It goes without saying that Walt Disney World has cornered the market on Christmas. Each year, right after Halloween, the entire resort undergoes a massive Christmas transformation. And over the next two months, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year at Walt Disney World.
From the giant Christmas trees that greet guests at all four theme parks, to the stunning life-size gingerbread house that adorns the lobby in the Grand Floridian, to the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom, to the extensive placement of wreaths, poinsettias and holiday bunting throughout the resort, to a castle that turns into a shimmering ice palace, it’s hard not to feel in the mood for the holidays while strolling around WDW property.
And for good measure, it’s not uncommon to see flakes of “snow” falling from above during special events.
For the latest installment of Vintage Disney Photos, we decided to give you an early Christmas present, with this collection of press and publicity shots taken about two decades ago.
All four theme parks, as well as one resort, are represented … and, in keeping with the season, we even threw in a surprise at the end.
Season’s greetings to all!
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD
EPCOT’s World Showcase featured choirs, light displays, storytellers and holiday-themed fireworks.
In addition, there was the glittering canopy of lights, shown above, on the walkway between World Showcase and Future World.
In addition, there was a nightly tree-lighting ceremony.
Of course, the Candlelight Processional has been a long-standing tradition during the holiday season at the America Garden Theatre in World Showcase.
YOU CAN’T RIDE THIS CAROUSEL … BUT YOU CAN EAT IT!
The display featured prancing ponies made of chocolate, sugar, giant candy cane poles, hand-crafted poinsettias and portraits of Disney characters on a lighted roof of gingerbread.
The display was created by Disney pastry chef Stefan Riemer and his talented team.
It is one of many food-based creations on display throughout WDW during the Christmas season, the most famous of which is the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
SPICING UP THE HOLIDAYS
And why not? Those guys always spice up the festivities.
This parade [shown here is the 2002 version] was an afternoon event held from Dec. 21-31.
An additional Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade was held during the special-ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights during the holiday season.
While the gingerbread men are always well-received, it’s hard to supplant the stars of the show – Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and, of course, Santa Claus.
A VERY GOOFY CHRISTMAS
The Goofster, dressed in a Santa oufit, complete with a white beard, was a big hit during his daily jaunt down Main Street U.S.A.
The float he was riding on seemed to have no rhyme or reason to it – which pretty much fits Goofy’s personality.
There’s even a toy train engine attached to the front, giving the impression that it’s pulling the float along the street.
The caption affixed to the back of the photo reads: “When the weather outside is frightful, the Disney forecast is delightful.”
A SOLEMN, JOYOUS TRADITION
A holiday must-do for Disney guests, the Candlelight Processional features celebrity narrators who present the traditional Christmas story through scripture and traditional holiday readings.
Each narrator is joined by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir. It’s no wonder that this holiday tradition is almost always sold out.
Avery was best known for his role as Philip Banks on the hit TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
AN ORNAMENTAL ILLUSION
In this photo, Mickey appears to be placing a hook on top of Spaceship Earth, giving the impression that the giant dome is about the become the world’s largest Christmas tree ornament.
At the time, Spaceship Earth was the centerpiece of the 15-month Millennium Celebration at Walt Disney World.
For the occasion, the 180-foot-tall icon was crowned with a giant “2000” that was attached to a glittering wand.
As part of the Millennium festivities, a special “village” was erected between the England and Canada pavilions, where a wide assortment of nations gave guests glimpses into their traditions and customs.
JINGLE IN THE JUNGLE
Seen here in 2003 is a giant Christmas tree, which greeted guests near the entrance of the park.
The tree, photo left, was 65 feet tall and its decorations reflected the spirit of the park.
The photo, right, shows the intricate detail expressed on the giant fir, with a lion’s head and a hidden Mickey among the clever ornaments.
A year after these photos were taken, Animal Kingdom introduced Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade to further enhance the holiday’s good tidings.
IF WE COULD ONLY TURN BACK TIME …
The place: The Disney/MGM Studios.
The event: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights.
Most everyone knows the backstory of the beloved light display: How in 1986, an Arkansas businessman named Jennings Osborne decorated his house in Little Rock with Christmas lights for his young daughter … how the display grew larger and more complex each year, thrilling many area residents, but enraging others who had to cope with massive traffic jams … how a legal battle ensued, reaching all the way to the Supreme Court … how officials at Disney learned of the protracted case and offered to place Osborne’s display along Residential Street at what was then the Disney/MGM Studios.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights debuted at the Studios in 1995 and became an instant classic.
At the outset, the display featured more than 350 miles of bright, twinkling lights spread out over the faux building’s fronts. Holiday music blared from speakers to entertain guests, and, for an added touch of realism, flakes of “snow” fell from the skies above.
Even after the display was moved to New York Street, the popularity of the Osborne show grew, with more lights, more music and a choreographed sequence that made it appear that the lights were actually “dancing” to the holiday tunes. Many guests would enter the Studios just to see the light show.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, as it became known, ran until 2016, when additions to the park – most notably Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – forced Disney to make the unpopular decision to pull the plug.
Though it’s gone, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights are certainly not forgotten.
CHRISTMAS IS A YEAR-ROUND THING AT DISNEY
The area is located behind the Magic Kingdom, not too far from where the Walt Disney World Railroad and the monorails are housed after the park closes.
The Holiday Services building is a year-round operation. It’s the place where all of the holiday decorations – everything from trees to garland to wreaths to tinsel to lights to faux gumdrops – are stored during the spring and summer months.
Most items are boxed, labeled and stored on shelves for easy access.
It’s a massive undertaking, considering there are four theme parks, dozens of hotels, Disney Springs and five cruise ships that need to be transformed into a winter wonderland in a matter of days.
Small wonder that Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year at Walt Disney World.
Chuck Schmidt is an award-winning journalist who has covered all things Disney since 1984 in both print and on-line. He has authored or co-authored seven books on Disney, including his latest, The Beat Goes On, for Theme Park Press. He also has written a regular blog for AllEars.Net, called Still Goofy About Disney, since 2015.
I still have a few pair of the paper 3-D glasses they gave out for the Osborne Family light show. The glasses turn the lights into angels