Walt Disney World Vacations
One of the most spectacular Christmas gifts you could give your family is a vacation to Walt Disney World. Loved by children of all ages, this magical place brings families together in a way that creates memories for a lifetime. What better time to bring out that special sparkle in your children’s eyes than during the holidays?
Now that the 2008 holiday season is officially underway, each of the Walt Disney World theme parks has kicked off an impressive celebration that will delight each and every member of your family in true Disney style. You don’t want to miss a thing, so get out your calendar and create an action plan before you go!
The Magic Kingdom, the original and most beloved of the Disney parks, is hosting Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Throughout the year, the majesty of Cinderella Castle is a stunning sight at night, but during this celebration the 200,000 lights that transform this Disney World icon into a shimmering ice castle will dazzle you. The usual fireworks over the castle are enhanced by festive music, bringing tidings of great joy to all.
Of course, the holiday parades, shows and characters are part of the Magic Kingdom party. There are even complimentary snowflakes, cookies, and hot chocolate for guests!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place from 7:00 pm to midnight, on select nights only during November and December. 2008 dates include November 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21 and 30 and December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19.
From November 28, 2008 through January 4, 2009, Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World presents The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This is a late-night extravaganza like nothing you’ve seen before. Disney’s Main Street America comes to life as its buildings, adorned with millions of holiday lights, seem to dance to holiday classics. The sheer beauty of the lights is impossible to describe and the timing of the music is mesmerizing! The show starts at dusk and repeats every 10 minutes.
Your vacation won’t be complete without experiencing the Holidays Around the World event at Epcot. This is a nightly event running from November 28, 2008 through December 30, 2008. Prepare to be amazed by the Candlelight Processional, an exciting reading of the Christmas Story with an incredible orchestra and angelic choir. You can watch this inspirational narrative every night at 5:00, 6:45, and 8:15.
While you’re at Epcot, you’ll want to enjoy the season with an international twist. Throughout the season, Christmas storytellers will feature heartwarming stories from around the world.
Be sure to stick around to see Epcot’s Illuminations Reflections on Earth. This incredible fireworks show, complete with lights, lasers and water fountains, is set in a festive theme. The final Christmas message is delivered through the grand finale featuring the song Let There Be Peace On Earth, followed by a heartwarming Christmas message from Walter Cronkite.
From November 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009, the Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World becomes a vacation playground. Festive music, holiday decorations and Disney characters decked out in seasonal attire will fascinate and delight all who visit. Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade is a must see.
To make the most of your time and money, be sure to research the various Walt Disney World ticket options available.
If you are visiting the parks for 4 days or more, you will most likely benefit from purchasing Magic Your Way tickets. These are basic tickets that can be customized to add options like water park admission, no expiration date, and skip the park.
My advice is to carefully consider the cost of these options and weigh their value realistically.
While water parks offer an incredible experience, this option can add significantly to your overall cost. You will need to keep a few things in mind, such as the possibility that it may not be hot enough during this season to spend a day at a water park, and that each of the 4 theme parks can easily fill more than 1 day.
If you plan your vacation well, you should be able to determine the total number of days you’ll want to spend in the parks. This will alleviate the need and additional cost of the no-expiry option.
As for the Park Hopper option, my advice is to skip that too, unless you only have a couple of days to spend and want to see all the parks. The base ticket will allow you to visit any 1 of the 4 theme parks each day, and you can easily fill a full day at any one of them. In my opinion, jumping from one park to another is an unnecessary and time-consuming option.
With everything Walt Disney World has to offer, your family will have the adventure of a lifetime. I wish you and yours happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous new year!