General Comments on Holidays Around the World

My family and I were at Disney World from 12/29/02-1/3/03 and had a nice time, but would not recommend going over a holiday unless you like standing in lines. Even when we tried to use the Fast Pass system, it was really a long wait. At 4 pm we tried to get FastPasses for the ride Peter Pan's Flight when we saw that the wait was 90 minutes. The estimated Fast Pass return time was 9:55 – 10:55 at night. That was 6 hours later and pretty late at night for our little kids. We opted to pass on that one. Don't get me wrong, the experience was fun overall, but we didn't make it on too many rides. Heather G. from South Dakota

I have seen Father Christmas in the United Kingdom both trips and the troll in Norway. The troll is very funny and comical and Father Christmas looks the part. He was wonderful with the little kids. I think these are great educational things to see and aren't too long that kids will get bored. Tricia Shinners

Two of my favorite Holiday Storytellers are Father Christmas (U.K.) and Papa Christmas (Canada). Father Christmas was so very British, a Beefeater in holiday garb telling tales of Christmas in the United Kingdom. Papa Christmas was more informal, a holiday lumberjack with his plaid shirt. Papa Christmas' favorite holiday tradition is the Christmas dinner, his detailed descriptions of his holiday dinner even made himself hungry! Each of them left time for some photos with the children. Then there was the World Showcase Players 'tradition', "A Christmas Carol" that Charles Dickens probably would have loved. The holiday season is one of my favorite times at WDW, thanks for all the information you publish that helps me and others to better enjoy it. Happy Holidays, boBQuincy

I love Christmas at WDW and we have had a wonderful time each visit. The parks are beautiful, the hotel (Dixie Landings) was wonderful. We enjoyed hot chocolate and carolers outside. My suggestion is that everyone should visit during this time of year, at least once. We always go right after Thanksgiving (the first week of December). The magic of walking down Main Street with the "snow" blowing in your hair is memorable! Jan from Denver

There is nothing like Disney in December. The crowds are low and holiday beauty high. We just love it and hope to return in 2001! Kristen and Kati

I know you didn't ask about the MSEP but I would like to mention that I enjoyed the little bars of Christmas music they inserted in the usual music. Wonderful touch and made it a bit different. I just wish they'd release THAT version on CD too!! Chris Mak

We (adults only) were at Disney from Dec. 6-11th and were able to attend all the various Christmas specials. The Osborne Lights were spectacular only we found it was a lot more enjoyable if we waited for the initial crowd to pass through, especially if you wanted to take pictures. The Very Merry Christmas Party was great! We felt if you didn't have little children it was better to see the parade at 11, it is a lot less crowded! We loved the gingerbread house and how they sprinkled the crowd with dust that smelled like ginger was amazing! The Candlelight in Epcot was worth seeing, but geared more for the older crowd. I know my teens wouldn't appreciate it! We have been to Disney many many times over the years and we never saw it as pretty as we did at Christmas time! It's just so nice to see the trees in the Hotels and the lighting of the tree in Epcot was so pretty … we would definitely do it again. Mike and Sharon Beil

My hubby and I were in WDW December 18th to the 24th. It was our first Christmas visit. It was great! There were crowds and it was cold the first couple days! Disney is always prepared…we noticed the themed gloves and earmuffs in the stores when it was cold. My favorite Disney Christmas thing was walking down NY Ave in Disney Studio's at night, when it was "snowing"! The lights and garland strung across the street, the apartments all decorated, the Christmas music and the snow….and the cold weather added to the effect. It was like being in the city for Christmas. It was just wonderful! We slowly walked up and down the street and absorbed it all. Wish I was there right now! Judy B

This was truly a fantastic time of the year to visit Disney. We heard about how crowded every park was going to be. Actually, we found it not to be that much different than our visit on the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend attendance wise. If you ever have the chance to visit Disney at Christmas, it truly is a wonderful time of year. My mother had told me that I should be at home with my family on Christmas — we felt the next closest thing to home for us is Disney. Thanks for the opportunity to share our experience. Debbie Shulman

We chose early December, to do Disney World which I highly recommend. Everyone enjoyed themselves, did whatever they wanted, I can't remember a better family reunion. I returned home re-inspired and ready to go back to work (I'm an artist-blacksmith and am subject to an occasional artist block). Being able to study the detail of the parks and photograph some of that will surly aid and inspire for years to come. Mark Finn

I went with 4 coworkers. The Christmas lights were unbelievably beautiful at MGM. We went to the Christmas Party on December 8 and it was not as crowded as others I have gone to. We will be going back this year for 2 weeks because 1 week isn't long enough. Brenda Sheaters

Our very first trip to WDW started on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 1997. It was more wonderful than I had ever expected. This was our first trip and I was determined to see as much as we could. I toured a few of the hotels to see their decorations and I must say, all were breathtaking; especially the gingerbread house displays at the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. The decorations were amazing, everywhere you went they were more spectacular than the next. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was everything I expected and more. We were given flyers for the evening events and not knowing enough to read it through we missed all the shows that were scheduled for the evening. 🙁 We did have our family photo taken, have hot chocolate and cookies, and did ride Splash Mountain over and over as the lines were very thin.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was very much the same except that a lot of the eateries were not opened as they were three years ago, and that there were only two stations for hot chocolate and cookies and the one in Tomorrow Land could not be found by us. I did make sure we saw a show or two and they were of course Disney Wonderful. The lines for the rides were almost non existent and for a special treat we were able to see the Space Shuttle, after it was launched that night, streaming in the sky behind the fireworks display at the Castle! I love to visit Walt Disney World during the Holidays, I recommend it highly to all. Sincerely, MaryLou Barnstien, CT.

Last year my husband and myself were at Disney for four day in December. We saw the Osborne Lights, the Candlelight Processional. We were so thrilled and taken back by the beauty and detail, we planned a large family vacation for this year. This year we had 18 family members with us. One of the family came from Kentucky. Enid Hadfield

I must say overall I thought that spending the holidays at WDW was a great experience. However I was really disappointed with the crowd level. We went 12/7-12/15 and most of the time the crowds weren't too bad. The weekends were very crowded and I think that had more to do with the 80 degree temperature than anything else. Stacy Young

We also got to see several of the holiday storytellers at Epcot and except for the young man obviously "subbing" for the Father Christmas of that country they were all fabulous. Ruby D

We were at WDW for New Years Eve and the fireworks were spectacular. To bad that Disney can't control the weather. It was very cold but we hung in there until after midnight. We also saw the Osborne Family Lights. We're from Michigan so snow is nothing new but it was wonderful just sitting on the New York Street and seeing the people who are from warm climates enjoying the snow. It's all Disney magic. Lynn Schulz

My comments on the Holiday decorations and events: WONDERFUL!!!! FABULOUS!!!! STUPENDOUS!!!! OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!! We've always been die hard October visitors. After the December visit….I am seriously considering going at that time from now on! Osborne Family lights made the entire trip for us. Just glorious!!! I highly recommend a holiday visit for everyone! The park decorations are beautiful, the parades & holiday events are great, Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party makes you feel like you have the entire park to yourself. 1 of the very best trips we've ever taken!! Jen G

Well, all to soon it's over..Another great holiday trip to WDW…A week that goes by in 12 minutes…A person just shouldn't have this much fun, and yet, every year we show up, and every year we do. Hey, does anyone else miss the Jolly Holidays Dinner Show..Wish they'd bring that back! Freddie L