Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort debuts new holiday attractions, including Elf Outpost and Tales from the North Pole

Dec 07, 2023 in "Walt Disney World Swan Resort"

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Holidays at the Swan and Dolphin Resort

Posted: Thursday December 7, 2023 10:13am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

This holiday season, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin offers new yuletide activities and festive favorites, returning to Santa's Favorite Resort on select nights.

Holidays at the Swan and Dolphin Resort

This year's holiday season celebration includes:

NEW – Elf Outpost

Santa's elves have set up shop at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin – and they're happy to show you around! Join Santa's elves for a tour of their Elf Outpost, including the toy workshop and bakery, where guests can enjoy complimentary cookie decorating. The fully stocked toy workshop will also offer crafts and toys for purchase.

NEW – Tales from the North Pole

Twice nightly, the elves will treat guests to milk and cookies and a special reading of the Christmas classic, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," wishing a merry Christmas to all and a good night to all. Families will also receive their own book to take home. (Paid experience.)

Santa and Mrs. Claus Meet and Greets

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Kandy Kane, decked out in their favorite Florida vacation attire, will meet guests in Santa's customized Tiki hut on select nights Nov - Dec. This unique holiday photo opportunity is filled with Florida flair featuring reindeer, palm trees, flamingos and holiday cheer.

Life-Size Chocolate Holiday Santa Scene

Constructed entirely of chocolate, this life-size sculpture weighs approximately 2,000 pounds! The sculpture is showcased in the lobby of the Swan. It features a chocolate Santa sitting in his chair, a 7-foot-tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker, a chocolate fireplace, a chocolate Christmas tree, and a chocolate toy train. The scene will be displayed in the lobby of the resort throughout December and is 100 percent edible.

Magic Keys for Santa on Christmas Eve

How will Santa deliver presents to each guest room without a chimney? With a magic key of course! Children can hang a magic key on their door to help Santa find his way on Christmas Eve. Magic keys are available on December 24 at the concierge desk.

Dancing Lights Show

A musical light show transforms the outdoor causeway each evening into a holiday spectacle with dancing illuminated palm trees and favorite holiday tunes. The performances occur regularly from sunset through 10 pm.

Save 25%

Swan and Dolphin guests are on the nice list this year, and can receive up to 25 percent off a second room with code SANTA.

For more details, including a full schedule of activities, or to make room reservations, visit www.santasfavoriteresort.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

Discuss on the Forums

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Brian28 days ago

I would also like to see snowcapped turrets and a little garland worked in. But I'll certainly take the OG Dreamlights back. It's really so stunning in person.

yensidtlaw196928 days ago

Oh I agree that projections are insufficient. I just think the Dreamlights weren't quite all that, even at their best. I would also be plenty thrilled with a winter overlay that's closer in line with what Disneyland does. Of course their castle is much smaller and easier to decorate in this way, but the snow-capped roofs make such a tremendous positive difference in both the daytime and nighttime look (their icicles could use some work though, they don't look so hot during the day)

wdwmagic28 days ago

They did get pretty quick at the install in later years, and it was a true wow moment for guests when lit. Projections don't come close.

MisterPenguin29 days ago

Everything's an LED!! Everything's an LED!!

bmr159129 days ago

Putting a ton of LEDs in the walls of the castle would make perfect dreamlights, not be an eyesore during the day, and let them be used for other shows.

aladdin200729 days ago

Just me but I would rather them restore the castle back to its original colors instead of covering it in lights.....granted the lights are seasonal...but just saying in terms of money being spent...........I guess though it will be eons before we ever see it happen. :rolleyes:

mattpeto29 days ago

They need to do something to bolster their Christmas offerings. And Halloween. Really surprised Villains didn’t make it back, they went with Enchantment for an AH draw instead.

yensidtlaw196929 days ago

This may be an unpopular opinion, but the Dreamlights never quite earned their keep for me. They take forever to install, muck up the face of the castle during the day, and look kind of cool at night but not as sophisticated as I think they should. I wish they'd just find a way to run Fiber Optics all over the castle, take a season to install them properly, and then keep them permanently to be used mainly just at Christmas Time. Maybe an occasional punctuating moment of magic in a Fireworks show or the Kiss Goodnight. Something that you wouldn't know was there unless you really looked for it, but could still make the castle sparkle on command.

CntrlFlPete29 days ago

I assume they would just projection map the castle these days. about six weeks of people complaining that a crane ruined their once in a lifetime trip ;)