As today is Christmas Eve, we decided to take a break from our regular blog schedule in order to share our own little Christmas card with all of you, our wonderful Disney Friends. From all of us at The Affordable Mouse, we send you our warmest Holiday Greetings:

Wishing all of The Affordable Mouse fans a very magical holiday and a pixie dusted New Year! I am looking forward to chatting Disney with all of you in 2012. ~ Kelly

Wishing all our Affordable Mouse family a Very Special and Magical Holiday with unlimited pixie dust! ~ Debbie

May the peace of this holiday season rest on you & yours. Merry Christmas & a Mickey New Year! ~ DeAnna

Wishing you and yours the most magical and Disney-filled holiday Season and may your New Year be filled with Disney dreams come true! ~ Belinda

Magical Merry Christmas!!! ~ Shannan

I hope you all have a fun Christmas and enjoy the time spent with family & friends! ~ Karen

Wishing everyone a magical Christmas and Happy New Year! ~ Rachel

Wishing everyone a Christmas of beautiful memories that will last a lifetime and may 2012 bring you a year of magical moments. Blessings to all! ~ Lisa

In this Season of Light and Joy, may all of you have the chance to celebrate with those you hold near and dear, and may the New Year be filled with an abundance of peace, health, happiness and magical memories for you and your families.  ~ Nancy

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Karen grew up in the Boston area and traveled to Disney World many times with her parents and sister. Always staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins gave the trips a feeling of a home away from home. It also started the tradition of attending the Hoop Dee Doo Review on each trip! Somehow that show sparked her interest in the Disney College Program. Which she did in the fall of 2002, working as a hostess @ Captain Jacks in Downtown Disney. Now as an adult, Karen finds herself traveling to the parks on a yearly basis! Photography has always been a hobby of Karen’s, but over the past few years it has become her passion. It’s even taken her to her favorite place! The Make a Wish Foundation sent a family to Disney for a week and Karen was lucky enough to be their photographer of choice! She got to tag along and photograph their memories being made. She hopes to get that experience again someday! You can find more of Karen’s photography on her site www.KPportraits.com.

“On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree…..”

And so goes the song, sharing what her (his?) True Love gave as gifts over the 12 Days of Christmas. While this traditional version finds the songwriter to be the lucky recipient of some pretty odd tokens of affection, (12 drummers drumming…..really? Sounds pretty noisy, and like something I would probably be returning….), it does make modern gift-givers in search of that perfect present wonder: What 12 items could I give my True Love?

Well if my wonderful DH is reading, honey here is what you could get this particular Disney-lover for the 12 Days of Christmas. (And please note, unlike the original version, there is no need to repeat items over subsequent days….one of each is sufficient, thank you very much.   )

1. On the first day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: One Disney cruise. Location, duration, time of year are unimportant. Just whisk me away to someplace where people will wait on me hand and foot, where the food will be  delicious and endless, and where someone puts chocolates on my pillow every night. Oh, and where the ship’s horn plays “When you wish upon a star”….
2. On the second day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Two Dinners at Victoria and Alberts. This would, admittedly be a gift that would benefit my True Love as well as me. J But having never experienced dining at Victoria and Alberts, this is something that I know would be a pretty amazing Christmas gift for both of us.
3. On the third day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Three hours on an Illuminations cruise. Another thing that I have never done! I love Illuminations more than any Disney show, and being able to view it from a boat, with a unique and unobstructed view would make this Disney fan pretty darn happy.
4. On the fourth day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Four seasons at Walt Disney World. OK, this may sound a little greedy, but one year, I would love to be able to take 4 trips to Disney World, so that I could experience what each season has to offer. One of the things Disney does SO well is to provide events that make us want to keep coming back for more. Each season is unique and different, and I would love to have the opportunity to see them all during one year.
5. On the fifth day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Five uninterrupted hours relaxing by the Uzima Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Please….. I love my family dearly, but the chance to be all alone in this beautiful place for just 5 hours, no phone, no email, no interruptions, no anything….just me, some sunshine and good book. For 5 hours. That is all.
6. On the sixth day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Six new Disney mugs. See, not everything on my list is excessive, expensive, or unrealistic. Some things that would be very nice are quite modest and not over-the-top at all. For example, I have a few Disney collections….and I would love a few more mugs. I am pretty sure my DH will not understand this, but wouldn’t it be great to have a different Disney mug for each day of the month?
7. On the seventh day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Seven days at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. I have had the chance to spend a week near the peaceful marshes, and under the huge shady oaks draped with Spanish moss that characterize this lovely resort. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort combines the best of Disney and the beach. Our time there was divine. I want to do it again. Please??
8. On the eighth day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Eight limited edition pins. Another quite modest request, this is another Disney collection that needs some new additions. No particular style or theme requests: surprise me.
9. On the ninth day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Nine Fastpasses to ride Soarin in one day. OK, not sure how one could actually buy this….but I believe in the power of pixie dust.
10. On the tenth day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Ten chances to Pick a Pearl in the Japan pavilion in World Showcase. Yes, I will need the settings to go with all those pearls.
11. On the eleventh day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Eleven dinners in World Showcase…one in each country. OK, it might be more than 11, because I would want company while I eat…but you get the idea. Just don’t forget to make the ADRs honey….at 180 days prior. You can do it online at 6 a.m. ET.
12. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my True Love could give me: Twelve Carrot Cake Cookies. Ahh the delectable Carrot Cake Cookie! Twelve of them! I totally promise to share.

