Christmas - Any tips please

[anut4disney]

I am thinking of taking the grandkids at Christmas.

Any tips you can give me? I know it will be crowded but thought maybe you wonderful people can give me some ideas on how to manage everything. I know the one thing is go with a great sense of fun and adventure because at that time I think it will be an adventure.

Thanks

 

[4 love of disney]

I love going at Christmas but understand that it is not a traditional Christmas. Christmas morning you need to keep an eye on time for gift opening as you want to get to Magic Kingdom and see the Christmas parade.

This is the same parade as on Mickey's Magical Christmas nights and so if you don't mind missing out on the free apple slices, hot chocolate and cookies you can save yourself a lot of money.

Make sure to stay in a Disney resort as the Kingdom fills up and they close the gates except for Resort guests. It is really busy (busiest of the year) so line ups for rides are long all week. Take advantage of extra magic hours.

If you just want the Christmas experience and the date does not matter my family loves to go the first two weeks of December. All the Parks are decorated for the holiday. It is one of the slowest times of the year and you can walk on all your favourite rides plus they usually tape the Christmas parade in this time period so you can meet all the stars, see the parade and still enjoy the parks!

Have a merry Christmas!

 

[Havana]

We go every year Christmas week and get everything done we want to without any pressure.
Get to the park at rope drop and utilize Fast passes.

 

[ZoZo]

If you just want the Christmas experience and the date does not matter my family loves to go the first two weeks of December. All the Parks are decorated for the holiday. It is one of the slowest times of the year and you can walk on all your favourite rides plus they usually tape the Christmas parade in this time period so you can meet all the stars, see the parade and still enjoy the parks!
QUOTE]

What a great idea! This is what I would do. From what I understand, the week from Christmas to New Year's is the busiest week of the year. They often close parks early due to capacity crowds. That sounds like a nightmare to me! I've seen people's photographs of the crowds at Christmas -- yikes!

I'd rather get the "Christmas experience" a couple of weeks early and take advantage of low crowds.

 

[luvmy2sams]

We've spent the last two Christmases at Disney, and we'll be back again this year. As you already stated, attitude is everything. You have to know going in that there will likely be tons of people. It's completely manageable, though, and we love it.

My big tip is to avoid the parks between the hours of about noon and 6pm unless you enjoy being in never-ending lines. Early entry ensures that you get the big ticket rides out of the way, but you can also hit these late at night. We have great memories of riding BTMRR non-stop on Christmas night. Use fastpass if you plan to stay on the parks all day. We tend to sleep in and enjoy the non-park options until around 4pm. Crowds dwindle quickly in the evenings.

Don't forget those ADRs. Counter service can be standing room only, so we like to have an ADR just to ensure that we have a seat. Last year wasn't as bad for us at counter service, but the year before was crazy!

 

[daipp]

Christmas in WDW is just perfect BUT be prepared for crowds.

David

 

[papertraveller]

As crazy as it sounds, especailly given the heat wave so many of us are in in North America now, make those ADRs now!

Be prepared for crowds like you've never seen, and for the fact that you may get on rides just once or twice (depending on how organized you are, of course). But you can plan for the rides, and the shows and still have a wonderful time.

Be sure to tour the monorail resorts to enjoy the decorations there!

 

[disneydad78]

I love going at Christmas but understand that it is not a traditional Christmas. Christmas morning you need to keep an eye on time for gift opening as you want to get to Magic Kingdom and see the Christmas parade.

This is the same parade as on Mickey's Magical Christmas nights and so if you don't mind missing out on the free apple slices, hot chocolate and cookies you can save yourself a lot of money.

Make sure to stay in a Disney resort as the Kingdom fills up and they close the gates except for Resort guests. It is really busy (busiest of the year) so line ups for rides are long all week. Take advantage of extra magic hours.

If you just want the Christmas experience and the date does not matter my family loves to go the first two weeks of December. All the Parks are decorated for the holiday. It is one of the slowest times of the year and you can walk on all your favourite rides plus they usually tape the Christmas parade in this time period so you can meet all the stars, see the parade and still enjoy the parks!

Have a merry Christmas!

What day do they film the parade for Christmas?

 

[luvmy2sams]

What day do they film the parade for Christmas?

They film the parade during the first week of December. There will be a thread (or several) when the date is announced this year.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Try to make time to go to the Grand Floridian and check out the gingerbread house. They sell real gingerbread shingles and houses out of it. Also, someone in front of the resort sometimes hands out roasted chestnuts. It is beautiful there for the holidays.

 

[Disney-Chick]

I always go the first weeks in Dec. It gets to crowded starting the 21st of Dec. & you still get that Christmas feeling. Plus I love coming home and having a vacation after my vacation. It gives me time to relax and unwind. Well somewhat, I always seem to leave my Christmas shopping until I get home and we drive it so we usually leave Disney on the 21st and arrive on the night of the 22nd (36 hour drive in 2 day )