Any tips 4 going at Christmas!

[PaDisney02]

I have decided, despite all i have heard about disney @ christmas, thats when we r going to go! We were last there durring hurricane fay, so what can be worse then living in panchos our entire trip, like last time! I'm excited to go at Chirstmas, I think the parks will look beautiful. Any1 have any tips for surviving Disney at Chirstmas time? Thanks!

 

[Vince3]

Make ADR soon ( like now! ) Have plenty of patience.
We go every year at this time....see you there !

 

[kirrrby]

Make every ADR, Reservation and any other plans EARLY.
we've already gotten notice that ASsp is full for December 2008.
Also, take advantage of all EMH's, and parks do get filled to Max Cap.
The decor is beautiful around christmas, try to visit the Deluxe resorts that have the Gingerbread houses, they're very elaborate.

 

[R McKay]

You'll love it, it's wonderful! I have to second the visiting resorts tip, they're all so spectacularly decorated! Oh and make sure Wilderness Lodge is on the list. Gorgeous decorations!

 

[maidenfairy]

We will see you there also! I can't wait to see all the holiday decorations.

 

[Mystry62]

Patience, patience, & patience.

If you go in with the attitude that you know it will be busy, then you should be ok.

Are you planning to be there the week of Christmas?

 

[daisyduck123]

Do you mean THIS Christmas??

Then make your ADRs now. We spent last Christmas in WDW (Dec. 20-26) & we had made our ADRs that June prior.

Have a great trip!! We plan on going back Christmas 2009.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

!!!!!!!!!!!!make Adrs Now!!!!!!!!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

We were there for Christmas in 2006; we used a lot of the EMHs and got most of the rides done. We didn't have any problems doing everything, and the crowds weren't that bad at all. I think this year will be even less crowded since most people aren't taking major vacations. As other posters said, make ADRs NOW though. Those book up, quick, especially with the free dining email that went out on Saturday.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

Ok
Heres what you have to check out


In MK - Go to MVMCP I Went and Loved it is soo much fun and love to see Holiday Wishes and Wishes all in one night. And The free Cookies and hot chocolate and the parade Smells good. THE ICEY CASTLE'

EPCOT- Canel light Processional it is so beautiful! and Christmas around the world

DHS- The osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights it is breath Taking

See as may Hotels as possible they are decorated so well The trees and don't forget the Gingerbread house at GF

 

[Stewy]

Be realistic in your expectations! We were in Epcot last year on New Year's Day and the wait for soarin' was 280 minutes, yes, it was 4 hours and 40 minutes and people were still getting in line and plenty of others were complaining about the line and fastpasses being gone already.

We have been in Disney for Christmas & New Years the past 6 years and we usually stay at Yacht Club (walk into Epcot/DHS) or Polynesian (MK or monorail) and we go in early and leave when we are tired/start to lose the holiday spirit. I can't stress enough about the be realistic part - you can't expect to get into the MK on Christmas Day if you don't get up until noon, it will be closed to people entering by then. If there is something you really want to do, get in the park and do it. Use fastpass & EMH where you can!

I agree with making ADRs. Even if the restaurant you really want is not available now, make a ressie somewhere else so you have somewhere to eat. It might save your day if you have somewhere you can go and relax even if it was not your first choice.

My last tip - be prepared for any weather. We have been there when it rained almost every day all day, it has been cold and we were glad we had our winter coats, gloves and hats and then we have had trips where we wore shorts all day and most nights.

 

[PaDisney02]

Do you mean THIS Christmas??

Then make your ADRs now. We spent last Christmas in WDW (Dec. 20-26) & we had made our ADRs that June prior.

Have a great trip!! We plan on going back Christmas 2009.

No next christmas! Chirstmas 09. This year when we were there durring Hurricane Fay so we had no wait time at all! For anything! I know durring Chirstams will be different. I fugure, we were already there, we got to do everything, now we r prepaired to go when there are crowds cuz we have seen alot already. We now know what we want to do again and what can be elimated if need be. Thanks for all ur input!

 

[PaDisney02]

Be realistic in your expectations! We were in Epcot last year on New Year's Day and the wait for soarin' was 280 minutes, yes, it was 4 hours and 40 minutes and people were still getting in line and plenty of others were complaining about the line and fastpasses being gone already.