So Disney Friends: what would be on YOUR lists for the 12 Days of Disney Christmas? Happy Holidays!!

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Karen grew up in the Boston area and traveled to Disney World many times with her parents and sister. Always staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins gave the trips a feeling of a home away from home. It also started the tradition of attending the Hoop Dee Doo Review on each trip! Somehow that show sparked her interest in the Disney College Program. Which she did in the fall of 2002, working as a hostess @ Captain Jacks in Downtown Disney. Now as an adult, Karen finds herself traveling to the parks on a yearly basis! Photography has always been a hobby of Karen’s, but over the past few years it has become her passion. It’s even taken her to her favorite place! The Make a Wish Foundation sent a family to Disney for a week and Karen was lucky enough to be their photographer of choice! She got to tag along and photograph their memories being made. She hopes to get that experience again someday! You can find more of Karen’s photography on her site www.KPportraits.com.

For your chance to win today’s giveaway, please tell us in the comments below: What is your favorite Disney movie….and why?

And now…..presenting today’s Wordless Wednesday courtesy of Karen!

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Now through January 7th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is happening! It is an absolute amazing site to see! Best part…it’s included with your theme park admission! Nothing extra to spend to enjoy the show!

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Karen grew up in the Boston area and traveled to Disney World many times with her parents and sister. Always staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins gave the trips a feeling of a home away from home. It also started the tradition of attending the Hoop Dee Doo Review on each trip! Somehow that show sparked her interest in the Disney College Program. Which she did in the fall of 2002, working as a hostess @ Captain Jacks in Downtown Disney. Now as an adult, Karen finds herself traveling to the parks on a yearly basis! Photography has always been a hobby of Karen’s, but over the past few years it has become her passion. It’s even taken her to her favorite place! The Make a Wish Foundation sent a family to Disney for a week and Karen was lucky enough to be their photographer of choice! She got to tag along and photograph their memories being made. She hopes to get that experience again someday! You can find more of Karen’s photography on her site www.KPportraits.com.

We all have a dream when we think about Disney World, for some it may be a magical stay at a deluxe villa resort, for some it may be an extended vacation with everyone in their family, for others it may be to actually visit Walt Disney World for the first time ever. My Disney dream is to visit Walt Disney World for Christmas. Not the week before, not the week after, I want to wake up Christmas morning and open presents with my kids at Walt Disney World.  I want to celebrate Christmas at Walt Disney World!!!

I already know that the crowds are horrendous over the holidays and that they can create a different level of stress on Disney travelers. But I also know that Christmas at Disney is by far the most magical time to visit Walt Disney World.  So given the facts about how tricky it can be to visit Disney at Christmas time one may wonder why it is my dream to visit Disney at Christmas?

Having been to Disney 25 times and counting I have NOT done it all…although I often get that question but we shall save that for another post. :0) I feel like visiting over Christmas would bring a new meaning to the place I feel is by far the most magical and dreamy place I have ever been. There are an ample amount of activities to do that pertain to the holiday’s, in fact after doing some research I found that there is so much holiday cheer throughout the Walt Disney World Resort that I could easily spend 10 days there over Christmas and still not experience everything!!

