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Christmas

A Disney Local Perspective: Holiday Traditions Old and New

6 December 2018 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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There’s a special magic to blinking open your eyes from a long sleep and realizing it’s somehow both still dark and very bright out that morning – only to discover the reason for that is the windows and all outside are covered in snow. Tiny frozen stars etched onto the glass, snow glistening as it drapes over each tree branch and coats each pine needle. It was only yesterday you were stomping around in that very grass, crunching the fallen leaves under your feet releasing that earthy smell, combined with the crisp air that could only mean snow was on its way. There is nothing quite as magical as the blanket of freshly fallen snow, except maybe on Christmas morning…These are some of my fondest memories from growing up, along with, of course, the entire Christmas season and all it promised each year.

Being a December baby, it was always a time of surprises and never-ending wonder at the beautiful sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the season. My family would always wait to get our tree (real of course) till the weekend before my birthday, which is two weeks before Christmas every year. Decorating that tree was such a special tradition. Every ornament had a story, and we all had our favorites. Of course my mother had already been baking for weeks by that point, every family member, friend, and neighbor got a carefully packaged container of her famous Christmas cookies, wrapped in clear plastic and tied up with a red ribbon. She would store the dozens of them between sheets of wax paper in white 5 gallon tubs from the restaurant where my father was a M’aitre D’. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sneak quite a few back in the day. The Russian Tea cookies have always been my downfall (and my favorite).

Another favorite tradition was driving through the neighborhoods to see Christmas lights. For some reason, growing up, both my grandparents and our house only ever did white candles in our window at Christmastime. (I think my grandmother thought colored outdoor lights looked “tacky”?)  We had colored lights on the tree, candles in the window and a wreath on the door. No colorful C6 bulbs stapled to our rooftop or wrapped around our bushes. But what that austere decor made me do was appreciate everyone else’s lights all the more. Many towns in New England have a town square or green with big old trees, which are usually covered in lights, sometimes twinkling, sometimes not, including Watertown Square, which we would pass on the way to my grandparents house. The Boston Common in downtown Boston also did this with many of their trees, and we’d sometimes take a drive to the city just to see them, ending at the big tree outside the Prudential Center. I can still feel the cold vinyl of the backseat in the family car, as the dark winter night was suddenly lit with thousands of lights before my eyes.

Petee’s Hill in Sharon, Massachusetts

Of course I have other memories too; taking part in the Christmas pageant at school where I got to be an angel, the smell of the incense during holiday mass, and the opposite of extremes, watching all the holiday specials on tv, usually with a mug of hot cocoa and some of those famous Christmas cookies I mentioned above. Snow days off of school, walking up to the hill on the other side of our own town square and sledding down all day with friends till my socks were soaked and my toes and nose were frozen from cold. And I’m sure I’m not alone with these memories, and they probably still exist today for kids in New England towns or anywhere up north that gets snow. I know I’m not unique in that regard. By stark contrast to my current location, I never once visited Walt Disney World during the holidays as a child. Even when we moved to Ocala in 1985 and became annual passholders I did not experience a Disney Christmas, since we drove back up to Massachusetts to have the holidays with my grandparents. After college, I moved back to Florida from Massachusetts in 1995 to work at Walt Disney World, and finally experienced the holidays in the parks first hand, as a cast member on Main Street. U.S.A.

