An over planner that can't plan!

[dredick]

This is the truth! I have planned our last 20 trips to WDW down to the last detail! ADR's, FP+, cakes...you get the idea. Well, DH decided to surprise me last week with a long weekend at Disney for Christmas! Super excited, but have no time to plan a trip!! We never make it down to WDW during the holidays bc I work retail, so we have never seen the Osbornes lights. So here I am, with one day at the DHS and 1/2 to resort hop/ Disney Springs. We have been avoiding DHS bc of the lack of attractions for a family with teens. Can we spend an entire day there with out getting bored? Or should I change to a hopper and add Mk? All FP+ and dinners are booked, so I don't even know if a hopper would be worth it! Help please!

 

[hakepb]

As long as you don't mind going to a few shows, I would think you would have a good, full day @dhs.
RnR and TOT would generally be 2 of a teen's favorites at WDW, so they may want to ride those a few times, plus there's GMR, TSMM and Star Tours

By the (somewhat early) dusk, you'll want to see the Osborne lights, hit TOT at night, again, see the fireworks and F!

 

[elaine amj]

Plan to spend min 1hr with the lights. Then add a second hr. We never got Photopass pics coz the lines were too long

Try for Same day Fp+. Also FPs often open up the night before. Oh and RD is a must.

I did all our MK must dos on Christmas week last year with no FP+ at RD. Covered stuff like Mine Train, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, etc.

 

[MrsHull]

We were at WDW with our 14 year old last week. Thanks to Star Wars, he spent a portion on 3 or 4 days there. I think you could easily fill a day if you figure in time for Launch Bay, the Star Wars compilation movie, Watto's Grotto (a shop), Star Tours (every ride has the same ending right now but there are other changes in the sequence that are fun to watch for), plus the TOT and RNR. I agree-- plan on two hours for the lights. There are lots of little details that you won't want to miss.

 

[dredick]

I hear the lights are jam packed at DHS. If we buy a hopper, I was thinking MK in AM, DHS till we see the lights, and close MK at 1am. Just don't know if I want to spend the $ to run around. We did EPCOT and MK in June, so I did get all the rides then. Is it worth it to see the castle in lights?

 

[elaine amj]

Even jam packed, there is space to stand and admire. We went at peak time and were still fine. I think u are better off just soaking up the day at DHS. Consider an afternoon break - although not so necessary with such a short trip.

 

[hakepb]

I hear the lights are jam packed at DHS. If we buy a hopper, I was thinking MK in AM, DHS till we see the lights, and close MK at 1am. Just don't know if I want to spend the $ to run around. We did EPCOT and MK in June, so I did get all the rides then. Is it worth it to see the castle in lights?

As a big Christmas and Disney fan, I love the castle lights.
It's definately worth the time to go back and see the castle. I also really enjoy MK past midnight.

I would have a harder time recommending hoppers just to see the castle lights. More Osborne lights may make the hoppers more worthwhile.

 

[5Hfan]

I hear the lights are jam packed at DHS. If we buy a hopper, I was thinking MK in AM, DHS till we see the lights, and close MK at 1am. Just don't know if I want to spend the $ to run around. We did EPCOT and MK in June, so I did get all the rides then. Is it worth it to see the castle in lights?

To me this would be an ideal one day visit, I'd have to go to MK and also see the Osborne lights...but I don't think you have to, there's plenty to do at HS to fill a day.

 

[amylevan]

I hear the lights are jam packed at DHS. If we buy a hopper, I was thinking MK in AM, DHS till we see the lights, and close MK at 1am. Just don't know if I want to spend the $ to run around. We did EPCOT and MK in June, so I did get all the rides then. Is it worth it to see the castle in lights?

Are you talking about actual Christmas week?
I don't think we'd want to spend that much time traveling between parks on a 1 day visit. You're looking at an hour each way, at least, and if Christmas week, even more. Driving becomes challenging with parking lots being full and just too many people on the roads. And don't forget to factor in potential park closures.

We aren't huge DS fans, but we'd probably stay put for a 1 day trip (costs too much in money & time to hop) and we'd DEFINITELY stay put during Christmas week.

 

[disneygirl1972]

Hey my friend!! So happy for you!!

 

[aimes0105]

What about planning an afternoon break, walk or boat over to the Boardwalk and Beach/Yacht Clubs, check out their decorations, get lunch or a snack and then stroll or boat back? Lots less stressful than trying to hop over to MK while still getting to enjoy something at the resorts that are only there for Christmas time.

