It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
We were staying at one of my favorite resorts now, the Contemporary, so even though we were there to enjoy some Food & Wine at Epcot, we had to walk over to the Magic Kingdom on Saturday morning. As soon as we walked down Mainstreet USA you couldn’t help but notice all the decorations already up. As we got to the hub, Leslie pointed out the music, she always notices and appreciates the Disney music, and yes they were playing Christmas music in the Magic Kingdom!
So now I have to say if you read my blog post last week, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year” I was talking about the Food and Wine Festival, and I said that it was one of my favorite times of year. But now I really have to tell you that Christmas at Disney is really my favorite time of year! Okay, so I wish it wasn’t in December, I hate cold weather and love summer time, but I really am a nut for Christmas! I’m talking Clark Griswald, have the most brightly decorated house in the neighborhood, can we please open the presents now, nut for Christmas! So combine my favorite holiday with my favorite place, Walt Disney World and I’m in heaven. I just love seeing Disney transform into a Christmas wonderland! From the theme parks to the resort hotels, to all the special events and activities, there’s just nothing like it!
Let’s start with the Magic Kingdom. The Christmas tree is 26 feet wide and 65 feet tall and takes a 70 Ton Crane to erect! Here’s some fast facts from our friend Tony at Disney by the Numbers…
• 3,000 wreaths are hung throughout the WDW property
• 15 miles of garland are to decorate at WDW during Christmas season.
• 1,500 Christmas trees are used all around the WDW property for decorating.
• 300,000 yards of ribbon and bows are draped over the WDW Christmas trees across property
• 8.5 million lights strung throughout Walt Disney World Resort
• 150 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations for 24 resorts, 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney and other locations
• 100,000 poinsettias are used to decorate all of WDW landscape
• 8-foot towers of poinsettias, which resemble big red Christmas trees, have been a traditional favorite of guests
• 170 poinsettias are used to create each big red Christmas tree
Then there’s the resorts, each resort has it’s own theme and flavor for the holidays. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a Christmas tree with Elk horns and teepee decorations, the Yacht and Beach Club has a nautical theme and the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has a life size Gingerbread house adorning the lobby are complete with gift shop inside!
So now you know a little bit about the holiday festivities at Disney, to learn much more be sure to visit us here at Travel with Rick in December to see what we’re bringing you for the holidays, you won’t want to miss it!
Rick, I’m a nut for Christmas too! I’ll be at the Contemporary on the 11th of December! Can’t wait. I can just hear the music and feel that Holiday feel that Disney can only do. Thanks for the excitment!
Mary Callahan
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
November 11th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Hey Mary! Thanks for leaving your comment! We’ll be coming in on Dec 12th, we’re looking forward to seeing more of the Disney Holiday Magic too, hope to see you while we’re there!
~Rick
[Reply]
Hi Rick,
I love Disney at Christmas too. I hope this year there won’t be a freeze
like there was last year when we were there. It was so cold and I’m from PA so I wasn’t expecting this kind of cold in FL.It was an unusual so hopefully
everyone who visits this Dec. will have better weather to enjoy all of the
decorations and attractions. We went to Mickey’s Christmas Party and after the parade we left because it just was too cold to go other attractions.
I know I’ll never get my husband to go again in Dec.
Rick, I won’t be there this year but I hope you will do a blog and show your
fans the Christmas Memories Show that is shown at the castle. I read about it on the Disney Parks blog and it sounds wonderful.
If you are going to DW in Dec enjoy…it’s so beautiful. Don’t miss the GF and the WL because the decorations are awesome!
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
November 11th, 2011 at 8:59 am
Hi Cathy!
I remember how cold it was last year! I’m from Florida, and I was freezing while we were working on our stuff for the 12 Days of Christmas series we did!
We’ll look for the show at the castle, and of course we’ll video it! And I can’t wait to see the Wilderness Lodge and the Grand, two of my favorites, and we’ve got some surprises planned for there too! Be sure to check back December 1st and see what we’re up to this year!
~Rick
[Reply]
Hey Rick.
Ok, I admit it, I LOVE Christmas to. I think Main Street looks great. The castle lighting ceremony is awsome and very magical. Do you think you could film it and share this year. I hate the cold, too. Living in Central Pennsylvania, I am cold from October to May. Just like your house, our house is nuts too during the Christmas season, and I am eager still on what I got for Christmas. I’d love to see the Magic Kingdom’s Christams decorations in person. Maybe someday.
[Reply]
Hey Nicklas,
Thanks for leaving your comments! We definitely have plans to include the castle lighting ceremony in this years Travel with Rick holiday stuff. Hope you can get to the Magic Kingdom during the holidays, it’s a great time to be there!
Be sure to check back here on December 1st to see what we’ve got planned for the holidays this year!
~Rick
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