Which brings me to the purpose of my post today. If you asked any of my children to write about their holiday memories, they would have a very different answer, and not just because 25+ years separate our childhoods. Some parts would be similar; we still make cookies, we still watch those holiday specials (although I may be the only one that appreciates their vintage charm), I have managed to break the “only candles in the window” decorating rule, and of course we still drive around and look at lights, it’s just that our neighbors do a bit more decorating down here. In fact, there’s a castle down the street that really goes all out. All of my past memories and traditions are why, if I let myself pause long enough, seeing those icicle lights on Cinderella Castle brings me to tears. Because as many years of memories as I have riding in the backseat and looking at lights through the car window, I now have many more of myself and my children walking down Main St. U.S.A. and seeing the Castle lights for the first time, or images in my head of my oldest two side by side in a double stroller, looking up with eyes wide, mouths agape, and hands outstretched to catch the “snow” as we strolled through the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. And later, my youngest, now 10, dancing in the Streets of America to Feliz Navidad as a tiny 5 year old, laughing and spinning around, as I captured it on video. I’m tearing up just thinking about it. Don’t even get me started on Candlelight Processional and how I’m moved to tears every year as the songs swell and the voices sing out and you realize all the things you are truly, truly grateful for on this earth.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights These are the holiday traditions and memories my children grew up with. And I know they wouldn’t trade them for the world. We are extremely blessed to be so close to all of these amazing holiday experiences, and to have been able to attend them for so many years so that they have become traditions, not just holiday happenings, but part of the ever-growing tapestry of our family story. One could say that these new traditions couldn’t possibly mean as much, since they take place at the globally dominant headquarters of capitalization and money-hungry corporate messages of “buy this!” abound. And you would be right, and wrong. Yes, Disney parks are corporate wizards at marketing their way into your wallets and making you think you need more and you need it now. But if you sift past the mind-numbing amounts of instagrammable offerings thrown at you, you can experience the holiday spirit in its refined, concentrated form. Christmas lights, traditional holiday storytelling, holiday treats from around the world, parades, cookies, holiday music and trees and decorations everywhere. Gingerbread houses, caroling, Santa and Mrs. Claus, the story of Christmas….These are the takeaways and the memories created at the Place Where Dreams Come True (and the Happiest Place on Earth because we’ve been to Disneyland during the holidays too and they are pretty darn magical over there as well), which will carry my children into adulthood as they create their own traditions with whatever and whomever the future holds for them.

Our neighbor’s holiday light display…

My holiday story has gone from one where you never know who would show up at the front door for some coffee and Christmas cookies, to walking through a Disney park and never knowing which friends and neighbors you’d bump into. My oldest children drove right around the Magic Kingdom every day on their way to and from high school. And now they walk into a park and see friends working as Cast Members, or work there themselves, sharing the magic that they grew up enjoying with thousands of guests each day. I know they realize how “magical” their lives are as far as our connection to Disney and Orlando in general, and it amazes me to see how grounded and inspired they are by those connections that have become their backstory. And as happy as my memories are of waking up to new fallen snow and the promise of a day of sledding, theirs are just as happy of celebrating birthdays and milestones at favorite Disney restaurants or riding through Fort Wilderness to see the holiday decorations or attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party each year. Times change, the backdrop may change, even family shrinks and grows over the years, but the holiday memories still abound, no matter where you may find them.

Have your holiday traditions changed over the years? What are some of your favorites? I’d love to hear them. 

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Filed Under: Commentary Land, Disney Holidays, Family Memories, Top Stories Tagged With: Boston, Christmas, Disney Christmas, Disney holidays, Disney memories, Family Memories, Growing up in the 80's, Holiday traditions, Massachusetts, New England

New Disney Princesses and More Shoe Ornament Collection

25 June 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Disney character-inspired shoe ornament Overview

Last year we saw the release of the popular Mickey Ear ornaments and this year we have the release of the Disney shoe ornament! Just like the Mickey Ear ornaments before them you can find a shoe ornament for almost every popular character. Princesses, Villains, Minnie Mouse, Mary Poppins and even a shoe for Jack Skellington.

They can be found in most stores around WDW, but for the best selection check out Disney’s Days of Christmas at Downtown Disney and the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe at Magic Kingdom.

Price: $22.95 each.

Jasmine (Aladdin)

Disney Jasmine character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Jasmine character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Jasmine character-inspired shoe ornament

Tiana (Princess and the Frog)

Disney Tiana character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Tiana character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Tiana character-inspired shoe ornament

Rapunzel (Tangled)

Disney Repunzel character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Repunzel character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Repunzel character-inspired shoe ornament

Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Disney Ariel character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Ariel character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Ariel character-inspired shoe ornament

Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Disney Belle character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Belle character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Belle character-inspired shoe ornament

Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Disney Aurora character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Aurora character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Aurora character-inspired shoe ornament

Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Disney Snow White character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Snow White character-inspired shoe ornament

Cinderella (Cinderella)

Disney Cinderella character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Cinderella character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Cinderella character-inspired shoe ornament

Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Disney Evil Queen character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Evil Queen character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Evil Queen character-inspired shoe ornament

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

Disney Maleficent character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Maleficent character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Maleficent character-inspired shoe ornament

Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland)

Disney Queen of Hearts character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Queen of Hearts character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Queen of Hearts character-inspired shoe ornament

Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmations)

Disney Cruella De Vil character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Cruella De Vil character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Cruella De Vil character-inspired shoe ornament

Ursula (The Little Mermaid)

Disney Ursula character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Ursula character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Ursula character-inspired shoe ornament

