Advice on Days at Christmas/New Years

[kp3311]

We will be at WDW Sun,12-28 thru Thursday 1/1/04. (5 Full Days) We will spend New years eve at Epcot. Even though this is our 7th time at Disney we have never been at Christmas, could anyone give advice on what days to go to which parks with a day for Universal. My wife is pregnant and we feel this would a magical time of year, seeing as we do not have to run around like crazy! Thx for the help

 

[KLondon]

I have similar questions. We're planning to spend Xmas at WDW this year anbd have no idea what to expect other than the larger crowds (we typically go the first week of December).

Also:

- does having Priority Seating at a Magic Kingdom restaurant ensure you can get into the park? We have ressies at Liberty Tavern for lunch on Xmas Day, but I've heard stories of parks being closed for non-resort folks (which we will be...).

- when does the MK Xmas Day parade typically get taped?

Thanks!

 

[hammertime]

Will be there at the same time. Been thinking we want to be at Epcot for NYE but and reconsidering maybe MK or MGM. Any thoughts?

 

[KFISCHER]

The TV Christmas parade is taped the first week of December, around the 5th or 6th, usually the saturday.
That's how it's been the last couple of years.

Saw Regis and Kelly last week talk about being in WDW the week before. They hosted the parade.

 

[Fooboy]

hi all,
we will be there at the same time as well. I also wondered about that. We have PS's on NYE at the Crystal Palace. Will we be able to get in if we come back later. I am already planning on staying in the park from EARLY morning to after the midnight fireworks.

foobs

 

[twinx4]

HI

I've been to Disney 3 yrs in a row during Xmas and LOVED IT!!!! One year I went in February and although there is no way to have a bad day at Disney, I still enjoy going in December.

First of all b/c I'm from Michigan, Florida is a wonderful place to get away from all of the snow.

When it gets closer to xmas, the parks stay open a lot later, which works out great for me. I figure that I am on vacation and getting up at the crack of dawn to make it to the parks on a daily basis just does not scream vacation So sleeping in on some days is beautiful .

One cast member gave me a great tip: many families with small children go to the parks early in the morning and head back in for the evening. And those who do not appreciate the cool night air do the same. So sometimes it is better to wait until evening to get out and about into the parks with my DD

age 11.

So on some days we sleep in, have cereal or bagels for breakfast, OOPS.... I mean BRUNCH, venture out into the parks, head back in during late afternoon, have dinner and off to the parks we go until they close.

One year it was wonderful, we felt as it we had the entire park to ourselves, and rode our favorite rides over and over again. This year we will be going after xmas and we will be there for New Years. This is a first for us. I've heard alot of people say that they enjoy Epcot to bring in the New Years b/c of the variety of countries, so maybe we will go there.



OUR TIME IS ALMOST HERE.....I'M TRYING TO REMAIN CALM BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

 

[kem330]

There is no way to predict which park which day, it all depends on the crowds this year (which sound like they will be large) It is ALWAYS crowded on NYE, MK is the worst. You are going during a prime week so I don't think it will ever not be crowded. Early morning and later evening tend to be better. Best advice is use fast passes and you have to get there early to get them because they are often gone for the entire day by 10 am.

 

[Grumpy92]

My fellow Dismembers are correct. There are no particularly better days to go to specific parks during this week. As you have probably read on these boards it will be extremely crowded. MK will be the worst and I would definitely stay away from there on NYE. EC is wonderf for NYE. So you might want to do MK early. We did Universal last year and had no problems with crowds there.

If you are not staying at a Disney resort. Plan to be there early as the parking lots will fill to capacity pretty much everyday you are there. MK is usually filled by 10am and the other parks usually follow within an hour.

The early morning advice is a great one. Go early to the parks then have lunch there or return to your resort and have lunch, take a nap or go for a swim. With the late hours it is a great opportunity to return to the park in the evening for dinner and more fun.

Dining: If you havent already dont forget to make PS for sit down restaurants NOW. You will regret it if you dont.

Have a wonderful time! Happy Holidays!

 

[swilphil]

When we went during this past July 4th, we utilized the Day After approach. We went to parks the day after they had Early Entry, so they were a little emptier after having EE the day before. When we stayed off-site during Christmas a few years ago, we made the mistake of not leaving for the parks until mid-morning. We were stuck in traffic and the parking lot for a long time, plus MK was closed on two days. I would recommend getting there before opening.

 

[WEDway2002]

As always, there is some great advice here. If I may, I'll add some thoughts (having visited WDW several times around Christmas and New Years).

All days surrounding the holidays are very busy but VERY festive! We had great luck getting to the MK early on New Year's day and it was EMPTY (and this was on several occasions)! We figured many late-night party-ers were sleeping in.
We have relatively young ones (last year they were 9 and 3) so fireworks on New Years Eve weren't a big deal so we spent it at AK. It was a very nice day and not at all crowded.

I wish all of you going a wonderful trip ... it really is especially magical at this time. Hang in there and stay loose with the crowds!


Dave
(time to update my countdown clock)