One of the most spectacular Christmas gifts you can give your family is a vacation to Walt Disney World. This magical place, adored by children of all ages, brings families together in a way that creates memories for a lifetime. What better time to highlight that special sparkle in your children’s eyes than during the holidays?
Now that the 2008 holiday season is officially underway, each of the Walt Disney World theme parks has begun an impressive celebration that will delight each and every member of your family in true Disney style. You don’t want to miss a thing, so get out your calendar and create an action plan before you travel!
The Magic Kingdom, the original and most beloved of Disney parks, will host Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. All year round, the majesty of Cinderella Castle is a breathtaking sight at night, but during this celebration the 200,000 lights that transform this Disney World icon into a glistening ice castle will dazzle you. The usual fireworks over the castle are enhanced with Christmas music, bringing news of great joy to all.
Of course, the Christmas parades, shows and characters are part of the Magic Kingdom party. There are even complimentary snowflakes, cookies, and hot cocoa for guests!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs from 7:00 pm to midnight, on select nights during November and December only. The 2008 dates include November 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21, and 30, and December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19.
From November 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009, Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World presents The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This is a nightly extravaganza like nothing you’ve ever seen. Disney’s Main Street America comes to life as its buildings, adorned with millions of Christmas lights, seem to dance to the rhythm of Christmas classics. The sheer beauty of the lights is impossible to describe and the timing of the music is mesmerizing! The show begins at dusk and repeats every 10 minutes.
Your vacation won’t be complete without experiencing the Holidays Around the World event at Epcot. This is an evening event running from November 28, 2008 to December 30, 2008. Prepare to be wowed by the Candlelight Procession, an exhilarating reading of the Christmas story with an incredible orchestra and an angelic choir. You can watch this inspiring narration every night at 5:00 AM, 6:45 AM and 8:15 AM.
While you’re at Epcot, you’ll want to enjoy the season with an international flair. Christmas storytellers will perform throughout the season, offering heartwarming stories from around the world.
Be sure to stick around for Epcot’s light reflections on the ground. This incredible fireworks display, complete with lights, lasers, and water fountains, is set in a Christmas theme. The final Christmas message is delivered through the grand finale featuring the song Let There Be Peace On Earth, followed by a moving Christmas message from Walter Cronkite.
From November 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009, Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World becomes a playground for the holidays. Festive music, Christmas decorations and Disney characters dressed in seasonal costumes will fascinate and delight all who visit. Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade is a must see!
To get the most of your time and money, be sure to research the various Walt Disney World ticket options available.
If you will be visiting the parks for 4 days or more, you will most likely benefit by purchasing Magic Your Way tickets. These are base tickets that can be customized to add options like water park admission, no expiration date, and the park hopper.
My advice is to carefully consider the cost of these options and realistically weigh their value.
While water parks offer an incredible experience, this option can significantly increase your total cost. You will need to be aware of a few things, such as the possibility that it is not hot enough this season to spend a day at a water park, and that each of the 4 theme parks can easily fill more than 1 day.
By planning your vacation well, you should be able to determine the total number of days you want to spend in the parks. This will alleviate the need and additional cost of the no expiration option.
As for the park hopper option, my advice is to stream it as well, unless you only have a couple of days to spend and want to see all the parks. The base ticket will allow you to visit 1 of the 4 theme parks each day, and you will easily complete a full day at any of them. In my opinion, jumping from one park to another is an unnecessary and time-consuming option.
With all that Walt Disney World has to offer, your family will have the adventure of a lifetime. I wish you and yours happy holidays and a happy new year!
