The Mardi Gras motif of the Port Orleans Resort is carried through its lovely holiday decorations. Here the trees shimmer with ribbons and ornaments in untraditional pinks, purples and blues, punctuated with the white of Pierrot clown masks. (And why these clowns are scary to some folks, I just don't know!) Because this a small moderate resort (at least until the merger with Dixie Landings is completed), the decorations here are not as grandiose as at some other resorts -- a few trees in the lobby area, some wreaths and garland here and there, decorated lamp posts in the courtyard leading to the food court and pool areas -- but that doesn't mean the resort is any less festive.

The southwest theme of Coronado Springs is also enhanced by its holiday decorations in muted earthtones. The main lobby's tree, festooned with yellow, peach and soft red balls, white doves and silvery stars, stretches gracefully up to the painted and mosaic tile sky of the dome. Similarly decorated mini-trees line the hallways leading to the resort's food court and nestled in a niche near the kitchens is a small gingerbread village with miniature railroad.

Over at some of the Epcot resorts, the decorations take a more traditional holiday approach, while still retaining each resort's distinctive feel. At the Yacht Club, for example, trees are accented with small sailboats and a quaint, old-fashioned general store is spotlighted in the lobby. Meanwhile, at the Beach Club, poinsettias and artificial snow, as well as a happy snow family, grace the seating area. The Beach Club also features an impressive carousel made of gingerbread, with gilded horses and Disney characters. Not to be outdone, the Boardwalk also houses a mouthwatering gingerbread creation -- a gazebo held together by snowy royal icing and covered with gingerbread cookies and hard candies. The tree and garlands draped over the fireplace can't be overlooked, though -- barely a bit of green shows through the many old-fashioned whimsical glass ornaments and twinkly lights!



Wilderness Lodge and its brand new Villas take a more earthy and natural approach. A multi-story tree fills the space in the Lodge's main lobby that was specifically designed and wired for that purpose, with all needed plugs in the floor. (The Animal Kingdom Lodge, set to open in April 2001, has been designed with Christmas decorations in mind, too.) That main tree, which takes 18 hours to erect and decorate, sports miniature tepees and ornaments with a Native American motif, while smaller trees are detailed with small berry-bearing plants and what else? Antlers! Wreaths accentuate the Lodge's stony walls, and if you look up you're treated to small wildlife displays above the entrances.

Along the monorail, the Polynesian is true-to-tropical form with its laid-back approach to the holidays. While there's no huge tree in the middle of the palms and exotic plantings of the lobby, there's a smaller tree near the entrance, as well as an amusing gingerbread workshop that features a sleeping Santa swinging in a hammock. Rudolf and the care-free elves, who are clearly enjoying the warmth of the "tropical paradise," look on.



If there were an award given for most impressive holiday decorations, though, it would have to go to the amazing Grand Floridian, which upholds its reputation for doing everything in grand style. The moment you walk into the lobby, the five-story tree commands your attention. Festooned with shimmering white lights and sparkling mirrors, the tree dwarfs everything and everyone around it. Up on the mezzanine, a gingerbread doll's house and miniature railroad (complete with Santa pushing a handcar) delights children of every age, who find it difficult to resist taking a swipe of the fluffy frosting. Downstairs, in the full-sized gingerbread house, nearly a replica of the upstairs dollhouse, you can finally buy the sweets and treats that have been tempting you as you've made your way around the resorts.


If you have the time to drive around, the resorts are truly a great way to immerse yourself in not only the holiday spirit, but that attention to detail that makes up the Disney magic!