Christmas at WDW and WL

[randyl]

We went ahead and did it. Booked the WL from 12/19 thru 12/27 which means we will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in WDW. Couldn't pass up the e-mail discount of $119/night plus tax at the WL (unless I chicken out). Now I'm feeling guilt. We will be going with our 6 year old son and we have never experienced the Christmas holidays away from home without family or friends. Not sure how it will be and am having serious re-considerations. Has anyone ever spent Christmas at WDW - and even the WL??? How was it??? Any regrets??? How did the logistics of "the big guy" work out???? How about dinners and PS's on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day??? Is it really full of Christmas spirit at the parks and at WL on Christmas??? Thank you to all!!

 

[Tron72]

Well, I will say ever since I saw the Christmas Day Parade from the Magic Kingdom, I had wanted to stay there at least once. So my family and I, Mom, Dad, and I and little Brother booked the WL from dec. 24 through Jan 2, and I will say it was the most magical time spent. Granted my brother and I are much older and did not have to worry about the Big Fella finding us for his Christmas delivery. It did feel a little odd, because the rest of the family could not make it, but we had a party with them before we left.

It is magical, even though Disney is decorated for Christmas since the day after Thanksgiving, knowing we were there with other families sharing a Christmas moment felt even special. Also watching the Christmas Parade live as they filmed it was amazing.

You may want to Book your PS for Dinners as soon as you can. We did dinner at the Lodge Whispering Canyon, and Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, and both dinners were amazing.

Also one more thing, as you may know Disney normally has one park open early for resort guest, during that week, which is one of the most busiest times of the year, all four parks open early (though I am not sure if they will do that again this year.)

As for as the "big Guy" that I cannot help you a whole lot, but the Magic will be there for your entire stay.

If you never stayed at the Lodge, you will love it, its my favorite, and loved it at Christmas.

Have fun enjoy the magic, and and Early Merry Christmas

Larry

 

[FINFAN]

We are in the same boat, randyl. To top it off we have lost 5 dear friends and family in the last 3 months, so not being here for Xmas is riding high on the guilt elevator. AND I have my folks who live 4 hours S of Orlando...so it is even harder to explain why we will be at a Theme Prk (that we have been to several times in the past) instead of with them. I suggested they come to the world and celebrate there, but it caused a big fight as my mom and brother would, but my Dad won't budge. The A/F is booked and already took a $200 hit on a penalty, kids REALLY want to be IN WDW on Christmas Day...I am so torn...yet we were really looking foreward to experiencing our FIRST ever holiday on our own, making special memories of the 4 of us while the kids are still fairly young (10 and 14) One understands the Big Guy stuff, the other is on the fence, so we are having him explain in his letter to Santa that we will be at WDW and that he can drop 1 gift at the WL, but that any others will be waiting at home. Kinda makes the return a little easier too.....something to look foreward to. People have sent packages ahead, I have never done it but may this year w/a little tree etc., 'cause it would certaily be an issue at the airline...a fake tree w/metal, ornaments and hooks, even the foil on the garland would all warrant an extra search, and rightfully so. Here is the address for WL...call and ask! You may even be able to sneak down early and place a gift or two near the main tree at the WL and then have your DH go up and get your DS...We are thinking of doing that ourselves, but need to call and see what is allowed.
WL
901 TIMBERLINE DR
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL 32830
1-407-824-3200

Sorry not of more help on the "dilemma" side, there is no easy answer...don't even get me started on DH side...they are not even SPEAKING to us! Went to see MIL for her b-day this past Sunday and she didn't even open our gift...guess that's her way of hurting us right back.But, We have spent every Christmas Day with them since we got married, Except last year...we drove down to see my folks who now live in Fl..how DARE we)fitting my side in on Xmas Eve...always chasing, stressing, pulling our kids when they were very little from the house to make it there to MIL for Christmas Breakfast at 10 a.m....I just wish they cared about our "FAMILY VALUES" on the other 364 days of the year.
Pam

 

[DemonLlama]

As for the big guy, we explained that we'd written and asked him to leave his gifts at our regular house so we could have another Christmas when we got home AND we wouldn't have to carry all that stuff home on the plane with us. We had the benefit of being able to leave our keys with nearby grandparents who left the Santa gifts in front of the tree after we were gone.

We took stockings and those 3M hooks that are removable without damaging the wall and we would buy special little goodies when others weren't looking to fill them up and open them Christmas morning. We also shipped a small box to the resort beforehand with two wrapped presents per child and a small tabletop tree, its decorations, lights for the balcony, and some Disney Christmas windowclings.

When we got home we had Christmas at home just a couple of days late.

The Christmas spirit is everywhere, and it is so magical -- you will be glad you where there!

As far as PSs go, our Dreams Unlimited agent snagged us breakfast at Cinderella's Christmas morning. Just be ready to call right on your dates and you should be fine.

We'll be at the WL through part of your stay, too!

 

[daisylove]

Was the email discount you got for AP's? Thanks.

 

[randyl]

No, it was an e-mail discount not associated with AP's.