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Celebrate the Season in Special Ways at Resort Hotels Across Walt Disney World

Jeremy Schoolfield

by , Walt Disney Imagineering Communications Manager

It’s the most wonderful time of year to visit Walt Disney World Resort, as the holiday season is in full swing across our Resort hotels. Whether you’re staying with us on vacation or just stopping by for the day, these fantastic locales are merry and bright with yuletide décor that enhances the stories they tell. 

From iconic Christmas trees to festive flourishes of garland adorning the front entrances and more, our resorts have decked their halls in celebration of the season for a fun holiday atmosphere. For instance, you can’t miss the massive and magnificent tree outside Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Or you can gaze in wonder at the tree stretching into the upper reaches of the soaring lobby at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Traditional tunes and holiday melodies fill the air in the classic setting of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, as a talented pianist performs live music most afternoons and evenings in the lobby. And while you’re visiting one of these magical places, you may just spot a favorite Disney pal taking in the sights, as well.

The tinsel and trimmings make our resorts a wonderful way to check some names off your holiday shopping list, too. You’ll find great gift ideas for family and friends, especially anyone looking for an ornament from their favorite home away from home at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Resort gift shops offer exclusive pieces you can only find here! 

When it’s time to take a break from your merry-making, treat your taste buds with jolly specialties across our resorts. Holiday flavors of eggnog, peppermint, pumpkin, chocolate and more dance across the dessert menus at all our resorts throughout the season. May I suggest any of the following tasty morsels: 

Holiday Cake Pop from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The triple-chocolate Happy Holidays Grand Cake Pop from Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Christmas Candy Drop from Disney's Riviera Resort

A Christmas Candy Drop from Le Petit Café at Disney’s Riviera Resort, filled with milk chocolate mousse, chocolate sponge, hazelnut custard and cherry reduction. 

Plant Based Macarons

Plant-based macarons available at The Artist’s Palette inside Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. 

Cookie Tree and Carousel from the Beach Club Marketplace

Cookie Trees featuring stacks of vanilla cookies decorated with royal icing, mini-pearls and snow sugar, along with a delightful miniature Gingerbread Carousel with hidden Mickeys and a sugar replica of this year’s gingerbread pin from Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort. 

And speaking of sweets, our pastry chefs cooked up some holiday cheer this year for gingerbread fans with a lineup of delicious cookies, kits and more. Highlights include a classic Gingerbread Mickey available at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort’s BoardWalk Bakery and the Contemporary Gingerbread House Kit from the Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

You’ll find all sorts of other special gingerbread items available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. If you aren’t staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, a dining reservation may be required to park at the resort. Depending on the location’s capacity, guests without reservations may be redirected to park nearby and walk, or take Walt Disney World Transportation to the resort. 

To learn more about the celebrations happening all season long across Walt Disney World, check out our festive roundup here. And be sure to follow along with us here on the Disney Parks Blog as we bring you even more #DisneyMagicMoments from this holiday season!