Christmas is fast approaching and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel have just amped up the the Holiday Happenings Line-Up! Santa, Mrs. Claus and their favorite elf, Kandy Kane, will be jetting off to Florida this December to escape the cold and join guests for Holiday Happenings at Santa’s favorite resort. During this month-long celebration, children and kids at heart can enjoy a magical holiday vacation experience at the Epcot Resort Area hotel with special holiday season room rates starting at $159 per night. Take a look at this year’s activities line-up:
Santa and Mrs. Claus Meet ‘n Greets Decked out in their Florida vacation attire, Santa, Mrs. Claus and Kandy Kane meet guests in Santa’s customized Tiki Hut on select nights. Featuring reindeer, palm trees and flamingos, this holiday photo opportunity is like no other.
Life-Size Chocolate Holiday Santa Scene Constructed entirely of CHOCOLATE, this life-sized sculpture weighs in at approximately 2,000 pounds! The sculpture, created by the hotel’s executive pastry chef Laurent
Branlard (the only two-time world pastry champion), is showcased in the lobby of the Swan. It features chocolate Santa sitting in his chair, a 7-foot tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker, chocolate fireplace, chocolate Christmas tree and chocolate toy train. The scene will be displayed in the lobby of the hotel throughout December and is 100 percent edible. However, any chocolate lovers thinking of taking on the challenge of consuming this enormous sweet, should consider that it is 4 million calories! (By the way, the sculpture is not available for tasting!)
A Florida Snow Fall and Tree Lighting Ceremony With the help of some holiday magic, guests can experience a snow fall in the comfort of the Dolphin lobby. Throughout December, the lobby is transformed into a festive holiday scene featuring a 45-ft tall Christmas tree surrounded by a holiday train set. The scene is completed with regularly timed snow fall. This snow, however, requires no shoveling. On select nights, guests can join Mrs. Claus for the lighting of the Christmas tree, followed by hot holiday beverages and crafts for kids at Santa’s Tiki Hut.
Bedtime Elf Tuck-Ins Even after Santa’s elves have finished making presents, their work isn’t really finished! On December 24, a fully costumed elf will deliver milk, cookies, a plush toy and storybook to the room, read a bedtime story and tuck children into bed before Santa arrives. This premium service costs $55 for one child and $15 for each additional child. A service charge of 20 percent is added. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Dancing Lights Show A dazzling musical light show transforms the causeway each evening into a holiday spectacle with dancing illuminated palm trees and favorite holiday tunes.
Holiday Entertainment On select nights, guests can catch entertainment by carolers, choirs and musicians in the hotel lobbies, on the causeway and in other public areas throughout the hotel.
Magic Keys for Santa How will Santa deliver presents to each guest room without a chimney? With a magic key! Children can hang a magic key on their door to help Santa find his way on Christmas Eve. Magic keys are available at the concierge desk.
Dessert Decorating and Holiday Movies Throughout December, families can tune in to free holiday-themed movies either on their guest room televisions or, on select nights, on a large screen on the hotel’s private beach. Children can also decorate delicious holiday sweets in the lobby.
For more details about all the holiday excitement, including a full schedule of activities, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel or to make room reservations, please visit www.santasfavoriteresort.com or call 1-800-227-1500. Overnight rates start at $159 per night.
About the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is the gateway to Central Florida’s greatest theme parks and attractions. The hotel is located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, the Extra Magic Hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is open extra time for guests to enjoy select attractions (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required) and the new FastPass+ service, where guests can reserve up to 3 select theme park experiences up to 60 days in advance of their visit. The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500, www.swandolphin.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/swananddolphin.