Christmas at Walt Disney World

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Chistmas is a magical time at Walt Disney World, and can be one of the best times of year to visit. As November finishes, and the crowds begin to subside following Thanksgiving, the whole of Walt Disney World is decorated for the Christmas Holidays.

The crowds are at their lowest immediately following the weekend after the Thanksgiving holidays, and stay low right through until the last week before Christmas day itself, guaranteeing virtually no queues even for the popular attractions, which would normally command a queuing time of an hour or more.

All of the parks celebrate christmas in a different way, though the theme is always one of fun and celebration.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held several times throughout December in the Magic Kingdom. Advance tickets to the Very Merry Christmas Party are highly recommended. For reservations, call 407/W-DISNEY from the U.S.

The Osbourne Family Lights are regularly on display in the Disney-MGM Studios, being lit at about 17:45.  You need to be walking through the lighted display by 19:00, so 18:30 is a good time to be arriving at the attraction.

More than four million holiday lights, a seasonal extravaganza featuring the Big Cheese himself, outdoor ice-skating, and a must-see musical tradition are back by popular demand at Walt Disney World Resort for the 1997 holiday season.

At Disney-MGM Studios, guests will see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights in a whole new light thanks to innovative glasses that enhance the spectacle of every single bulb. The holiday spectacle returns with 4 million lights -- enough bulbs to light several city blocks and more -- all concentrated on the park's 760-foot-long Residential Street, Washington Square backlot and New York Street.

Started by Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne, who received worldwide attention for the Little Rock light show he created a decade ago for his daughter, the dazzling display will shine at the studios for the fourth straight year. Talk about your busy elf, Osborne already is checking twice his list of light display items, including 178 angels, 53 illuminated trees, 50 lighted Mickey Mouse figures and two 30-foot-tall carousels.

"This is for all the children and families who never had a chance to see our display back home," says Osborne, whose eyes twinkle when he talks of his creation's success. "This is what the holiday season is all about."

The Hollywood-style holiday celebration extends throughout Disney-MGM Studios with performances by favorite Disney characters and talented stage performers.