Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Epcot Resorts

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The Walt Disney World resort is full of hustle and bustle as the holiday decorations are set out for everyone to enjoy. It’s a great time of year with lots of fun activities and lots of things to sight-see!

I think this will be my 18th or 19th trip to WDW in December. Yes, even when I took just one trip a year, it was usually in December!

Want a break from the parks? Take a leisurely stroll in the Epcot Resort area! There is so much to see! Here are my favorite photos from 2010.

I love the decorations at the resorts. Let’s start at the Beach Club.

I can spend a long time enjoying the special Carousel in the lobby. There are so many hidden treasures (not to mention the Hidden Mickeys) to find!

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The Yacht Club resort has a huge “Dickens/Dept 56” type village.

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See how many familiar names you can spot as you walk around!

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I love this beautiful tree in the lobby of the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

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Next walk over to the Swan. You will not want to miss the Chocolate Santa! I hear he’s going to be back this season too!

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Might as well keep walking over the bridge to the Boardwalk. They have a great display as well you won’t want to miss:

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Pay special attention to the train cars!

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Last year Mike Bachand did a 2 part blog series on the resort decorations. Check it out:
Part 1
Part 2

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7 Replies to “Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Epcot Resorts”

  1. We have been to Disney the week of Thanksgiving, Josh, so I hope you read this post. During the first part of the week it was fabulous. Very little wait times, wonderful crowds, everything up and decorated. As we got closer to Thanksgiving, it became more and more crowded, but I have seen worse in the summer. We went to Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving and heard rumor that they had closed the park due to capacity at about 11 that morning. We chose to stay at MK because that was the only day my brother could joining us. We still had a fabulous time and did what we could. Of course, we’d already spent a day there from earlier in the week.

    That’s my main advice, take advantage of the low-crowd days early in the week and then go with the flow during the latter. You’ll have a great trip. Don’t forget to see the Osborne Lights–they are awesome!! And a word of advice, they don’t shut them off as soon as the park closes, so make them the last thing you do and you won’t have such a crowd.

  2. Two years ago, my partner and I arrived on Dec. 26 and checked out Jan. 3. While the decorations are stunning, the attractions wonderful as always, we will never do it again.

    Too crowded doesn’t describe the crowds. The line for fast passes were sometimes two hours long. Fast passes. Two hour waits. The wait time for Ellen’s Energy Adventure (which is a great ride and sadly, usually a walk on) was 90 minutes.

    Luckily we had the deluxe dining plan and our meals were booked 180 days in advance; otherwise we would have been in trouble.

    There were so many people there, Disney hired people to stand in the main areas and guide foot traffic.

    Also, we were not lucky. We had ONE day of temperatures over 65 degrees.

    So, like our past trips, our future trips have been on off season, with the exception of going last July.

    I don’t want to suggest you not go during this time of year; I want you to know what you are getting into.

  3. Just came back from Disney World. The Christmas lights were already set up in Hollywood Studios. I just checked the website and it says that the Christmas parade starts on November 8th.

  4. We are coming to WDW the week after Christmas for the first time and my husband is freaking out about how crowded it’s going to be! How bad is it really? We’ve been during spring break once.

    Love this website! I tell everybody who mentions going to Disney to come here first.

  5. I’m just 20 days away from my first WDW Christmastime visit. Staying at the Boardwalk. Can’t wait to these these displays in person!!!

  6. Deb,

    We will be there Thanksgiving Week, November 20th through the 26th. Do you think that the resort decorations will be fully finished by then? Is there a set date that all resorts try to have their decorations up by?

  7. Hi Deb,
    Last Dec. it was so darn cold that my husband and I didn’t feel like walking all over but we did get to see the decorations at the GF, WL, and the Beach and Yacht Club. I loved the chocolate horses on the carousel at the Beach Club and the little village had so many interesting spots to watch like a skier that actually moved. So creative!
    The best part of my Dec. 2010 trip was meeting you and other allears staff members. It always bring a smile to my face when I think about it and I will be thinking of you this Dec.
    Have a fun time ….I already know you will.