Visiting Walt Disney World During Holidays

The holiday season - Thanksgiving through New Years - is a flurry of activity in most homes. Visits to family, shopping sprees, an audience with Santa Claus, marathon baking sessions and miles of tape and wrapping paper head the list of activities that keep us busy. Oftentimes we dream of a tropical vacation to get us away from the stress and obligations of the holiday circus, but that getaway usually waits for mid winter when the cold temperatures and snow drive us south. But what getting away from it all during the holidays? How about trading in the Thanksgiving Detroit game for a lounge around the pool? Or the early December work party for a celebrity narrated Christmas concert? Or passing on the cookie exchange in lieu of a traditional holiday feast, complete with Mickey Mouse? If these ideas appeal, a holiday vacation at Walt Disney World may just be right for you. So let's take a look at those events that Disney offers during this magical season, and contrast the pros and cons to choosing Disney as your holiday destination!

What's Happening? There is no lack of special events at this time of the year in Central Florida. Beginning with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom park right after Thanksgiving, the season starts off with a fireworks bang! This hard ticketed event features special programs with music and characters, a magical version of the Walt Disney World Christmas parade, and a spirit of the season version of Wishes fireworks spectacular. Guest can enjoy the rides and attractions always featured at the Magic Kingdom, and pick up hot cocoa and sugar cookies at various locations around the park. Not to be outdone, Epcot also offers some holiday magic of its own. The three times nightly Candlelight Processional combines a celebrity narrator reading the story of Jesus's birth with a huge majestic choir singing traditional and beautiful Christmas music. The choir is a combination of a group of Disney World cast members, a different choir each performance from schools across the United States, and Epcot's Voices of Liberty, an accapella singing group usually found in the American Pavillion in Epcot's World Showcase. Epcot's World Showcase is also home to Holidays Around the World where different cultural icons set up shop and tell stories about their country's holiday customs to guests. Disney's Hollywood Studios features a Spectacle of Lights, covering the Streets of America with millions of twinkling and running Christmas lights. The theme parks and resort hotels are dressed to the nines in holiday finery, and a trip to visit will net you some visions of huge gingerbread creations, elaborate theming, and holiday cheer.

The Pros. This time of year is pure Disney Magic. From a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in one of the many restaurants, to the twinkling lights guest put up in their own hotel room windows, the spirit of the holiday season surrounds you. Crowds are a split pro and con during this time. They are heavy during Thanksgiving week, the week before Christmas, Christmas week, and New Year's, but the two and a half weeks following Thanksgiving are a golden period of low crowds and value prices. The weather can dip into the cool range, but the daily heat and humidity are low and comfortable. All the wonderful offerings Disney had year round are available to guests, and adding the holiday happenings on top make this a jam packed activity time to visit, regardless of the shortened park hours. Those hours are not shortened during those busy weeks mentioned, and multiple productions of parades, shows and attractions are part of this extended period. But the best pro of all? Disney does the holidays like no where else and coming down at this time opens up everything they have to offer into your vacation plans.

The Cons. Crowds during the actual holidays can be crazy. Getting up early and planning a mid day break can help alleviate these crowded conditions, but make sure to bring your patience with you if you want to head to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day. Being away from home on the holidays themselves can also be a con. Many people thrive on the large family get togethers and taking your kids to Disney may pull you away from some of your traditions. Vacation may also be hard to come by at this time of the year. Weather is not always consistent at home, so watch for those winter weather advisories. And what if your family doesn't celebrate Christmas? There is no escaping the holidays anywhere at Disney during this period. If you don't celebrate the season, this could be a huge con for you and your family.

Making the decision to leave the traditions of home to go to Disney during the holidays may be a tough one, but if you choose to go there is a plethora of both Disney and Holiday magic waiting for you. Do some research so you don't miss anything and then sit back and enjoy the magic!