Christmas 2014

[Bsetter]

We'll be visiting the week between Christmas and New Year's this year with our extended family - 16 of us. We've rented a large home close to Disney. I'm looking for any tips and tricks for visiting the park at this time of year - I know it will be crowded, so any help would be great. There will be 12 adults and 4 kids ages 6 to 12. 4 of the adults are my kids all in their early 20's. We're hoping to split up some, but knowing my family, we'll stay together as much as possible. We're planning on visiting all 4 parks, one day each.

 

[wareagle57]

I'd consider adding a 5th day so you can spend 2 days in Magic Kingdom. If not, I'd try to split up Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios or Epcot as one day, with HS or Ep being the PM park. Spend one MK focusing just on attractions and the last MK day on the Christmas parade, wishes, and other Christmas stuff, and hitting a few select rides you didn't get to or want to try again. Book your fastpasses as soon as you get to your 30 day mark. For your two MK days you'll want 7 dwarfs mine train, peter pan, the 3 mountains (splash, space, big thunder) and then probably encanted tales with belle or haunted mansion. Also make sure you ride Pirates, Jungle Cruise, and it's a small world. And the people mover!

 

[Alesia]

Be prepared to wake up early. Really early.

 

[AFETA]

My family like yours is larger, 19 of us total. We travel with 10 adults and 9 kids. I would also suggest adding a 5th day to take on MK. There is so much to do there and with that many, things move a little slower. It is fun to have big group along for the ride. Be prepared to make rope drops when you can to take advantage of those slower mornings.

 

[canadianmom2three]

We are also traveling to WDW over Christmas. We are an extended family of 9 with 5 kids from 3-17 and 4 adults, including one grandma!

We've been there a number of times, and at Christmas, so we're pretty relaxed about what we'll get done, but it is the first trip for my sister and her little ones, and we want them to LOVE WDW as much as we do (hey, it will be another excuse to go back!)

Things I plan to do based on our previous Christmas trip:
1.Be there EARLY and take a break so we can stay LATE
2.Avoid being in the parks mid-afternoon by taking a break, eating, people watching or doing slow attractions (if there is such a thing that week lol)
3.Planning CS dining at off times so that maybe we can get a table
4.Not being afraid to split up in a crowd - it is VERY hard to travel as a large group in such crowds. Splitting up and meeting at a destination is much easier.
5. Wear matching hats - we found this so so helpful for keeping track of one another in the crowds. Our evening hats were flashing santa hats

This year we are going to HS on Christmas Day. Haven't heard a lot about this park on Christmas, so not too sure what to expect for crowds and such. I agree with PP about spending as much time as possible in MK though, it is so beautiful at Christmas!! Hope you have a GREAT trip!!!

 

[disney*mom*82]

This will be our second time going to WDW over Christmas & New Years. With the experience we had, I will say it will be SUPER crowded, especially on Christmas and New Years Eve. We spent New Years Eve at Epcot last time and it just was not kid friendly, we were very disappointed. There was a lot of drunks and TONS of drinking which then leads to stupid adults. Anyways...

1. Dont expect to do everything, pick the few much do's and try to book FP's for those.
2. On prime days get there early, like on Christmas morning if you want to spend the day at MK, be there at rope drop, it will close due to capacity.
3. Book ADRs asap if you havent already.
4. Plan 1 park per day, like you have. We never leave the park, not for a break of anything. It just seems to waist time, I rather find a cool attraction to rest at or book our ADRs around a time I know we will be ready for a cool break.

Have fun and enjoy. I remember Main Street on Christmas last time was just NUTS, you couldnt move, total jam of people. Make sure the children all know where to meet if seperated and everyone knows who is safe to go to for help and that they know an adults cell number.