2 Day Trip Advice

[piratehookspixiedust]

We just decided a few days ago that we will be going to WDW 12/4-12/7. We have always dreamed of seeing it at Christmas. We are unable to plan an entire vacation like we normally do (due to funds) but would like t make the most of it. We are buying our tickets to MVMCP for 12/5 (Friday) this week and we need plans for Saturday. I would love to go to Hollywood Studios or Universal for the day (particularly Harry Potter world) but the tickets for my family for one day are about $500.

We thought about just doing Downtown Disney and letting the kids see Santa and maybe making reservations at T Rex. I would love to do a character meal or something at a resort but I know they are all full.

We will probably do some resort hopping Friday morning and then nap before the Christmas party.

Any suggestions?? Never been this time of year...

 

[Lavitz]

That's a hard one. I feel your pain on the ticket prices for short trips, when I found out the first time I was all . It's crazy.

I like your resort hopping idea, but don't give up on the character meal idea if you really want it. Our last trip was in late Nov and we planned it with less than 3 months notice. It took checking availability daily when I had a spare minute, and subscribing to the cancellation thread on the restaurant forum but it was much easier than I thought. Crystal Palace in particular often had opening if your family is into Pooh and friends.

No idea if you can make a day out of Downtown Disney. We usually only go for about 2-3 hours on a slow day when we're there, but the time FLIES by, it honestly seems like we look at 3 or 4 shops and we need to leave. So maybe it is possible, I have no idea how big it is because by the time I get to the Emporium it's time to go. Maybe someone else can give you ideas on what you can do in Downtown Disney.

 

[piratehookspixiedust]

Thanks so much for the tips. The Crystal Palace is actually my personal favorite character meal. I love Pooh! But we will only be in park for MVMCP. I really want to focus on party time as much as we can and I know the kids wanna get some rides in while lines might be shorter. I was thinking Ohana.... I have never done it!

I was able to get us in at T Rex but could always cancel that...

 

[Taylor'sMom]

We have a VERY similar situation. While we normally go for longer trips, I recently booked a short 3-night trip December 7-10 because I've always wanted to go during the holidays. I convinced DH this would be a "budget" trip (comparatively speaking!). That leaves is with 2 full days, plus a little time.on arrival and departure day.
1 day we are doing MVMCP (4-12) with a self-guided resort tour beforehand.
1 day we are doing Hollywood Studios (really want to see the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights).
And that covers the 3 primary things I wanted to see to consider this a "holiday" trip.
The arrival/departure day we'll spend some time at DTD. I definately think you can spend a lot of time there... and if you were willing to spend more $, you could go bowling at Splitsville, or visit Disney Quest??? We'll just browse, shop and enjoy the atmosphere though.

Having done a few parties before (Pirate & Princess and MNSSHP) I can day I would never waste party time at a table service meal! ESPECIALLY if that is your only park time for the trip!!!!

We have done O'Hana several times (always for breakfast) and love it. It's always a happy repeat for us, while other things we do once and say once was enough. The Poly is beautiful too (though I hear their holiday decorations are underwhelming and the construction isn't ideal)... but it's a pretty resort to walk around before/after a meal. And you can take the monorail to the Contemporary and Grand Florida to see their decorations.
We have done T-Rex 3 times now. We like it, but between that or O'Hana I would pick O'Hana. Don't give up on an ADR, keep looking. Things open up.

 

[msb578]

I've found Fort Wilderness to be a great place to spend at least part of a day! Maybe someone could comment on what it's like during Christmas season? I have not made it there during that part of the year yet.

 

[staceyrhood]

I've found Fort Wilderness to be a great place to spend at least part of a day! Maybe someone could comment on what it's like during Christmas season? I have not made it there during that part of the year yet.

It is awesome! Soooo many sites are decorated