[rshelek]

Waaaaay back when I first got out of college (about 11 years ago) I visited WDW for Christmas, and I thought it was wonderful how well it was decorated. I also loved the special attractions and shows....

My wife and kids have never been there during the holidays, but we are leaving for a 7 Day Land and Sea package the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and I want to make sure they don't miss anything special. My wife loves Christmas!

So.... fellow DC'ers, tell me what I should NOT miss while we are in the Parks this December. We are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort and have 4 days at the parks, and then heading out on the Disney Wonder for 3 days. Then it's back to Ohio.

[Dana]

I have never been at Christmas, but one day when I finally get there, I have a list of must-sees for me:

Osborne lights in MGM
All the resort decortaions
Mickey's very merry christmas party
the park decorations.
The holiday parades in the parks....this is my top one.

[ddoll]

There's also the Santas around the world in Epcot. You can not only see and meet THE real Santa in the American pavillion, but you can walk around and see how each country celebrates Christmas and meet their version of Santa.
I think Epcot does Christmas best:
There's the Candlelight Processional with celebrity readers every night in the open theater in America.
The character-laden tree lighting ceremony with decorated arches and sculptures as you go from Future World into the World Showcase.
And a special ending to Illuminations.

And each park has it's own large Christmas tree.

[keljen]

I agree with ddoll that EPCOT has the most but don't forget to go to MGH and see the Osborne lights as they won't be around forever and if you don't see them now you may never get another chance.

[mistikbunny]

I have never been at Christmas time before but I just we will be at CBR with you! We check in on 11-27-05. Maybe we will see you at the pool.

[arwright_2]

We'll be there for our first Christmas too at the CBR on 12/2/05.

[disneycouple30]

Don't forget to go to the Grand Flordian to see the Gingerbread House in the lobby,

[Handicap18]

We are going for our first x-mas at Disney as well. We have been doing a lot of research and this is what we are planning:

AK and MGM each have a daily x-mas themed parade (Mickey's Jingle Jungle and Mickey's Hollywood Holly-Days) AK at 3:45 and MGM at 3:30.

MK has Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights (with snow on Main St, special holliday themed shows, x-mas parade and special fireworks amoung others).

Epcot has Holidays Around the World, Candlelight Processional (3 show times) and Mickeys Tree Lighting Treat (6pm daily).

MGM has the Osbourne lights from 6pm-8pm daily (picture your out of control neighbors holiday lights on steroids).

Festival of season at Downtown Disney.

Most of the resorts have their own decorations that you can check out (Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge and more)

Check out this page for some more indepth info.
http://allearsnet.com/tp/holiday.htm

[yesimaprncss]

Originally Posted by disneycouple30

Don't forget to go to the Grand Flordian to see the Gingerbread House in the lobby,

I've seen that on the Travel or Food channel - SO impressive!

MVMCP is so wonderful! I was there for a convention in early Dec last year and that was the only time I got to spend in the park... and it was DEFINITELY worth the price of admission. The snow and scents on Mainstreet just made the park that much MORE magical. And even the holiday background music in each land is appropriately themed (Transiberian Orchestra-like in Tomorrowland, banjo-ish Christmas music in Frontierland).

A few years before that we spent some extra days after the convention and I loved Epcot. Kicking myself for missing the Osbourne lights... hope to see them before they're gone.

[keljen]

Your all going to love it there with all the Christmas decorations. We will be back December next year for our second Christmas time visit.
Can't wait

[mickaholic4077]

You have to go see the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. It is a retelling of the story of the birth of Jesus,which is what the holiday season is all about. The celebrity narrators are really good. I haven't seen a bad one yet.

[Buzz & Woody]

The Very Merry X-Mas Celebration is a must see. Will cost some money, but worth every pennie.

[pkc123]

All the decorations and the Parades are our favorites.We took our kids one year at Christmas and they still talk about it to this day .That was back in 1991.

[twinsplusone]

We arrive at WDW on 11/22 and have arranged our schedule to hit everything "holiday" Osborne lights, Candlight processional, tree lighting, Mickey's Very Merry x-mas party, downtown disney to see Santa, Jammin Jingle parade, holidays around the world, etc.... but I didn't realize we could go around to all the resorts and see their decorations! Now I have to plan for that too. I think I'm going to need a few cards for my digital camera, just to hold all the pictures I want to take.

Also, rshelek, we went on a Disney cruise 2 years ago, and the ship was beautifully decorated. We had our picture taken in from of this HUGE tree and used it for christmas cards.

Have a great time!

[rshelek]

I keep hearing about the Christmas Party event at MK, and understand that it is around $47 per adult and $32 per child. With 2 adults and 2 kids, that sounds pretty steep, especially since we will already be spending a full day at the MK prior to when the Party begins. Can someone let me know what goes on at the party that is worth the extra money, over the normal admission?