Disney Resort Holiday Decorations: An attraction not to be missed
Port Orleans French Quarters
The Disney Resort holiday decorations are an attractions in their own right. Generally speaking, each resort incorporates its theme into its holiday finery. With more than 1,300 decorated trees and 8.5 million lights strung throughout the property one can spend an entire day resort hopping.
Coronado Springs Resort
If you’re staying at a Walt Disney resort over Christmas, check with the concierge to see what holiday events might be going on. Happenings can range from carolers, brass bands, and country singers to Christmas-cookie decorating, visits with Santa, and readings of The Night Before Christmas.
At Port Orleans Resort, for example, expect Mardi Gras colors in the trees, while the Yacht Club has trees adorned with miniature sailboats.
Also make sure to visit the Grand Floridian, where the mother of all Christmas trees—five stories tall!—dominates the lobby, flanked by a gingerbread dollhouse and a miniature railroad.
Don’t miss the free daily classes in decorating gingerbread houses, led by a Grand Floridian pastry chef; guests get a free recipe brochure and a taste of freshly made gingerbread.
At the Beach Club a gingerbread carousel is the big draw.Coronado Springs is lovingly decorated in hues of gold and white. I am always amazed seeing the lush white poinsettias hanging in baskets all over the resort.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
For a more natural approach, visit the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. The tree at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is impressive and children are invited to draw on paper ornaments that are added to the tree.
Ride over to Fort Wilderness Campground where guests go all out to decorate their campsite for the holidays. It is simply amazing! Kids will love it.
During December, Disney offers 25-minute “sleigh” rides through the woods of Fort Wilderness Campground. (The horse-drawn vehicle is wheeled but made to look like a red sleigh, complete with sleigh bells!) Rides are offered every 30 minutes 5:30–9:30 p.m., departing from Crockett’s Tavern at Fort Wilderness.
The cost is $64 per sleigh. (Each sleigh can accommodate up to four adults or two adults plus up to three children age 9 and under.)
You can book up to 180 days in advance by calling 407-wdw -play (939-7529).
If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World with your children check out the The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids. Four new Unofficial Kids have joined the team and the 2015 edition comes with new Trivia for all four parks.