Daisy Duck

Disney Daisy Duck character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Daisy Duck character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Daisy Duck character-inspired shoe ornament

 

 

 

Minnie Mouse

Disney Minnie Mouse character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Minnie Mouse character-inspired shoe ornament 2-2
Disney Minnie Mouse character-inspired shoe ornament

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)

Disney Mary Poppins character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Mary Poppins character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Mary Poppins character-inspired shoe ornament

Jack Skellington (A Nightmare Before Christmas)

Disney Jack Skellington character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Jack Skellington character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Jack Skellington character-inspired shoe ornament

Alice (Alice in Wonderland)

Disney Alice in Wonderland character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Alice in Wonderland character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Alice in Wonderland character-inspired shoe ornament

Tinker Bell (Peter Pan)

Disney Tinker Bell character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Tinker Bell character-inspired shoe ornament
Disney Tinker Bell character-inspired shoe ornament

 

You can also get your shoe ornaments personalized with things like names or dates.

Disney character-inspired shoe ornament Personalization

I immediately bought the Ariel and Rapunzel ornament as they are my favorite princesses. The shoes are incredibly detailed and the ribbon is on a hook so you can remove it if you want to put the shoes on a shelf instead. The shoe ornament is a wonderful little collectible!

Which one is your favorite? Which character would you like to see as a shoe ornament?

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Filed Under: All blogs, Disney Merchandise, Themed Merchandise, Top Stories Tagged With: ariel, Christmas, Disney, Disney Christmas, disney collectibles. disney princess, Disney Merchandise, disney villain, Disney World, little mermaid, Merchandise, Nightmare Before Christmas, Rapunzel, shoe ornament, shopping, Tangled

Epcot’s Candlelight Processional Adds a New Story to its Christmas Tradition

19 December 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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The beautiful and moving Candlelight Processional is now a favorite tradition each holiday season. Each celebrity narrator adds their own touch and something special to the Christmas story as they speak the words we all know so well. This year I was able to enjoy both Neil Patrick Harris and Lea Salonga, both very different, but wonderful in their own right.

Candlelight Processional

In between the Christmas story pieces, the talented orchestra and Voices of Liberty singers join a Cast Member chorale and area high school students to bring traditional holiday favorite songs to life. The songs are a perfect mix of classics which move you and fill you with the spirit of the season. This year, a new story prefaced Silent Night, adding to the rich tapestry of the candlelight performance. We were told about a town without an organ and a man who wrote a poem to welcome the birth of Jesus. The man’s son could play the guitar, but only 4 chords, and thus Silent Night was born.

Candlelight Processional
Neil Patrick Harris and the Candlelight Cast Members with Voices of Liberty

 

Candlelight Processional
Lea Salonga narrates the Christmas story

 

At the end of each performance, I am left filled with joy and appreciation for the true meaning of the holiday. It is a must-do for anyone visiting Walt Disney World during the holiday season. The best bet for guaranteed seats is purchasing a Candlelight Dining Package, available by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Several shows remain this season, be sure to head out to see this beautiful spectacle.

Candlelight Processional
Trumpeters herald the music of the season
Candlelight Processional
The lighting and effects really add to the music and joyous singing
Candlelight Processional
Candlelight Processional
Lea Salonga narrates the Christmas story
Candlelight Processional
Neil Patrick Harris watches the chorale singers
Candlelight Processional
Candlelight Processional
The Voices of Liberty sing along
Candlelight Processional
NPH narrating the Christmas story
Candlelight Processional

 

Disclosure: I was provided with Gold Badge seating for my family at the Lea Salonga performance. My opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney Special Events, Theme Park Holiday Events, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Candlelight Processional, Celebrity narrators, chorale singers, Christmas, christmas story, christmas tradition, Christmas traditions, Disney, Disney Christmas, Disney holidays, Disney's Candlelight Processional, Epcot, Epcot Candlelight Processional, EPCOT Center, Lea Salonga, Neil Patrick Harris, NPH, silent night, the Christmas Story, voices of liberty, Walt Disney World, World Showcase

Busch Gardens Christmas Town Delivers Holiday Fun

10 December 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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There are so many wonderful holiday events at Central Florida theme parks, and this year Busch Gardens Tampa is launching the biggest Christmas celebration ever. For the first time in the park’s 53-year history, visitors to Christmas Town will experience all-new evening attractions, shows and shopping from 6 to 11 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, Nov. 30 through Dec. 23. Christmas Town transforms the park into a nighttime holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas, filling guests’ senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors, and creating a beautiful new tradition for Tampa’s families. What’s even better than that? A portion of the proceeds from Christmas Town will benefit All Children’s Hospital here in the Bay area.

Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town
Signs letting you know where to find all of the Christmas Town fun

 

Christmas Town is a separate-ticketed night event, and regular daytime admission is not required or included. General admission for Christmas Town is $39.99 plus tax. Busch Gardens annual pass members will receive the deepest discounts with advance online priced at $24.99 for adults and $9.99 for children, and special offers are available for guests wishing to upgrade their paid daily admission to Busch Gardens. Gift cards are available at Bay area Publix locations and additional discounts are offered through promotional codes from Chik Fil-A, Coca-Cola at Wal-Mart and Fantastic Sam’s. Families with children ages 3 to 9 will enjoy a special advance-purchase price of $9.99 for their youngest members.

Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town
A “living angel” at Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town
I was a little worried that the drive to Tampa and the ticket cost would not be worth it, but Christmas Town was absolutely wonderful. I am a huge fan of Christmas lights, and seeing almost every inch of Busch Gardens covered in colorful, twinkling, beautiful lights, was just magical to me. The lights were all really well done, each area themed separately with unique activities, displays, or shows in each section. Special glasses are provided to make snow flakes appear on each light, making it even more fun.
Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town
How the lights look through the special viewing glasses
In addition to the lights, there are several really worthwhile shows going on during the night, as well as being able to ride some of the most popular roller coasters in the park. We really loved the ice skating show; Angels of Peace: A Christmas Journey on Ice, which was so spirited with contemporary versions of Christmas classics and some new songs as well. The Carol of the Bells light and music show on the Crown Colony  restaurant was also a highlight, so fun. The Celebration Village area had holiday snacks and drinks to enjoy while you stroll through the park, along with some of the familiar “Florida snow” we see in other area theme parks (aka soap!). There was also an area with “real” snow, enough to make and throw snowballs and go sliding: Snow World, presented by Coca-Cola.
Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town
Enchanted Flamingo Valley was my absolute favorite. SO many pink lights!
I took so many photos of the wonderful lights, I decided to put them all on a Busch Gardens Christmas Town flickr set, because I couldn’t decide which ones to post here. If you are able to make it down, I really think the Christmas Town event is worth it, and I hope it becomes an annual tradition for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, I know my family will be returning next year! You can find more information on pricing and tickets at the Christmas Town site.
Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town
Who knew the North Pole was a disco ball??

 

Disclosure: my family was provided a complimentary viewing of the events mentioned above. All opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: Busch Gardens, Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Theme Park Holiday Events, Top Stories Tagged With: busch gardens, Busch Gardens Christmas Town, busch gardens tampa, Christmas, christmas celebration, Christmas lights, christmas town, Holidays, ice skating, SNOW!, theme park holidays

Disney’s Art of Animation Celebrates its First Christmas

27 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Disney's Art of Animation Christmas twinkling tree

With such a colorful entrance into the Disney resort family, Art of Animation resort was in my sights to check out for the holidays to see just what Disney had up its sleeve to decorate their newest resort. Being a Value, or Value Plus resort, of course the Christmas decorations will be a little more low-key than say the Deluxe resorts. Still, it was fun to see and the decor definitely fits into the resort’s capture of the animation process.

Like the overall theme of Disney’s Art of Animation, the Christmas decor starts off colorless, like a blank page, with sketches. As you progress through the lobby, color is added and as a fan of rainbow colors and white Christmas trees, I was in heaven! It’s a very fun, colorful display, that just makes you happy. All that’s missing are those fun rainbow candy canes my mom always used to get!

 

 

 

Here is a gallery overview of the holiday decorations and details of Disney’s Art of Animation resort – click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Disney's Art of Animation Christmas twinkling tree
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Looking back at the check-in area from Ink & Paint Shop
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Swag within Ink & Paint Shop
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Decorations within the Ink & Paint merchandise shop.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Crush was the only representative from Finding Nemo.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Above the exit to the pool area and guest room buildings. There are more sketches in the swag.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The one sketch on the tree that was not Ariel or Young Simba.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The lobby tree at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Looks like a multi-colored tree, but upon closer inspection, you’ll find familiar sketches nestled within the branches.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Pretty pink background and green wreath!
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Blue swag in the middle of the check-in area.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Had to use the flash on this one, so you could see the adorable pink wreath!
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The check-in area features colorful wreaths contrasting the color on the walls behind them.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Small tree in the kids area of the lobby.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Multi-colored wreath inside the lobby.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Inside the lobby, the color begins.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Here, all the decorations are pure white, with no color, just like the sketches-to-painted cells progression within the lobby.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The outside of the resort as you approach.

