Christmas advice??

[PrincessKitty1]

I keep reading how crazy busy the parks will be on these days--while DH and I have been there several times in December, this will be our first Christmas at WDW! Any advice from people who have gone on Christmas Day?

I've read that you have to get to the parks early because they reach maximum capacity in the early AM--is this true?

If we leave Epcot to go to our Christmas Eve dinner at Yachtsmans at 5:30, is it likely we'll not be able to get into any of the parks afterward, and maybe should just head to Downtown Disney/ Pleasure Island??

We have ADRs for dinner both nights but none for lunches--will counter service be so crazy busy that we will regret not having ADRs for lunch?

We don't expect to be able to get onto any rides (neither of us like to wait in line)--what do you like to do when the lines are too long for rides? We love the World Showcase pavillions and outdoor entertainment (British Invasion, Off Kilter, Mo' Rockin', etc.) and hope to see the Psborne lights at MGM--any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations/advice (and sorry if this is a double post--looks like my earlier attempt didn't post).

 

[Got Quattro?]

Just expect it to be CRAZY shoulder to shoulder crowded everywhere you go. you can't escape it, only deal with it.

Pick your battles, ride what you can, and don't be mad if you miss a lot. You can always come back.

Disney is more than just rides. It's the enitire atmosphere of "being there".

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Just expect it to be CRAZY shoulder to shoulder crowded everywhere you go. you can't escape it, only deal with it.

Pick your battles, ride what you can, and don't be mad if you miss a lot. You can always come back.

Disney is more than just rides. It's the enitire atmosphere of "being there".

Any specific recommendations? We go to WDW a lot (Florida annual passholders) so we don't have any "have-to-do-s". "Being there" is indeed our goal. If all we can do is walk around Epcot and the Boardwalk area (oh yeah, and eat!) we will be happy. Just wondering if anybody who has been there, done that has any advice.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Just bumping to try to get more responses.

 

[Brianne]

I've never done WDW on Christmas Day, but DL was literally shoulder-to-shoulder the one time we went. We vowed never to go on Christmas Day ever again!

However, my guess would be that it might not be quite as bad in Epcot if you stick to the countries, but I'd probably avoid MK & the Studios altogether. And yes, they'll shut admission down, so if you want to get in, be there early.

Since you're passholders though, just make the most of it & enjoy what you can. I think you can't really have a bad time, and nothing beats seeing WDW in all its Christmas glory.

 

[Bojo]

It will be crowded if the weather is decent; just go with the flow and park hop if the crowds get to you. Of course, there's always resort hoping and DTD if you don't want to burn a ticket.
We'll be checking in in Christmas and are in the process of deciding which way to go. Be lookin for you

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We went last year and were there from December 22 - 27th. We never experiences big crowds or long lines. You may want to contemplate a subscription to TourGuideMike.com. He will tell you which parks to attend on which day. He was absolutely on the mark every single day.

We were not only able to see the shows, but were also able to go on all the rides we wanted (and then some).

 

[rkmassa]

Been there done that. Christmas Day is nuts. I mean shoulder to shoulder, sea of people at the MK. EPCOT, I heard, not as bad cause it is more open. If you go to MK, be there when it opens. It will close early. Like 10:00 or 11:00. Christmas Eve. was very nice at the MK. We had very limited crowds. Saw the parade with hardly anyone around. Of course saw it at the Tour Guide Mike recommended spot. It is a favorite park for us on Christmas Eve. We will never, ever again go to a park on Christmas Day. This year we plan to hang out at the resort, rent watermice, and let the kids swim. Oh yeah, have a drink or two.

 

[InstImpres]

Not sure who "we" is but maybe resort touring would be a fun time for xmas day!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Thanks everybody! Since we're staying at the Dolphin, we'll definitely have to at least tour the resorts in the Boardwalk area since we will be walking right by!

We generally spend most of the time during our WDW vacations at Epcot--Christmas weekend will probably be no exception (with a boat ride over to MGM to see the Osborne lights).

Any opinions on lunch? Is it crazy to try to wing it rather than make ADRs??

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Our plan is to spend Christmas Eve in MK (dinner ADRs at LTT) and Christmas Day in Epcot (late breakfast at CM and dinner at WCC).

 

[KeepSwimming]

If possible I would avoid MK on Christmas Eve/ Day as that place is a MADHOUSE!!!

If that is not possible, then I would just be prepared to be with the flow and enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[shades]

We were there last year during Christmas & New Year's and will be there again this year. What works for us is to go to one park in the morning - get there as soon as they open. Then we take a break and go to a different park in the afternoon. We did some parks close after being filled up and people were turned away at the parking lot entrances. We stay in the Shades of Green resort and the Magic Kingdom entrance was usually closed off (except to resort guest returning to their hotel) each day in the early afternoon. But - there was always another park open - Epcot never closed that I can remember - to return to in the evening. Magic Kingdom was always the busiest and we always do that park in the morning. If you want to spend an entire day in MK - I highly recommend that you do so - or, you may not get back in during the evening.

 

[KittieKat]

one word. fastpass.