Christmas and New Years questions

[zuzanne]

We have Annual Pass tickets and two weeks reserved first week is at Cypress Point Resort 2nd week is at Orange Lake Country Club. We plan to do the Candlelight Pross. at Epcot on 12/23 and MVMCP on 12/24 if these dates are available when Disney gives out the dates. Also plan to spend New Years Eve in the Magic Kingdom. My question is what events will there be between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve? Should we spend the extra dollars for Universal or Sea World day passes? We have been to both before but not during the holidays. Since we are not staying on property can we tour the resorts to see their holiday decorations? There will just be me & hubby and we will have our car there so transportation is not a problem. Are there any events going on thats not in the parks that we should consider doing?

Also what about dining on Christmas Day, are most restaurants open or should we plan on eating in the condo on Christmas Day?

Thanks for any ideas.

Suzanne

 

[danny1649]

Been going MVMCP since 1991 and have not seen a MVMCP schduled on Christmas Eve so I think you might need to plan on going 12/18 -12/22.Yes you can tour the resorts to see the holiday decorations and it is a great way to spend a day.Dining is open and full blast on Christmas day,you will need to get your ADR soon though if you are planning on sit down meal.Have a magical time,it is the most special time to visit WDW.

 

[Wendy1953]

We have Annual Pass tickets and two weeks reserved first week is at Cypress Point Resort 2nd week is at Orange Lake Country Club. We plan to do the Candlelight Pross. at Epcot on 12/23 and MVMCP on 12/24 if these dates are available when Disney gives out the dates. Also plan to spend New Years Eve in the Magic Kingdom. My question is what events will there be between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve? Should we spend the extra dollars for Universal or Sea World day passes? We have been to both before but not during the holidays. Since we are not staying on property can we tour the resorts to see their holiday decorations? There will just be me & hubby and we will have our car there so transportation is not a problem. Are there any events going on thats not in the parks that we should consider doing?

Also what about dining on Christmas Day, are most restaurants open or should we plan on eating in the condo on Christmas Day?

Thanks for any ideas.

Suzanne

Not sure of what else goes on in DWD for that time of year, but as far as touring the hotels to see Christmas decorations...yes you can---anyone can, especially if they're the ones on the Monorail route! The restaurants are all open on Christmas day....the parks are so the restaurants are too! I would make ADR's for Christmas as soon as you can, the good restaurants fill up fast.

 

[cranbiz]

Be aware that MK fills to capacity on NYE. You MUST get there early (like at 9am) Last year by 11am MK was closed.

MVMCP ends the week before christmas and the holiday parade is then shown from the week before christmas until the first week of Jan as the normal parade.

This is the busiest time of the year at WDW. You will need a good touring plan and need to be flexable. Take things in stride and have fun.

 

[AJKMOM]

In 2005, the last MVMCP was the week before Christmas.

As long as you know that the week of Christmas and New Years, along with Easter, are the 2 busiest weeks to visit WDW, you will be prepared. If we want to see the decorations and participate in the special events, we plan to leave by Dec. 22, no matter what year it is. On Dec. 21, 2005, the wait for the new ride "Soarin" was 200 minutes. It was a nightmare. I couldn't imagine waiting 3 hours for anything.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are staying offsite, you will be in the first group to be denied entry into the park. Since you'll be driving a car, they close off entry into the parking lot. So if you want to go to any of the Disney theme parks, that week, you need to be there early. Having an ADR does not give you the right to enter the park if it is closed.

 

[zuzanne]

Thanks everyone for your help. We arrive on Dec. 22nd and can't check into resort until 4 PM. If we can get in earlier we will try to get to Magic Kingdom and hopefully get in. If not we will be there at gate opening time on the 23rd and 24th and see and do what we can. We sure would like to do the MVMCP but at least we will be there for Christmas and New Years even if we do miss the party. We will also plan to be there at opening time on New Years Eve. Since its just the two of us we can open and close the parks without having to worry about what anyone else's needs are.

Hubby loves Liberty Tree Tavern for Dinner so will try to get Advance reservations there on Christmas Eve or Day. What about Epcot and the Candlelight Pross.? Does that also end the week before Christmas? We would love to see that and have dinner at one of the Restaraunts thats in the package. Is the advance reservations 180 days out for the holidays also?

Thanks again for everyones help. We will be there for week of May 14th and will try to line everything up then for Christmas unless they announce the dates before then, if so I will try to get everything I can get for our timeframe as soon as I know what the event dates are.

Suzanne

 

[mamacatnv]

The countries in Epcot have their version of Santa and they tell of their own countries' Christmas story and traditions.

We have been to 2 NYE's and will not do it again any time soon. We really enjoy all the decorations and the festive atmosphere but the crowds are just too much for us our way too much for our DD 7.

Be prepared for both shoulder to shoulder people lots of holiday music and decorations and great fireworks!