Mallory Pansano '29

Picture having the complete Disney Christmas experience. You experience festive days at the park with twinkling lights, followed by a cozy and magical retreat, where you can enjoy hot cocoa at your resort. That sounds like a dream come true. But how do you know which hotel would give you the best experience possible? You’ve come to the right place. We will explore some of the hotels at Disney during Christmas and, at the end, reveal which one is the best to give you the happiest of holidays! 

The first hotel to explore is the Beach Club. The Beach Club is an outstanding option for a unique and less crowded holiday experience. A quote from Mrs.Casanova, who is well-educated on Christmas in Disney, especially at the Beach Club, said, “My choice may be a little unorthodox, but I LOVE staying at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort. I'm a little biased because I actually worked at that resort for eight years. During the Christmas season, the decorations are classy and beautiful, with a lot of resort-specific decor. There is a traditional carousel that moves, and it is made completely out of chocolate! The food and beverage team at the resort starts building these decorations in August! It isn't overwhelmingly packed with guests, but it still makes you feel all of the magic of Disney during the holidays. The weather is also usually a bit more comfortable at this time of year, so you can walk around the beach and boardwalk area to see all of the lights! I just love this resort for its beautiful aesthetic and its easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.” Now, let’s explore the various parts of this hotel. The decorations at the Beach Club aim to make a beach-like Christmas theme. They maintain a coastal Christmas atmosphere throughout all the decorations, including ornaments, garlands, wreaths, and other festive elements. The main attraction is their rotating carousel, which is actually made of desert! The carousel features a different theme every year, with last year's theme being a Christmas Carol. The carousel is made completely of gingerbread and chocolate, and overall, it is a very impressive highlight of the Beach Club's Christmas display. They also sell many treats near the carousel throughout the day. In 2024, these offerings included a spiced orange and cranberry bundt cake, gingerbread macarons, hot cocoa brownies, stollen (a traditional German Christmas bread), peppermint bark, hot chocolate, a gingerbread house, and a variety of cookies. Finally, they feature a 10-foot Christmas tree with the seaside-themed ornaments sprinkled throughout, as mentioned previously. I believe this is a wonderful option, but there is still a lot more to explore at the others.

Now we will explore Wilderness Lodge at Christmas time. The wilderness lodge cannot be missed, as many say it is the best hotel to choose at Christmas time. A quote from the Disney Tourist Blog says, "The undisputed MVP of Christmas at Walt Disney World. Of course, there’s the 60-foot tree that is gorgeously decorated in the hotel’s lobby. However, the true charm of Wilderness Lodge at Christmas is its rustic ambiance, tranquil feel, and abundant smaller decorations adorning various parts of the hotel." The wilderness lodge is definitely a standout option at Christmas time. They feature many garlands and wreaths adorned with woodsy yet Christmasy decorations. Some things include deer antlers, owls, bunnies, and pinecones. They also feature beautiful deer statues throughout the hotel, some of which are even wrapped with twinkling lights to add an extra sparkle. The centerpiece of their entire Christmas display is a 60-foot Christmas tree located in the middle of the lobby. It is magnificently decorated with nature-inspired decor that matches the wreaths and garland in the hotel. Their desserts include a peppermint igloo (a chocolate dome filled with peppermint mousse) and a snowflake cinnamon roll. The wilderness lodge is a standout option for you to choose during the Holidays. 

Finally, we have The Grand Floridian. The Grand Floridian is one of the most luxurious Disney resorts, making you feel like a queen. A dream of mine is to stay in this hotel anytime of the year, but at Christmas, they take it to a whole new level. A quote from Undercover Tourist says, "The Grand Floridian is dressed head to toe in elegant Christmas fashion. We'd expect nothing less! The resort boasts beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and garland throughout, with a gigantic tree at its center." First, let's take a look at their gingerbread house. Without a doubt, The Grand has a very impressive, and maybe the best, gingerbread house. The gingerbread house is life-size and is made of over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread. They also sell treats, drinks, and souvenirs, such as pins, near the house from 10 am to 10 pm inside the gingerbread house. Next, they feature a beautiful 40-foot-tall Christmas tree in the main lobby. The Christmas tree is elegantly decorated with ornaments, garlands, and bows that match the Victorian theme of the Grand Floridian. The hotel has many garlands and wreaths around that match the Christmas tree. Last, they feature even more Christmas desserts at their quick-service spot. Overall, this hotel will make you feel like royalty during the Christmas season. 



Ultimately, Disney goes all out for Christmas at all of the hotels and parks. They even feature Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, if you're looking for a special Disney Christmas experience. Any hotel, whether mentioned or not, will provide a great experience for you and your loved ones. Disney is truly the most magical place on earth, and it makes all your worries melt away. In my personal opinion, I would choose to stay at the Grand Floridian for Beach Club for my Christmas season. The decorations and experiences they offer are the most appealing to me, aligning with my personal preferences. My wish is that you find this helpful and you pick the perfect hotel for you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!