Christmas 2006

[canwegosoon]

I have never been at Christmas time. So I am putting together the budget for 2006. What do I need to plan for? We are 2 Adults, 2 children, I will have no valid passes, and no DDE. We do have DVC so I can use points or if it might be a really good rate I can pay cash. So what are some of the activities we have to do? Where do I find out about the CP dates and the Mickey Christmas party and those prices. There is an outside chance we could drive for Albany, NY, if no good airfare becomes available. The second option is going from Wed before Thanksgiving till the monday after. For those that went this year were any Christmas decorations up? Thanks Everyone I really appericate any advice.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A couple of things to think about

Since you are DVC members, look near the bottom of this page for the discounted DVC prices for APs. That may work for your tickets and you can also spend $50 to get a DDE card.

Another thing for travel is consider the AutoTrain. You could leave Albany early (5 or 6 am) and drive the almost 400 miles to Lorton VA. It is all Interstate Highway and the AutoTrain is less than 1/4 mile from I-95. As long as you are there before 3pm (2pm if you have a van) you get on the train and about 8:30 the next morning you get into Sanford, which is about a one hour drive to WDW. Likewise for going home leave WDW about Noon, get to Lorton the next morning about 8:30, and have a drive home. You have your car the entire time (no need for a rental). Here is where you can get more information about the AutoTrain.

With Thanksgiving on the 24th, the Wednesday before would be the 15th and the Monday after would be the 27th. Just about all Christmas decorations are up by Thanksgiving, and MVMCP first show is the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.

This plan would give you the Tuesday at each end for your travel between home and Lorton, you would have almost the full day of arrival and the full morning of the departure day.

 

[Echo queen]

I live in Texas and have never heard of the auto train. (Guess that's why) Sounds cool.

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks Chester Figment. I currently have a PAP/DDE expiring Mar 20 2006. I was going to wait until April of 07 to buy them again, because if you do then for a couple of years you are on a cycle that Easter is earlier in the 2nd year allowing 2 trips under 1 purchase. So that is why I wasn't going to renew it. I could get it renewed and get 2 trips, Christmas 06 and spring break 07. And then get passes . Yea...I've become a little OC on the planning .
Thanks for the auto train suggestion.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

The dates for the CP and MVMCP are usually announced in late July or early August. Tickets for MVMCP and CP Dining packages usually go on sale around the same time. Narrators and program for the CP are usually announced at a later date.

I would also try to see the Osborne Family Light Show at MGM. The Backlot is transformed into a winter wonderland. There are thousands of lights and decorations. Very pretty. When we were there in 2001, they also made it snow on New York Street while we waited for the opening. I assume that they still do.

If you have the time, I highly recommend visiting the various resorts to see how they've decorated for the holidays. Each one has its own unique theming and each is beautiful in its own way. The GF has a giant gingerbread house in the lobby and the aroma meets you as soon as you walk in.

Go to EPCOT and do the Holidays Around the World. They have storytellers in each of the countries with scheduled times. It took us two trips around the WS to see them all but it was well worth the walking. The kids were especially impressed with La Befana (the Italian Christmas Witch). Maybe it was because DH is Italian, or perhaps it was b/c she made direct eye contact with DD (who looks VERY Italian) while she told her story.

If you choose to go during the Thanksgiving period, the decorations should be up already. You will probably get to see all the holiday stuff if you go then. This year's dates for the CP were 11/25 (day after Thanksgiving)-12/30. For MVMCP the dates began 11/27 (Sunday following Thanksgiving) and ended 12/20, but it wasn't held every night during that period. This year's Osborne Lights were scheduled from 11/14/05-1/8/06. EPCOT's Holidays Around the World ran 11/25-12/30 this year.

Other possibilities:

• DtD: strolling musicians, lots of decorations and, of course, holiday shopping!
• AK: Jingle Jungle Parade, Santa Goofy in Camp Minnie Mickey and the Festival of the Lion King is all decked out in holiday splendor.
• WL: Holiday Sleigh Rides
• BC: Check out the holiday carousel, gingerbread house decorating
• YC: An impressive model train display

As far as the costs are concerned, I think you already know that it will take more DVC points to stay during the Holiday Season (Premier Season in DVC-speak) than it will to stay during Regular Season (Magic Season for DVCers). The regular park passes, hard tickets and food will cost you the same, regardless. So really, it's a matter of how many DVC points you want to spend on this this alone. Either way, you'll get to experience the holiday magic at WDW.