How to Tour Disney Hotels for Gingerbread and Christmas Decorations: Copy Our 4 Hour Itinerary

The rush of Christmas shopping and gift giving is through, so what can you do to squeeze in some final holiday season magic? Go tour some of the Disney hotels for free! Between the Disney Monorail Resorts’ decorations and the charming Disney Boardwalk Gingerbread Displays, you could have a full day of fun. However, if you prefer a lower-commitment option, consider following our half-day itinerary to tour multiple Disney hotels for Christmas decorations.

A Low-Stress Disney Holiday Evening From Start to Finish

This family-friendly Disney hotel holiday tour is designed for parents who want to experience gingerbread displays, Christmas décor, and a little Disney magic without park tickets—all at a realistic pace with kids. Here’s exactly how our family did it, step by step, in about four and a half hours.

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We visited the following resorts:

• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, main lobby, and DVC lobby
• Disney’s Yacht Club
• Disney’s Beach Club
• Plus, glimpses of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Starting at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

I made same-day dining reservations at Whispering Canyon Cafe on Christmas Day. For the holiday this iconic restaurant offered all-you-care to-eat holiday dinner skillets for $47 for adults, and $38 for children, which included unlimited soft drinks and a special hoiday yule log dessert.

2:50 pm – arrive and check in for dinner at Wilderness Lodge

We arrived at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and checked in for our reservation at Whispering Canyon Cafe. Making a dining reservation here is key, as it allows you to park at the resort and fully enjoy the holiday decorations.

While waiting for our table, our son played with the Lincoln Logs near the restaurant, which is always a hit with kids. We also took time to snap a family photo in front of the massive lobby Christmas tree—one of the most impressive hotel trees on Disney property.

During the meal – built-in kid breaks

During dinner, we took short breaks walking our son around the lobby to stretch his legs. One fun discovery many parents miss: the small, tucked-away kids’ TV in the front corner of the lobby. It was a great reset before heading back to the table and helped keep the meal relaxed.

Disney Transportation and hopping Boardwalk Area Resorts

Naturally, the Disney monorail resorts get lots of attention this time of year, but I prefer the ease and walkability of the Boardwalk area resorts. There are five different hotel lobbies all within easy walking distance of each other, and each with unique displays.

4:35–4:45 pm – bus from Wilderness Lodge to Hollywood Studios

After dinner, we headed to the bus stop for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Our wait was about 20 minutes. We each felt some frustration because all the other buses came and went multiple times, but I do LOVE the video monitors that provide real-time updates on each bus’s arrival time.

This bus route stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort first. If you want to extend the itinerary, this is an easy optional add-on to see the Contemporary’s holiday décor or gingerbread display. From there, you can continue to Hollywood Studios on the bus or explore the monorail resorts.

5:15 pm – arrive at Hollywood Studios

We arrived at Hollywood Studios and could immediately see the Friendship Boat approaching across the water, which made the timing feel seamless. We did feel rushed to get to the boat while it was there, but we made it!

Parenting pro-tip: Restrooms are available at the bus terminal

5:20 pm – board the Friendship Boat

We boarded the Friendship Boat, which made one brief stop at the Swan and Dolphin. We stayed on, but families who want to add another layer to their tour can get off here to explore their unique holiday decorations.

After disembarking the Swan and Dolphin dock, the boat journeyed to Disney’s Yacht Club. As we approached, the large shipwreck that acts as the resort’s waterslide captured my son’s attention.

Related: Disney Resorts with Childcare and Kids Clubs

5:35 pm – arrive at Yacht Club

We arrived at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and explored the charming Christmas village display, taking our time to look for small, hidden details. It took some patience due to some crowding, but we walked the entire perimeter of the display twice so we could catch as many details as possible.

At Ale & Compass Lounge (just off the lobby), we ordered a nonalcoholic ginger mule dubbed the “no-kick mule”—and shared it as a family.

5:50 pm – walk to Beach Club

Next, we walked over to Disney’s Beach Club Resort to see the 25th anniversary gingerbread carousel. We ordered a peppermint hot chocolate from the stand in the lobby and admired the carousel up close, especially the detailed horses.

Look for cute details within each horse’s mane, and even on their hooves!

6:00 pm – quiet time in the Beach Club Solarium

We took our hot chocolate into the Solarium and enjoyed a few quiet minutes to rest and warm up. This calm pause was perfect after several transitions and kept the evening from feeling rushed.

Skyliner + Bus to return to Wilderness Lodge

I selected this itinerary of seeing Christmas decorations at Wilderness Lodge plus Disney’s Yacth and Beach Club so we could enjoy a variety of Disney transportation. And it worked out to end with a finale of the Disney Skyliner since it is such a unique mode of transportation.

I loved pointing out the EPCOT Christmas tree as we soared in the sky nearby. And as we disembarked at Hollywood Studios’ station, we gazed at the dazzling Christmas tree within the park.

6:25 pm – Board the Skyliner near Beach Club

We walked to the Skyliner station just outside the EPCOT gate and boarded the Disney Skyliner toward Hollywood Studios. Holiday music was playing at the station, adding to the festive atmosphere.

6:45 pm – Transfer at Caribbean Beach

Everyone exits at the Caribbean Beach transfer station to switch routes. We used the restrooms here, which is a helpful planning detail when touring with kids. From there we boarded the Skyliner to head from Caribbean Beach to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

6:55 pm – Bus from Hollywood Studios to Wilderness Lodge

Soaring gently in the night air we enjoyed the ride and the festive theme park lights as they came into view. After arriving back at Hollywood Studios via Skyliner, we boarded the bus to Wilderness Lodge with minimal wait. What a treat!

And, I loved hearing the themed Western music on the bus during our 15-minute bus ride back to the resort.

7:10 pm – Arrive back at Wilderness Lodge

We returned to Wilderness Lodge just after 7 pm. Since we departed the resort earlier in the evening with the sun still up, we enjoyed viewing the outdoor decorations in their evening splendor. The garland lining the walkways was fully lit, creating a soft, peaceful glow throughout the resort.

7:15 pm – Boulder Ridge wind-down

Before heading home, we took a slow stroll along the Boulder Ridge walkway and stepped inside Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The smaller lobby, cozy fireplace, and Christmas tree made for a perfect, quiet wind-down moment.

7:30 pm – Depart Walt Disney World

As we walked back to our car, we could hear a faint train whistle across the water and the opening sounds of Disney Starlight beginning over at Magic Kingdom, a magical ending to the night.

Final Reminders

These simple tips can help you slow down, stay comfortable, and make the most of every stop.

• Make dining reservations in advance when possible, and check for last-minute availability if your first choice is booked; Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and BoardWalk-area resorts are all great options.
• Disney Springs transportation to resorts is another option, but crowded.
• Wear comfortable shoes and plan for plenty of walking between resorts, docks, and transportation stops.
• Bring a refillable water bottle; Disney resorts have refillable water stations.
• Be prepared for transportation waits and holiday crowds, especially in the evenings.
• Pack a small activity book or simple family game in case longer waits pop up.
• Plan to spend at least 10 minutes at each display to fully enjoy the details and craftsmanship.

With a flexible mindset and a little extra time built in, this Disney hotel holiday tour is easy to follow for a memory-filled night your family will want to repeat every season.