Christmas on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World

Christmas at Night

I always enjoy the atmosphere on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom during the Christmas holidays. The buildings are decorated with garland and wreaths, and Christmas music is playing. And to top it off, down at the end of the street is Cinderella Castle covered in glowing holiday lights just for the occasion. Main Street USA at any time of the year is nice, but it is especially festive at Christmas time, and even more so at night.

As you can see, the street is also filled with people. But for the most part everyone seems to be in a slightly better mood during the Christmas holidays than at other times. During the summer nights it seems that so many people are grouchy and irritable. Maybe that has to do with the heat of those days. Or maybe Christmas just brings out the best in most people. Maybe they know that Santa Claus is watching and they better be nice. Whatever the reason, it is a fun time.

Home for the Holidays

As I have mentioned in these last few Christmas posts, these photos were from our 2016 visit. Because for 2017 we are staying home for Christmas. Well, not completely at home. We will venture out for the usual Christmas gatherings. But we do not have any big trips planned.

In some ways, that makes me a little sad. I like looking back at these photos from last year and remembering how much fun we had being there at that special time and spending lots of time with our good friends. But being home some extra time during the holidays does sound nice, too.

I know it will be just fine. I know I will really enjoy being home. And I know that Walt Disney World will not close down because we did not go this time around. And maybe we are doing our part to help keep Main Street USA just a little calmer and less crowded, too. You’re welcome.

Interesting Thought

If the song pauses while you are going under the pole, is your limbo in limbo?

Bible Verse

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9

About the photo

Photos like this of Main Street USA at night during the Christmas holidays are a little more tricky than you might think. The crowd in the foreground is quite dark, as you might imagine. The buildings are a little brighter than the crowd, since the buildings have lights all over them. But Cinderella Castle with the holiday lights is especially bright. So my photos usually end up being good for the buildings, dark for the crowd, and very bright for the castle.

Fortunately, I could even things out a bit with the Raw file. I also used that original Raw file to create a separate darker exposure from which I masked in Cinderella Castle, making it even less bright.

Unfortunately, photography is not always as easy as just pushing the shutter button and being done. But that adds to the fun of it, too.

Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Photoshop. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10
Lens: Rokinon 7.5mm f/3.5 Fisheye Lens
Date: December 21, 2016
Location: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida