Disappointing photos show what it’s really like to visit Disney World around the holidays

• Christmas is my favorite holiday, and spending it at Disney World can be a magical experience.
• However, long lines, major crowds, and expensive tickets can easily dismantle the holiday spirit.
• The annual ticketed Christmas party is very fun, but it’s also a costly added expense.

The first time I saw the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) in 2000, I was hooked on the magic of Disney World at Christmastime.

As an adult, however, I’ve quickly learned that expectations don’t always match reality.

The parks are decked out in decorations for all of November and December, and it can be really magical to walk down Main Street as fake snow showers down. On the other hand, because it’s such a popular time to visit, things can be a little hectic. 

I went to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot at the end of the year and captured some of the less glamorous parts of celebrating Christmas at Disney World.