Any and all Info about Christmas Time

[RMulieri]

I have been watching allears.net ( Osborne lights info is posted there)under news and holiday happenings for updates as well as here on the Dis.

 

[dyna]

We enjoyed the Christmas storytellers in all the countries in world showcase. Something to do that doesn't have a huge line or wait but we was there earlier in the month. I'm sure if you arrive 5 mins before the story teller comes out you will do fine tho.

 

[Minniekins]

Cool, thanks for the info! I'll have to check out allears holiday section. I don't remember the info on Christmas being out so early last year.

 

[Ilivetogo]

We went in 2006 during the week of the taping of the Christmas parade. (They do the taping during the first weekend in December. It takes 2 days to do the taping I think.)
We went in 2007 for Christmas week.
We went in 2008 for Christmas week.

In 2008, we were in EPCOT on Christmas Day and we did the Candelight Processional with the LUNCH at the Biergarten (around 2:30 pm) and then went to the 5:00 pm show. It was FABULOUS!! (Both the late lunch and the show!!!)

I must say that we walked through ... and I mean RIGHT through ... LOTS of rides during all these weeks!! Usually that was in the mornings and night -- but we literally walked straight in to lots of the biggies. (Just NOT Soarin' - that's always a pretty long line - go there first!!) ALSO!!! If you stay very late, you can walk straight through stuff. We were at MK starting at 11:30 pm and we went through Buzz Lightyear 3 x in a row and then POC and HM. There wasn't even anyone else in any other boats (within sight) that had a single person at POC. It was crazy. We had SO much fun late!! Go early - stay late!!!

It does tend to get busier the later in the day, but I have to admit that it never felt THAT full to us. We have always had a wonderful time.

We did lots of visiting the resorts to see their decorations. We went to Beaches and Cream for a "Kitchen Sink" and there was ONE other party in the whole place. Huh?

I agree with the PP who said not to park hop on Christmas Day. That would probably not be wise.

This is from the AKL - when we went to eat at Boma.

This was the line to RNR - hardly anyone in line!

Osbourne lights are awesome!!

Outside Mission Space - late morning. See the crowds??

"Santa" from France.

Again - Christmas DAY in EPCOT.

Queue for Space Mountain (during Christmas week 2008) - straight up to the front!

Decorations are beautiful.

Gingerbread house and demonstration in the lobby of GF.

 

[Happydog]

We went in 2006 during the week of the taping of the Christmas parade. (They do the taping during the first weekend in December. It takes 2 days to do the taping I think.)
We went in 2007 for Christmas week.
We went in 2008 for Christmas week.

In 2008, we were in EPCOT on Christmas Day and we did the Candelight Processional with the LUNCH at the Biergarten (around 2:30 pm) and then went to the 5:00 pm show. It was FABULOUS!! (Both the late lunch and the show!!!)

I must say that we walked through ... and I mean RIGHT through ... LOTS of rides during all these weeks!! Usually that was in the mornings and night -- but we literally walked straight in to lots of the biggies. (Just NOT Soarin' - that's always a pretty long line - go there first!!) ALSO!!! If you stay very late, you can walk straight through stuff. We were at MK starting at 11:30 pm and we went through Buzz Lightyear 3 x in a row and then POC and HM. There wasn't even anyone else in any other boats (within sight) that had a single person at POC. It was crazy. We had SO much fun late!! Go early - stay late!!!

Your photos and tips are really encouraging!!! Thanks for sharing!! What was your experience with the ADRs? I realize this was before the 90 limitation, but were you able to get what you wanted? How early did you book out?

 

[kkmcan]

So EPCOT seems to be the park to be in on Christmas Day? I'm starting to take note of this since we have a Christmas week trip planned.

TIA,
kelly

 

[doll1502]

I'm getting my notebook out and starting to take all these notes down. I'm starting to feel better about our trip now that I have more information. I can't believe how worked up I was getting about our wonderful trip. We have very laid back attitudes about this trip knowing we're probably not going to do and see everything, but pretty much going to try and enjoy everything there is to enjoy in WDW. I'm thinking that we will spend Christmas day in Epcot. It's probably my most favorite park, but we'll have to be in the MK too to see the parade.

I read somewhere that if you were staying in a disney resort you could make ADR at 90+10, I'm going to have to go back and find where i saw that at.

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I hope everyone who is going 12/24 - 1/2 has a wonderful trip and a joyous christmas.

 

[dogodisney]

dogodisney, have a great time at Universal. We've been there twice in between our disney trips and have always had a blast. We like to stay at the Hard Rock and this last time we stayed on the Concierge level which was absolutely amazing and saved us alot of money on food. Hope you enjoy your December WDW vacation too and thanks for the advice.

