1st Time Visiting during Christmas Season

[Tlmb615]

Hi @Timb615 ~ Moving you to the main Theme Parks board where you can receive some more replies!

Thank you! Have a great day!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Here's a very comprehensive thread by @yulilin3 regarding all the Epcot events:
Epcot's Holidays Around the World Food and Entertainment Passport Post #63

 

[gumbypee]

If you do not stay at a resort (day trip), can you still park at resorts to check them out??

 

[revdon64]

The best way to approach a party is really about what you want to get out of it. If you want the exclusive party stuff - don't miss the parade, the fireworks, the castle lighting, snow on main street. If characters are your thing - don't miss Sandy Claws, the seven dwarves, and some regulars in Christmas gear. If you're about the rides - most will have short lines because people will be doing other things. It really depends on you.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you do not stay at a resort (day trip), can you still park at resorts to check them out??

It depends on how busy the resort is on the day of your visit. On a slow day, you could park to view the resort. On a busy day, you'd need an ADR to self-park. Another option is to pay to Valet Park and tour as many resorts as you'd like.

Parking at a park and then using buses, Monorail, or boats would be a little less expensive than Valet.

 

[gumbypee]

It depends on how busy the resort is on the day of your visit. On a slow day, you could park to view the resort. On a busy day, you'd need an ADR to self-park. Another option is to pay to Valet Park and tour as many resorts as you'd like.

Parking at a park and then using buses, Monorail, or boats would be a little less expensive than Valet.

I have an AP so parking at park would be free but I would have no clue how to go about utilizing buses because I have never used them and hear horror stories about long waits on this board. seems like a lot of frustration just to see a few decorations. bummer

thanks

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I want to correct my earlier post. Apparently this year Boardwalk does not have a large gingerbread house

 

[themeparkcomando]

We are planning an afternoon of "touring" the deluxe resorts followed by and evening at Disney Springs. Can we park at Disney Springs and use WDW buses/monorails to move around to the resorts?

 

[SaintsManiac]

We loved the Frozen Christmas Display at the Contemporary. So cute!

 

[NH-to-FL]

Congratulations on your Christmas trip!

If there is one resort that I would visit it would be the GF. It would make for a nice break during your visit to the MK.

Also note that the Boardwalk no longer has a Gingerbread House.

 

[hiroMYhero]

We are planning an afternoon of "touring" the deluxe resorts followed by and evening at Disney Springs. Can we park at Disney Springs and use WDW buses/monorails to move around to the resorts?

Yes; there aren't parking restrictions at DS.

 

[Nancyg56]

We are staying at the Yacht Club. First time staying at a deluxe! So excited!!

You are in a perfect position to explore the Epcot resorts. We generally start at the Beach Club and stroll around the Boardwalk. The lobbies have really lovely displays, however the BC is my favorite of all the Epcot resorts. They not only have a display, but the lobby is decorated with themed arrangements and trees. It is fun to listen tot teh holiday music in each resort.

I think that a Christmas trip is different than any other. For us, we make sure we focus on Holiday displays that are not around any other time of year. So....on your Party day, I would plan to visit the Monorail Resorts lobbies. They really have a lot to offer in terms of themed decorations, with the Grand Lobby being the most impressive. I would plan to end there, becuase if you are there at 3 PM, the Grand Pianist will be entertaining, and that is frosting on your cake.

If you can fit a trip to WIlderness Lodge in, that lobby is awesome as well, and if you have dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge I woudl plan a little time to explore that lobby too. It is a favorite of mine.

The best way to approach a party is really about what you want to get out of it. If you want the exclusive party stuff - don't miss the parade, the fireworks, the castle lighting, snow on main street. If characters are your thing - don't miss Sandy Claws, the seven dwarves, and some regulars in Christmas gear. If you're about the rides - most will have short lines because people will be doing other things. It really depends on you.

This! I think that planning your objectives ahead of time is key to ensuring you do not leave the party with buyers remorse. You cannot do it all, so planning wisely makes a huge difference. I would book FP between 4 and 7 if you want to get a few attractions is before the start, and I would eat dinner before the party.

We seldom stand in character lines anymore, but when my DGD was young, it was the priority at parties. That and the parade and Castle show and wishes. Anything else was a bonus. We knew though, that the lines were a time commitment that made the attractions come second. Make sure that you know your priority before you go.

I think that since you planned a Holiday trip part of what you are looking for are the special events. Focus on Epcot and the MK, for the events, and plan time at DS for the Tree Trail and Drone show as well. Im not sure how DHS is playing out with JBJB, but planning an evening there might be worthwhile as well.

 

[disdreamer7]

If you want to see the decorations at the Beach Club and watch some of the entertainment on the Boardwalk, where do you park? I wasn't sure we could park at Beach Club the week between Christmas and New Year's, due to crowds.

 

[cgattis]

We loved the Frozen Christmas Display at the Contemporary. So cute!

It took us nearly half an hour to find all the hidden Olafs!! LOL It was very cute and smelled AMAZiNG! I adore a boat ride, so I'd ride to Contemporary and WL by boat Have some yummy spiced nuts in the WL lobby for me please...I was busy with something else when I first noticed them and never got back.

 

[Tlmb615]

Here's a very comprehensive thread by @yulilin3 regarding all the Epcot events:
Epcot's Holidays Around the World Food and Entertainment Passport Post #63

Thank you so much for the information