anyone spent xmas at WDW before?

[disneymouse]

we are thinking about celebrating xmas at Wilderness Lodge this year with just my DH and our 2 kids. we have never spent an actual holiday at a hotel before so i'm curious if anyone here has spent christmas at disney.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Well, it was quite a few years ago, but I spent Christmas there with my family in the early 90's (mom, dad, aunt, uncle, 2 cousins...the youngest were the cousins who were teens). We had a great time! Yes, the parks were crowded, but we didn't care. It was actually, at the time, one of the coldest days there ever (I think the temp was 32 degrees!). We just layered on the clothes and jackets and had fun.

As for Christmas gifts, we exchanged at the hotel (CBR) in the morning, if I remember correctly. (As you can tell, it was the trip, not the presents, that really mattered, since I can't remember the gifts at all!)

That trip is one of my happiest memories...only to be followed by another happy memory. After Christmas in WDW I spent New Years with my (then) DBoyfriend and some friends. DBoyfriend became DFiance when he proposed to me on New Year's Eve!

 

[vsimeone]

YEP! We have! This year will be about our 6th time or so. More if you count leaving home the day after Christmas and staying off-site with grandparents. Done a handful of Easters too! I love the holidays at WDW but I would NEVER recommend for someone to take their first trip during the holidays. The crowds are pure madness!

Best of luck with you trip!

 

[Noelle]

We have spent the last 3 Christmas' at WDW. We love it. Unfortunately, we can't go this year because of our jobs. We'll be back for Christmas '07. You'll have a wonderful time. The decorations are great. I usually buy a small pre-lighted tree from Jackson & Perkins for about $45 and have it delivered the resort the day after we arrive. We bring our own Xmas stockings and garland. The stockings are easy to put in the suitcase. I buy cheapy garland from Target and just toss it after the trip. The first year we were there they gave us a little stocking on our door. But that didn't happen again. My only real tip is STAY AWAY from the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day. It's sooooo crowded. It's really not very fun. We usually go to Epcot and spend the day. Have fun!

 

[FINFAN]

Yes...most recently in '04 we did a split stay 4 nights at WL, checking out on 12/22 and then into the Dolphin for 6 more nights departing 12/28. Our kids were 14 and 10 at the time and it was fine. I even asked at the Dolphin if we could have a few gifts for the kids down in the lobby by the tree ( there is a fence around the actual tree w/a train) they said no problem! Santa was there clear up to Christmas Eve to chat with, or you can see him at DTD.
We had decorations with us: Table tree and ornaments ( AND EXTENSION CORDS) I hung the kids stocking from the headboards ( used gittery pipe cleaners to hang them with) holiday window clings for windows, patio door and mirror, had sent a box prior by mail with a few gifts in it and for the "big" or pricey stuff that we dod not want to have in the resort, we took photos of, and wrapped up the pictures.For instance, DS was getting a 13" t.v.( super deal at Sears for $40)...no way was that coming along, but when he opened the picture up...he went nuts! In a way, it made leaving easier as the kids knew they had some new treats waiting at home. The parks are crazy from whatever weekend prior to Christmas Eve until after New Years so plan accordingly...we arrived on the 18th and the 18, 19 were o.k for some reson the 20, 21 were crazy, but then the 22 was o.k. and the 23 on just kept getting busier. Only trip we have been at Epcot WS and not been able to walk...people everywhere on the grass, everywhere! It can be cold, we wore our winter coats a lot ( from Il) and it rained off and on Christmas Eve...but worked to our benefit...we had late dinner at O'Hana and finished about 10:30...the rain, cold and late hour before Santa had MK EMPTY! We did SM, Buzz, Peter Pan, Snow White, HM, BTMRR, Alladin...all in about an hour or so..unreal...we just ran from one to another and would get right on! We went once before for 3 nights (12/21,22,23 departing Christmas Eve) and did not set foot into the parks. We were traveling to see family further outh in FL and broke up the drive. While REALLY hard to be so close and not go into the parks, we enjoyed the Boardwalk, DTD, rented a watermouse, visited a ton of resorts, spent a lot of time at the public viewing area at AKL and petting zoo at Ft Wilderness...slept in ( something we NEVER do at WDW)
Anyway, Christmas is great at WDW!


Pam

 

[wdwmaw]

we spent last christmas in disney with just us. it was so magical and we had the best time. christmas day could not have been any better. we got to mk at ee opening and we felt like we had the whole park to our selves. we were the only ones in fantasyland for about an hour. we had funnel cakes/ice cream cookies for breakfast and found a spot on mainstreet to watch the parade. my husband walked kids around and shopped while i guarded our spot. when it got a little crouded we headed to tom sayer island and let the kids(13 & 8) run around while my dh and i held hands and sat with each other till time to eat at LTT. What perfect holiday dinner. We were really shocked at how small the crouds were in the mornings. At mgm we rode so many times we gave fast passes away we couldn't ride anymore. Your girls will never forget the lights at mgm either. I can not wait to do this all over again. we stayed at cbr and the characters were there in the evenings. We all agreed this was much better than a bunch of stuff wrapped up that is over the moment the paper comes off. I really hope you decide to go!!!

 

[disneymouse]

we will be spending most of our time at the WL resort for xmas. we live 3 hours away from WDW so we go every few months during the year. this xmas we plan a stress free-relaxing holiday hanging around the resortenjoying the atmosphere.

 

[disnut8]

Yes, we have and will be doing it again this year. Husband just rolled his eyes and groaned. The past three years have been all Christmas at Disney. First year was a family reunion kind of thing. Stayed at All Stars with our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter plus mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brother-in-law. Fantastic time. Last year was offsite in a basic suite and my sister, my brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew joined us for a night. This year, I don't know.

We go with the flow and bail out to Epcot when things get too hectic. Humm, just realized I better check that 180 day mark for an ADR for Christmas dinner!

 

[maelstrom]

We spent this past Christmas at Riverside. We've gone right before Christmas (Poly) and right after (Wildy) in the past. We like going before Christmas better. It's just so hectic at Christmas. There were two busses parked at the MK taking people back to POR on Christmas night. We'd rather go before Christmas and come back home to spend Christmas with the family. I really missed being with my boyfriend for Christmas.