Holiday hints

[cricket]

My family is going to WDW for a week (staying onsite) around Christmas 09 and I'm looking for special things to do. We've been to WDW many times, but never at the Holidays. While we will certainly see the parades, the Candlelight Processional and the holiday lights at the Studios, I'm looking for the little, special things that might otherwise be overlooked. Any suggestions?

[Slowhand]

How about one of the "behind the scenes" tours?
Assuming each of your party is over 14 years old then the Keys to the Kingdom Tour is well worth doing.

[Mari]

I would definetly recommed touring the different resorts.... the Xmas trees are spectacular, and the gingerbread houses and other creations are amazing!!

[Slowhand]

Celebration is also pretty over the festive season, even to the point of having "snow" falling along Market Street every evening on the hour, along with carol singers etc.etc.

[premier travel]

Gaylord palms the ice show is fantastic each year it changes. Also drive around some of the American estates the house are out of this world.

[cricket]

Wow, thank you for the quick replies. Behind the scenes sounds wonderful, but kids are 10 and 13, which rather limits us. (Great age for the Disney magic, though!) We'll be staying at Port Orleans French Quarter and using the Disney transport from MCO, so no rental car. Can you get to Celebration via Disney transportation?

I am very much looking forward to seeing the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian, does each resort do something special? (Dumb question, I suppose. This is WDW after all! ) What are favorites of the people here?

[foreverducky]

Definitely visit the resorts. They are beautiful! The WL (my favorite resort) is decorated beautifully! And of course the Grand Floridian is a site to see. I did not get over to the Epcot hotels, but I've seen on tv that they are also done wonderfully

[Tink]

Be sure to take the children into the World Showcase and visit the storyteller in each country. Some will tell of Christmas in their land (Pere Noel, Father Christmas, Santa Claus) and some will tell of another celebration (those countries that don't generally celebrate Christmas, like Morocco, China, Japan...). Very nice, fun and not so boringly educational as it sounds!

[sunsetlakes]

The Ice Show at Gaylord Palms - its gorgeous, book early if you want to dine there.

Great thread - I didn't know about the snow on Market Street, Celebration................... I really am going to pester Rob now as i'd love to see that

[foreverducky]

Oh yes, as Tink suggested, the storytellers in the WS are great!