Christmas Events at Disney World

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Christmas is one of my favorite times to go to Disney World, and with so many Christmas events, I am not alone. Disney brings in Christmas with more events that most can imagine, some well known, and some pretty secretive.

It looks like the hubs and my families' will be all going to Disney World next week to check out all the holiday events. We have not been to Disney since Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and I cannot wait to go! Hopefully, we will be able to take advantage of our time there and do everything on this list. The one that I am most excited about is the Very Merry Christmas Party since I have not been there for over 5-years and the hubs has never gone.

Side note: Check out the link attached to this picture. I was ridiculously amazed by the incredible Disney pictures seen here! All but two of these were taken by him, can you guess which ones were not?

1. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

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This is one of the most well known Christmas events at Disney World and the only one on this list that costs any money other than a theme park ticket. This Christmas party takes place during certain nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom. The night includes limited crowds since it is after park hours and require special tickets. It is also has it's own holiday parade, fireworks, castle display, Christmas show, free hot chocolate and cookies, snow on Main Street, and, of course, a holiday themed dance party.

If you are wanting to go to this, I would highly recommend getting tickets in advance, they can sell out quick and prices are higher at the door. Be prepared, tickets for this start at about $60 and the only reduction in price is for those with an annual pass to Disney World. This may not be a yearly option for most families, but it sure is fun every once in a while.

2. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights 

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This Christmas event was started almost 20 years ago in 1995. The Osborne family began this Christmas spectacle at their home in Arkansas. Now, it is a yearly tradition at Disney's Hollywood Studios complete with lights coordinated to music, snow, and a ton of hidden Mickey's. A fun game to play while there is to see who can spot the most hidden Mickey's in the lights. I won last year- woop woop!

3. Jingle Cruise

During the holidays the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland and Disney World is transformed to the Jingle Cruise filled with lots of holiday puns. This special ride will be departing from now until December 31st during the usual park hours and during Mickey's Very-Merry Christmas Party.

We were able to go on the Jingle Cruise while in Disneyland a few weeks ago. It was super fun and I cannot wait to compare the Disneyland version to the Disney World one!

4. Holidays Around the World

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One of my favorite parts of EPCOT is their Holidays Around the World. Each country in the World Showcase gives you a little taste of celebrations you can traditionally find there. Last year i was able to learn where my Grandmother's yearly tradition of hiding a green pickle ornament in the Christmas tree came from. Turns out, it is a Dutch tradition common among Dutch-American immigrants.

EPCOT's Holidays Around the World also has a candlelight processional, special holiday fireworks, Santa Claus in America, and R&B Christmas music four times a day until December 29th.

If you are into baked treats, be sure to check out the gingerbread treats for sale in The Land. Mrs. Claus is also baking up some sweets at her bake shop found in America at the World's Showcase.

5. Downtown Disney

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The parks are not the only way to Celebrate the holidays at Disney World, both Downtown Disney and the Disney World Resorts do their own Christmas events. A great, and free, option while visiting the parks is to check out Downtown Disney. There are some nice options for dinner and during Christmas it will have carolers, a picture area with Santa, dance parties, and some other great holiday themed entertainment from around the world.

6. Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade

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Do not think that the only park to not get in the holiday spirit is Animal Kingdom. During the months of November and December Animal Kingdom will be running a holiday parade with there usual themes including stilted puppets, animal costumes, live music, and holiday themed safari cars.

This event takes place daily at 3:45 PM in Africa and around Discovery Island.

7. The Disney Resorts

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One of my favorite parts about visiting Disney World around the holidays is being able to check out all of the holiday decor at the Disney Resorts. Guests not staying at the resorts are allowed and even encouraged to visit the Disney Resorts that are decked for the holidays. Although every resort does something festive, there are a couple of places that stand out beyond the rest.

Some of my favorites include The Grand Floridian where you can see and go into a life sized gingerbread house. This is not to be missed, especially since it is the 15th year of the gingerbread house being in The Grand Floridian. The Boardwalk hotel has yuletide snack stand and the Yacht and Beach Club displays an edible carousel. The Contemporary Resort also gets in on the action with a huge gingerbread Christmas tree- all of which will be going on through the holiday season.

DIY Wreaths

December has rolled in and so has my undeniable hankering for all things crafty. My hand is begging to hold a hot glue gun and all of my current Pinterest trollings include words like "DIY", "craft", and "Christmas". Let's get this month's worth of craft-a-paloozas started with the good ol' fashioned wreath.

About 50 million of my friends (yes, that many) are ridding the wreath DIY hype and continually posting the most incredible pictures of wreaths they have made. In my life I have made four wreaths; all of which are hanging in our home now. One of these had me sacrifice the tip of my finger in the making. It was a messy process, but I have learned. Note, aim scissors for things you want cut. It grew back and the mental scarring has healed. On to the wreath DIY's!!

Feather Wreath

If you live out in the forest or have a log cabin, please make this wreath. Something tells me this will look perfect at your house. One of the best things about this one is that the feathers can be any color your heart desires. Blue, you got it! Red, perfect! All white, it's like you are in my mind reading my thoughts. Yes, I do believe this wreath in white will be joining our Christmas decoration arsenal quite soon.

