Christmas is my favorite time of the year to begin with, let alone celebrating it in Walt Disney World. That is exactly what we did in December of 2010, twelve days of bliss in a beautiful one bedroom villa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort (that's a whole other post).
The absolute highlight of our trip was to bask in the festivities such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights and the Candlelight Processional as well as visiting as many resorts as possible to enjoy their Christmas decorations.
It was our second visit during the Christmas Season but this was the first Christmas actually spent at Walt Disney World, and I was itching to get over to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and spend the afternoon and evening here. I wanted to find a spot nearest the Gingerbread House with a view of the magnificent Christmas Tree and simply bask and enjoy, sip hot cocoa and eat Gingerbread shingles, one after the other after the other. So I sent the troopers on their way for their afternoon at Magic Kingdom and I did my thing, we'd meet up later for dinner at 1900 Park Fare. I intended to spend my time at the Grand Floridian.
The first thing I did is go upstairs to the Monorail level and browse through the shops, spending a lot of time in the main gift shop, looking for unique pins and stationary. I love stationary. Being the Christmas season, I also look for Christmas decorations because of all the inspiration from the resort decorations. Disney boasts the most abundant and largest garlands I have ever seen and they just scream Christmas, I love that.
I always wander over to the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra which has a fair number of musicians yet they play comforting tunes in such a gracious and gentle manner as not to be obtrusive or tiring to listen to. I can hear the gentle tapping of the 'brush' drumsticks on the snare drum evoking visions of stars, sleighs, holly, Gingerbread and Christmas.
Down I go, using the Grand Staircase, which many a beautiful bride has descended and on which many little girls pose as princesses for their enthusiastic parents. Once on the main floor, I head directly to Gasparilla Grill and Games for my hot chocolate and then directly back to the life size Gingerbread House where I treat myself to a shingle. I eagerly look around for a spot on the lush couches, hopefully nearest the Gingerbread House so that I can watch all the excited families pose in front. I love seeing people happy and giddy, which is so rare back home, where everyone is in a hurry and frantic. It's always a thrill to watch the bakers put together and decorate those miniature Gingerbread Houses which of course are available for purchase. I always feel so guilty breaking pieces off of mine, but the guilt quickly passes once that first piece is melting away in my mouth....sooo good!!
The absolute highlight of our trip was to bask in the festivities such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights and the Candlelight Processional as well as visiting as many resorts as possible to enjoy their Christmas decorations.
It was our second visit during the Christmas Season but this was the first Christmas actually spent at Walt Disney World, and I was itching to get over to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and spend the afternoon and evening here. I wanted to find a spot nearest the Gingerbread House with a view of the magnificent Christmas Tree and simply bask and enjoy, sip hot cocoa and eat Gingerbread shingles, one after the other after the other. So I sent the troopers on their way for their afternoon at Magic Kingdom and I did my thing, we'd meet up later for dinner at 1900 Park Fare. I intended to spend my time at the Grand Floridian.
The first thing I did is go upstairs to the Monorail level and browse through the shops, spending a lot of time in the main gift shop, looking for unique pins and stationary. I love stationary. Being the Christmas season, I also look for Christmas decorations because of all the inspiration from the resort decorations. Disney boasts the most abundant and largest garlands I have ever seen and they just scream Christmas, I love that.
I always wander over to the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra which has a fair number of musicians yet they play comforting tunes in such a gracious and gentle manner as not to be obtrusive or tiring to listen to. I can hear the gentle tapping of the 'brush' drumsticks on the snare drum evoking visions of stars, sleighs, holly, Gingerbread and Christmas.
Down I go, using the Grand Staircase, which many a beautiful bride has descended and on which many little girls pose as princesses for their enthusiastic parents. Once on the main floor, I head directly to Gasparilla Grill and Games for my hot chocolate and then directly back to the life size Gingerbread House where I treat myself to a shingle. I eagerly look around for a spot on the lush couches, hopefully nearest the Gingerbread House so that I can watch all the excited families pose in front. I love seeing people happy and giddy, which is so rare back home, where everyone is in a hurry and frantic. It's always a thrill to watch the bakers put together and decorate those miniature Gingerbread Houses which of course are available for purchase. I always feel so guilty breaking pieces off of mine, but the guilt quickly passes once that first piece is melting away in my mouth....sooo good!!
Who wouldn't delight in spending an afternoon here, relaxing, or reading, or people watching? One could spend quite a while gazing at all the little details of the Gingerbread House, which deserves a post all on its' own. I plan on doing just that!
Great post Jackie and I love your photos! Grand Floridian is my favorite for so many reasons, but I just love it there at Christmas. I am a people watcher to, LOL so we would have fun there together :-)
ReplyDeleteSuz
MapleMouseMama
Thank you Suzanne, yes, we would have so much fun there together, I would run and get the Gingerbread shingles and we'd sit and enjoy the sights and sounds and that delicious waft of Gingerbread emanating from the house. One day we'll do this!
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