Last month, my daughter and I made a trip to Disney World and for the first time during our multiple visits to our favorite vacation spot, finally, had the opportunity to enjoy not only Lily’s Birthday — Disney World Birthday Celebration Ideas, but, also to celebrate Christmas in Disney World.
During the festive Christmas season, are you a fan of visiting your local Christmas light displays? I am! I’m on vacation between Christmas and New Year’s Day and that is the time, my family and I really slow down and appreciate the season. We have a beautiful Christmas lights display on our calendar this week-end with my kids. Excited! Makes me feel like a little kid when I see lights. And… wait for it … I I did not put up any outdoor lights this year. While I love the appearance of them, I am terrible at setting lights up and refuse to pay a fortune to get it done. So, I’m in search of lights… and Christmas displays.
This brings me back to Disney World.
There were two parts to our Christmas enjoyment. First, in Hollywood Studios, there is an incredible display created, called The Osborn Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. You can read the link to complete details but all I want to say about it is “Wow!!!!!” And, yes, we even bought the “Glow with the Show Ears” and the necklaces of twinkling Christmas lights and of course, I had to have a cup of spiked eggnog as Lily and I walked the streets. And, no, I did not want to leave the park!! I could have gone back to that display every evening of our 7-night stay.
The second part of our Christmas fun was in Magic Kingdom. In addition to your regular park ticket, however you handle it as there are so many options, you purchase an additional one evening only ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. There are specific dates when this happy, fun, colorful, festive, Mickey Mouse styled party is held so check the dates. I bought our two tickets for our November Disney World vacation this past June. What this event boiled down to is this: at the end of regular park hours which was 7 p.m., pick up a wrist band and you are entitled to stay until midnight for Christmas-themed fun. This included an incredible Christmas parade, stage show in front of Cinderella’s Castle and the most beautiful fireworks/Castle-changing display I’ve ever seen. Somehow Disney movies fit beautifully onto the castle as if it was a blank screen, all while synchronized to music. I kept going back and forth between cameras and phones attempting to take video, no wait photographs, no wait Lily watching the shows, to no wait — just stop filming anything and taking in the moments.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, the free hot chocolate and cookies set up in multiple stations around the park. Yeah, a cup of hot chocolate is not really a big deal compared to the price of a Disney World ticket, right, but it was so fun to pick up something without a line and that was so yummy on a cool evening. And, did I tell you that the lines for rides and attractions were minimal?
So, here’s the plan. Check out the following photos which were most often taken on an I-Phone for your Christmas light and fun inspiration. Then, go onto my Instagram feed (DanasChocolateandSunshine) and visit often throughout the whole week. I’m sharing video clips of the magic. I took so many and they are still on my I-Phone and I really need the space, so now is your chance to see what goes on at Disney World during Christmas. Then, you won’t have to wait until your 12-13th trip there to finally see the Disney Christmas Magic.
Sing along with Anna and Elsa at the terrific Frozen Stage Show.
Collect pins near the Frozen Stage Show in the Trading Post!
OMG – I need to have smellavision in this blog post. The floats actually emit the scents of Christmas as they drive in front of you — Candy, Cookies, Chocolate, Christmas trees!
Each evening the castle lights up and looks like snow glistening. Wait for the crowds to diminish right before the park closes and then, stop by and take photographs of it. Of course, Christmas music is playing as you do so. Don’t forget your hot chocolate.
Love to have you see more on my Instagram Feed. I’m heading over there right now to leave you something. DanasChocolateandSunshine.
And, if you are searching for desserts for Christmas, go to the “Chocolate Love” tab at the top of this page for recipes for cookies and desserts. If you would like to see some of the projects and home design I’ve done for Christmas both this year and last, check out my “Holiday Love” and then “Christmas” tab for tons of photos and ideas.
And, most importantly… Have a Wonderful Christmas!! Thank you for the gifts you give to me each time you visit Chocolate and Sunshine, leave a comment or just say hi. I’m inspired by each of you and grateful for your support.
Merry Christmas!!!