We love the Walt Disney World Resorts and we love Christmas. Since our APs get blacked out over the Christmas break, we found a way to make the holidays and Disney come together. Whether it is for dinner, a fun place to watch the fireworks, for drinks (monorail crawl), or just to shop and explore, we have always loved going to the Disney resorts for fun.

For Christmas, we have often seen families stay at the resorts and come down in their pajamas to take pictures in front of the resort Christmas tree. As a group, we decided it would be fun to get matching pajamas and do the monorail hotels together and get some “family” pictures while making memories! We also get some of the best Christmas card photos!

Every year, we start shopping early to find pajamas that will be available and will fit everyone in our group… Then after a mass ordering event, a lot of waiting on shipping, and a few moments of scary try-ons, we are ready. We will often spend a day working on hair ideas or accessories… Usually, we buy items from the Dollar Tree and craft our accessories!

Are pajamas ready? Hair done? Off to the parks. Our guaranteed stops are the monorail hotels: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary. However, we have visited Wilderness Lodge, Wilderness Campground, Disney Springs, etc. Usually, we start with breakfast… But, we also stopped at the end for lunch. It is always fun to sit in a restaurant with at least 12 of your closest friends, laugh, and eat!

Dining in Our Pajamas!

The Polynesian

The Polynesian, with its Hawaiian-themed decor, always feels like a trip to a beach getaway. When you walk in the door, you can stop at the concierge and ask for leis. You can get a bite to eat at the Kona Cafe, Captain Cook’s, or at my favorite, Trader Sam’s… Which also has some of the best drinks I have ever tried. Just be careful not to upset the gods while you are there! Also, remember that Trader Sam’s gets really busy. It opens at 3 most days, and you need to be in line before it opens to get your name on the list.

The Christmas Tree at the Polynesian is by the check-in and front doors. It is beautifully decorated with flowers that you can imagine growing in a tropical paradise.

The Grand Floridian

The Grand Floridian is the epitome of beauty and grace. Multiple white pristine buildings welcome you as it comes into view. The grounds are immaculate, but nothing prepares you for the moment you enter the grand entrance from the monorail. The massive main lobby area has room for an exceptionally tall Christmas tree and a gingerbread house, completely edible, that is big enough for a small store to be inside it. And the treats sold inside that house are delicious! Fun things to do in the Grand Floridian include washing your hands as you shop at Basin, looking at the stores on both floors or stopping to eat at one of the many restaurants on the property. My favorite has to be the Enchanted Rose. I adore the idea of a Beauty and the Beast theme, but they also have a nice drink menu and the best small plates.

We take pictures in front of the tree, on the grand staircase, and near the gingerbread house each year.

The Contemporary

The Contemporary may not have a tree inside, but they make up for it with a number of picture places on the property. While you are there, you can get coffee at the front entrance store, eat in different restaurants, or shop at the stores! For picture spots that we love, we always take pics at the following places: The giant Christmas tree out front, the Mickey circle in the front yard, the metal Mickey ears by the pools and lake, and the cookie shop and Christmas structure on the main floor. You really won’t struggle to find great picture spots at the Contemporary Resort.

Wilderness Lodge and Campground

The Wilderness Lodge and Campground are easy to access by boat at the Contemporary’s docks. Once you arrive at either of these locations you are transported to the forest… You can walk on trails to get to all of the areas you want to visit! One of my favorite spots is the geyser at the Wilderness Lodge, but the horses at the Wilderness Campground are too beautiful not to visit. My favorite restaurant is Whispering Canyon. Make sure you ask for ketchup and come with a playful spirit.

The best place to take pictures at both of these spots would be the trees. They have tall and well-themed trees that make you feel like you are in the woods.

Disney Springs

If shopping for Disney merchandise as well as some of the best stores in one space, then Disney Springs is a great place to spend a few hours. The Co-op is by far one of my favorite stops. They have amazing dresses, a great kitchen store, and a place to make phone cases! They also have some of the best food you can get on Disney property. From walk-ups, like the Polite Pig, to sit-downs, like Raglan Road, there is something for everyone. And if sweets are your thing, you cannot beat the cookies at Gideons or the upside-down pineapple cake at Erin McKenna’s Bakery.

For holiday pictures, Disney Springs is a great stop. They have a main Christmas tree front and center by Disney Springs Welcome Center, but they also do a Christmas Tree Stroll that has over a dozen trees that make great picture spots with their spot on Disney Theming!

Overall a FESTIVE and FUN way to spend a day!