2 parks at Xmas. Please help me pick

[WanderlustNZ]

Unfortunately this trip to the other side of the world is only allowing my family 2 (less likely, 3) days in WDW parks.

We will be staying 3 nights onsite at WL Villas during the week before Xmas (arriving 19th) and our current plan for our third day, which is technically more of a half day, is to save money and visit Disney Springs and do some Xmas resort hopping.

This will be our second family visit to Florida, having spent 10 days at WDW about 5 years ago. But even though we’re reasonably familiar with what each park offers, throw in the addition of heavy crowds, Xmas festivities, and some new rides (Avatar, Toy Story Land etc), I’m feeling a bit confused about which 2 parks to choose.

Even though EPCOT was our least favourite park, I’m leaning towards it because we hate crowds and long queues and would probably prefer wandering around absorbing Xmas atmosphere than standing for hours on end waiting for rides.

AK and HS have our favourite restaurants, new attractions that we’ve never been on, and a few of our favourite rides, but I wonder if it would be sacrilege not to visit MK all dressed up for Xmas?
And if we did opt for MK, are we better to pick the Xmas party over a standard day ticket?
Perhaps do the party on that third day instead of Disney Springs?

Choices, choices.
What would others do and why?

 

[HatboxOfficial]

If I only had two days in the parks, I would do EPCOT first (more to do, see, experience) and then end the second night with Magic Kingdom (end on a high note with Happily Ever After fireworks, etc.).

 

[pitpat]

How about two park days plus an Xmas Party ticket? would be a little less money than 3 park days and give you more variety.

Epcot and AK would be the other two parks I would choose in addition to the MK Xmas party.

 

[JETSDAD]

With the addition of TSL I'd likely go with HS. We really enjoyed the Christmas decorations and shows there this past December and look forward to new rides. Though I typically prefer AK over EPCOT, for Christmas I'd put EPCOT above AK.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Unfortunately this trip to the other side of the world is only allowing my family 2 (less likely, 3) days in WDW parks.

We will be staying 3 nights onsite at WL Villas during the week before Xmas (arriving 19th) and our current plan for our third day, which is technically more of a half day, is to save money and visit Disney Springs and do some Xmas resort hopping.

This will be our second family visit to Florida, having spent 10 days at WDW about 5 years ago. But even though we’re reasonably familiar with what each park offers, throw in the addition of heavy crowds, Xmas festivities, and some new rides (Avatar, Toy Story Land etc), I’m feeling a bit confused about which 2 parks to choose.

Even though EPCOT was our least favourite park, I’m leaning towards it because we hate crowds and long queues and would probably prefer wandering around absorbing Xmas atmosphere than standing for hours on end waiting for rides.

AK and HS have our favourite restaurants, new attractions that we’ve never been on, and a few of our favourite rides, but I wonder if it would be sacrilege not to visit MK all dressed up for Xmas?
And if we did opt for MK, are we better to pick the Xmas party over a standard day ticket?
Perhaps do the party on that third day instead of Disney Springs?

Choices, choices.
What would others do and why?

We were there from Dec. 16 - 23 last year so I'll give you my thoughts on parks and crowds if it's at all helpful. If AK and DHS hold the most interest for you, I would pick those as your two parks. AK was a bit crowded when we went, but not unmanageable at all. We did everything we wanted to do (including FoP) and even snagged a 4th FP+ for the Safari. We had a great day! DHS was BEAUTIFULLY decorated. They really pulled out the stops last year and I suspect they will decorate it similarly this year. I think, with the opening of Toy Story Land, DHS will be much more crowded, but we aren't talking Christmas week crowded (We've done Christmas week and the week before is definitely more manageable). EP is lovely at Christmas though. The storytellers are wonderful and we love listening to Voices of Liberty sing holiday songs.

That being said, I would consider buying a 2-day base ticket and adding MVMCP. We deliberately chose not to visit MK on a non-party day last year for fear of gigantic crowds and it turned out, we were right. We went on MVMCP on Dec. 19 and the crowds were definitely more manageable than if we had gone there on a regular day that week. There are typically three parties during the week before Christmas forcing those who want a full day at MK to go to the parks on those non-party days - that's a LOT of people! If MVMCP is not in the budget, the deluxe resorts are absolutely gorgeous at this time (especially GF and WL) and you could definitely make a day out of DS and resort hopping as well.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts and thanks to DisneyWishes for your first hand experience - very helpful.

You have me convinced not to go to MK on a non party day, so I think we will either go to the party, or MK on a party day and leave early. Did you try going on the morning of a party day? If so, what were the crowds like?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts and thanks to DisneyWishes for your first hand experience - very helpful.

You have me convinced not to go to MK on a non party day, so I think we will either go to the party, or MK on a party day and leave early. Did you try going on the morning of a party day? If so, what were the crowds like?

