Advice Please- 1st Trip at Christmas time

[MagicMomentsMom]

Great tips on here--thanks!

 

[jamescorey]

Does anyone know how. The dining plan works with the CP and what exactly happens during it?

Later in the year, usually around mid-September or early October, Disney will announce the Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages. These are packages at select Restaurants in Epcot. There are three tiers of options available for your dining preferences. They offer advanced seating at the Candlelight Processional at specified times. For instance, last year my wife and I had dinner ressies at Le Cellier in Canada at 5:30pm, with advanced seating for the 7:15 CP. Without the advanced seating, it is unlikely that you will get a seat to watch the show. It is approximately 45 minutes in length and without question, one of the best things Disney does during the holidays!! The CP is a narrarated telling of the Christmas Story (Christian Bible based), with a candlelit choir singing hymns and Christmas songs throughout. Like I previously stated, it is a beautiful performance, and a must see for the Christmas holidays!!

 

[sunnyday123]

Do the different tiers require more dining plan credits? As in tier 3 uses 2 credits and so on?

 

[scdisfan]

We have been to WDW a couple of times during Christmas. We love it at that time! Of course Disney is always magical, but it seems even more magical during Christmas!

Last year, we decorated our room a little - a small tree, window clings and some items on the door. This sort of brought Christmas with us into our room!

One thing that I will suggest is just to keep your eyes open while in the parks. What I mean is that we seemed to run across special holiday happenings! For example, we were casually strolling World Showcase in Epcot and came across a Santa "show", I think it was at Norway (I am not certain though). That was really neat. We also wandered into the American Pavilion and the Voices of Liberty were singing Christmas Carols. It was beautiful!!

Have fun and enjoy this special time of year at the World!!!

 

[jamescorey]

Do the different tiers require more dining plan credits? As in tier 3 uses 2 credits and so on?

That's the funny thing. The 3 tier restaurants don't take any more credits than the two or one tier restaurants (from a Dining Plan standpoint). I think the tiering is geared more toward those who are not on the plan from a price per meal standpoint. The more pricey, the higher the tier.

 

[jamescorey]

We have been to WDW a couple of times during Christmas. We love it at that time! Of course Disney is always magical, but it seems even more magical during Christmas!

Last year, we decorated our room a little - a small tree, window clings and some items on the door. This sort of brought Christmas with us into our room!

One thing that I will suggest is just to keep your eyes open while in the parks. What I mean is that we seemed to run across special holiday happenings! For example, we were casually strolling World Showcase in Epcot and came across a Santa "show", I think it was at Norway (I am not certain though). That was really neat. We also wandered into the American Pavilion and the Voices of Liberty were singing Christmas Carols. It was beautiful!!

Have fun and enjoy this special time of year at the World!!!

I would definitely agree with this poster. Keep your eyes open, especially in the World Showcase. In each Pavilion, that Country's "Santa Claus" is out and telling the customs of that particular country. It is absolutely amazing how different some countries are from our traditional observances!!! At the end of their presentation, you can have your photo taken with them, and it makes a wonderful Christmas Card from around the World!!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Here's my question for my situation. As a former CM at DL, I know the crowds can be bad. I'd rather avoid them as much as possible, but I know that is not reality. I guess I naively thought that with many parks, the people would be spread out and there would be plenty of room.

We would like to spend 3 or maybe a 4th day there. We will be there after our WC cruise on the 19th through the 25th leaving the 26th. We were going to spend 3 days in Ft. Lauderdale, then the rest in Orlando. Which days of these would be best in the parks? 3 days early in the week or later?

Also, I have 4 adventuresome well traveled teenagers, who have been to DL many times. Can you please give me suggestons of which parks to see and which order?

 

[Scooby3x1y]

For all of us newbies, who are trying to gather as much info as possible:

Everything you need to know about WDW Christmas- Tips & Secrets - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33097595&posted=1#post33097595

There has been some fun info here as well.

 

[jamescorey]

We have been to WDW a couple of times during Christmas. We love it at that time! Of course Disney is always magical, but it seems even more magical during Christmas!

Last year, we decorated our room a little - a small tree, window clings and some items on the door. This sort of brought Christmas with us into our room!

One thing that I will suggest is just to keep your eyes open while in the parks. What I mean is that we seemed to run across special holiday happenings! For example, we were casually strolling World Showcase in Epcot and came across a Santa "show", I think it was at Norway (I am not certain though). That was really neat. We also wandered into the American Pavilion and the Voices of Liberty were singing Christmas Carols. It was beautiful!!

