PassPorter Online
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks
Home Florida - Walt Disney World Caribbean - Disney Cruise Line California - Disneyland Resort Anywhere and Everywhere! Travelers Store Message Boards PassPorter's Club Help!
  About Us  |  Customs Office   |   Register Your Book   |   Book Updates   |  Newsletter  |  Articles  |  Photos  |   Follow Us on
Articles Menu
PassPorter Articles
Planning
Disney Dreaming
What Keeps Us Coming Back
Disney for Veteran Visitors
Rumor Round-Up
Finding Answers
Best Disney Trip Advice
Getting Your Disney Fix
How Young Is Too Young?
Top Ten Disney Questions
Tipping (Gratuities)
Timeshare Vacation Offers
Disney World on a Budget
Credit Cards 101
Money-Saving Strategies
Preparing Kids For Disney
Taking Toddlers to Disney
Planning Trips for Others
Convincing Others To Go
Importance of Being Lazy

Preparing For Your Disney Cruise
Ten "Must Pack" Items
Touring With A Group
Chaperoning A Group Trip
Traveling
Ten Travel Tips
Luggage Tips
iPhone, I Travel
Driving to Disney
Driving With Kids
Child Safety Seats
CARES Harness Review
Rental Cars
Amtrak Auto Train
Airline Security
Flying With Kids
Surviving Long Flights
Surviving Bumpy Flights
Surviving Bad Vacations
Surviving Long Airport Waits
Staying Healthy
First Aid on Vacation
Solo Travel
Pregnant at Disney
Dress For Travel
Traveling With Pets
International Travel
Taking A 'Greener' Trip to WDW

Orlando Sanford Airport
Lodging
Choosing a Resort
On-Site Lodging vs. Off-Site Lodging
Disney Resort Primer
Reserving a Room
Key to the World Card
Fun at Resort Hotels
Disney Vacation Club
All-Star Movies
All-Star Music
All-Star Sports
All-Star Vacation Homes
Animal Kingdom Lodge: Perfect for Teens
Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club
BoardWalk Inn & Villas
Contemporary Resort
Ft. Wilderness Camping
Old Key West
Wilderness Lodge
Home Sweet Home
Grand Californian #1
Grand Californian #2
Grosvenor Resort
Hilton Resort
Orlando Airport Marriott
Priceline.com
Radisson Resort Parkway
Shades of Green
Westin Century Plaza
Making The Most of Bell Services at Disney's Deluxe Resorts
DVC's Old Key West Resort
Cruising
Preparing For Your Disney Cruise
New Ships!
Cruise Security
International Port Security
Convincing a Husband to Cruise
Palo Dinner Review
Vow Renewals Onboard
Cruising With Special Diets
Cruising St. Martin
One in a Million Cruise
Zip-A-Dee-Zip-Line: A Canopy Adventure
A 'Magic' Time In The Mediterranean
A Wrap-Up From DCL's Inaugural Mediterranean Cruise
DCL: Not Just for Kids!
Spa Villas Review
Touring
Laugh Floor Comedy Club
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Fantasyland For Adults
Mission: SPACE
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Star Wars Weekends
Animal Kingdom
Expedition EVEREST
Surviving the Parks as First Time Parents
Surviving the Holidays
Overcoming Kids Fears
Planning Park Days
Four Parks in One Day
Touring with Toddlers
A Kid's Perspective
A Teen's Take
Educational Epcot
Flower & Garden Festival
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Scary Places (Halloween)
Playing "Millionaire"
Winning "Millionaire"
A Day With Allie
Past Attractions at Magic Kingdom
Meeting Mickey
Disneyland at 50
Future of Disneyland
Beyond the Disney Parks
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Monorail System
California Adventure
Expanding Disney's California Adventure
10 Reasons to Love Disneyland
A WDW Veteran's First Trip to Disneyland
A Disneyland Veteran's First Trip to Walt Disney World
Disneyland Homecoming
Walt Disney World With Pre-Teen Boys
Keys To The Kingdom Backstage Tour
Pirates & Princess Party
WDW with Teens? Absolutely!
Dining
Disney Dining Plan
More Dining Plan Tips
Dining Plan Revisited
Dining Plan Answers
Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) Strategies
Artist Point Review
California Grill Review
Nine Dragons Review
Spoodles Review
The Turf Club Review
Crystal Palace Review
Yak & Yeti Review
Tutto Italia Review
Character Dinners
Dine With A Disney Imagineer
Eating Healthy at Disney
Food Allergies
White Water Snacks
MurderWatch Mystery Theatre
Disneyland Dining: Yamabuki
Disneyland Area Dining: Pirate's Dinner Adventure
Party For The Senses
Artist Point
1900 Park Fare Dinner Review
Making Magic
Romance At Disney World
Beating The Post Trip Blues
Discovering the Magic
Magic of Slowing Down
Unexpected Treasures
Wishes Fireworks Cruise
Backstage Tours
Epcot's Segway Tour
Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival
Taking Great Photos
Taking Great Fireworks Photos
Digital Photo Q & A
Souvenirs on a Budget
Pal Mickey
Birthdays at Disney
Reunions and Gatherings
Holidays (Christmas)
More Holidays
Disney Intimate Weddings
Disney Vow Renewals
Custom Events
Scrapbooking
Preserving Memories
Scrapbooking Supplies
Finding Scrapbook Supplies at WDW
Memories and Milestones
Scavenger Hunts
Geocaching
Hidden Mickeys
Hidden Mickeys Book Review
Richard Petty Experience
More Richard Petty Rides
Ft. Wilderness Trail Ride
Disney Podcasts
MouseFest 2006
Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba
Sharing
Making of PassPorter
Rest of the World
United States:
Big Apple Greeter
City Pass Cards
Hawaii
Hilton Head Island #1
Hilton Head Island #2
Celebration, Florida
Key Largo & Islamorada
Miami, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
Space Coast, Florida
Tampa-St. Petersburg
WonderWorks (Orlando)
Knoebels, Pennsylvania
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
Anza-Borrego Desert
Grand Canyon
The Poconos
New York City
New York Splash Tours
New York City Dining
New York: Antiques
New England
New Orleans
Nashville, Tennessee
Adventures by Disney: Wyoming
Fort Sumter, South Carolina
Zoos of the World
Universal Studios Orlando
New Attractions at Universal Orlando
Seuss Trolley Train Ride at Universal Orlando
Sanibel & Captiva Islands
Universal: For Non-Thrill Seekers?
Madison County, Iowa
The Great Smoky Mountains
Yosemite
Discovery Cove (Orlando)
Busch Gardens Africa: SheiKra Coaster Review
NASCAR AllState 400
Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Niagara Falls, New York
Blue Horizons at SeaWorld Orlando
International Travel:
London
London Museums
London's Globe Theatre
Kent, England
Bath, England
Great Britain via Harry Potter
Stonehenge
Ireland
Paris
Marseilles
Rome
Stockholm, Sweden
Helsinki, Finland
Quebec City, Canada
Prince Edward Island
South Africa
Leeds Castle
Pompeii
Windsor Castle
Wimbledon
Menorca
Dover Castle
Florence
Monaco
Niagara Falls, Ontario

