Holiday Magic at Walt Disney World
Celebrate the Holidays with a Little Magic
In September Walt Disney World parks and resorts had been operating at a low capacity rate. As of my return, the capacity levels had increased by approximately fifteen percent. This increase of guests traveling for the holidays did lead to longer wait times for the park attractions, and caused both the theme parks and Disney Springs to reach their capacity for the day with increased regularity. If you are hoping to visit the Walt Disney World properties in the new year be prepared to experience long wait time and make your reservations well in advance!
As an annual passholder to the Florida based Disney theme parks, I have had a chance to experience the majority of the park attractions over my many trips. With my travel companions also being experienced guests, we chose to spend our time enjoying the less explored areas of the parks. This holiday season we chose to focus on our photography; and captured some fun images and videos for our fans to enjoy! Pictured above is a sneak peek into our adventures at Animal Kingdom! For my photographer fans out there be sure to visit the different walking paths around this wild park! My favorite is the "Maharajah Jungle Trek" located just beyond the entrance to Kali River Rapids. This nature walk features many animal friends such as bats, birds, deer, and tigers! The Indian inspired ruins of this trek were some of my favorite to capture!
This year was my first time experience the magic of the holidays Disney style! I loved all the Christmas Trees and themed decorations that covered the parks and Disney Springs! My favorite experience was the wild elegance found on Discovery Island in Animal Kingdom! The magic began at the park's front entrance with a large Christmas tree covered in drums, wooden flutes, stars, moons, snowflakes, colorful Mickey shaped lollipops, and lion masks! My favorite part was seeing fun character friends from the Hundred Acer Woods around the tree's base. Making our way to the check in posts the traditional holiday music brought a sense of comfort and excitement with woodwind instruments and African drums. As I turned the final corner off of the Oasis and across the bridge to Discovery Island, I immediately fell in love! I had never seen holiday decorations that felt so at home; They truly enhanced the shops with owls, foxes, squirrels, and deer watching over everyone from the rooftop's eves; the garlands creating a cheerful nest for them to safely relax in. As much as I enjoyed this surprise during the daylight, it was simply perfect at night when the whole scene came to life with twinkle lights; The Tree of Life the "star on the tree" of the whole experience!
Other fun holiday activities included special Christmas cavalcades featuring Mickey and friends, Disney Princesses, and Santa and his reindeer! Each park has their own twist on these impromptu short parades filled with cheer! At Disney Springs and Animal Kingdom special friends could be found on the water ways waving and greeting nearby guests from pontoon boats. In the Magic Kingdom, friends could be found on parade floats, in charming cars, and dancing along the original "Festival of Fantasy" parade route, coming from Splash Mountain down through Main Street! In Epcot, Disney Princesses will venture around the world showcase in hose drawn carriages, while Mickey and friends may be found strolling down the paths or waving from cars. Santa Claus also made many appearances around the theme parks and Disney Springs for children to wave at from a distance. It is important to know that there are no posted time frames for these surprise character appearances, and no roped off sections of the parks; If you are traveling with children always be cautious of your surroundings to avoid any injuries that could occur out of excitement.
Disney Springs hosted a FREE Christmas Tree Stroll! I chose to participate in this festive adventure during my planned shopping trip. My travel companions and I picked up our maps from the Welcome Center located in the middle of "Town Center" just behind the largest Christmas tree. Cast Members will greet guests outside of the building to help get you started and answer any questions you may have. The map comes complete with themed stickers to paste on to blank circles across the surface. These circles represent a specific tree which you will identify by placing the corresponding sticker on to the blank space. Once the map is complete with your findings, bring it to a redemption station, identified on the map, for a prize! Our group redeemed our map at the Disney Photopass Studio in the "Marketplace". While we were there we had a fun opportunity to take some pictures with the Photopass team using a green screen! This creative idea allows guests to still get their picture with Santa Claus as you tell him what you would enjoy receiving for Christmas! Looking for some special deals on your holiday shopping? Flip your tree map over and see all the stores offering a limited time savings on their products and services!
For those Sweettooths out there, each park features specialty holiday snacks and beverages! My personal favorites came from Amorette's Patisserie and the Ganachery in Disney Springs. As I was planning a special surprise Holiday Party with my local friends, I made sure to grab some tasty sweets for our evening of cheer! The most exciting sweet was the Olaf Hot Chocolate Bomb! This rich chocolate beverage item is a fan favorite at the Disney property! If you are looking to get yourself or loved one one of these this festive season, be prepared to wake up early and line up well before the shop opens! My travel party and I were informed by the Ganachery team that there are only 70 of these chocolate Olafs made for the day and they usually sell out within the first half an hour of opening! Taking this advice, my friend and I returned the following morning. We arrived at the Springs by 9:00 am and were one of the first groups to enter the store when it opened shortly before 10:00 am. After purchasing a couple Olafs for our party that evening, we took a short stroll around the block. When we found ourselves at the front entrance to the Ganachery again, less than twenty minutes later, the line had nearly spread to the bridge connecting you to the "West Side" of Disney Springs!
I had such an amazing time with my friends as we explored the Walt Disney World properties this holiday season! Traveling may be a little different from the past; but when you follow the new health and safety guidelines, you'll find that there is still magic all around you! I can't wait to visit the parks again in the new year!
Wishing Everyone a safe and healthy Holiday Season filled with Cheer!
~ Travel Princess Ashley ~
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