Yes, I know the next big holiday involves bunnies and colored eggs, but in travel planning time, we’re talking Christmas – especially if you’re dreaming of a Disney Christmas vacation. Planning ahead is essential for best (or any) lodging choices and of course, for budgeting.

It’s often been said, many times, many ways, there’s nothing like being home for the holidays and I agree with that. Spending time with family and friends in your own home or perhaps even better yet, in their home, has always been a cherished holiday-time tradition of mine.  Of course, I also believe there’s nothing wrong with breaking tradition once in a while and a November or December trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando is the perfect way to do so.

Now I’m not advocating a complete abandonment of all family members in favor of Mickey and company during the peak of the holiday season. After all, there’s plenty of time to enjoy both and believe me, if you elect to visit Disney World while the parks are festively decorated for the season, you won’t be disappointed.

During our last family trip, we enjoyed seasonal specialties such as Christmastime parades, tales told by holiday storytellers, fabulous decorations everywhere, interactions with Disney characters in festive attire and dancing lights galore. Our home away from home, the Wilderness Lodge, had a magnificent Christmas tree in its main lobby. Beautiful red-leaved poinsettias were everywhere and carefully-trimmed character bushes found throughout each of the four theme parks were dressed for the season.

Even some of the animals in Downtown Disney’s Rainforest Café proudly wore Santa hats while inquisitively inspecting guests seated at their respective dining room tables. The experience was magical and truly unforgettable! We found the parks to be busy but certainly not overly crowded and the waiting time for most rides was minimal.

If you intend to partake of a holiday-themed Disney extravaganza in any given year, here are some things to keep in mind.
• Confirm the dates during which Disney’s holiday celebration will be taking place before making definite plans. Just because your neighbor rings in the season with an obnoxious outdoor lighting display immediately following the conclusion of Halloween doesn’t mean that Mickey will be doing the same.
• Consider the crowds. Some people enjoy being part of massive celebrations and if you plan to be in Orlando on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, that’s exactly what you’ll experience. However, if you’re like me and would prefer to enjoy the holiday décor without having to literally rub elbows with your neighbors, plan to visit a couple of weeks before Christmas if you are not bound by the school vacation schedule.
• Bring warm clothing. Yes, it’s Florida but temperatures do tend to drop below 70 degrees once in a while.
• Allow some time to visit hotels other than the one you’re staying at. Decorations there tend to reflect not only the season but the theme of each individual facility so you’re bound to have a different experience everywhere you go.
• Seek out special holiday-only shows and activities, like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. From elaborate gingerbread house displays to reenactments of Christmastime practices from around the world, these are things that you won’t be able to experience at Disney World any other time of the year.