Can you help me plan a Disney Christmas trip in 2 days?

[JoyG]

DH surprised me today and said we're going to Orlando for Christmas. We're staying offsite in a condo.

We've been to WDW before but not in at least 5 years. Normally, I'm a super planner and have all this stuff figured out beforehand, but I don't get out of work for the holiday until Friday afternoon, and we're leaving Saturday. To say I'm a little overwhelmed at this point is an understatement.

Could someone do a quick answer of these questions for me so I don't have to search the boards?

1. Cheapest place to buy tickets at this point if we want to be at rope drop on Monday morning? I'm not sure we have enough time for Undercover Tourist.

2. Cheapest counter service items in Magic Kingdom and Epcot?

3. Can we still bring coolers into the parks? Soft-sided?

4. What time do I need to get in line for the Candlelight Processional if I don't have a lunch/dinner package? Which is the best showing to attend without a package?

5. Any quick links to park hours, recommended parks?

6. What's the hoopla with FP+ and offsite guests? Will I be able to use the old FB system? The new one?

7. Is there a question I should ask that I don't even know I should ask? Any major changes in the last 5 years?

 

[bumbershoot]

WOW!

If you have some extra money for a guidebook, I might head over to passporter.com and buy an ebook version of the most recent WDW book they have. Then read read read. Read it on the drive down or flight out if you must!

1. Cheapest place to buy tickets at this point if we want to be at rope drop on Monday morning? I'm not sure we have enough time for Undercover Tourist.

See about pickup from Undercover? Or their fastest shipping? But...will you actually save any money if you do the fastest shipping? Maybe just getting them WillCall will be your best shot, though not any sort of savings.

2. Cheapest counter service items in Magic Kingdom and Epcot?

I don't know about cheapest, but I love Columbia Harbour House at MK and Sunshine Seasons at Epcot.

3. Can we still bring coolers into the parks? Soft-sided?

Yes. I love my Igloo MaxCold 6pack-sized cooler backpack.

4. What time do I need to get in line for the Candlelight Processional if I don't have a lunch/dinner package? Which is the best showing to attend without a package?

Don't know.

5. Any quick links to park hours, recommended parks?

easywdw.com is the big NEW good site to check out. And it's free!

6. What's the hoopla with FP+ and offsite guests? Will I be able to use the old FB system? The new one?

You should be able to use old FP+, though the AK situation might be different. I would just go prepared for heinous crowds, come up with your Absolute Must Dos, focus on those, and anything else consider a bonus.

7. Is there a question I should ask that I don't even know I should ask? Any major changes in the last 5 years?

We only started going inside of the last 5 years so I can't help with that one.



I hope you have an amazing time!

 

[Marionnette]

DH surprised me today and said we're going to Orlando for Christmas. We're staying offsite in a condo.

We've been to WDW before but not in at least 5 years. Normally, I'm a super planner and have all this stuff figured out beforehand, but I don't get out of work for the holiday until Friday afternoon, and we're leaving Saturday. To say I'm a little overwhelmed at this point is an understatement.

Could someone do a quick answer of these questions for me so I don't have to search the boards?

1. Cheapest place to buy tickets at this point if we want to be at rope drop on Monday morning? I'm not sure we have enough time for Undercover Tourist.

2. Cheapest counter service items in Magic Kingdom and Epcot?

3. Can we still bring coolers into the parks? Soft-sided?

4. What time do I need to get in line for the Candlelight Processional if I don't have a lunch/dinner package? Which is the best showing to attend without a package?

5. Any quick links to park hours, recommended parks?

6. What's the hoopla with FP+ and offsite guests? Will I be able to use the old FB system? The new one?

7. Is there a question I should ask that I don't even know I should ask? Any major changes in the last 5 years?

You'll get better answers to most of those questions on the TPAS board.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Billy Boy's and Ticketmania have storefronts in Kissimmee. You can order your tickets and pick them up there. Ticketmania will also deliver to your resort for a fee.
   
2. Counter service pretty much averages the same per person at each location (BOG lunch being the exception). The difference would be the amount of food that you get with your order. I suggest that you choose a restaurant near wherever you are when you decide to eat. Fighting holiday crowds to get to a "cheaper" place will waste a lot of precious park time.
   
3. Small, soft-sided coolers are permitted. Nothing that rolls (such as a backpack on wheels or a rolling cooler) will be allowed. They are trip hazards.
   
4. Line up for the CP at least an hour prior to its start if you are going standby. If this is one of the last CPs of the season, then you should line up even earlier. There is always a chance that you will still not get a seat. You stand a better chance at the earlier performance.
   
5. easywdw.com
   
6. No FP+ for offsite guests. The old FP system is still available to everyone, if I am not mistaken. Check the TPAS board for up-to-date info because the situation is fluid. I'd be more concerned about being able to park and enter the theme parks. Offsite guests arriving in their own vehicles are the first to be turned away when parks reach their capacity.
   
7. Lots of major changes within the past 5 years. I hope that you're reading everything that you can on the TPAS board.

 

[JoyG]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[SplashMo]

Which days will you be in the parks? I would get park hoppers.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You can still get UCT tickets. They have a pick up location at the UPS store. But you better act fast

Orlando Pick Up - Free

Located near Universal Studios.
The UPS Store
4630 S Kirkman Rd
Orlando
FL 32811 View Map

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 7pm
Saturday: 8:30am - 4pm
Sunday: Closed

Pre-Order Only
No walk ins; as the tickets are not stored at the UPS Store.

Next Business Day Pick Up?
Order before 1pm E.S.T, and your tickets will be available the next business day after 12 Noon.

ID
Valid ID and your Credit Card are required to collect tickets. The name on both must match.
Government issued photo id such as driver's license/passport
Credit/Debit card used for the order.

 

[gopack]

Be sure to check out the kids meals at counter service places if you are not a big eater. Most of them now come with grapes and carrot sticks and a small bottle of water. I am at Disney now and I have had some tasty kids meals. You can look on Allears.net for counter service menus and prices.

 

[hsmamato2]

agree with all the previous...especially easywdw and the crowd calendar there... cheap eats everywhere, kids meals are sometimes a good pick.... get park hoppers, and get to your parks EARLY at rope drop IMHO to beat some crowds...you're staying offsite, so avoid EMH park hours like the plague...pay attention to easywdw (can't say that enough) have fun!

 

[hsmamato2]

oh,also- since you're going at a busy time...perhaps parkhoppers aren't a good choice (travel time between parks/park closing due to crowds later in day) so your best bet may be to hit the recommended park EARLY (like be there 30 mins before you're allowed in) and then just do that park till you're done for the day....much less wasted time in busy season. that's what I would do....

 

[TravelMommy]

Our local AAA was only a few dollars more than undercover tourist, if that option would work for you. Have a great trip!!! How wonderful to be a Disney for the holidays! ps, get to the parks for rope drop, while I have never been to Disney for the Holidays (yet,he he) but I have read that they close the park if crowd levels get too high

 

[mom2alix]

You still have time to get some discounted gift cards, too. It may only be 5% savings, but that's still something and you can use them to pay for your food and souvenirs.

 

[JoyG]

Thanks everyone!

I called the local Walmart based on a tip I saw on Mousesavers and looks like they've got a little discount. It's not much, but everything helps.

I think we'll do the single park/day strategy b/c I anticipate parking lots to be a nightmare.

I have a question about the 5% discounted disney cards. That's through target right? I'd need a red card for that. Is that something I can apply for and get the same day? I don't have one right now.

 

[Eastern]

I went NYE week last year so here's my advice:

Looks like you have 3 young boys. The crowds this time of year are going to be tremendous. If I were you, I would plan on a rope drop strategy for each park. It's going to be hard at MK because you are offsite and they will have EMH every day from 8-9am if it is like last year. I would still go on the days you want, and try to get your rides 'done' by 11-12noon. You can get a lot done in the early hours. The rest of the day, sit down and have lunch, see a parade, look around, shop, etc. Lines for the rides will be LONG.

It is going to be insanely crowded. Sat, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (NYE) the parks will be packed. It may ease up Wed, Thurs Friday as people leave to get back home. You may want to view the fireworks from outside the parks on Dec 30th (MK does preview fireworks at 8:30pm and again at 11:40pm check times) you could probably get a reservation at one of the resort hotels that night and go watch the fireworks on the beach at Poly. Go to Epcot for fireworks on NYE. They have a 6:30pm showing and another at 11:40pm check times.

I would not get park hoppers. Too busy to hop with young kids.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have a question about the 5% discounted disney cards. That's through target right? I'd need a red card for that. Is that something I can apply for and get the same day? I don't have one right now.

right. I think you can get it the same day, but I think the dollar amount of purchases is limited at first. That might ONLY be regarding debit cards, but the possibility is something to be aware of.