Are we Bonkers going at Christmas??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bundle]

I can't believe we've just booked to go to the Wilderness Lodge for 10 nights 21st December to 31st! I know it will be hideously busy but it will be our 4th trip so we know our way round so hopefully that will help!

Haven't broken the news to the 2 sets of Grandparents yet!

We normally book 11 months in advance so this was quite a late decision for us but I am so excited to be seeing the Christmas decorations etc!

 

[UKDEB]

Well, it's not as though you don't know what you're letting yourselves in for. You'll just have to chill out and take things easy. Good luck with the Grandparents!

 

[wayneg]

Its a nightmare. Roads too busy, getting food is crazy, lines upto 2 hours for popular rides.
So what, its the most magical time to be there, done 4 Xmas thru New year trips and DW want to go again this Xmas.
Get fast passes, be in parks at opening, eat at odd times and enjoy.
Remember to take clothes for every weather, somedays you need shorts and T shirts other days you need coats and gloves. It varies so much.

 

[Andy B]

We went for Christmas 2003 and although we did not go in a park on Christmas day the crowds on Boxing Day were incredible.

 

[CustardTart]

I think you have to be a little bit bonkers but who cares!??!! We're going for Christmas 2008 and hopefully will be staying at AKV and VWL for a week before heading off on a DCL NYE cruise - we don't care about the crowds, it's going to be magical! I can't wait to see the decorations too...

Have a wonderful time and fingers crossed the Grandparents take it well...

 

[Goofyish]

We went 2 years ago from the 15th to the 29th December. Crowds were very low until about the 23rd December, after that the parks were very busy - but will planning manageable.

As you have been plenty of times before you will be under less pressure to 'see and do everything', so if you focus on each park and the rides/shows you want to see each day and just head to the parks early, use Fastpass etc. you will be fine.
Also, take advantage of the really late opening times - MK will probably be open until midnight all of Christmas week.

Avoid MK on Christmas Day unless you really want to go - if you do, get there well before opening.
We went to Epcot on Christmas Day and didn't find it too bad.

Make sure you make all your ADRs as soon as possible - especially for Christmas Day.

I would imagine you grandparents would enjoy the Candlelight Processional (CP) in Epcot, so to get good seats take advantage of the CP Dining Package

Also, to avoid the crowds in the parks take a few tours round the resorts to look at the decorations etc.

 

[Bundle]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

By the way, Goofyish - you've made me feel even more guilty as we aren't actually taking them with us I just meant that they might be upset that we won't be around for Christmas, LOL. (well may be not that guilty

 

[Goofyish]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

By the way, Goofyish - you've made me feel even more guilty as we aren't actually taking them with us I just meant that they might be upset that we won't be around for Christmas, LOL. (well may be not that guilty

LOL I thought you meant that you were suprising your Grandparents and hadn't told them you were taking them with you at Christmas!

 

[tashasmum]

I think everyone should do at least one Christmas in Disney. We went last Dec and from the first time i went to Disney in 96 it was my goal to go for Christmas. The weather was beautiful and we only needed fleeces a couple of times during a 19 night stay.
The parks look lovely with all their lights and trimmings but for me there was no Christmas atmosphere ( my opinion). We are used to a very traditional Christmas with loads of family etc and really missed it as there was only 3 of us.
New year was different again. We went to Epcot and stayed in the same park for almost 16 hours. The atmosphere was fantastic even though it was very very busy. (2hrs+ waiting time for some rides)
Personally if i were to go again at this time of year i would leave home on boxing day.

 

[Bundle]

We did consider going on Boxing Day until about the 4th of January and in fact my 8 year old boy twin preferred that option whereas girl twin wanted to actually be ther on Christmas day. We discovered that DS was worried about Santa knowing where to bring his presents but we've put his mind at rest about that so now he's fine with it.