Have fun and enjoy this special time of year at the World!!!

Here's my question for my situation. As a former CM at DL, I know the crowds can be bad. I'd rather avoid them as much as possible, but I know that is not reality. I guess I naively thought that with many parks, the people would be spread out and there would be plenty of room.

We would like to spend 3 or maybe a 4th day there. We will be there after our WC cruise on the 19th through the 25th leaving the 26th. We were going to spend 3 days in Ft. Lauderdale, then the rest in Orlando. Which days of these would be best in the parks? 3 days early in the week or later?

Also, I have 4 adventuresome well traveled teenagers, who have been to DL many times. Can you please give me suggestons of which parks to see and which order?

If I were in your shoes, I wold plan for the earlier three days as opposed to the latter three. The closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded the parks get. According to Touring Plans, all of the days around Christmas are 10/10 (highest possible attendance). Last year the crowds were not that bad in the early part of our trip, but by about the 22nd, got really bad. So long as you have a plan on what you want to see, you shouldn't have too much trouble.
As for your older "well traveled teens," I would suggest HS and Animal Kingdom from a "ride" standpoint, followed by Magic Kingdom and Epcot. These are merely MY opinions, as I cannot speak for anyone else.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

If I were in your shoes, I wold plan for the earlier three days as opposed to the latter three. The closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded the parks get. According to Touring Plans, all of the days around Christmas are 10/10 (highest possible attendance). Last year the crowds were not that bad in the early part of our trip, but by about the 22nd, got really bad. So long as you have a plan on what you want to see, you shouldn't have too much trouble.
As for your older "well traveled teens," I would suggest HS and Animal Kingdom from a "ride" standpoint, followed by Magic Kingdom and Epcot. These are merely MY opinions, as I cannot speak for anyone else.

Thanks! I value your opinion. Since I haven't been there, I appreciate it. HS is Hollywood Studios, right? Is HS a lot different then Universal Studios? Can you give me a description of what type of things we'll see?

Thanks a million!

 

[jamescorey]

Thanks! I value your opinion. Since I haven't been there, I appreciate it. HS is Hollywood Studios, right? Is HS a lot different then Universal Studios? Can you give me a description of what type of things we'll see?

Thanks a million!

HS is Hollywood Studios. It has been so long since I have been to Universal, I cannot offer an opinion or make a comparison/contrast between the parks. I can tell you this, HS has more of the "Disney Magic" than Universal. From what I remember, Universal Studios (not the Islands of Adventure, which is a full blown theme park (rollercoasters, log flume rides, etc...)) was geared more towards the "ride the movies" approach. Hollywood Studios emerses you into the magic behind the movies, as well as offering some really good rides (Tower of Terror, Rock n RollerCoaster, Toy Story Mania, etc...). It is a small park, but there is definitely plenty to do!!!

 

[familyblackout]

This was awhile back, but someone asked about printing Christmas cards with pictures... Wal Mart has dozens of designs, and several downright adorable Disney-themed ones. They have 1 hour pick up at the nearest store and are only 33 cents each.

 

[Redbudlover]

We have been several times during the holiday season and I would agree with some of the posts above: 1) Seeing decorations at other deluxe resorts 2) Candlelight Processional w/ dinner 3) For children, the Epcot storytellers from each country will be there to talk about their holiday traditions (keeping in mind that not every culture celebrates Christmas) 4) Osbourne Spectacle of Lights is a highlight for us....we go just before closing and find all the Hidden Mickeys, dance with the cast members and enjoy the snow and beautiful lights! We also make sure we buy a Christmas ornament every time we go (but we do that whether or not its Christmas )
Have fun...I think its the most magical time of year...soak in all of the wonderful decorations.

The above are all my personal favorites, don't miss any of them!

 

[aharbin88]

In years past they have always had a special holiday finale to Illuminations. You can also take a carriage ride through FW campground and see the campers decorations, they really go all out, my kids loved doing this!!

What is the cost of the carriage ride? Is it the same as the sleigh ride at WL?

Last year, we decorated our room a little - a small tree, window clings and some items on the door. This sort of brought Christmas with us into our room!

Where did you find your window clings? I wanted some for Halloween trip last year, but couldn't find any. As fate would have it, I have found plenty this year. I just wondered if there was a place that ALWAYS seem to have them every year. We are planning a Christmas trip next year and I plan to decorate our windows while we are there.