Christmas?? Are we crazy??

[Nicoleclaw]

Ok, so I LOVE Christmas! I have always wanted to go to Disney to see the Christmas decorations. Problem is that I am a teacher and live in NJ. So, our only choices are Thanksgiving, which is too short (can NOT add a day before or after) and paying that kind of airfare for 4 people for a couple days is crazy. So, I know alot of people do it, but I need you to tell me we can go during Christmas and have a good time. Kids would be almost 3 and 6. Will probably go with lots of family, like we did last time. We went last year during Spring Break. Never waited too long for a ride. I am hoping with some knowledge that I get from the boards and Fast pass, and getting to the parks early, we won't go crazy?
Also, those of you who go over Xmas, if you celebrate it, what do you do? Celebrate it there? (Don't think we will be packing gifts since the extra costs for 2 bags now, and we would probably be doing a scaled down Xmas overall do offset cost of trip). Celebrate it after, kids will never know it already passed, and seeing the decorations can kind of be a build up to getting home and celebrating Christmas? Ok, we are not religious, but do celebrate Christmas...
We could always do Spring Break again.....we went once in the summer and refused to go back in that heat again! lol we are wimps! April was too hot for us last year!
Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks!

 

[WDSearcher]

You should know that the week between Christmas and New Year's is the single busiest week of the year at WDW. To some, that's GREAT! To others ... that's torture. What you saw during Spring Break will be magnified during that last week of December. Just be ready!

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I've sadly done the research already! That is what I am so afraid of! lol That I KNOW it will be the most crowded time of the year and I am planning a trip for it! Are we looney?

 

[DisOrBust]

Your not looney you don't have much choice if you want to see the Xmas decorations. You will need to plan commando style.

 

[rwdavis2]

From everything I've read and experienced I can very much recommend that you get to the parks at opening. Then head to the rides you want to do most and use fast pass as well. You can probably ride most of what your want in the first 2-3 hours and after that slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. Don't expect to ride much after about 11am.

As a previous poster said you'll have to do it commando-style.
Bob

 

[DisneyDebbie]

I personally would love to go during Christmas. I think if you go for all rope drops to get any attractions in, then do other things- pool, shopping, resting, dining. I would focus on seasonal stuff. I would also subscribe to Tour Guide Mike or Touring Plans to get their best day/which park.

As far as Christmas, I would mail a box down UPS to your resort, then the kids would always remember their Christmas at Disney! Maybe pack an empty duffel bag for carry on to bring extra stuff home.

 

[dizneyluv]

We went the week of Christmas with 10 family members. It was our first trip ever as a family and basically since we were teenagers. We knew through research how crazy it would be so we planned, researched and planned some more. We used the Unofficial Guide, Passporter (I carried this around like my Disney Bible), the Disboards, etc.

We had a really great week as long as we followed the basic rules. Get up early, get fastpasses, expect crowds.

When it was crazy we rode the monorail and visited the resorts to see the Christmas decs, we boated over to Ft Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge.

We loved the trip and it hooked us on Disney. We have been two more times since that trip! We are going before Christmas Eve this year to see the things we missed like the Osbourne Lights.

I'll post a few Christmas pics to get you in the mood!

This is Christmas Day at MGM (as it was known then).

The Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian

More Grand Floridian

Christmas Day night at MK. We went on a whim after dinner at 1900 Park Fare and left just as quickly. It was better other days.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Ooooh I want to go! I have been looking at some pics here on some old threads! We can handle it. We just need a plan. Know what things we want to do and when to do them. I like the idea of going to see the resorts (cause I want to do that too) when the parks get crazy. Thanks!

 

[TakeMe2Disney]

I've been to Disney both during the holiday break and during early May. I have to say, I love going during the hoildays. The parks are packed and crazy but the decorations are beautiful. It never felt like there wasn't something to do because walking around and looking at everything was just as fun for us. I can't wait to go back this year!!

 

[sbell111]

We go to WDW during the Christmas/New Years week almost every year. We love it.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I'm glad you started this thread, I think we're gonna go for Christmas 09. I agree, go for rope drop every am, and plan to leave the parks by lunchtime; this is the trip to enjoy the resorts! Every one is decorated, what an opportunity to really see them. And remember, this is a trip to enjoy Christmas, not see everything at WDW. Sure, see your favorites, but remember, it's probably not your first or last trip, and could be your only Christmas trip! I think crazy would be going and not planning for the crowds. As long as you know what to expect, I think you'll be fine. About Christmas day, though- your 3 y/o won't know what day it is, but your 6 y/o very well may. And will probably ask how Santa will find her, etc. Consider bringing some Christmas decorations with you, or ask feralpeg to bring a bring a tree she has a website at www.peggyssweetsandmore.com; she does trees, stockings, everything to make it a magical Christmas-and considering the work she puts in, it's not really that expensive. Maybe just have Santa deliver his gift to the hotel, and then have the family gifts when you get home!
And I almost forgot: Don't forget to spend some serious quality time at WS in Epcot. The Santas from the different countries come out and tell stories and stuff. Too cool

 

[dizneyluv]

The first trip I was also very sick with a sinus infection so didn't see as much as I wanted. This trip I don't want to miss: The Castle lighting, Osbourne Lights, Candlelight Processional, Santa Claus' at all the countries, Epcot resort dec's, MK fireworks and parade.