Reading the various posts, it seems about 50/50 on whether people hated it or loved it over Christmas so we will see! I do have reservations about being such a long way from home over Christmas as it will be first time I've spent it outside of the UK but I'm happy to take the chance that it will be fabulous!

 

[tashasmum]

Even after having been at Christmas i would still recommend people to try it out for themselves. We went into MK on xmas day for EMH and left about 11ish as we had done all the rides we wanted to do in the first hour (6 rides in total)and just as we were leaving the hoards of people coming in was unreal. We also had an ADR at Bomas in the evening so we had a nice meal to look forward to.

 

[wils]

Probably! We'll see you there!

I'm taking the attitude that we won't be able to see everything so we'll prioritise what we do getting to the parks early and staying til we've had enough!

I hope you have a good trip and that the family you're leaving behind take it OK. Ours have been better about the whole thing than expected (though there's time!)

 

[squitty]

Yes it's crazy but I would rather be there than here

As long as you make the most of the EMH's I think you will get by just fine. What a lovely place you are staying too

 

[Bundle]

Ooooooh it's great having a thread going - makes it all the more exciting!!!

Thank you to all those reading or replying! Any tips about where best to book ADRs or what parades to see on what days etc will be gratefully received

 

[crispywelsh]

Well if you're bonkers we are too, see you there !! if it's any consolation we haven't broken the news to our families either, building ourselves up to it !! Let us know when you are going to break the news and we can have a joint coming out day !!

 

[Lisash]

Yes it's crazy but I would rather be there than here

Absolutely! we have done the last two Christmas's in WDW and while it is very busy it's just magical being there at that time of year and let's face it everywhere you go at home is manic round Christmas anyway. I'd recommend everyone try it once especially the Osborne lights at MGM I have never felt so Christmassy since I was a child Sadly we aren't planning to go this December as our DD is 18 and won't come with us and I can't face the thought of leaving her 'alone' at Christmas (even though her grandparents would have her over and stuff) I know for a fact I will spend all of the festive season eating my heart out at the thought of you guys all there. Have a great time

 

[emily1982]

I can't believe we've just booked to go to the Wilderness Lodge for 10 nights 21st December to 31st! I know it will be hideously busy but it will be our 4th trip so we know our way round so hopefully that will help!

Haven't broken the news to the 2 sets of Grandparents yet!

We normally book 11 months in advance so this was quite a late decision for us but I am so excited to be seeing the Christmas decorations etc!

We did xmas 2005 at the Wilderness lodge from the 21st-1st Jan, i really isnt as bad as everyone makes out, i've seen it worse at August time. Just trying and do all the big stuff before the 25th and try and stay out of the park on xmas day. Have fun!

 

[Bundle]

Well if you're bonkers we are too, see you there !! if it's any consolation we haven't broken the news to our families either, building ourselves up to it !! Let us know when you are going to break the news and we can have a joint coming out day !!

Deal! Actually DH has suggested we just let the kids mention it and then I might say 'oh, I'm sure we told you'!!!

 

[Bundle]

Absolutely! we have done the last two Christmas's in WDW and while it is very busy it's just magical being there at that time of year and let's face it everywhere you go at home is manic round Christmas anyway. I'd recommend everyone try it once especially the Osborne lights at MGM I have never felt so Christmassy since I was a child Sadly we aren't planning to go this December as our DD is 18 and won't come with us and I can't face the thought of leaving her 'alone' at Christmas (even though her grandparents would have her over and stuff) I know for a fact I will spend all of the festive season eating my heart out at the thought of you guys all there. Have a great time

Sorry you're not making it this year but you must have loads of great memories and your post makes me think we've definitely made the right decision.

I've just realised that we arrive on the last day of MVMCP so we might get tickets and see how we are on the day. I think we land in Orlando about 3pm & by the time we get to the Party it will be very late UK time so depends on the kids being awake I guess!

 

[saratogagirl]

if you fancy a drink at the Wilderness Lodge just let us know (I am crispywelsh's other half) ...