I get it, we're doing a quick trip for the same reason, though a little longer than yours, and my instinct has been to cram as much park time in as possible but I keep reminding myself that taking it slow and enjoying the Christmas extras all over really will be fun, its just a different kind of trip!

 

[poison ivy]

if I only had 1 day for the parks, I'd probably spring for the hopper. I like your plan of MK at rope drop and DHS at dusk to see the Osborne lights. They are incredible.

Keep your plans simple and you'll have a great weekend. That's what we've done with last minute quick trips over Christmas.

Avoid rides with long lines since it's a zoo and focus on doing things that are less crowded. We personally enjoy the festive spirit; holiday snacks and just soaking it all in. It's so beautiful down there. Try to visit the Grand Floridian if you can.

 

[dredick]

Hey my friend!! So happy for you!!

Hi!!!!! Don't tell the boys! It's a surprise for them!!! Im excited and scared of the crowds at the same time!

 

[dredick]

Are you talking about actual Christmas week?
I don't think we'd want to spend that much time traveling between parks on a 1 day visit. You're looking at an hour each way, at least, and if Christmas week, even more. Driving becomes challenging with parking lots being full and just too many people on the roads. And don't forget to factor in potential park closures.

We aren't huge DS fans, but we'd probably stay put for a 1 day trip (costs too much in money & time to hop) and we'd DEFINITELY stay put during Christmas week.

This is exactly what I'm thinking. I could get locked out of a park bc of closure. I really think the smart thing is to stay at DS, but the castle is so tempting!

 

[dredick]

What about planning an afternoon break, walk or boat over to the Boardwalk and Beach/Yacht Clubs, check out their decorations, get lunch or a snack and then stroll or boat back? Lots less stressful than trying to hop over to MK while still getting to enjoy something at the resorts that are only there for Christmas time.

I get it, we're doing a quick trip for the same reason, though a little longer than yours, and my instinct has been to cram as much park time in as possible but I keep reminding myself that taking it slow and enjoying the Christmas extras all over really will be fun, its just a different kind of trip!

We are spending Saturday resort hoping and Disney Springs. I would definitely make that a park day, but we are driving in that morning.

 

[epcotty]

I think that currently HS is good for attractions, for now anyway. We've been avoiding it for lack of attractions too, and will avoid it again starting January

 

[5Hfan]

This is exactly what I'm thinking. I could get locked out of a park bc of closure. I really think the smart thing is to stay at DS, but the castle is so tempting!

it sounds like the studios is already a mad house in the evenings and still a few weeks until Christmas, I'd hate to be "stuck" at a mobbed park. What about starting at the studios, be there through the afternoon/early evening for the lights, then hop to the MK for the late night?

 

[dredick]

it sounds like the studios is already a mad house in the evenings and still a few weeks until Christmas, I'd hate to be "stuck" at a mobbed park. What about starting at the studios, be there through the afternoon/early evening for the lights, then hop to the MK for the late night?

That is another good idea! Never thought about getting stuck at DHS. Just figured I could get locked out of MK!

 

[dredick]

Just read a thread about how crazy DHS is!! I'm really thinking with the crowds going insane, I should stay at DHS all day! I can always watch WISHES from the Poly beach on arrival night. The crowd levels are crazy!

 

[poison ivy]

The problem with the Studios right now is the size given all the construction going on. It's probably the least ideal park to be in on Christmas day this year IMO.

A fellow Dis'er told us that a hidden secret on Christmas was that the Magic Kingdom was not mobbed at rope drop. This was the basis for my suggestion to visit that park as soon as it opened. The same may hold true for DHS but you're going to want to leave at some point. It may not be enough to hang out all day with grown kids waiting around for the evening to set in to see the Osborne Lights.

I've been to both Epcot on Christmas Day and DHS on Christmas Day the past two years. DHS was a brief stop at 12:30pm to see the Christmas comedy show and enjoy a couple attractions with a FP+. Epcot was to enjoy the Candlelight Processional and walk around World Showcase to close out both nights.
I'll post some photos of the DHS crowds at that point in the day.

Since it sounds like the Osborne Lights is something you really want to do, my advice is to get FP's for a few attractions in the afternoon, grab a late lunch before the night sets in and enjoy the Lights as soon as it gets dark. this worked well for us.