Thank you. I am really looking forward to both trips. I have 2 teenage DDs and a 6 yo DGD so Universal should have something for all of them. We will be there for my DDs 15th bday and she loves so we will probably spend that day at IOA.

I'm getting my notebook out and starting to take all these notes down. I'm starting to feel better about our trip now that I have more information. I can't believe how worked up I was getting about our wonderful trip. We have very laid back attitudes about this trip knowing we're probably not going to do and see everything, but pretty much going to try and enjoy everything there is to enjoy in WDW. I'm thinking that we will spend Christmas day in Epcot. It's probably my most favorite park, but we'll have to be in the MK too to see the parade.

I read somewhere that if you were staying in a disney resort you could make ADR at 90+10, I'm going to have to go back and find where i saw that at.
Thanks to everyone for all the info. I hope everyone who is going 12/24 - 1/2 has a wonderful trip and a joyous christmas.

I feel the same way as you. I know it will be crowded but we will enjoy whatever we can.

And yes, if you are staying at a Disney owned resort you can make ADRs 90+10.

Have a fantastic vacation!

 

[doll1502]

"We will be there for my DDs 15th bday and she loves"

That's funny dogodisney, because my 15 yr old DD loves too!!! She wanted her room done with him, but I made a compromise and its red and blue with some accesories.

 

[doll1502]

JBDISNEYMOM13:
I think you would agree that spending christmas in WDW is a bit better than Christmas in Ohio. LOL. We will still have snow, just not the freezing cold that goes with it. Now I'm just patiently waiting for the x-mas trees to become available and my planning will almost be complete. Another pleasant surprise for my DD I hope. A tree with their own stockings. I love WDW!!!

 

[Debbie-TN]

If you want to see a little preview of the Osbourne Dancing Lights, here's a video I took last year. This song and the red canopy of lights is my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pkkg7k85E

 

[lindamac30]

When you say "when is the Parade on Christmas day", I just want to be sure you realize that the one they show on TV on Christmas day with all the stars is actually filmed the first week in December. I've heard a lot of people don't realize that and then they are unhappy when they get to WDW for Christmas and find that out. They will have a Christmas parade on Christmas day, but it will be the normal one that runs every day during the season. I'm not sure what time they usually have it that day.

I'll be in WDW 12/4-12/11 (covers first weekend in Dec.) and am wondering if it will be jammed? I went about 15 years ago the same time, and it was nice and quiet, but have things changed? I wonder since I'll be traveling with a 3 1/2 yr old and 1 yr. old and was hoping for less stress

Any info at all will be great?

Linda

 

[Minniekins]

Thank you. I am really looking forward to both trips. I have 2 teenage DDs and a 6 yo DGD so Universal should have something for all of them. We will be there for my DDs 15th bday and she loves so we will probably spend that day at IOA.

I feel the same way as you. I know it will be crowded but we will enjoy whatever we can.

And yes, if you are staying at a Disney owned resort you can make ADRs 90+10.

Have a fantastic vacation!

Since you will be in WDW and celebrating DD's bday, you should be sure to go to guest relations in the park and get her a bday pin! Just a way to make the trip even more special! Doesn't matter that you aren't there on her exact day, part of your trip is celebrating her day. Now, nothing is guaranteed, of course. But, last year DD18(then) and myself(50) were there celebrating our bdays. We'd heard about this on the dis, and when we checked in they asked what we were celebrating and told us to go to guest relations in the park, so we went and got bday pins. They told us to wear them all week since we were celebrating our bdays with the trip, even though our bday obviously wasn't each day. It was so fun, we had tons of friendly CM's and guests wishing us happy birthday, which was really fun! We also had some special pixie dust come our way several times. For example, the first night there we got to ride up front on the monorail and got special souvenier "driver" cards for that. Then, DD was in the candy store at the beginning of Main street, right before we were leaving and they gave her a special Tinkerbelle Bday pin(like those that go on the lanyards) and a special candy marshmallow treat, she was so excited! We just had a great time celebrating all week and it was fun being treated extra special! Who doesn't love a bit of pixie dust?!

 

[DisneyMom14]

If you want to see a little preview of the Osbourne Dancing Lights, here's a video I took last year. This song and the red canopy of lights is my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pkkg7k85E

That was AWESOME! We love the music! We actually have all of their cd's (Trans Siberian Orchestra) and it was really cool to see the lights dancing to one of our favorite songs by them! My husband is going to enjoy this soooo much! I can't wait to be there!!!!