Sparkle Wreath

I love this wreath. It is simple, clean, and would look great in one of those modern homes that decorates for Christmas with pale tones and simple lines. This is also sure to alleviate that crafting bug for a bit without driving me to my wits end. The sparkles make it super fun, but if you are like my husband and hate glitter- apparently they are crazy bad for our skin and respiratory system, I am sure you can use glitter free leaves instead. Oooo, I am seeing some super trendy metallic leaves! Yes, yes, and yes.

The Pink One

Ok, yes. This description does say that the wreath is for spring, but really, I think it could be used all year long. In fact, I distinctly remember a certain Emily Henderson doing some Christmas wreaths very similar to these last year. If I was a single girl living in an adorably cliche cottage (think Kate Winslet in The Holiday), I would totally make this, hang it, then reward myself with some white wine. Aaah, dreamy.

Snowball Wreath

From spring colors to the dead of winter. This wreath is a bit reminiscent of those cotton ball crafts we did as children, but a touch more refined. I also completely love the bit of whimsy added with the single evergreen at the bottom. Yes, this wreath had me at the tree.

Nature Made

Sooo, this is not exactly "nature made", but it sure does look like it could be. This is gorgeous and huge and makes me smile with childish Christmas joy. I mean really, do you see how pretty it is?! Ahhh, the pretty-ness makes my eyes hurt! What this wreath lacks in ease and price, it makes up for in pretty.

The Simple One

If the idea of making an entire wreath or hanging something so extravagant in your home seems like crazy talk, then you may just love this wreath. 1) the shape is stellar 2) DIYing this is easier than tying shoes and 3) I am pretty sure that you could make this for free by stopping by the scrap pile at your local Christmas tree lot.

Rosemary Wreath

Don't you just love rosemary for decor? Me too! This little herb and olive branches are two of my personal favorites. A perk of the rosemary is that it will smell great and last the whole season long. I am also super thankful to The Pretty Blog for introducing me to the cutest Christmas tradition EVER.

Five Ways to Spend Christmas Money

Our little 6 month old 9 lb kitten. He has lion as his end goal ;)

Christmas is just around the corner and, although, it does not look a lot like Christmas here in sunny Florida, it sure does feel like it! Soon, family will be arriving and the festivities will be in full swing. But, what about after the holidays when the family is gone, the gifts are put away, and you have a wad of gift money burning a hole in your pocket? Spending that can be a big decision (I usually hold on to mine for like a month not knowing what to do- then get pillows or something ridiculous like that). To help with the "I have all this money but what do I want to do with it" dilemma, we have the list of five great, and somewhat unexpected, ways to spend holiday cash. 

Internet Finds

While perusing the internet for some great gifts for everyone else on your list, you may have run into something you had no idea you needed, but must have now. Unfortunately, the gift lists have gone out and there is no way you will be getting it this Yuletide season. Buy it! Whether it is something you saw on a blog or a shopping site like outblush or thefancy, there is bound to be something that caught your eye. Good for you for taking the high road and not buying it then. Now, you can buy it and feel uber pleased that you did not splurge! Personally, I have my eye on that ridiculously awesome, extra cushy yoga mat.

Donate It

$25 or $100 or how ever much you get over Christmas may not make that big of a difference to you, but it could be the world to a starving child or homeless kitty. Donating your extra goods to places like World Vision, Free Wheelchair Mission, or The Humane Society would keep those warm fuzzies going well past Christmas, and spread the love by helping another in need!

Get Away

For a great post-Christmas cool off time, pool your money with friends or that special someone and get away. Even if it is only for one night 45 minutes away from town, you are away. This could be a great time to catch up with friends you did not get to see over the holidays, or, spend some time alone with your favorite person!

Save It

No, this is not the most fun holiday spending idea, but it is still a good one. Saving or investing a few hundred dollars right before the new year could be great! It is a nice little cushion to fall back on for those unexpected needs, or, it could make a little extra back as an investment. Think of it more as waiting and being able to buy two pairs of shoes than spending now and only buying one!

Rejuvinate

The holidays can be a bit hectic with all the coming and going and family and you get the idea. Have a little post-holiday pamper time and forget all that stress! There are quite a few spas around that I have always wanted to go to but have not been able to rationalize the spending. If you can relate, a little holiday splurge on some R+R could be right up your ally. Go ahead, enjoy that mud mask guilt free, you deserve it!

Oh, Christmas Tree(s)

This last weekend we went to a holiday party extravaganza. The woman who puts this party on is one of the funniest people I know and is completely enthralled by Christmas and the decor. How enthralled, you say. She had over 300 Christmas trees inside her house! If you need any help getting in the holiday spirit or an ideas for your Christmas tree, take some from these incredible trees.

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The outside up-side-down tree.

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The swan on the top of this tree was cut to look identical to the two others next to it. Usually, those two re the legs for the dining room table. You may have already picked this up, but the tree toppers are are the pride and joy of these trees :)

I just love the colors of this all white tree... It is not too easy to see, but there are icicles hanging from the ceiling as well.

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This little tree has one of the neatest themes yet. The tree sits on the master bath vanity and is decorated with rings. These rings have a pretty incredible story since she made them by hand to sell  when her children were young and she was a single parent.

Happy Holidays!!!