Christmas and New year advice Required. Any help in fact

[Leeds Utd Fan]

I was returning from a work trip on Friday and was stuck at O'hare airport watching all the Orlando flights take off, it was tempting just to get on lol. It has really got me into the mood for some planning so any help and advise from anyone would be appreciated.

Four people going My Wife Val and Myself Chris
Two boys Scott 14 nearly 15 and Glenn 10

Staying at ASMo from 26/12 to 9/1
flights with delta via Atlanta 9.30 am from LGW on 26th
Car hire booked from Avis at MCO via Expedia
Overnight Gatwick hotel on 25/12 + 15 days parking
Annual Disney passes that run to Feb2004
USF and IOA power passes that start from 01-01

And one new passport for Glenn as he needed his own for entry into the US from October [Nearly missed that, can you imagine finding out at the airport?]

The only plans we have, well I have is to try and get to the candlelight precesion on 26th, everyone else is planning MK, but I am driving lol
Meal at 1900 park Fare on 27th and San Angel at Epcot for 8pm on NYE.

Is it true that the Osbourne lights are missing this year?

Apart from the above we plan one days non Disney shopping and one day at Sea World [I can hear the boys groaning now].

This is our first trip at christmas, so any tips and advise would be appreciated especially on crowds and things that must not be missed also anyone going to be at Epcot on NYE to see the New Year in, at 7pm?


Thanks


Chris

 

[Beejayjay]

Hi Chris,

Sadly yes, the Osbourne Lights are shut down this year as the part of MGM that is uded for the display is being completely rebulit to accomodate a new attraction - I'm a bit bummed about that as it is an absolutely fantastic display, and we're in Orlando at the same time as you, Boxing Day thru Jan 11th.

Another piece of not so good news, is that the week between Chrimbo day and New Years Day is about as busy as the parks get, unsurprisingly. Therefore, you need to think in terms of accepting thatthings might be very hectic at the various parks, and plan accordingly. Some things you might want to think about are :

1/ Get to the parks as early as you can. Take advantage of people tending to sleep off the holiday excesses.

This is often a good time to do the more popular rides, before the main body of visitors hit the parks. Then, you can go about the rest of your visits to the other rides and attractions at a more leisurely pace, and hopefully not facing ridiculously long queues..

2/ Take full advantage of Fast Pass at WDW, and Universal Express.

Get them often and early and use the time between passes to do some of the less popular and so likely quieter rides and attractions. I came across this thread on the US boards that gives some good tips on how to get and use the Fast Passes to your advantage :

How to make best use of Disney Fass Passes !

3/ Parade times; check them out early in your day, for two reasons.

Firstly if you are very sure you want to see a particular parade, say the Candlelight processional as you mention, you can expect these to be very well attended at this time. So, you may well need to get to your preferred vantage point good and early, and stake your places out. This might be a good time to get some food in, which wil again save you time that can be later used for getting to those last few rides.

Secondly, when the parades are on, those big crowds watching mean there's an awful lot less people going on rides. If you dont mind missing the parade/s, this is a good time to hit some of those busier rides.

4/ Expect to have to go to Epcot very early on New Years Eve.

I'm planning on taking my tribe - me, my better half and her 2 boys, 12 and 10 - to US or IOA on New Years Eve, so I put a post up on the US/IOA forum, asking how busy it's likely to be - this was after I saw a thread on the Disney boards which suggested that the WDW parks often have to close their gates by early/mid afternoon on Dec 31st as they are already full ! It seems US and IOA might not be quite so bad, but close.

Therefore, our plan is to go as if it were a normal visit day, do all we can early, then leave the park mid/late afternoon, go back to our resort to freshen up and relax, maybe get a swim in if the weather permits, then return to the park around 8 pm for the rest of the festivities. A 9am to 1 or 2 am day is a bit much for the lads, and us too I expect !

Anyway, thats my two pen'orth. I'm sure there's much more and better info others can give you as well, but I hope this is a starter for you !

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Chris ! <i>Where have you been???</i>

Excellent advice from Beejayjay there! I would only add if you are planning any on-site meals to make your PSs as quickly as you can now! (BTW, did you know that Disney changed the times you can make Priority Seating arrangements and now the majority can be made 90 days out?)

, everyone else is planning MK, but I am driving lol

...... typical

 

[Leeds Utd Fan]

Hi Shirley

Where have I been, stalking the sites but not posting anything, but the time has come now. Actually had home PC problems but I have also been working away from home.

I am like a kid about going away at xmas, I have always wanted to get away on the26th for two weeks anywhere, but to get to the best place in the world is such a bonus. What option did I have as Disney decided to discount the room rate for me, booked in February for low value season prices, two weeks for £500 at the ASMo and we have annual passes for Disney and Universal, once in a lifetime!!



I am trying to get so many tips on xmas touring, have done thanksgiving is it a lot busier at xmas?

Bejayjay thanks for your reply great tips.

Have made just a couple of PS reservations for 27th and NYE, and yes I found out about the new policy ie 90 days.

Apart from getting there and leaving my in laws early on Christmas Day lol the only plans we have made is NYE at Epcot. We had planned chilling out until 01-01 maybe going to S world and some lazy touring at Disney then going into assault course mode from 01-01 to see everything.

What do you think?

 

[FloJo]

We too are planning to spend NYE in Epcot and have made PS's at Garden Grill for 7.10pm.

Our plan is to go to Epcot aroun 1-2pm and even the thought of that is a little daunting - 11 hours in a mega crowded park

At the end of the day if we can't get in we'll just hop on over to any other park that is letting people in or head on over to US/IOA. Wherever we end up I have no doubt that we'll have a blast.

Can anyone tell me if they tell you before you pay the parking fee if the parked has closed due to capacity????

Have a great trip everyone.

 

[Beejayjay]

Hi Flojo,

Yes, I'm sure they wouldn't let you into the car parks if the park itself is full, not even Disney would try that one ! For one thing, I'd think that plenty of people will use alternate forms of transport to get to the parks, particularly on a big party night like NYE, so the parks will quite possibly be full some time before the car parks are.

Nah, not even Disney would do that...

Nah...

Hmmm....