by Military Diva
There are many great reasons to celebrate Christmas at Disney World-Holiday decorations, Christmas treats, special entertainment and extra special memories to be shared with your friends and family. But there are also a few reasons to stay far away during the two weeks between Christmas and New Year’s-high crowd levels, extra dining surcharges, higher resort fees and Christmas spent away from your home and Church are a few.
As noted by the highest crowd levels of the entire year, the benefits of a week in Disney World during Christmas obviously outweigh the negatives. Guests still descend on Orlando by the hundreds of thousands, shutting down Disney Park admission by early morning.
(Magical Extras are added to Disney World during the Christmas Season)
But again it’s Disney! Many extras are added to the parks, resorts, Disney Springs and Boardwalk areas to make up for the crowds. And Disney does its best to ensure you are still able to celebrate your Christian holiday properly.
(Christmas in Disney World can be exhausting!)
On Christmas Day Disney World typically offers three Church Services for its guests. All services, held in the Fantasia Ballroom of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, are only offered on Christmas and Easter during the following times:
8:00 Catholic Mass
9:15 Protestant Service
10:15 Catholic Mass
Some tips for attending this service
- Try to take advantage of Disney World Transportation– Parking lots at Magic Kingdom Resorts (Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian and Contemporary) will be closed to guests not staying at these resorts. Guests choosing to drive will be required to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and utilize Disney’s Monorail Transportation from there.
- Know the best route from your resort to Disney’s Contemporary Resort- Disney World recommends guests take available transportation from their resort to the Magic Kingdom. From here both the monorail and the ferry can transfer guests to the Contemporary Resort. Guests are also welcome to use the walking path between Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort, normally about a ten minute walk.
- Allow extra time for travel- Disney World recommends allowing 1-1/2 hours travel time between destinations during normal operating hours. During the week of Christmas that recommendation increases to 2 hours travel time. The large crowds tend to overwhelm Disney World’s transportation services, creating extra wait time.
- Check with your resort to verify details-the front desk or Concierge at your resort will be able to provide up to date details on actual Service times and THE best route from your resort to the Contemporary Resort.
(Be sure to know your route…waiting in line for the wrong ferry!)
Of course, there are many Churches that offer Christmas services in the area surrounding Disney World. If you have a car, getting there should not be a problem. If you do not have your own vehicle you can look into reserving a driving service, rent a car for the day, or consider booking with Uber or Lyft.
*Reservations should be made well in advance to avoid day of surprises like lack of availability.
If you and your family are planning on a Disney World Christmas vacation consider making one of these Christmas Services a part of your plans. And if these times do not work out for you consider checking out Epcot’s Candlelight Processional-a celebrity retelling of the Christmas Story accompanied by the Disney World Orchestra and Choir. Either way, remember that no matter where you are for Christmas, there is always a way to honor the reason for the day.
