anyone been to Santa's Reindeer Roundup? About This Page:

[sbJasmine]

I know that is not the official name but I mean the Santa Claus visiting area at DL.

What activities do they have? Is it only a visit with Santa (which would be great but I'm imagining other goodies too..) Any idea how long the line is?
Thanks for the input.

[w-steele]

We have not been there as of yet but we surely will this coming weekend. I'll post a report online here maybe Friday evening after we return to the motel from the parade and fireworks. With any luck I may have some photos to share as well.

[LauraBelle V. Hime]

I've been a few times, but never had a long wait...sometimes none. The reindeer are also a big draw here. Should be on the "must do" list if you visit during the Holidays!

[HeatherD]

We haven't been this year, yet (just over 2 weeks!!!), so I don't know how the Celebration BBQ has affected the area, if at all. This will be our 6th Christmas visit in the past 7 years (went to WDW in 07). In the past, the queue for Santa could get a bit long - the kids started getting a little antsy. But, it's a rustic cabin and there are some log benches to sit on, etc. There are reindeer (and cute buckets with their "food" on display) and usually a mule (? I can't remember if it's a mule or a horse or a cow), but they are not in the queue area. The stage area would show a Christmas Cowboy themed show, but this is where I think the BBQ area may affect it, since I think the restaurant has a stage show?

In the past, they've also had cookies you could buy and decorate and a covered wagon kiosk that sold the photopass pictures. Mrs. Claus has been known to wander through the audience area as well.

I've always liked that it's off on its own. Our first Christmas (2003) and possibly the one after that, Santa was up front by the tree. While it was a beautiful set up, the line was usually crazy and it really crowded the town square area. Moving it to the back, people have spread the timing out a bit more, plus you get less "oh, let's drop in on him" people and more "I'm dedicated to seeing Santa because my kids have a list" people.

We actually have a cute Disney Santa List. I'm not crazy about the way they list it (3 boxes: "Want" "Need" "For Family"), but I like the graphics. Of course, DS(5) has both sides of his lined paper filled to the point that there's no room for any more letters, so the pre-printed one may not work for him this year....

[sbJasmine]

oh great idea to bring a list to the visit! I couldn't find a Disney Christmas list just by doing a quick websearch but I found another one that will do.

We will be there tomorrow--can't wait.
Thanks for the info!

[mechurchlady]

There are two halves to the area. The restaurant has no entertainment when we were there and when they do it is one pianist. Decorated for the holidays but that is it.

Reindeer were put in where the goats used to be. The donkey is gone and Maggie the cow is in his spot. The turkeys were not out last Friday. Th cabin is for Santa and NOBODY ENTERS the side door or the cabin to just take a peek. You have to get inline and wait in line to see the decorations of the inside of the cabin and she is a little stormtrooper who for CMs was pretty harsh. Cute decorations abound. There are soe crafts an plenty of space for washing up.

BE WARNED that if you have an opening reservation you may not get seated first. We got there early and tried to check in but NO so we walked around. 10 minutes early and NO os we ar setting there and then they hand out pagers to people. Just left us there and never told us they were now arbitrarily checking in people. They seated 4 parties before us. The CM was rather rude and I warn you that you MUST stand at the check in area until they actually check in people. This is the worst part of the restaurant.

Vegans may not like the veggies offering. We had it and it was overcooked squash wheels, button mushrooms, wedge of hard potato, and bell pepper squares. Tofu and Cannonball barbecue sauce is offered. The yellow squash looked like my lemon slices after they been fried along with my chicken, lol. Vegans can have the beans and slaw

We ate lots of chicken but the ribs were NOT GLUTEN FREE as was fraudulently advertised in the beginning. Good, yes but that chicken is so yummy good that I think I ate a whole chicken. Jason had left over chicken for dinner. Great food and service and with AP it was $63 for lunch for three very full people. They need to work on vegan options and gluten free options.

[w-steele]

Well, in a matter of a few hours now we will be on the road up to Disney, We will then pop in and see the raindeer and all.

[w-steele]

Here are a few photos I took on Nov 21 of Santa's Raindeer Round-up. Hope you all enjoy them.

[DebiDebiDebi]

Thanks for the great photos!