Greenery + Glitter = Grand Disney (Christmas) Decor

WDW Christmas = 1,200 Christmas trees, 5.2 miles of garland, 130 truckloads of decorations.

The spirit of Christmas is alive here – dwelling in not only tangible bangles and baubles, but in the tingling souls of guests who seek to fill their cups with something other than eggnog. Disney World hires a special 25 member, year round task force designated to add spice and sugar plums to a venue which already houses fairies and magic – no easy undertaking! Most fellow Disney-obsessionaires know the enchanted transformation from Halloween to Christmas takes place under cover of darkness and in secret corridors.  Once revealed, the splendor is captured in pictures, video, and in the eyes of millions who travel to WDW to absorb the greatest of Christmas experiences. Although we have been fortunate enough to visit once during this holiday spectacular, I don’t think my hallow leg reserved for all things mouse could ever be filled. In this attempt to meet a psychological/physiological need, the Disney Vacation Club was our only viable option.

Old Key West - our home resort - born in 1991 - 1st DVC Resort - largest rooms of any DVC resort

Well after midnight on December 17th, we were whisked away in a luxurious golf cart from the Hospitality House to our studio home for the week. Although it was dark and our eyes were almost sealed shut from dried out contacts, this was our formal introduction to Disney Christmas – Welcome Home!  Every land, resort, and park has a “theme” that is represented through specific decorations and embellishments. Old Key West’s tropical, nautical genre mixes flawlessly with pine, shimmer, and spice creating a unique experience for OKW guests. This attention to detail is what inspires my creativity; it’s okay to expect the impossible, to crave the exceptional, and never accept just good enough.  Walt Disney’s four C’s: Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy are carried out by all cast members, Imagineers, and followers of the mouse-way. 

Christmas decorations at WDW allow you to live  in a movie, you know, where there are snowflakes falling in slow motion, the perfect song is playing strategically in the background, and the extras are smiling and seemingly wanting you to succeed in having the moment of your life. It is hard to describe just how glitter, garland, and giant trees can satisfy a former childhood fantasy of mystery and magic. Disney has a way of spinning happiness into reality. Clouds of amazement and wonder are perfectly tucked away to tease out the overall effect of fantastical enchantment  that defines Christmas at Disney World.

Lights illuminate, trees triumph, smiles sparkle, and dreams dominate even while running around fumbling with FastPasses… This is part of the beautiful happiness occurring 365 days a year in central Florida.  The good life begins when real life ends in Disney World – this motto thrives and defines Disney Christmas. How can a person think about the daily grind when over 8 million LED lights are twinkling like Tinkerbell in Pixie Hollow?  This phenomenon is what creates symptoms of withdrawal after departure. What could be worse than seeing the Magical Express upon check-out day? Pretty much nothing. It is in stark contrast with the arrival emotions connected to the Magical Express transportation system ready to whisk you away to your Disney Destination. Star-studded seat cushions mark the beginning of a sparkling Christmas to remember.  This is where you can sit back and let the magic of Disney take over the happiness receptors in your brain.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even THE mouse.

Christmas is here – the season of family, memories, magic, and new beginnings all sponsored by Disney Magical Christmas Destination Group (Mickey and the gang).  If you are lucky enough to be traveling to the most magical place on Earth around the holidays, take time to notice the details that were painstakingly made with love and dedication to mouse-onomics. Here, glitter, gold, and goodness are complimented with priceless time spent with family. Take memories, family, mouse ears, sparkle, and wonder, add a little splash of dreams and a dash of decorations and you have a perfect cocktail of a Christmas never to be forgotten. This is gonna be a good life…