Dreaming of a magical Christmas at Disney World? Look no further than our ultimate guide to the best Disney resorts at Christmas- and you don’t even need a Disney World park ticket to experience them!
Disney hotels are an experience to themselves during the Christmas season. Any Disney resort hotel is special during the holidays but the deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World tend to go all out when compared to the value resorts.
From gingerbread masterpieces to dazzling light displays, we’ll unwrap the festive charm of the five best Disney resort hotels to visit during the holiday season that will spark your festive spirit. Get ready to discover where Disney magic meets yuletide wonder!
1. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Step into a Victorian-era winter wonderland at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This elegant flagship resort pulls out all the stops for Christmas, transforming into a festive masterpiece that will blow you away!
The showstopper? A life-sized gingerbread house made of real Gingerbread and hand-crafted by Disney bakers and artisans. It’s not just for show – you can actually buy treats from it!
This Gingerbread House is made up of:
- A whopping 1050 pounds of honey
- Over 700 pounds of yummy chocolate
- An impressive 35 pounds of spices
- A mind-blowing 600 pounds of icing and powdered sugar
- And not to be overlooked, an amazing 800 pounds of flour
On top of the Gingerbread house, the entire lobby sparkles with holiday cheer, from the towering Christmas tree to twinkling lights to all the holiday music and special touches. Pro tip: Take some family photos here for your holiday card- it makes an amazing backdrop and they often have Disney photographers there to take photos that you can download (for a price) and use for photos, calendars, coffee mugs- whatever you like!
Want to feel extra fancy? Pop into 1900 Park Fare for a themed character dining experience. With its proximity to Magic Kingdom, you’re perfectly positioned for park hopping and catching those special Christmas events.
2. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge transforms into a cozy winter retreat that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Hallmark Christmas movie. The lobby’s towering Christmas tree, adorned with rustic ornaments, sets the perfect festive mood.
Imagine sipping hot cocoa by a crackling fireplace, surrounded by Pacific Northwest-inspired decorations. It’s pure holiday magic (and you will forget you are in the heart of Central Florida and instead feel like you have stepped into a beautiful and cozy ski-lodge).
Don’t miss these Wilderness Lodge Christmas highlights:
- Elegant garlands and twinkling lights throughout the resort
- A grand Christmas tree you have to see to believe
- Holiday themed drinks and food at the resort restaurants and lounges (I love Territory Lounge- and check out this blog for more Disney resort lounge favorites)
- Traditional carols played on the grand piano
- Festive dining experiences at Artist Point
The lodge’s charm lies in its ability to blend rugged wilderness vibes with Disney’s signature holiday sparkle- and oh how it does!
Want to know the best time to visit Disney World in December? Check out my complete guide here!
3. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge brings a unique twist to holiday cheer, blending African-inspired décor and culture with festive flair. The lobby’s centerpiece is a towering Christmas tree adorned with handcrafted ornaments reflecting the continent’s rich cultures.
Keep an eye out for the resort’s gingerbread display – it’s a sweet nod to the lodge’s theme. The gingerbread display can be found in the lobby of Jambo House (the main lodge at AKL) and usually features gingerbread animals like the real live animals found on the Savana.
Visiting Animal Kingdom Lodget at night is highly recommended and a great thing to do after a park day at Animal Kingdom (since the park generally closes pretty early). As night falls, the savanna views take on a magical quality, with twinkling lights complementing the starry sky.
Don’t miss these holiday highlights: – Special seasonal treats at Boma and Jiko restaurants, and even at their quick service restaurant, The Mara – Cultural ambassadors sharing holiday traditions from their home countries- and sometimes special holiday musical entertainment with an African flare.
It’s a Christmas celebration that’s truly wild at heart, and very unique!
4. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Ready for a seaside Christmas? Disney’s Beach Club Resort serves up holiday cheer with a coastal twist. The star of the show? A life-sized, spinning gingerbread carousel that’ll make your head spin (in the best way).
This confectionery masterpiece changes theme yearly, keeping return visitors on their toes. It truly is a work of art, and so hard to believe that it’s crafted out of edible ingredients (though don’t test that theory). But that’s not all, folks!
