Christmas 2016 Booked!

[ajenks22]

Cross posting from Welcome board:

I am so excited that we are going to WDW December 17-24! This will be our third visit to WDW, all at Christmas (2010 and 2013). No heat, and so festive! Traveling with DH 42 and DS 12. Staying at Holiday Inn Resort Orange Lake West through RCI.

I think a few things have changed since our last visit (Christmas 2013). Here are my questions:

If I buy my tickets through UT, will the normal multi-day tickets work? I heard something about peak ticket rates, but only saw that for 1 day tickets. Didn't see a peak ticket option for multi-day passes.

Is Park Savers legit? Looks like I can buy 7 day passes at a discount.

Since we will be staying off property, will I be out of luck with FP+ times? Afraid I'll miss all the decent times even if I book right at 30 days, since it's such a busy time.

Any helpful new tidbits for Christmas touring? Especially changes or additions in the last year or two?

Also, is there a specific December group?

TIA!

ajenks22, Today at 1:16 AM
#1

 

[cassie58]

As far as I've seen, the tiering is only for one day tickets as you said, so multi-day tickets should be normal. We have used UT based on Mousesavers and UG when we were offsite, and would trust them, but don't know about Park Savers, however there is a thread about whether they are legit on here, so you could look that up. As far as FP goes, I helped friends plan a first trip during Christmas - New Years week in 2014, and they didn't decide to go till late Nov., so even though onsite, I made FP for them less than 30 days out, and got everything except 7DMT, and managed to get TSMM on the morning they were leaving. So you can always keep trying, as people change plans all the time.
For Christmas touring, we went last yr. the same week you are to see end of Osbourne Lights, so they are gone(unless they are put up somewhere else like Disney Springs). They did add a Minnie's Holiday Dinner at H&V with the gang dressed in holiday best which we went to and enjoyed. Otherwise, I don't know what you have done in the past. We have done Thanksgiving week twice and saw many holiday decorations, and did the CP in Epcot which was very nice. You have probably seen the giant gingerbread house at GF. We have also seen the chocolate carousel at BC, and beautiful trees and decor at WL and AKL. For the projection show on the castle at MK they add a Christmas portion, which you may gave seen in 2013.

cassie58

 

[ajenks22]

Thanks so much, cassie58. I am so sad about Osbourne Lights! It was our favorite. Have you explored the Christmas lights at Fort Wilderness? How different is Disney Springs from DTD?

 

[greenclan67]

Thanks so much, cassie58. I am so sad about Osbourne Lights! It was our favorite. Have you explored the Christmas lights at Fort Wilderness? How different is Disney Springs from DTD?

You will love Orange Lake, we just returned Sunday from a 2 week stay and were there at xmas 2015 as well. Enjoy.

 

[cassie58]

Thanks so much, cassie58. I am so sad about Osbourne Lights! It was our favorite. Have you explored the Christmas lights at Fort Wilderness? How different is Disney Springs from DTD?

You're welcome! No, we have only been over to Ft. Wilderness for the campfire/movie once. We had a short trip in Dec., so did not make it over to Disney Springs, but have seen pics and it looks like they have added an area across a bridge with shops that look like a small town, which is why some peolple felt they might try to put the Lights there(wouldn't be the same, but would love to see them continue somewhere!)

 

[akaler2010]

We are likely going to just miss each other! We haven't booked yet but will likely be staying at Orange Lake 12/26-1/4. It is so much fun! We were there two years ago at the same time and had no issues with fast-pass+ booking.

 

[ajenks22]

We are likely going to just miss each other! We haven't booked yet but will likely be staying at Orange Lake 12/26-1/4. It is so much fun! We were there two years ago at the same time and had no issues with fast-pass+ booking.

Thanks Akaler2010! Were you able to swim and take advantage of the water park at OL? We have been twice at Christmas; once was 2010 when it was SO cold!

Also, we are hopeful that OL has some entertainment since we might want some time away from the parks.

Shame we will miss each other...

 

[akaler2010]

ajenks22, we have been able to swim most years. However, we've had to be very brave, and often only got in for a few minutes. It's definitely hit or miss with the weather. My picture here is from Jan 1, 2015. I wore capris and sleeves most days, but I think we got in the pool once. It was mostly the hot tub for us!