop something, that might be a good choice. But you could also consider doing that prior to doing MVMCP. You can do AK and then get over to the party for 5-6.

 

[JillC LI]

In addition to everything mentioned above, we have dinner reservations at California Grill on a night that the Xmas Party is taking place at MK so we can see Holiday Wishes from the balcony even though we won't be attending the party itself during our 4-day stay.

 

[luv]

Each park has its own tree. They're nice to see, but probably not worth making a special trip to a park you didn't want to visit in the first place.

I like the Candlelight Processional a lot, but many kids do not. If your kids can sit through a church service and behave, they'll make it through the CP.

The lights at DS are cool.

MVMCP is fun enough. They got rid of the best show, though.

My very favorite Christmas thing was the Lights of Winter at Epcot, but they got rid of it. I keep hoping they'll bring it back.