I had originally written this for my sister, but I thought it would be fun to share with all of you. Walt Disney World was always one of my favorite places to visit during the Holidays while I was younger, but as I get older I realize just how expensive visiting the parks can be. But, the nice thing about Disney is you can still experience some of that same holiday magic without dropping $100+ on park tickets (each).
Here are my suggestions on how to enjoy a free day at Disney without ever having to visit the park. 🙂
If you are not staying on Disney property or are a local I would suggest parking your car at Downtown Disney. Parking is free and you can hop on a bus from there anywhere you want to go.
[Tip avoid the Westside Marketplace parking lot at Downtown Disney. It’s crowded and the lots are usually full. I would suggest driving to the other end and parking near the AMC theater. There are always spots and the buses are right there.]
From Downtown Disney I would hop on a bus that takes you to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn where you will find a gingerbread version of Santa’s Workshop.
(source)
(source)
From there take the walking path to Disney’s Beach Club Resort and visit the resort’s signature gingerbread carousel.
(source)
Next door at Disney’s Yacht Club is the famous gingerbread train display.
(source)
Hop across the water via the connecting bridge to Disney’s Swan & Dolphin Resort. This year the Swan & Dolphin has introduced a scene with Santa Clause made completely of chocolate!
(source)
The Swan & Dolphin has decorating demonstrations and various other events offered for free during December. I would check out this post at the Disney Food Blog for details.
From the Swan & Dolphin I would either take the free ferry or walk the mile path to the entrance of Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios is the only one of the 4 Walt Disney World Parks to display their annual Christmas tree outside of the park entrance.
From Hollywood Studios you can hop on a bus that will take you to the Ticket and Transportation Center. From there take the resort monorail to the first (or second?) stop at the Grand Floridian.
My favorite: the Life Size Gingerbread House.
Purchase a chocolate covered shingle and thank me later.
The Grand Floridian offers FREE decorating demonstrations Monday – Saturday at 1:00pm until January.
There’s also the gorgeous tree in the hotel where you can snap a few holiday photos.
After enjoying the house I would hop back on the monorail and go two stop to The Contemporary and track down the Gingerbread Christmas Tree.
From there you can head over to the Wildnerness Lodge or the Animal Kingdom to check out their beautiful rustic Christmas Trees or head back to Downtown Disney and enjoy the nightly Holiday [free] activities.
(source)
More information on Downtown Disney’s Festival of the Seasons can be found here.
As you can see, there is a TON to see and do [for FREE] at Walt Disney World! If you are a local I highly suggest checking it out or if you have a free day while you are here during the Holidays this is a great way to save some money on your vacation.
I would suggest packing a lunch or dinner to cut down even more on $$, but if you are looking to dine at Walt Disney World I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. For ideas of where to dine at Disney during the Holidays check out this post. There’s also lots of great information at the Disney Food Blog and the Disney Parks Blog (I’m obsessed with both!)
And if you do feel like enjoying the park – take advantage of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
It’s enough Holiday magic to bring out the kid in anybody. 🙂
I want to go to Disney so badly again. It really is the happiest place on earth. I plan on taking my daughter in the summer of 2012 because she will be old enough to really like it then.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..An Italian Feast
This sound like so much fun!! I’d definitely be right into those decorating demonstrations. You’re lucky you live so close to so many fun Christmas events. Have a fantastic day Meghann!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat recently posted..The Crack Cookies
Being at Disney around Christmas time looks and sounds like so much fun, but yet I’ve never done it. The life size Gingerbread house looks so cool.
Brittany (Eating Bird Food) recently posted..Eating more than Cookies
Thanks for posting this!!
I’m definately checking out those Disney Blogs for info for while I’m there!
And I’m still crossing my fingers for warmer weather!!
These are awesome ideas! Just a forewarning though – technically bus service is only “free” to Disney ticket holders and guests of the resort. In busy times they might ask to see a room key or ticket. Just a warning so people aren’t surprised!
This is true. But, in the 25 years I’ve been going to WDW, I’ve never had a bus driver ask for my ticket or room key.
So glad you posted this! My husband and I are going to be “alone” for Christmas this year & we decided we’d go to Disney for the day! The activities on this list will keep us busy and let us see parts of Disney that we’ve (sadly) not seen yet!
Theresa @ActiveEggplant recently posted..Intervals at 39
We stayed at the Dolphin when I was… hmmm… *thinking back*… 11? 12? Something like that! I had never been to a place so fancy, and I was beside myself! 🙂
Christin@purplebirdblog recently posted..Ridiculous Mash-Up
Awesome. This definitely needs to go in favourite posts.
