My favourite time of the year to visit Walt Disney World is in December, preferable before Christmas week when it becomes far too busy. You can enjoy the same Christmas attractions but without the crowds by visiting during the first two weeks in December.
The Osborne Family Lights at Hollywood Studios are spectacular. Once dusk descends, this amazing display of over 5 million lights springs to life. Ordinary buildings become masses of twinkling lights whilst hosts of angels fly overhead. Don’t forget to pick up your complimentary 3-D glasses. Florida ‘snow’ descends from above and Christmas tunes fill the air as you stroll down the Streets of America. This is one spectacle you should not miss!
Holidays around the World takes place at Epcot. The centre walkway that links Future World with World Showcase is filled with the ‘Lights of Winter’ and as darkness descends these lights twinkle and dance to holiday music. At the entrance to World Showcase is a huge Christmas tree which transforms every night at 6.00pm into a dazzling display during the tree-lighting ceremony. Each land has its own special way of celebrating Christmas and storytellers will entertain you with tales of how the holidays are celebrated in their own native countries.
The Candlelight Procession, which takes place at Epcot's America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase, begins late November and carries on all through December. A celebrity narrator retells the story of Christmas backed by a 50-piece symphony orchestra and a 450-voice choir. The music and the singing take your breath away!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade at Magic Kingdom commences the week before the holidays and is a delight to watch. Marching wooden soldiers, dancing gingerbread men, elves, snowmen and of course all the Disney Characters dressed in Christmas attire with Santa wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas”. Children and adults alike will love it!
The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has its own magnificent Christmas tree in the middle of the main atrium adorned with biggest decorations you have ever seen. Every day the staff gathers to sing carols around the tree whilst guests sit in comfortable chairs soaking up the atmosphere. A life size gingerbread house stands in one corner from where a member of staff sells miniature versions. Demonstrations of gingerbread decorating are available and delicious samples are given out freely.
Downtown Disney is a wonderful place to shop during the holiday season. The shops and restaurants have special window dressings and a tree lighting ceremony takes place nightly with Carol singers to entertain you. There’s even a chance to have you photograph taken with Santa.
Once you have spent Christmas in Orlando it will never be the same anywhere else!