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney Resorts, Top Stories Tagged With: AoA, Art of Animation, Art of Animation Christmas, Christmas, Christmas decorations, Disney, Disney Christmas, Disney Christmas decorations, Disney holidays, disney resort, Disney Resort holiday decor, Disney Resorts, Disney resorts holidays, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, holiday decoration

Cinderella Slipper Antenna Topper! (And Many More!)

24 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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It’s been a while since I’ve done a Disney antenna topper update, even though I’ve been collecting photos of them all along. I saw one today that gave me the kick I needed to get this post up to share with you all. Maybe I got that kick because this latest topper was actually a shoe! Not just any shoe of course, a very special, very glittery, sparkly, slipper – Cinderella’s famous slipper, in antenna topper form, for all you princesses and your pumpkin coaches!

Cinderella's shoe Disney antenna toppers
SPARKLY! How cute is this Cinderella slipper antenna topper?

 

Cinderella's slipper Disney antenna toppers
So many shoes, one is bound to fit, right?

 

Here are the rest of the Disney antenna toppers I’ve seen over the past couple of months – enjoy!

Disney antenna toppers
Robot Mickey is pretty cute, Orange Bird! and a squishy Vinylmation topper.

 

Agent P Disney antenna toppers
Oh, there you are, Perry (or Agent P I guess!)

 

Christmas Agent P Disney antenna toppers
The Christmas version of Agent P’s antenna topper.

 

Christmas ornament Disney antenna toppers
Christmas ornament Disney antenna toppers.

 

Gingerbread Mickey Disney antenna toppers
I saw these on the Dream and was hoping they’d show up at the Parks soon, looks like they have, according to this photo from @43SquareMiles!
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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney Merchandise, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Agent P, Agent P antenna topper, Christmas, christmas ornament, Cinderella, Cinderella shoe antenna topper, Cinderella slipper antenna topper, Disney, disney antenna toppers, Gingerbread Mickey, Gingerbread Mickey antenna topper, glittery, mickey, mickey antenna toppers, Mickey robot, Orange Bird antenna topper, robot, shoes, sparkly shoes, topper, Vinylmation antenna topper

Behind the Scenes: Wilderness Lodge Christmas Comes to Life Overnight

13 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation Last evening I stumbled upon the serendipitous event of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree installation. I have never, in all of my years of visiting Walt Disney World, ever seen resort holiday decorations being put up, so it was fun to sit back and watch this spectacle. Of course, it’s easy to assume these overnight transformations happen by magic and pixie dust alone, but as I learned last night, it’s actually a huge, multi-cast member operation full of semi-trucks, cranes, ladders and patience!

Below is a slideshow of last night’s events, which continued into the wee hours of the morning. The whole operation began a little after 11pm and I stayed to witness it through 2am, when there was still quite a bit left to assemble on the tree, but so much had already been pixie dusted too. Enjoy the photos of the process!

 

Click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree
I couldn’t stay until they were done, but here’s a gorgeous photo of the finished lobby from the talented Tom Bricker.
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The tree is raised up to get more branches installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The Bear family is back in place, waiting to be lit up
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Some deer await their new home
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Another view of the tree being installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More decorations waiting to get installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More sections of the tree stand are installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Ready to be raised higher
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The lights in one section are briefly turned on
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Assessing the situation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Raising the tree
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
THEY use antlers in all of their decorating too!
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The first parts of the tree are installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More installation preparation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The crane goes up almost to the ceiling
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Garland installed on every other floor
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The wreath on the fireplace installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A crane is brought in to hang a chain from the ceiling to support the tree
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A large wreath is installed over the lobby fireplace
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Unwrapping tree parts
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Close-up of the tee pee ornaments
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More tree parts – look, the famous tee pees!
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A wreath awaits installation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Smaller trees are brought in and the floor is protected for the cranes to come in
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Wreaths are brought up to higher floors too
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Boxes of wreaths and tree limbs arrive in the lobby
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The “before” – setting the stage for the Christmas tree installation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Outside wreaths are installed

 

More photos like the last one may be found at Tom Bricker’s site DisneyTouristBlog or on his Flickr account.