We didn't go during the early morning of the party day, but we did enter around 11:30 am on our party day (we used a regular ticket and MVMCP ticket that day). The crowds weren't bad. If you make good use of your FP+ that day, I think you would be in good shape. We had FP+ for Space, 7DMT and BTMRR and then did a few things standby (we saved some rides for MVMCP as the lines were quite short at the party). I've been to MK during Christmas week (I'd put that crowd at a 10) and in late August (I'd put that crowd at a 3). I would put crowds during regular park hours on a party day (at least on the day we went) around a 7.

The only drawback to doing what we did (not going on a non-party day) is we missed HEA, but, for us, missing it overweighed being in those crowds!

 

[Davey Jones II]

I would say AK (Pandora is a must) and MK (definitely on a party day). Of course, MK will close early for the party, so I would consider getting park hoppers and going to another park that night. I have heard that Epcot gets crowded on those nights, as many people hop to that park when they get evicted from MK for the party. That would leave DHS, or another few hours at AK. I would make sure fast passes were waiting for me in the second park.

 

[DisMommyTX]

I would definitely go for two other parks plus a Christmas party ticket--as long as you are night owls! Crowds are crazy that time of year, but we found that we got more done from 4pm-midnight on our party day than most 'full' park days. Expensive, but the atmosphere is so worth it!

AK is a great full day park now. With FP for a few rides and a couple shows, I think we spend less time in line there than any of the other parks. All will be super crowded. HS will likely be the worst with TSL attracting more guests but still lots of construction.

FYI- We went Black Friday shopping at Disney springs and it definitely would have cost less to spend the day in a park!

 

[Bete]

We were last there in Dec., 2017. Epcot would be my number one choice for the Christmas holiday.

Epcot is very special for Christmas time which starts with Thanksgiving week at Disney World. There's the Candlelight Processional, which to me is a much do. Get the dining package for reserved seating for the show. On a budget a Biergarten luncheon show/package will work. At the Fountains is a Gospel Christmas show. Epcot's Voices of Liberty in the American Pavillon are dressed Victorian and singing Christmas carols; there are scheduled times for this show. There are Christmas storytellers in World Showcase. Finally, there's a special rendition of Illuminations ending with "Peace on Earth".

Don't forget to get your three fastpasses ahead of time for each park you go to. You need to use the Magical Disney Experience app for advanced fastpasses. You can do this 60 days before your trip date. This really helps with waiting times. You can also make additional fastpasses on the run after your first three are done.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'd choose Epcot and either HS or AK. Decide which appeals to you most, Toy Story Land or Pandora.
Go to The Christmas party at MK.

 

[BobbyDukes]

Magic Kingdom with a Bonus tour of all the Monorail resort hotels. These resorts are always nice during Christmas.
EPCOT as well. We always like to go into Germany, especially the little christmas shop in the back and take a Picture with the pickle tree.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Thanks so much everyone - I really appreciate you all taking the time out of your day to comment.

It seems that the consensus is to do the party instead of a MK day, so I think that is what we will do. As long as we can do our 3 favourite MK rides (Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion) all other rides will be seen as a bonus. Plus the snow on Main Street does look very special.

I think I’m then leaning towards:
- an afternoon/evening in Epcot on the half day we arrive (it’s a Wednesday and historically there doesn’t seem to be Xmas parties on Wednesday’s).
- Some resort hopping and the party on Thursday.
- AK on Friday. I think Pandora has the edge over Toy Story Land. Plus, the more I think about it, Expedition Everest is my family’s favourite ride in all of Disney and, theming wise, AK is my personal favourite park.

We aren’t a family that enjoy full 7am — 11pm days, so to fit everything in without running ourselves ragged, we may need to skip spending any time at Disney Springs.
I had hoped to surprise my Star Wars mad husband with a booking at the Star Wars VR experience there though. So to throw another question in the mix, has anyone tried it, and was it alone worthy of a trip to Disney Springs?

 

[BigB0882]

For me, the first choice is a no-brainer and it is Magic Kingdom. It is quintessential Disney and is beautiful at Christmas with the parades and decorations.

The other park I would pick would be Hollywood Studios. It will have Toy Story Land so there will be lots of great stuff. Just make sure you get your fast passes because the park will be very popular this Christmas.

Animal Kingdom is really fun but it didn't feel like Christmas when we were there (and that was on Christmas day). Epcot, for me, is a pass. I will go every time I go to Disney but only out of obligation. I find the only attractions worth my time are Soarin, Test Track and Frozen but none of those are really worth repeating. The World Showcase is neat for a few minutes but it is a LOT of walking and I got tired of it quickly. Unless I want to go eat neat food and drink, I don't need to spend more than half a day in Epcot. I also don't think young children will appreciate it.

You could always do Park Hopper to squeez in some time at more than 2 parks, even possibly all 4 if you really plan well.

Edit: The idea to do a Christmas Party is GREAT. There should be one during the time you are there (I think the 21st will be the last one). You can ride almost everything between 4-8 when the party really gets going. We rode multiple rides with little or no wait, it was amazing. So definitely do that and you can enjoy two other parks for full days.