“Who wants to spend Christmas in a tropical climate anyway?” Kevin McAllister asked in the first minutes of “Home Alone 2.”
Why, the Peaslee family, of course!
A long-awaited trip finally came to fruition in early December as the full Peaslee family reunited in Florida for a holiday time visit at Walt Disney World.
The Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is a top-tier destination to become fully immersed in the Christmas spirit.
Temperatures may not tip below freezing and there certainly isn’t any snow accumulation, but the decorations, music and holiday vibes fill every corner of Disney World. The glad tidings extend beyond the four theme parks, as well. Every hotel, resort, transportation system and the Disney Springs shopping center become decked out with yuletide fervor.
The highlight of Christmastime at Disney is the annual Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It’s a special ticketed event where a limited number of guests are allowed to enter. The Magic Kingdom closes at 6 p.m. to regular day guests and the party officially kicks off at 7 p.m. for those who have paid a premium price to enjoy all of the festive offerings.
The party includes an exclusive meet-and-greet with characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet in their winter garments, as well as rare characters like King Louie from “The Jungle Book” and Scrooge McDuck. Other highlights include special food offerings, like a turkey and stuffing cheeseburger and hot cocoa churro, and unique ride overlays — meaning Christmas music and red and green lights flash throughout Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway and the Mad Tea Party.
The entertainment during the party also adds a special holiday flair, as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and all their friends stage a Broadway-style singing and dancing show in front of Cinderella’s Castle several times throughout the night. The famous Magic Kingdom fireworks are also showcased, timed to Christmas music and light-up displays on the castle.
What stood out the most was the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which took place twice during the party. It’s a blockbuster attraction with so many classic Disney characters and decked-out floats that traverse a majority of the park, ending up on Main Street U.S.A. The star of this year’s Christmas parade is without a doubt Tally the Elf. The viral sensation has been featured in dozens of TikTok videos and Instagram reels. Tally displays some signature dance moves, but is most famous for randomly selecting guests along the parade route and dubbing them “naughty” or “nice.” The Peaslee family did not get to interact with Tally directly, but he did offer a friendly wave to the group from across the street.
The most magical parts of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party happen sporadically throughout the night, but the enchanted moment really kicks in at the stroke of midnight when the event is officially over when it begins to snow on Main Street U.S.A. Snow — in Florida? Correct!
The “snow” officially dubbed “snoap” is a bubble-like substance that falls from the sky, creating a true winter feeling even in the tropical climate. However, when the Peaslees attended the party on Dec. 6, temperatures dropped to the 40s, which does hit differently in Florida than it does in the Rust Belt region.
Some people may prefer a December trip to New York City or the mountains of southern West Virginia — but for the holidays, you can’t beat Florida, sweet Florida when Walt Disney World becomes a winter wonderland for those who can appreciate happiness and nostalgia for all ages.
— written by Matt Peaslee
It's Christmas 365 