Hi Kimberlee,
How exciting to be planning your first Disney vacation, and you've picked my favorite time to visit! The resorts and parks are incredibly decked out and are so very beautiful during the holidays.
You should plan a day of "Resort Hopping" to check out the many spectacular Disney resorts. From the Magic Kingdom, take the monorail over to the Contemporary Resort. You can explore it to your hearts content and really get a feel for the property. From there, I would ride the entire resort monorail loop and check out the Grand Floridian and Polynesian as well. Be sure to spend some time admiring the incredible gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian and the gingerbread tree in the Contemporary. You can also take the ferry over to the Wilderness Lodge which is especially pretty in December. If you have time on an Epcot day, walk out back through the International Gateway to the Yacht & Beach Club (my favorite resorts). They have a chocolate carousel that is incredible. For the Animal Kingdom Lodge, hop on a bus bound for there from any of the parks. This resort in particular is absolutely breathtaking.
I recommend that you make Advanced Dining Reservations at
Boma - The Flavors of Africa for the evening that you are at Animal Kingdom Lodge. My family considers this a "must do" on all Disney vacations.
Hope this helps and that you have a wonderful vacation! Have fun choosing where you'll stay on your next trip, as I'm certain you'll be bitten by the Disney bug when you are there!
Kaylene