This week is really busy with getting our new PassPorter’s Walt Disney World 2014 editions mailed out to readers, so I turned to our amazing PassPorter Message Board community for inspiration. And they did not disappoint!

About a week ago, member DisneyLuv asked in our Planning Your Adventure forum this question:

Why, yes, WE DO! DisneyLuv received many excellent responses to her question. Here they are, along with some of my favorites:

1. Holiday Storytellers at Epcot. These are little “shows” at each of the countries around the World Showcase, explaining the holiday customs around the world. Member poohmaine says that she “really enjoyed hearing how the holidays are celebrate in other lands.” “It’s definitely a nice way to get into the holiday spirit while over at Epcot,” says aliceinwdw. Read more about the holiday storytellers on the boards.

Holiday Storyteller at Canada | Photo by Poohj80

2. Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney. This is a special “event” at Downtown Disney that features holiday carolers, musical performances of holiday songs, costumed stilt walkers, street performs, a holiday dance party with a DJ, tons of Christmas decorations, and all the Disney shopping you could want. It runs until December 30 and there’s no extra charge for the holiday fun. Aliceinwdw says you can “do your holiday shopping, enjoy live entertainment, and yes, even meet Santa all in one day!”

3. Gingerbread Displays at the Deluxe Disney Resorts. Each of the deluxe resort hotels — Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and BoardWalk — have amazingly detailed gingerbread displays in the lobbies. The Grand Floridian’s display has “a piano player in the afternoons playing holiday toons, and you can buy all kinds of gingerbread cookies,” says poohmaine. And aliceinwdw says that the BoardWalk “has a Holiday Gazebo, as well as Stitch’s Bakery, a Stitch-sized replica of the BoardWalk Bakery’s storefront, set up in the lobby.”

Gingerbread Carousel at the Beach Club | Photo by tinker_me_happy

4. Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness. “It was wonderful, relaxing, and so much fun — we did the sleigh ride and saw all the directions people put on their campsites. It was incredible and just us, the horse, and driver!” says oldmom. Sleigh rides may be sold out for this year already, but you can learn more about them (and get an idea of when to book them for next year) in this message board thread.

5. Jingle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom. If you’re visiting this holiday season, be sure to check out the “Jingle Cruise,” which is the Jungle Cruise with a little extra holiday magic. There’s no telling if it’ll return next year, so this could be your only chance! “They have changed it to have a Christmas theme,” says author Cheryl Pendry, who replied that “we thought it was fun!” Aliceinwdw thinks “it may be a good idea to make this one of your FastPass+ choices as it will probably be more popular than usual!”

6. The Holiday Monorail Tour. This is less a “thing” and more something people just love to do at the holidays. Luvsun suggests you “hop on the monorail and check out the holiday decor” at each of the resorts, getting out at each stop to experience it up close. There are often entertainers and musicians at the monorail resorts this time of the year, and there may even be some impromptu holiday events!

7. Candlelight Processional at Epcot. I think this annual holiday show at Epcot is easily overlooked because it’s the sort of thing folks think they need to plan, such as by buying a Candlelight Processional Package (and this is definitely recommended). You don’t have to have a package to see the show, however, though you should plan to arrive several hours early to get in the standby line. Don’t want to wait? You can see (and most definitely HEAR) most of the show from the walkway outside. Don’t expect to stand there for the whole show, though, as you’ll get shooed along.But that’s okay — you can experience a bit of it and then move on to other things. It’s quite a sight to behold! sailbot001 says, “We seemed to have lucked out in 2011, we walked in at the last minute without standing in line. It was the first showing of the season in November. We got some seats toward the back, but we were not caring either way if we saw it or not. We just happened to walk by as they were letting the last few people in, and they said they had extra seats. However, after seeing it, I would HIGHLY recommend it and get the package just to make sure you do get in! It is AMAZING!” Read more about the Candlelight Processional on the message boards.

8. Holiday Cupcake Crawl. Okay, this one might just be my empty tummy talking, but … did you know there are awesome holiday cupcakes all over Walt Disney World, just waiting for you to discover? HollyH says, “If you like cupcakes (like my sister and I), this is da bomb!” Granted, this is last year, but I’ll bet that the folks at Disney Food Blog will be sure to update it for this year (or I can modify last year’s crawl) Check out our friends at the Disney Food Blog’s Food Challenge: The 2012 DFB Holiday Cupcake Crawl

You’d be amazed at the wealth of information on the message boards. Nearly any question I ever have (and I have plenty) about Disney, I find my answer here. Give a try at the PassPorter message board search! Or just ask a question and the friendly folks will answer!

Did I miss any overlooked holiday attractions? Let me know!