Credit: Disney Parks BlogThe Disney Parks Blog continues to churn out holiday trip hope for us, as many are planning vacations to the Most Magical Place on Earth this holiday season. The PlanDisney crew, formerly known as the Disney Parks Moms Panel, has some advice for you as you pack your bags and trim your tree.
Walt Disney World Holiday Trip Tips
If you’re not familiar with PlanDisney or the Disney Parks Moms Panel, it’s a free Guest service offered by Disney! Guests can log onto the forum and submit their planning questions, receiving a personalized answer from a panelist in just a few days. There is also a wide array of other questions and answers submitted by other guests that you can peruse to find more answers about your upcoming trips. With about 30 panelists serving each year, there’s a wealth of information covering Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, runDisney and more!
This holiday, pack some presents in your suitcase. Panelist Andrea recommends including a tiny tree and battery-powered lights in your bag to add some festivity to your Disney Resort Hotel room. Crepe paper takes up almost no room, and it’s very light! Recycle when you’re done and replace that suitcase space with holiday souvenirs! This room window at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is festive and merry with lights, garland, and a mini tree.
When you make it to the Parks, be sure to “don we now our gay apparel” with some holiday-themed Disney shirts, Minnie ears, or Santa Mickey hats! Plenty of friends and families dive in with matching shirts, accessories or even Christmas-themed pajamas!
Panelist Jessica recommends planning your theme park day around the special festive events.
“Magic Kingdom Park is my favorite place to kick-off the festive season, and I like to start my day in Adventureland with a ride on the world-famous Jungle Cruise, which becomes the “Jingle” Cruise during the holidays. After marveling at The Back Side of Water, it’s time for An Orange Bird Christmas from Sunshine Tree Terrace, my favorite exclusive treat that celebrates the sweet citrus flavors of the holiday season.”
Guests will find Christmas cavalcades — mini-parades of one or two floats with Disney characters and holiday music — throughout all the Parks. Some of them even carry a jolly Santa Claus through the streets! You might see the classic Disney reindeer, iconic toy tin soldiers or Mickey and Minnie dressed in holiday gear.
Hungry? You can also find special holiday eats in various places, like the Orange Bird Christmas Mousse or the Let It Snow Chocolate Taco at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café.
planDisney panelist Sarah has a rumbly in her tumbly for the special food items available during the Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Enjoy the lights while snacking on the Holiday Cookie Stroll. A “planDisney Tip: Once you sample five different holiday cookies, and get your Festival Passport stamped at each location, you will be rewarded with an adorable Peppermint Minnie Cookie for finishing the challenge! It’s a great wallet-friendly activity that keeps the whole family entertained while we stroll the festival booths.”
For a non-park afternoon, try writing a Disney Springs shopping trip into your itinerary. Not only will you find stores, restaurants, and entertainment, there’s also the ever-growing Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail for festive fun. Grab the map and find trees all over the shopping district for 2020. Disney Springs’ Jock Lindsey’s HOLIDAY Hangar Bar will also have seasonal drinks on order and the decor is a must-see!
If you want more holiday planning tips, be sure to stop by the planDisney panel. They can handle anything! What holiday trip planning questions will you ask? Leave us a comment below!
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