Did you know one of the best Christmas activities at Disney World is completely free and doesn’t even require a theme park ticket? Resort hopping at Disney World is a great free activity as it is, Christmas resort hopping is amazing! I am going to share with you the top Disney resorts to visit at Christmas time.
Top Disney Resorts to Visit at Christmas
Visiting the resorts is a free activity at Disney World. If you are on property already just start at the ticket and transportation center. If you are off property, park at Disney Springs and you can use the buses, boats, and monorail to resort hop for free.
All of the Disney resorts have free movie nights outside and during the holiday season, they show Disney Christmas movies. This is also free for everyone, not just resort guests.
Grand Floridian
The Grand Floridian is on the monorail loop. The resort itself is beautiful to visit at any time of the year. During Christmas, it is truly magical.
Outside of the lobby, you are greeted by the smell of chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The chestnuts are free for you to eat. In my opinion, the smell is wonderful and I like the romantic notion of eating them but personally did not care for the taste.
Inside the main lobby, you are greeted by the smell of sweet gingerbread. There is a 2 story gingerbread house. You will also find a HUGE beautiful Christmas tree. The piano player or band is playing all of your Christmas favorites. Read more about the Gingerbread House HERE.
If you go outside of the resort you will find even more elaborately decorated, huge Christmas trees.
During select days, you will find a free character greeting with characters in their Christmas outfits. This is for anyone, not just resort guests!
Contemporary Resort
The Contemporary Resort is also on the Monorail Loop. The Contemporary Resort has a gingerbread display. It is not as big, but it is just as impressive. The past few years it has been Cinderella themed. Read more about the Contemporary’s Gingerbread Display HERE.
Polynesian Village Resort
The Polynesian Resort is given a Christmas makeover. Beautiful trees adorn the lobby and on certain days you can meet Lilo and Stitch in their Christmas outfits.
Wilderness Lodge
The Wilderness Lodge has a huge fireplace and the holiday season always makes it seem cozier. Sometimes there are free snickerdoodles and lemonade to sample. The trees are huge and gorgeous, perfect for family portraits. Most of the resorts I am listing have Photopass photographers available to capture great family pictures!
Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Animal Kingdom has a huge tree with Animal and African themed decorations.
Beach Club
The Beach Resort is one of my favorite Disney Resorts to visit at Christmas. You will find a life-sized working carousel made out of gingerbread, chocolate, and candy! Every year the horses change and the location of the hidden Mickey’s you can have fun finding.
Yacht Club
The Yacht Club Resort has a huge Christmas Village with a Disney touch in one part of it. It has a working train it as well! I could have spent hours just looking at all the details of this display. Many of the pieces used are Department 56, so you can replicate the village at home! The rest of the resort has nautical themed trees and wreaths.
Boardwalk Resort
The Boardwalk resort is one of the tastiest Disney Resorts to Visit at Christmas. They have lots of beautiful outside decorations. Last year there were several small Disney themed gingerbread houses that made a little village to walk through. The best part was that there was a gingerbread cookie decorating bar. There was a cost, but it was not much.
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Which resort is/ would be your favorite to visit? Let me know in the comments!
