Christmas 2004

[ukfloridafan]

Any ideas on where to go and what to do over Christmas and New Year greatly appreciated.

This will be our 4th visit to Disney. We were at MK on Christmas Day 2000 and am not sure that I want to battle the crowds again.

We'll be staying at Pop Century from 16th Dec to 2nd Jan.

Thank you.

 

[2 Point]

We're staying at Downtown Disney from 12th to 27th.

We were there Xmas 2001, MK on Xmas day - not this time! We will be doing all the major rides/parks in the first 10 days, leaving the last 5 days to chill and just enjoy the atmosphere.

During the busy period we are planning to go to the Gaylord Palms for Xmas Day lunch, then head over to Epcot and just wander around, the tree lighting will be extra special. Take a look at the ICE exhibition at the Gaylord Palms, looks fantastic, trying to persuede my wife that staying over on Xmas Eve would be a bargain ($189 including 2 tickets to ICE) (not to mention I can have a few 'sundowners' in the Key West area!). www.gaylordhotels.com

Boxing Day is a Sunday so just waiting for the PS calendar ro come around so we can book The House of Blues Gospel Brunch, probably hit MGM after that.

We've never been to Winter Park or Celebration, planning to do these when the main crowds hit town(Thur 23rd?), by then we should have nailed most of the parks/attractions that we want to see.

In 2001 I went to Florida Mall on Xmas Eve (wife was ill in bed), Disney Store there had just started their Xmas Sale! Bought ***loads***, our tree at home was decorated entirely with Winnie the Pooh decs, reduced from $6 each to a $!. All the gifts I bought were wrapped in the Mall by charity wrappers, a feel good moment if there every was one, left a hefty tip and a huge smile.

Before it gets real busy we are taking 2 days at Universal, they really do make it so much more like Xmas than Disney. Last time Charlotte was only 2 so the Grinch was a little too much, this time she's really excited about meeting him. The new Macy's Xmas Parade is a must see from what I've read.

 

[ukfloridafan]

Thank you 2 point for the link to Gaylord Palms. The ICE display looks good. We have 2 DD age 10 and 5 and I think they will enjoy that.

Celebration has snow and santa in evenings around Christmas time.

Anybody else have any suggestions?

Thank you

 

[Camac]

Hi,

We spent last Christmas and NY in Orlando (16th Dec - 1st Jan). The weather was very cold on arrival - hats, scarves and gloves especially at night during the parades and fireworks. The weather just kept getting warmer and by the time we left on 1st Jan it was 85 degrees!

All the parks were quiet in the week before Christmas - no queues at all - anywhere. But after Christmas Day everywhere was busy but the Disney parks were the busiest. We did go to Universal and IOA in the days after Christmas, as we went in early (8.30am) it wasn't too bad. So I would suggest you do the parks before Christmas and maybe just revist (early in the day) any rides you want to do again.

Christmas day we spent at Discovery Cove. It was our Christmas present (me, Dh, DD -14 and DS -10) to ourselves and was worth every penny. A wonderful experience and a well day of rest from the massive amount of walking you will do.

I agonised over what to do on NYE as the parks get very busy and some had closed by 10am - that's a very long day until midnight. So I settled for relaxed shopping in the morning, lazying by the pool in the afternoon (it was hot by then) and at 7pm we made our way to Wilderness Lodge for a drink and caught the boat which took us to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue (9pm show). The show was corny but great fun and the food was good and plentiful. We were bused back to Wilderness Lodge where we walked back down to the jetty in time to see the MK fireworks going off to mark the NY.

If you decide to do this remember to make your booking for Hoop Dee Doo. I think you can book this show up to two years in advance. I only booked mine five weeks before we went so don't be put off thinking you won't get in.

Camac

 

[Miffy2003]

Hello,

We are going in December too - have you thought about the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ? The latter is last on 17th December and as you only arrive on 16th this may not work for you.

Cheers

Karen

 

[2 Point]

Forgot about the Xmas Party, we've booked for the 16th. We've done it before and it was very very special. A little annoying that it is so much extra (Annual Passes this year....)

 

[Beejayjay]

I don't want to be a heretic, but having spent from last Boxing day thru Jan 11 in Disneyville, for me the best bet for NYE is Universal or IOA, for a few reasons.

1. The Fireworks at universal IOA were absolutely phenomenal, some of the best we've ever seen. Another advantage of this location is that you effectively get 2 lots to see as the 2 parks both launch a display, so you get more chance to ge a great location (The terrace at Mythos restaurant had a great view of it all).

2. The Disney parks fill up waaaay early on NYE, and usually close their doors early in the day - I recall MK being closed by around noon this past NYE. Of course Uni/IOA get very busy, but not nearly as much as Disney. Being stuck in any of the parks all day from early till the midnight countdown would make it one long, tiring day, especailly with kids in tow. We wandered into IOA at around 9 pm after having spent the day chilling at Blizzard beach (82 degrees on NYE, bloody marvellous !).

3. I love Disney but do find the happy clappy stuff a bit cloying after a while - Universal do it all with a bit more savvy. Fun for the adults as well as the kids.

Hope this helps

 

[ukfloridafan]

Thanks for all you replies.

Apparently Dixie Stampede do Christmas Shows - anybody been?

 

[2 Point]

Originally posted by ukfloridafan
Thanks for all you replies.

Apparently Dixie Stampede do Christmas Shows - anybody been?

Oh Dear............there really is no hope ...................