The Beach Club’s festive perks include: – Easy access to EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays – Cozy fireside s’mores by Stormalong Bay – Holiday movie nights under the stars (ok the s’mores and movies are year round but they feel much more festive when there is holiday theming surrounding you).
And don’t forget about its sister resort, the Yacht Club. During the holiday season, the Yacht Club features a 1/4 life-sized Lighthouse made entirely of gingerbread AND a mini-train set with an entire winter wonderland of a village!
With its prime location, ocean-inspired holiday decor, and incredible edible art pieces, the Beach Club is a sweet spot for Christmas magic.
5. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground
For a truly unique Christmas experience, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground takes the cake – or should we say, the fruitcake? This rustic retreat transforms into a twinkling wonderland, and this is all thanks to the creative spirit of its guests.
Campers go all out, decking their sites with elaborate light displays and inflatable Disney characters and Santas galore. It’s like a festive block party on steroids! But the holiday magic doesn’t stop there:
- Horse-drawn “sleigh” rides through the decked-out campground
- A guest-organized golf cart parade that’d make Clark Griswold proud
- Cozy campfire sing-alongs featuring classic carols (campfire sing-alongs are also year-round but have some holiday magic thrown in around the Christmas/Holiday season)
Fort Wilderness proves that sometimes, the best Christmas decorations come with a side of s’mores and community spirit.
Other Walt Disney World Resort Christmas time/Holiday festivities
In addition to the magic found at the above Disney resorts you can also experience the holiday spirit at other hotels and in the Disney parks.
Be Sure to Check out these Disney Resorts at Christmas too (and park festivities)
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are both on the monorail resort loop (like the Grand Floridian), or you can take the walking path. They are adorned with festive Christmas trees, themed holiday music, and special holiday treats. These resorts are a nice break from the parks during the busy holiday season. In fact, if you are attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can make a day of exploring the monorail resorts early in the day instead of purchasing a park ticket for that day.
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special ticketed event that includes a holiday fireworks show, unique character meet-and-greets, complimentary (included in the price) cookies and hot chocolate, and festive holiday overlays on certain rides and attractions. This party starts in early November, and the earlier dates tend to be less crowded.
- Disney’s Boardwalk Resort is a nice walk from Epcot or the Beach Club and Yacht Club resort hotels. They have a large tree in their courtyard and two inside their lobby. The Christmas decor is classic boardwalk-inspired. Think strolling along Coney Island in the 1920s and 30s), and garland adorns many, many places throughout the resort!
- Speaking of Epcot, it is one of the best Disney World theme parks to visit during the holidays, as they host the International Festival of the Holidays and the beautiful Candelight Processional on select nights. I recommend booking advanced dining reservations for the Candlelight Processional Dining Package to really make the most of this heart-warming show (while getting a delicious meal and a reserved seat).
- Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail is full of uniquely Disney themed trees and there is something for everyone. Grab a warm and toasty beverage and stroll through the beautiful trees. This is not to be missed during the holiday season!
Conclusion
From the Victorian charm of the Grand Floridian to the rustic magic of Fort Wilderness, Disney’s resorts offer a sleigh-full of festive experiences during the holiday season. Each destination brings its own unique flavor to this magical time of year. Ensuring there’s something for every Disney fan or even non-Disney but Holiday magic type of fan!
Ready to make your Christmas dreams come true? Book your magical stay at one of these enchanting resorts and create memories that’ll last long after the decorations come down. Don’t wait – these holiday hotspots tend to fill up faster than Santa’s bag on Christmas Eve! You can also stay at one of the other Disney moderate resorts, value resorts, or off-property. Even if you aren’t a guest at that resort, you can still enjoy the festivities.
What’s your favorite Disney resort during the holiday season?
You may also want to check out:
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dessert Party: Is it worth it?
Ultimate Guide: What to Wear to Disney World in November
5 Essential Disney Packing Tips: Pack and Plan like a Pro for any Disney vacation!

Shelley has been going on Walt Disney World trips since she was a toddler growing up in South Florida. Since then, she has expanded her interests and passion to include Disneyland and runDisney trips. She is a Disney College of Knowledge-certified Travel Planner, runner, Physician, mom of three, and all-around Disney fan. She believes the magic is in the details of any Disney or runDisney trip!
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