Did I miss anything? We are staying at the Contemporary so we'll monorail it to the Poly and GF and boat over to WL to see the decorations.

It's going to be more about the Christmas sights thant he rides as we were just there in June.

 

[IMDORY]

We go pretty much every Christmas now-we LOVE it!

Try to get there as soon as your kids get out of school-the crowds build each day-but jump in huge numbers by the 26th, 27,...and so on. I think many stay home for Christmas and then arrive right after the actual day. We've done that. But our favorite trip ever(excluding WL honeymoon) was the year we were actually there for Christmas day. We still refer to it as our favorite Christmas ever.

Are the crowds thick? Yeah-but if you've been to WDW before and go somewhat regularly I would go that week. Sure, you'll need to have a good plan(make ADR's for meals, try to arrive in the parks earlier and stay late into the night, try to avoid mid day crowds by going back to resort for swim and nap time, use the fastpass systems to the max...)

Gifts: I only have one child, he is 7 now so, we do some gifts in our room. I usually make a solo trip to DTD while DH and DS hang out and do something else for a few hours. We keep it pretty simple, we were able to pack everything in our luggage last trip and didn't need to ship anything home. One time I did buy the castle and monorail and EPCOT and we did ship that home(that was the trip we arrived on the 26th). This year I think DS will be getting a Nintendo DS and a couple of games that I'll bring in my carry on bag with me. I do usually bring Christmas stockings and find some items at WDW to stuff them with. We're debating on the tree this year now that the airlines aren't allowing as much baggage, maybe we'll down grade from a 4" pre-lit tree that folds down to fit in a nice little box to a tiny little table top tree with mini ornaments. Still can't decide.

We'll be there this Christmas...call us crazy...but we love it!

 

[disneypolybride2008]

Hi. I am a teacher too! and i love NJ! Anyway, we're going the week of NYE and we are meeting up with family (no kids) but we cant overdo it b/c my dad will be in a ECV and my grandpa's 80. So on the days we're with them, we plan on going to the park early, take advantage of EMH. However, i am focusing that time w/ them on doing things like the Christmas parade, I cant wait to see that!! The toy soldiers are my favorite, only seen them on tv though. We're also doing TS meals and then plan on getting fastpass and they cant do all the rides anyway, and neither can your little ones.
So even though we wont get to do everything, i think we'll have fun seeing the decor, parades, fireworks, and do what rides we can. Enjoy the food too!

I would love to go there on Christmas! You can buy a xmas tree from disneyfloral but they're like 3-400$ and bring some gifts down with you.
I would say not to do xmas when you get home, do it on the actual day even if you have to just give a few things JMHO. Or do both! Do a little on Christmas day at DIsney and then if you want to give more, do that when you get back.

Have fun in whatever you decide, but you'll need to make your dining reservations asap, if you're going in 08.

 

[Love2BinDisney]

We are going then for the first time too and I am glad to see some positive responses. We have also done Easter and August so I am looking forward to trying something different...am I crazy?!

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I was thinking of actually pretending Xmas is a whole other day...even count down to the pretend Xmas...have family over on that day. Although most of our family will be with us (grandparents, sil and bil and their kids, all the people we would normally see, so we really can't bring everyone's presents there) hmmm I don't know. If we go out though on the real Xmas, I am sure people will be saying Merry Xmas and that will confuse the 6 year old...plus in school they may do some sort of counting down. I will have to see what the consensus is of the rest of the family, and just go with the flo.
Thanks for convincing me that we CAN go during Xmas though!!

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I would say not to do xmas when you get home, do it on the actual day even if you have to just give a few things JMHO. Or do both! Do a little on Christmas day at DIsney and then if you want to give more, do that when you get back.

Have fun in whatever you decide, but you'll need to make your dining reservations asap, if you're going in 08.

[/I]
I like the idea of doing some then and when we get back. We will need to do something with my grandma and my aunt and uncle's family also.
It would be '09. What is it 180 days for the ADR's?

 

[tgropp]

Crazy: NO Extremely Lucky: YES

 

[Love2BinDisney]

tgropp....I guess you are a fan of that time of year at Disney. I am looking forward to our trip this December 21-26!

 

[RMulieri]

I'll be the dissenting opinion..I love Xmas as much as anyone else, but not xmas at disney,way too crowded for me.It is definitely doable but not for me.That said, get to the parks very early,use fastpass and be prepared for lots and lots of people doing the same thing.Also, if you are planning on being in the MK at all on xmas day, get there early and be prepared to stay if you want to see fireworks or have dining ressies for later that day.MK does frequently close a phase4 closing on Xmas, and that means it is closed to everyone.