In Orlando, nobody celebrates or decorates for Christmas like they do at Disney World or any of the Disney properties or has the Disney magic in the decorations and gifts they sell for anyone who is a Disney aficionado.
Number one;
The top favorite and most elaborate in Orlando has to start with Magic Kingdom, if you are planning a trip to that most magical of all places the first place I would start to look for those special items would be Main Street U.S.A….it’s like walking back in time for a nostalgic look at Christmas past…The Emporium offers the best selection of trademark Christmas items with that Mickey Mouse touch….But the shops can be very crowded during noon and closing time…if Christmas shopping is really on your agenda, I have found mid afternoon a good time or when the park opens early in the morning.
Shops in Fantasyland present other specialty Christmas shopping and the shop “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” offers and exceptional selection of decorations and ornaments.
Number Two;
Then there is Epcot, where else can you shop in all the countries of the world for Christmas items that really can not be found anywhere else…The German, French, Mexican and Norwegian pavilions have truly unique Christmas decorations and gifts galore. I’ve seen some of the most beautiful ornaments there and don’t forget to say bonjour to the French Santa who is on hand to greet you.
Also remember, throughout all the parks the shops are filled with Disney Christmas Memorabilia of every kind imaginable and themed with whatever land or park you are visiting.
But if you aren’t planning a visit into the parks, there is always Downtown Disney Marketplace where there is a winter Christmas theme during their Festival of Seasons…there is no admission charge and window shopping is it’s own kind of trip with holiday displays of every variety, featuring traditions and celebrations from many cultures around the world…At the Marketplace, the Santa “chalet” is always very special and the big man himself is very convincing…He is a Disney attraction after all! Don’t miss the World of Disney store, well, it would be hard to miss, it is so big, there are rooms and rooms filled with everything Disney and the Christmas store, a smaller offshoot shop, is all Christmas, all year!
Number Four;
But the house of Mouse is not the only Christmas shopping game in town…Universal Studios, has quite a lot of special shopping in store for your special decorative Christmas needs...Not only the park itself, at all its attractions, but Universal his its shopping and restaurant attraction, CityWalk, with it’s own Christmas themed goodies and décor that can not be found elsewhere…if you find something you like at one of the booths or stores you probably won’t find it anywhere else.
Number Five;
For a truly different kind of experience, the town of Celebration, a Disney-designed community, is the “perfect little town” and a throwback to what Walt Disney had in mind when he wanted to build a mid-20th century mainstream American town, when main street shopping was in vogue….The decorative storefronts at Christmas time really have that old fashioned feel and the goodies sold within those gift shops, boutiques and little galleries are completely unique. This is a very pleasant way to shop if the craziness of the rest of Orlando gets to you.
For a more out of the way, old fashioned feel, just about an hour away, is the town of Mount Dora….here you will find the best in Christmas antiques, decorations and collectibles that are not to be found elsewhere and unlike Celebration, this is the real thing!
So there you have it, my suggestions for the best in Christmas decorations and shopping in Orlando….there really is so much more I haven’t even touched on, Universal Drive and the huge outlet shopping malls available, you could shop till you drop in Orlando but I hope instead you have fun and enjoy the holiday season.