More Holidays at Walt Disney World

by Cheryl Pendry, PassPorter Feature Columnist

In the second part of this article, PassPorter board message guide Cheryl Pendry continues to share more reasons why she keeps heading back to Walt Disney World for the holiday season year after year. Click here to read the first part of this article.

Having already looked at the Christmas celebrations in the Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios and Epcot, you'd be forgiven for thinking that was all that's on offer during the festive season. After all, getting around to all the activities in those three parks will take some time, but there's even more to see!

The Magic Kingdom enjoys its own special ticketed event in the run up to Christmas, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP). Taking place on selected evenings from 7:00 pm until midnight in the days leading up to Christmas, this year's dates are November 27 and 29 and December 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20. If you're planning on being at Disney World on any of those dates, this is an event that's well worth seeing.

Admittedly it's not cheap - the advance price for adults is $38.95 plus tax and for children between the ages of 3 and 9, there's not that much of a reduction - prices are $29.95 plus tax. If you choose to wait to buy your tickets, the price goes up on the day of the event to $43.95 plus tax for adults and $34.95 plus tax for children aged 3 - 9. Another reason to buy your tickets in advance is because some of the Party nights do sell out. In previous years, the first to fill up is usually the last one of the season, although some of the Friday nights earlier on in the season can also sell out.

If you're sitting there now, wondering whether the steep price of admission is really worth it, then I can tell you that we felt exactly the same way when we first went to the Party in 2002. We thought it was a lot of money and weren't entirely sure what to expect, so for anyone feeling the same, here's a run down of what is offered.

Perhaps the highlight is the Very Merry Christmas parade, which runs twice nightly, with the second of the night always the quieter one. During most of December, it's the only time that the Christmas parade runs at the Magic Kingdom, with the usual Share A Dream Come True Parade still on in the afternoons. The Christmas-themed parade usually takes over the afternoon slot the day after the last MVMCP.

Another big draw is the special fireworks - not just your average showing of Wishes, but an extended version, including fireworks which appear to come from all around you - and if you get a chance to see them from the Polynesian, you'll be able to see how far afield they are actually being set off from!

There are special shows, including Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas show at the Tomorrowland Theater and a special Christmas show at the forecourt of the Castle. Main Street sees "snow" falling on it and don't forget to get a family souvenir, with free photo sites available at various locations throughout the park. There's also free hot chocolate and cookies to keep you warm and don't forget to check out the shops - there's exclusive merchandise available, with special pins on offer every night of the Party.

Fear not if you're heading to Disney after the Party nights have finished, because there's still plenty of Christmas fun at the Magic Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, the Christmas parade will be held in the afternoon and there's a special tree lighting ceremony in Town Square every evening. The Country Bear Jamboree changes to host a special holiday version and although it's not one of my favorite attractions during the rest of the year, we love the Christmas edition. And Christmas shows run during the daytime at the Castle forecourt and the Tomorrowland Theater, after the Party nights have finished.