We have been in Disney for Christmas & New Years the past 6 years and we usually stay at Yacht Club (walk into Epcot/DHS) or Polynesian (MK or monorail) and we go in early and leave when we are tired/start to lose the holiday spirit. I can't stress enough about the be realistic part - you can't expect to get into the MK on Christmas Day if you don't get up until noon, it will be closed to people entering by then. If there is something you really want to do, get in the park and do it. Use fastpass & EMH where you can!

I agree with making ADRs. Even if the restaurant you really want is not available now, make a ressie somewhere else so you have somewhere to eat. It might save your day if you have somewhere you can go and relax even if it was not your first choice.

My last tip - be prepared for any weather. We have been there when it rained almost every day all day, it has been cold and we were glad we had our winter coats, gloves and hats and then we have had trips where we wore shorts all day and most nights.

OH GREAT! No more rain! Our last trip to disney, This august, we lived in panchos! Seriously!

I thought the weather was supposed to be nice around christmas time, not to hot not to cold.

 

[tally-minnie]

candlelight processional at Epcot and Osborne lights at the Studios is my new favorite. They play great upbeat Christmas music and sell hot chocolate and other treats while you tour the decorated streets. Magic Kingdom is also extra-magical, with all of its decorations, plus you can find some great collectible ornaments in the shops.

 

[Kick Save]

Make time to see each of the story tellers at Epcot. We enjoyed them a lot, but missed three or four of them.

 

[Stewy]

OH GREAT! No more rain! Our last trip to disney, This august, we lived in panchos! Seriously!

I thought the weather was supposed to be nice around christmas time, not to hot not to cold.

We were there for Fay, too. I wish I could tell you it is always nice at Christmas but the weather is really unpredictable. We have spent 2 Christmas days in Epcot with rain, one day was so bad they did not show one of the CPs. One time was a cold, miserable rain (think Fay rain with 45 degree weather) and the other was bearable. We have been when it is clear but it is COLD and you needed coats and gloves. If you like the weather a little cooler you will be fine. Just pack with layers in mind and be prepared for anything, you don't want to buy jackets, hats and gloves in the parks. It will quickly kill your souvenier budget.

Definitely make time for the story tellers. It is interesting hearing the other countries traditions.

 

[Cruise04]

We have been there every other year for Christmastime since 1999 and we have had varied types of weather. First year it was so cold at night that we bought scarves and gloves. This past year it was so warm we were in shorts at night.

Because we have been there before we go resort hopping on Christmas Day and end with an ADR at a resort. We've been in MK for Christmas Day and haven't done another park since. We just have no desire. So we really plan to be able to work around that. And, frankly, I don't think I'd want to do anything else on Christmas Day - we love doing this. But my point is make sure you do go see some of the decorations at the resort - it will blow your mind! Beach Club, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Yacht Club have some of the best resort decorations. Oh and if you can go to Fort Wilderness. The way people decorate their RV's and campers is AMAZING! And if the weather is nice it's a nice place to stroll and relax. They also have a campfire at night.

We do try to get to the parks at opening so that we can do what rides we want to early - there have been years we've been on most of the major rides by 9:30/10am. Then we spend the rest of the day just wandering and seeing other things in the parks. Once in a while, depending on when during the season you go, we'll find a ride that the time isn't bad so we'll get in line. We try to also do FastPass as much as possible.

Candlelight Processional - we do this on Christmas Eve and it just makes it for us. We do the package since we have to eat dinner anyway.

Osbourne Lights - these are awesome. Take your time to stroll through them and not hurry through them. It seems we see something different each time.

Have fun! That is the key - try to have fun even though the crowds will be crazy. And bring lots of patience - not just with others but with your own family - I know we get in meltdown stage at some point, myself included, and I just try to remember the reason we are there - and then I go find a bench and sit for a bit and just chill. The stores are crowded, the parks are crowded, everything is crowded but in my eyes it's well worth it! I can't wait to go next year.

 

[swald91]

Great suggestions by the other posters here. What a wonderful way to spend your holiday! Have a great trip!!!!!

 

[Keggy]

We just decided to go for Christmas this year a couple of weeks ago. We were able to make ADR's we just needed to be a little flexible. For example we are doing the candlelight processional dinner package on the 26th. Which is abolutely fine with us. We will pack an XL bag of patience.

Thanks!