Top 10 Walt Disney World Christmas Activities

No, I haven’t lost my mind (any more than it was already gone).

Yes, I was just lamenting that next week is August. (What the heck?)

Yes, it’s finally over 90 degrees in what has been the strangest summer, thanks to the ongoing polar vortex that also gave us 6 months of snow in the winter – from which I still haven’t recovered.

The truth is though, it’s that time. Time to be in the throes of planning your Walt Disney World vacation if you’re headed there in November or December of this year!  So here I am, taking a cue from the Disney Parks Blog and from the Magical Blogorail and bringing you my own taste of “Disney Christmas in July”.

{Editor’s Note: I’m a fan of Lou Mongello. You know this. In addition to his entertaining brand and his vast Disney knowledge, I also appreciate his approach to “Top Tens”. Specifically, that there may not exactly be a reason for the order and there may not exactly be ten things on the list. My kind of verbosity, that one….  All that to say, these are only in some semblance of a well-thought order. You should probably just go ahead and experience all of them.}

10.  Characters Yes, of course you can see characters year-round at Walt Disney World. The reason for this mention is that they’re all ready for Christmas/Winter this time of year, and I for one think they’re adorable. 

9. Downtown Disney’s “Festival of the Seasons” I love Downtown Disney (horrendous parking notwithstanding) and I can’t wait to see what they do with the transformation to Disney Springs. Each holiday season, especially at night, it becomes a magical holiday atmosphere with twinkling lights, familiar carols from choirs and instrumental ensembles, and – of course – the perfect place to pick up countless unique gifts. The huge number of specialty stores means there is something for everyone on your list – even the non-Disney folks. (I know, right?! We have to shop for some of those, too!)

8. Fort Wilderness campsite decorations The more I learn about Fort Wilderness, the more fascinated I become with it. I’ll admit, our experience there has been limited – and aside from the planned events we’ve attended there, it’s mostly just overwhelming. But the people who tend to travel there? They really do make it home away from home. During major holidays, not the least of which is Christmas, a spin around the various campsite loops provides such a treat. Many of the campground’s “residents” are there for a long enough time to really settle in and decorate for the season, and boy, do they!

C. John Ames allears.net

7. Holidays around the World Each of the countries represented in Epcot’s World Showcase bring their holiday traditions to central Florida during this event (generally just after Thanksgiving through the end of December). The favorite holiday experience of many park-goers, storytellers from around the globe captivate, entertain and educate guests several times throughout each day. At any given time you may hear from Santa and Mrs. Claus, but also from the Monkey King, Helga, the Three Kings, Taarji, the Christmas Gnome, Pere Noel or others.

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6. Carriage Ride  Though you can experience them throughout the year at a few different locations on Walt Disney World property, there is something that simply says, “Christmas” to me about a carriage ride. Rides departing from Fort Wilderness are Christmas themed during the season, taking up to 6 guests at a time in a carriage dressed as a sleigh, through lights and other displays.

5. Magic Kingdom Christmas Parade This parade earns its own spot on the countdown (versus simply being included in Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) because at some point after it has been filmed for the Christmas Day television special, it replaces the daytime parade and becomes available to all guests – not just guests attending the hard ticket Christmas party.  It’s absolutely worth seeing every year, even if you don’t make a party. FYI – though it is the “same” parade as is shown on Christmas Day, don’t expect to see celebrities on a normal run. And if you’re there for the parade taping, don’t expect a normal run. :)

C. cntraveler.com

4. Resort Displays After you’ve seen the DIY decorations at Fort Wilderness, be sure to spend some time checking out how Disney does decorations. Goodness, this could (and might) be a  series of posts on its own, as such exploration could keep you entertained an entire day. For starters, be sure and check out the life-size Gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian, the breathtaking trees inside the lobbies of Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge, the gigantic Mickey wreath on the side of the Contemporary resort, and the Gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club plus an intricate edible display at the Boardwalk.  The moderate resorts, while slightly less “grand” in their decorations, have lovely themed holiday decor that is worth checking out as well. Throughout the entire Walt Disney World resort, don’t just glance at the trees and decorations as you rush by. Each of the ornaments and decor is purposefully chosen to match the surroundings, as you might expect. It is always one of my favorite things to see!

3. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights In 1993, legal battles began between Jennings Osborne and his Arkansas neighbors over his massive Christmas light display which was reportedly (and probably :)) clogging streets and making it impossible, even for emergency personnel, to pass. The battle went on for a few years, even reaching the Supreme Court after numerous stipulations were put in, more lights were added, and negotiations went back and forth. Eventually, Osborne was forced to shut down the display…. until Disney acquired it and it opened in 1995 as the “Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights” on Residential Street in Disney-MGM Studios. The display has grown and moved since – though it still features most of Osborne’s prominent light features – and was given the capability to “dance” (and therefore an amended name) in 2006. It is truly breathtaking to stand in the middle of millions of bright, twinkling lights as Christmas music plays and it snows in the middle of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

2. Candlelight Processional As a Christian, this show is particularly powerful to me. You’ll find though, that it appeals to so many people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds simply because it is done so beautifully. A celebrity narrator joins a 50-piece orchestra and a massive choir (made up mostly of visiting choirs and volunteer cast members) to tell the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus. Music and readings fill the America Gardens theater each night. These performances fill up extremely quickly, so be prepared to wait a while in advance or purchase a Candlelight Processional dinner package. For me though, and the tens of thousands of other guests who are willing to do the same time and again, it’s well worth it.

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1. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party I’m a sucker for all things Christmas. And all things Disney. And this, my friends, is the quintessential Disney Christmas Party. Sure, it’s changed through the years (I’ve been attending since 2005). Sure, some things have “gone downhill” while others (I’m looking at you, Castle Dreamlights) have enhanced the experience tremendously. But if you are a fan of Christmas, you must attend this at least once, if at all possible. Christmas favorites playing over the speaker, with the music themed to the area of the park you’re in. Holiday decorations everywhere (more than throughout the day, even), special lighting and other magical effects. Snow on Main Street. Special party-only shows and other entertainment including a holiday version of the Wishes nighttime fireworks display. “Free” :) cookies and hot chocolate, all night long. Dance parties with your favorite characters. Rare (and extremely rare) character sightings. And if none of that does it for you? Ridiculously short lines for almost every attraction in the park. This one really does top the list for me, no doubt about it.

C. dadsguidetowdw.com

Can’t get enough Christmas in July? I know where you can find some more…