With that said I have a list of the things that are on my Disney Christmas Dream List.

1. It is my dream to see Cinderella Castle decked out in the dream lights. There cannot be a more magical time then to see the castle glisten under the stars. Yes, I have seen it all decked out various times of year…but Christmas for me is already magical and can move me to tears, I cannot even imagine throwing Disney into the mix.
2. The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights is like a virtual city of lights. This display is one that gets me every time I watch the travel special on Disney Holidays. I think this may be right up at the top of my list of most important things for me to see at Christmas.
3. Candlelight Processional is another experience that I just know will move me to tears. Forget the celebrity narrators, just put me in front of an orchestra and some beautiful voices and I will just loose it in the moment. I have read from many fans that they continue to visit for this event because it truly inspires all who experience it.
4. I would absolutely LOVE to resort hop and look at all of the decorations. We do not make much time for this when we take our yearly trips to Disney but I think at Christmas time we would make an exception.  The three places that I really want to see are Grand Floridian for the life-size gingerbread house that is in their lobby. Next is Wilderness Lodge, I hear that this place is just stunning all of the time but especially over the holiday’s. Last, Beach Club and their huge gingerbread carousel which features ponies made of chocolate and fondant, giant candy cane poles and hand-painted portraits of Disney Characters.
5. I love learning about different cultures so naturally I would LOVE to experience the International Storytellers. This is an event where you will learn about holiday folk traditions and stories from around the globe.

So Santa if you are out there listening to me, can you please grant me this one wish…I wish I could wake up Christmas morning at Walt Disney World with my family. What is your Disney Christmas Dream?

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Kelly, her husband, and three children live in the Chicagoland area. Kelly has been traveling to Walt Disney World since the age of two. She considers Walt Disney World to be her primary vacation destination. With 20 plus trips under her belt she still enjoys researching and learning new things about the most magical place on earth! Kelly began Disney Guru in August of 2010 with the vision of sharing fun vacation tips and magic with all fans of Disney World.

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Karen grew up in the Boston area and traveled to Disney World many times with her parents and sister. Always staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins gave the trips a feeling of a home away from home. It also started the tradition of attending the Hoop Dee Doo Review on each trip! Somehow that show sparked her interest in the Disney College Program. Which she did in the fall of 2002, working as a hostess @ Captain Jacks in Downtown Disney. Now as an adult, Karen finds herself traveling to the parks on a yearly basis! Photography has always been a hobby of Karen’s, but over the past few years it has become her passion. It’s even taken her to her favorite place! The Make a Wish Foundation sent a family to Disney for a week and Karen was lucky enough to be their photographer of choice! She got to tag along and photograph their memories being made. She hopes to get that experience again someday! You can find more of Karen’s photography on her site www.KPportraits.com.

The Holiday Season has become one of the most popular times to visit Walt Disney World, and it really is no wonder why: with amazing light displays, moving and inspirational music, entertaining shows, festive decorations, and of course delicious treats, this is season that is a true feast for the senses. And of course, no one prepares that kind of feast better than Disney! So clearly, for anyone who loves the Christmas Season and loves Disney, there is no better place to celebrate the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

With all of the festivities though, it is easy to overlook one of the most interesting Holiday events at Disney World: Epcot’s Holidays Around the World Storytellers. But you really shouldn’t! The Holiday Storytellers are a fascinating glimpse into how other cultures celebrate their special holidays…..and if you take the time to visit with them, you will be in for quite a treat! Entertaining and fun, learning about how others celebrate Christmas and other winter holidays is a wonderful way to add to your “Christmas Spirit”.

So let me briefly introduce you to the Storytellers that you will meet on your Holiday stroll around the World…..

Mexico: The Three Kings

Dressed in magnificent robes, The Three Kings tell their tale: In Mexico families celebrate Christmas through January 6 when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem, bringing gifts to baby Jesus. On Three Kings Day, children leave their shoes out, hoping that the Kings will leave special treats in them on their way to Bethlehem.

Norway: Julenissen

Julenissen is funny kind of elf who shares his story. In Norway, he lives in the woods, guarding each family. During the Christmas season, children leave bowls of porridge out to thank Julenissen for watching over them all year long.

