The holiday season is just around the corner, and Walt Disney World goes all-out for the season. With giant Christmas trees, inventive decor, and special events, it’s a fantastic time to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth.
While most people think about the holiday happenings in the Parks, Disney World’s Resort hotels also get holly jolly this time of year.
Here are some of the best Disney World Resorts to spend the winter holidays!
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
The woodsy atmosphere and cozy vibes of Fort Wilderness Resort make it the perfect spot to spend the holidays!
Plus, people love to bring their own decorations to the campgrounds and cabins, making it a fun festive time. With miles of trails to explore and seasonal cheer all around (even the golf carts get in on the action!), Fort Wilderness is a terrific place to spend the holidays.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The Grand Floridian goes all out for Christmas. Like allllll out. We’re talking GIANT Christmas trees, a life-sized gingerbread house that also sells gingerbread, and tons of elaborate decorations!
The elegant atmosphere of Grand Floridian really lends itself to a posh, over-the-top holiday season, which is exactly why this spot is a classic holiday resort.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The Contemporary Resort is another spot that gets a great holiday treatment! With a perennially beloved gingerbread display, plenty of decorations in its central concourse, and a big Christmas tree out front, the Contemporary has lots of festive cheer!
Similarly, Contemporary’s Bay Lake Tower also gets the star treatment during the holiday season! This is a fun Resort to visit via Monorail this time of year (and don’t miss the seasonal treats for sale near the gingerbread castle!).
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Mele Kalikimaka! The Polynesian Village Resort is a great spot for the holidays since it has a unique mix of island vibes and festive cheer
The lush tropical greenery of the Polynesian mixed with the glow of Christmas lights makes for a unique holiday experience that makes you feel like you’re really on island time.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you’re looking for a gigantic tree, you’ve come to the right place! You can enjoy the sights of the savanna and uniquely themed holiday decorations at this Resort.
The soaring lobby of Jambo House lends itself to a massive Christmas tree decorated with arts and crafts style ornaments that suit the space perfectly.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge is possibly the very best Resort for a holiday Disney trip! It’s got it all: one of the biggest trees on property (in a stunning lobby, no less), a cute gingerbread cabin, and a holiday scavenger hunt!
This is a great pick for your holiday trip. The log cabin feel and grand decor instantly get you into a festive mood. Plus there’s something about this Resort that feels cozy even though it’s open and large. If you want the warm fuzzies during your holiday trip, this is the place to stay.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
The BoardWalk Inn is another great place to stay during the holiday season! With a grand tree and sweeping decorated garlands in the lobby, you’re in for a real treat at this Resort. On top of that, they usually have a gingerbread display and lots of other festive fun!
You may also find seasonal treats for sale in the lobby, and what are the holidays without cozy treats?
Have you spent the holidays at Walt Disney World? What’s your favorite Resort to enjoy the season? Let us know in the comments!
See all the Holiday Happenings at Walt Disney World here!
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We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Caribbean Beach at Christmas time on two separate occasions. Caribbean Beach was beautiful but it was during the pandemic. We saw the only gingerbread house on WDW property at EPCOT which was the Capitol Building in DC. Pandemic Christmas was lacking the usual Disney magic.
When we were at Wilderness Lodge for Christmas it was prior to the pandemic. The Lodge was beautiful and cozy. The pool and dock (boat service to Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness, and Contemporary) was closed for a refurbishment. So we really didn’t get the beautiful outdoor experience there. My husband’s favorite Christmas show was the Candlelight Processional. When we went, Levar Burton was the narrator. We are going to Wilderness Lodge again in March for the 50th. Can’t wait!!! I’m looking at youtube videos of the interior and exterior.