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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney Resorts, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: behind the scenes, Christmas, Christmas decorations, christmas tree, Disney, Disney Christmas decorations, Disney holiday, Disney holiday resort decor, Disney hotel decorations, holiday decorations, photos, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World, Wilderness Lodge, Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree, Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree installation, Wilderness Lodge tree

Disney’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Canopy Show

22 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Yet another family tradition each year and yet another moment to cry tears of joy in a Disney park. My dad loved these lights as well as Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so I’m always flooded with memories when we first turn the orner and see the amazing sparkling colors. I will have to admit, I was a little disappointed with the crowd control this year, normally we can walk right through from the Writer’s Stop, but this year we were detoured at every turn from left of the Great Movie Ride on, and funneled around to the back of the San Francisco area and Lights, Motors, Action!. Unfortunately, this is a terrible way to view experience the lights, especially for first-time visitors. You are able to SEE the lights as you turn into the New York Street area, but cannot gain access until the back, making for teeming throngs of disgruntled guests, and I was among them this week.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Having visited the Spectacle of Dancing Lights (SODL) each year since it premiered, the overall ‘show’ has always started at the end of New York Street and culminated with the turning Peace on Earth globe, angels and the Nativity. Granted, this route has changed slightly since first opening, when guests would get to walk down Residential Street, but the Peace on Earth was always the ‘finale’ so to speak. As years passed, the lights began to dance to music and more and more interactive elements were added. As a result, I understand that there isn’t any one centerpiece or finale, but the current route with countless detours and barricades made for a very disappointing experience.

In addition, there are many more PhotoPass stations now, making it almost impossible to take family photos, or even photos of just the lights, without a line of guests in front of you, waiting for professional photos. Again, I understand why Disney is doing what they are doing, but from a guest standpoint, it’s not something that benefits most people. How about photo stations outside of the fray of New York Street, where PhotoPass software can add the SODL into the background later? Surely, the photos will look better than a close-up of the base of a giant tree of lights, or building, where you can’t see the immense detail and overall wow factor of the experience. Just my thoughts, as a long-time visitor and someone that heard lots of complaints the night I went, and online too.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Still awe-inspiring, each year.

 

Luckily, the lights and the family memories won out in the end and magic again took over, but I implore Disney to work on a better plan that doesn’t involve so much confusion and frustration. When and if you visit, be prepared for crowds and ask the cast members where you actually enter for the lights so you can head there first. My advice is to go during the week and see the lights later in the night, not when the lights first switch on. Those caveats given, I’d love to share one of my favorite musical portions of the nights’ songs, that I was able to record. If, like me, it’s one of your favorite things at Walt Disney World during the holidays, or you aren’t able to make it down to see the lights, I hope you enjoy the show. This video features the all-new canopy, offering some amazing effects.

 

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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Family Memories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas light display, dancing lights, DHS, Disney Christmas, Disney holidays, disney park, Disney parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios, family tradition, hollywood studios, Jennings Osborne, nativity, Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, Osborne Lights, residential street, SODL, video, videos, Walt Disney World

Yes, Virginia…

23 December 2009 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Ever since first hearing about the famous little Virginia and her letter in the September 21, 1897 edition of the New York Sun, it’s become a part of my annual holiday heart string-pulling. I cling to it more closely this year, when my 9 year-old daughter is at the age where she questions the veracity of Jolly Old Saint Nick. It’s hard in this day and age to keep that particular bit of magic alive, in a time when commercials are touting “Christmas for less!” and blatantly showing parents relieved to get presents for their children at discount prices. “Why do you have to go shopping?” she asks smugly. “How does he get to every house in one night anyway??” and “People at school say he’s not real and there’s no such thing as Santa Claus.” Telling her I still believe doesn’t seem to work as well.

continue reading Yes, Virginia

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Filed Under: All blogs Tagged With: Believe, Christmas, Family Adventures, Holidays, Magic

Holiday Commercial Round Up!

23 December 2009 by Suzannah Otis 6 Comments

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With the exception of the Super Bowl, there are few times as exciting in the world of television commercials as the holiday season. There are some that stick with us for years, good or bad. I thought I’d share some of my favorites for 2009 as well as the ones that bug me the most!

Love the Island of Misfit Toys Verizon commercial. Poor iPhone!

continue to rest of the commercials

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Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Christmas, commercials, Holidays, videos

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