Something else not to be missed during the Christmas season are the various Disney resorts. Each one boasts Christmas decorations, some more breathtaking than others - the best generally found at the deluxe resorts. But which ones should you visit if you've only got limited time and is it worth the time away from the parks? Well, the answer to the second part of the question has to be yes, if you've ever wanted to see a life sized gingerbread house, a revolving gingerbread carousel or a miniature African village made out of chocolate. All these and more can be found at the resorts.

Let's start with the most dramatic display on property. I think most people would agree that title should go to the Grand Floridian. The Christmas tree here is 40 feet tall, with 30,000 decorations on it and it's all put up in just one night. The gingerbread house to the left of the lobby as you walk in is also well worth a look and in fact is a shop, selling a wide range of items, including the gingerbread shingles that make up the roof of the house!

Another dramatic display is the revolving gingerbread carousel in the Beach Club lobby. Made of an amazing 2,000 gingerbread pieces, the recipe also calls for 50 pounds of chocolate, 100 pints of eggs, 100 pounds of icing and 36 pounds of honey. It really is something to see and can easily be combined with a visit to the lobbies of two other nearby resorts with staggering displays in their lobbies. The scene of a town from the 1930's in the Boardwalk lobby took three months to create and includes a fairground, complete with roller coaster and big wheel. The miniature railway display in the lobby of the Yacht Club deserves lots of close inspection, boasting its own tiny versions of favorites from the resort complex, including Beaches and Cream and the Bayside Marina.

Our two other favorites are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, great for a visit at any of the year, but also boasting a miniature chocolate African village outside Boma, which is worth a look, especially if you're planning on dining at the resort. And who could forget the Wilderness Lodge, perhaps the most festive of all the resorts on property? With its rustic northwest charm, the huge Christmas tree seems right at home and there's no better way to celebrate the season than to grab one of the chairs in the lobby and watch the world go by.

If you are staying on property during the festive season, there may also be entertainment in the lobby of your hotel - check on arrival with guest services. This can include choirs, bell ringing and even visits from some of the Disney characters or perhaps a quick stop from Santa on Christmas Eve. Cookies and hot drinks are also available in the evenings at some resort.

Something else that's offered is festive sleigh rides from the Wilderness Lodge. Having tried this last year, it's worth noting that the half hour ride takes you into the neighboring woods, which are very dark and could be scary to small children. Each carriage costs $30, including tax and the carriage can hold up to three adults and two children or four adults. Carriages can be booked by calling WDW-PLAY and are running between 30 November - 30 December, with hours from 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm, apart from Christmas Eve, when hours at 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

However, there are other options. Carriage rides operate year round from Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans Riverside from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm and the 25 minute ride costs $35, including tax. Tickets are available from the carriage drivers or you can make advance reservations by calling WDW-PLAY. Pick up is from Crockett's Tavern outside Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness and in front of Boatwright's Dining Hall at Port Orleans Riverside. Both may provide more scenic routes than the sleigh ride, with Fort Wilderness especially beautiful at Christmas, as many residents take the trouble to decorate their campsites and cabins.

And perhaps that's what I love most about Christmas at Disney - the time and trouble that's to make it such a special celebration. There's so much to see and do, with all the parks and resorts beautifully decorated for both the day and night. Whether it's your first or fiftieth visit to Disney at Christmas, one thing's for sure - the array of events and activities on offer will dazzle you and fill you with festive spirit!
About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to America.



This article appeared in our November 25, 2005 newsletter -- subscribe to our popular newsletter today for free!

Related Links:
Holidays at Walt Disney World
Discovering the Magic

Return to PassPorter.com | Ask a Question on the PassPorter Message Boards
 
 

Updated 08/21/07 



Read additional articles from PassPorter.com

Subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter, PassPorter News, published for more than 58,000 opt-in subscribers worldwide. As an added bonus for subscribing, you will receive a 20% discount coupon for the PassPorter Store -- no catch!

E-mail Address:

First Name:

E-mail Format:
-Text/Don't Know  

-HTML

 
 

We respect your privacy and never sell or rent our subscriber list. Subscribing will not result in more spam! We guarantee it.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Copyright 1999-2015
by PassPorter Travel Press, an imprint of MediaMarx, Inc.

       LEARN MORE
Learn More With Our Award-Winning Guidebooks


PassPorter's Walt Disney World guidebook

PassPorter's Sidekick for the Walt Disney World Guidebook e-book

PassPorter's Disney Vacation Club Guide

PassPorter's Disney 500: Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Trips e-book

PassPorter's Disney Speed Planner: The Easy Ten Step Program to a Perfect Walt Disney World Vacation e-book

PassPorter's Disney Weddings & Honeymoons

PassPorter's Festivals and Celebrations at Walt Disney World e-book

PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World

PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line guidebook

PassPorter's Disney Cruise Clues: First-Class Tips for Disney Cruise Trips

PassPorter Disneyland Resort and Southern California Attractions guidebook

PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line guidebook

       SPONSOR LINKS