China: The Monkey King

The Monkey King tells a very interesting legend about how he, Sun hou-kong, a monkey raised by humans, became the Monkey King after defeating a monster. But after he began to then cause mischief and mayhem, Buddha punished the Monkey King by imprisoning him in a mountain. Needless to say, he was soon very sorry for his ways, and after promising to mend his ways, was set free again. The Monkey King of course, points out the moral to his story, in hopes of sparing others his fate.

Germany: Helga

Many of Germany’s customs and traditions of the season are familiar, because they become an important part of celebrations all around the world. Here Helga shares the story of the first tannenbaum or Christmas tree, and how it came to be decorated with lights (candles), decorations and special treats.

Italy: La Befana

I love the story of La Befana, who legend has it, was a poor, old woman who lived at the time of the birth of Jesus. After refusing to help the Shepherds and the Three Kings look for the newborn Baby, she eventually decided to look for him on her own. Sadly though, she became lost and never found him. She still looks for him to this day, visiting children’s homes in hopes of finding him, and leaving gifts for the children when she stops by.

American Adventure: Story of Hanukkah, Santa Claus, Story of Kwanzaa

When you stop by America, you will have the chance to hear two Storytellers. One explains about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, and how this special holiday celebrates each of those principles. The second Storyteller recounts the tale of the eight days of Chanukah, and explains how a candle is lit each night on the menorah to commemorate the special miracle of the flame burning in the Temple for eight days. And here you will also have the opportunity to meet that special American elf, Santa and Mrs. Claus too!

Want to learn about the rest of the Storytellers? Stop over at WDW FanZone to meet the rest!

 Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

If you have a trip to Disney World planned for the next 6 weeks or so, here is why you should schedule time to visit some of the Disney resorts:

Perhaps the best known, is at the Grand Floridian, where every year, a life-size Gingerbread House is created. Intricate in it’s detail, this is actually an edible creation, where castmembers then set up shop and sell some of the most delicious gingerbread cookies throughout the Christmas Season…and I speak from personal experience as one who is not hugely fond of gingerbread….it is yummy!

You also won’t want to miss the Wilderness Lodge, whose theme is somehow perfect for this time of the year. Here amidst roaring fireplaces (and yes, it gets cool enough in Florida at this time of year sometimes for those fireplaces to seem pretty cozy), you will find a towering Christmas tree as the focal piece for the Wilderness Lodge lobby. It is several stories high, and the only word I can use to describe it is….amazing. But be sure to look beyond the sheer size and take a peak at the ornaments, and other decorations that festoon the Wilderness Lodge. In fact, be sure to do this at each resort, because the decorations are not one-size-fits-all: instead, you will see that the theme of the resort is reflected in that resort’s decorations. So at the Wilderness Lodge, expect to find lots of Native American and Pacific Northwest-inspired touches that add to the uniqueness of the decorations.

Speaking of unique, try to visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge as well, to see its equally impressive, and enormous Christmas tree. Here, of course, the decorations are inspired by African art and they are not only beautiful, but fascinating and unique.

Still looking for more Christmas inspiration? Then try to stop by the Boardwalk Inn and the Yacht and Beach Club, because they also have some very interesting holiday displays. At the Yacht/Beach Club you will find another edible masterpiece, a beautiful carousel. And the last time we were at the Boardwalk there was a great a Christmas-inspired gazebo complete with Donald and Daisy Duck. Of course, each of these resorts has their own themed holiday decorations. Take a look at the beautiful plantings and gardens also, for additional holiday inspiration.

These are, of course, just some highlights: each resort has its own way of celebrating this “most wonderful time of the year”.  While you’re visiting each one, take time to have a bite to eat as well. You will find some of the best restaurants on Disney World property to be located at the resorts.

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

This post is part of the 35th edition of the Disney Blog Carnival. Be sure to stop by there for more great Disney information!

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Brenda is a native Texan born and raised on the Gulf Coast. She visited Disney World twice as a teenager and always dreamed of growing her family Disney. She took her first-timer husband and their three children to Disney World in 2000 and they now spend every Thanksgiving there. Brenda writes with a comedic twist on various Disney topics. She will be sharing tips she has learned during her travels and also hopes to enlighten people on little-known freebies that Disney has to offer. She wishes she could have met Walt Disney and considers herself to be a student of Walt. In parallel to his dream it is her wish that everyone would take at least one trip to Disney World in order to share in its magic with their families.