I live really close to Disneyland… I miss going around Christmas! It’s so expensive.
Love the face of the woman behind you and Derek in the last photo. Lol!
Great post! I was thinking about heading down to Disney tomorrow. The weather is looking like rain all day though, so we may not go. But we will get down there sometime soon!
Either one of those pics of you and Derek would have made FANTASTIC Christmas cards! Bite the bullet next year, even if he hasn’t “put a ring on it” 🙂 Thanks for sharing some Christmas Magic.
Go Noles!
oh, i’d give anything for my my husband and i to be able to go to disney world for christmas!! he’s never been! maybe one day….it’s our first married christmas (we’ve been married for almost 6 weeks!) so maybe that will be a trip we’ll take one day!
Carrie Beth recently posted..scenes from our honeymoon
I LOVE this post so much! I am a huge Disney World fanatic! I was in Disney World two years ago when it was decorate for the holidays and it was so magical. There is something about Disney and the holidays. I want to go back so bad even though I was there last year. You are so lucky that you live so close! I’d give anything for that! 🙂
Yay!! This guide is so helpful and exactly what I was looking for! My husband and I are planning to spend a day at Disney doing holiday stuff for free, so this is perfect. Thanks for posting!
J @ Js Everyday Fashion recently posted..Todays Everyday Fashion- Designs by Mandi
Great tips! I wish you could do one for disneyland…as i live about an hour from there and have an almost 4-year old…we’re at that age where Disney is going to be a very popular destination for us 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) recently posted..Dessert Recipes I Want to Make
Check out DisneyFoodBlog.com – they have a list of fun stuff to do for the holidays at Disneyland too! 🙂
You’re a doll…thanks for taking the time to mention that! 🙂
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) recently posted..Dessert Recipes I Want to Make
These are great tips! And definitely a way to get the Disney magic for free!
Katy (The Singing Runner) recently posted..30 Day To Go! And I’m a Guest Blogger!
I love Disney, the next time I go will definitely be during the holiday season. My roommate just got back and said it was so magical haha
Kelly recently posted..I Completely Forgot!
Gingerbread carousel? How adorable. 😀 I can’t waaaaait to go back to Florida soon.
Krystina recently posted..Warm Baby Artichokes with Tarragon and Pine Nuts
Fun Fun Fun!!! I really wish I wasn’t so far away in Michigan, I would totally take my 3 kids during their Christmas break!!!
Jen
jen recently posted..Weigh In Day 121310and much more!
I swear nobody does Christmas like Disney! I really never appreciated this until now (with kids), but there is always something to see and do.
Michelle recently posted..Disney Mini-Vacation Recap – Day 1
That looks awesome! I’d love to go back to Disney World! I would happily live in that life-sized gingerbread house, although I don’t think it’d be around for long! 😛
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) recently posted..Eat- Sleep- Run
Thanks for sharing this!! I’ll be in Orlando over New Years–do you think they’ll have all of this still up then??
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat recently posted..Loving Sunday
Yes! They keep everything up until Jan 6th I think.
I’m going to Disney on Dec. 28th through the New Year so this could not have come at a better time.. thank you!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing recently posted..I Bet You Didn’t Know…
This post really made me want to go back to Disney.. I went for Christmas one year and it was so magical!! So jealous you live right by there! Love it!!
Vanessa recently posted..Ice Ice Baby
You are so lucky to live so close to my favorite place EVER. I’ve only been once at Christmastime and it was early on so not everything was quite up yet. Thanks for posting this, I just forwarded it to all my family, they’ll love it, too!
ow! Will totally be using this
Erica recently posted..E- Kahlua French Toast
Aww, I love Disney. I bet it’s amazing over Christmas.
Stacey recently posted..Healthy is as Healthy Does
as a Disney travel agent, I love this post! Disney is awesome esp at Christmas! I am hoping to go at Christmas next year!
Heather recently posted..Road to Recovery
Great post! I will be in Orlando for new years and my friend and I already decided that we were going to tour the hotels. There is so much to see and you’re right it is an easy free day!
Fun ideas! We are always at Downtown Disney and would check out some of your great suggestions 🙂
Kiran recently posted..My favorite kitchen gadgets
What loads of great ideas!!
We often have a ride on the monorail or get the boat to Fort Wilderness Lodge!!
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }