choosing hotels at xmas time???

[amystevekai&bump]

I thought I had our xmas trip all figured out - but now am beginnning to change my mind - so which would you do if you had the choice of below:

Part 1 -Polynesian
Part 2 - Hard Rock Hotel
Part 3 - Disney Cruise
Part 4 - Portofino

OR

Part 1 - Polynesian
Part 2 - Wilderness Lodge
Part 3 - Disney Cruise
Part 4 - Hard Rock Hotel


Ideally I would stay at the Poly for the whole time before joining the cruise on Xmas Eve, but the room prices go mad for the last 5 or 6 days before xmas and I can't afford to do that.

The first choice was what I had originally planned, as I LOVE HRH so that is a must but I also fancy trying the Portofino. Although this week I've been thinking about possibly getting the DCL bus to the port which is obviously easier from a WDW hotel, and I know everyone raves about the Wilderness lodge at xmastime - so now I'm torn!!

Please help me choose!!

 

[paulh]

we chose the boardwalk for our xmas stay,as we could walk to both epcot and mgm(now holywood studios) and if we wanted to go to MK we got the monarail from epcot.the roads around disney and universal are mad around that time
Paulh

 

[amystevekai&bump]

we chose the boardwalk for our xmas stay,as we could walk to both epcot and mgm(now holywood studios) and if we wanted to go to MK we got the monarail from epcot.the roads around disney and universal are mad around that time
Paulh

Thanks Paul! -I hadn't thought of the Boardwalk or the Yacht/Beach club - do they have good decorations there??

 

[paulh]

Thanks Paul! -I hadn't thought of the Boardwalk or the Yacht/Beach club - do they have good decorations there??

to be honest,Xmas at disney is just like any outher time of year,except for the difernt parade and xtra fireworks on new years.But hay its got to be done
The resorts are deck out, but its only the lobys which are
I think they have more fun around thanksgiving the month earler than xmas
Paulh

 

[amystevekai&bump]

to be honest,Xmas at disney is just like any outher time of year,except for the difernt parade and xtra fireworks on new years.But hay its got to be done
The resorts are deck out, but its only the lobys which are
I think they have more fun around thanksgiving the month earler than xmas
Paulh

Yes I need to try not to get over excited about it being Xmas - I always said I wanted to 'do' Disney at least once over Xmas - but I'm fearful that I might build it up in my head to be bigger and better than it is - and I don't want to be disappointed - so thanks for giving me the 'real' view!!

 

[irongirlof12]

we went for xmas one year, and loved it. the decorations are fab, each hotel has its own xmas tree etc. and when we went there was a gingerbread house/village made by the staff on display. I think the parks are extra special at this time of year. MGM comes into it's own with osbourne lights, 3D glasses were handed out which adds to the experience, and it 'snowed'

you will love it!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

From the options listed I would go for the 2nd one, including the WL.

We have been a few times at Christmas & also love the decorations & christmas carols playing - i think it's great. We try & do the rides before it gets really busy in the Christmas week as queues can be terrible.

 

[DizzieMinnie]

This will be our third time in December, first time actually there christmas day as previous times we have left on the 23rd. Personally i wouldn't go to disney at any other time.
The atmosphere is amazing and because its so quiet you can enjoy it. Disney is always special but for me Disney at Christmas it truely Magical

Travel agent did tell me though that the magic kingdom shuts its gates around 8.30 christmas day as its rammed!!!!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

thanks everyone!!!

I have heard that MK gets crazy busy for Xmas Day but when does the madness start??? Looking at the poly price list I was given for this year the prices seemed to rocket from the fri before xmas - so does that tie in with when the MK starts getting really crowded???

Because conversely I'd heard that UO is quite quiet leading up to Xmas day - is this right??


We are planning to join the cruise (assuming the dates we were given pan out) on xmas eve so our last park day would be 23rd dec.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

thanks everyone!!!

I have heard that MK gets crazy busy for Xmas Day but when does the madness start??? Looking at the poly price list I was given for this year the prices seemed to rocket from the fri before xmas - so does that tie in with when the MK starts getting really crowded???

Because conversely I'd heard that UO is quite quiet leading up to Xmas day - is this right??

This year the crowd predictors are saying from 22nd through to 31st will be busiest? Will soon find out!!

In 2006 we went to Universal on Christmas day - it wasn't that bad - but it was a cooler day with rain. If that made any difference I don't know.

 

[milomummy]

This year the crowd predictors are saying from 22nd through to 31st will be busiest? Will soon find out!!

OH NO! We arrive in Orlando on the 23rd and leave on Jan 4th. Guess we're not gonna have much luck with things!

 

[wideeyes]

I would go for option two, WL looks great, we almost booked it for september however they only had bunk bed rooms left in our budget. It will be fab at christmas.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I would go for option two, WL looks great, we almost booked it for september however they only had bunk bed rooms left in our budget. It will be fab at christmas.

I must admit it does sound lovely - I'm just unsure about how I'm going to feel about leaving the poly (and my dream room!! ) - especially if i'm still on Disney property. And if it is going to get mega busy, will I not be better going to the quieter Universal hotel/ parks??

I don't know - what I really want to happen is for the poly to tell me that the price is going to stay reasonable right up to xmas eve and then I can stay put!! - But THAT will never happen (except in my dreams!!!- hahaha!! )

 

[squitty]

Out of your options I would choose option #2

We are doing a similar stay this year and next year
OKW, DCL, VWL & HRH

 

[Melcatfish]

I would go for option 2 - we stayed at the Portofino (only for one night) on our trip in 2004 and while it was lovely I think the theming of Wilderness Lodge lends itself to a Christmassy stay more than the Italian Village theming at the Portofino.

JMO
Mel
x

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Out of your options I would choose option #2

We are doing a similar stay this year and next year
OKW, DCL, VWL & HRH

I would go for option 2 - we stayed at the Portofino (only for one night) on our trip in 2004 and while it was lovely I think the theming of Wilderness Lodge lends itself to a Christmassy stay more than the Italian Village theming at the Portofino.

JMO
Mel
x

Now you see you've both really thrown me (along with everyone else!!) as you've all said Wilderness Lodge over the Portofino!!! - I think I was looking for everyone to back up my original choice of the Portofino!!!

So do you all think I'm going to be OK switching from a WDW to another WDW hotel??

I'm just worried it will feel like hassle and possibly a come down from the poly???? (only in terms of location and the fact that the parks will be getting busier and busier??? )

But I do like the idea of a christmassy stay and to get the DCL bus to the Port!! - Oh I don't know!!!

 

[paulh]

on the MK getting bussiy on xmas day,they do shut the gates,think when we whent it was around 10.30am,but as a 1,000 people leave they let in a 1,000 and so on,after parade it generaly gets less bussy ie they dont have to shut the gates
Paulh