Christmas at WDW - suggestions??

[ktnlxismom]

OK, I've done the unthinkable - I've booked our stay at the WL for December 23, 24, 25 & 26, 2006. I now know this is possibly the WORST time to go ever! I just thought my kids would love waking up in WDW on Christmas Morning!!!

Sooooooooo..... Does anyone have any strategies for me, other than to pray?!?!?!?!? Seriously, how bad can it be??? Or am I just deluding myself? Thanks everyone! (I love this place!!!)

 

[lindakmonty]

I'm curious to know as well. I'd like to do this, or the cruise for Christmas. I don't think there could be anything better!! Unfortunately, a lot of other probably feel the same way!!

 

[YEKCIM]

We've been to WDW in December twice...03 and 04, but never during the actual week of Christmas. All I can tell you, from our experiences is that Christmas is our favorite time of the year to go...lights, music, special programs, etc. Also, cooler temps are nice. Anytime you go to WDW, I suggest you make early park arrival a MUST. Get there 30+ minutes ahead of opening time, and hit the attractions that are most likely to develop long lines quickly. Save the less popular attractions for afternoon, and mix in a FastPass attraction or two. That way, you can go full-commando mode for two or three hours in the morning, then shift into what we refer to as
"Dave Mode" (see the planning DVD) in the afternoon, and maybe pick up the pace in the evening, after the crowds thin a bit.

Just my $0.02

~YEKCIM

 

[brerrabbit]

We were there for Christmas 2004. The days before Christmas were okay and not terribly crowded so we got a lot in at the parks on those days. Christmas Day we had 3:30 dinner reservations at Whispering Canyon at the WL. We got up and went to MK at about 9:00 and you could tell it was going to be crowded. We rode Space Mountain, Buzz and POC and HM. Then the rain came and we got soaked. We took the boat from MK to WL, (we were staying at All Star Music) for our 3:30 reservation. It took 2 hours to be seated becasue they had underestimated the amount of time people would hang around and linger at their tables. Also the weather was still bad so no one wanted to go back to the parks. We got back to ASM at about 8:00 PM.
The next day we noticed that the crowds seemed to double. We went to Epcot and it was a long wait for non FP rides and FP only for the ones that had it. We spent a lot of time in the World Showcase and went at a leisurly pace. I had lost my cell phone at MK a couple days earlier and at about 1:30 we drove to the lost and found at the TTC to see if they had it. When we got to the toll booth for parking to MK we were told the park was full and no one else could enter. We explained we were going to lost and found and she let us through but told us do not try to go to MK because they would not let you through the gate. My understanding was for the next couple of days MK was closed to additional guests by 1:00 each day. During this time a year have a plan, go early, stick to the plan and stay at the park all day if you want to be there for shows and fireworks later in the day because you might not get in if your late or leave for an afternoon rest.

 

[exwdwcm]

we went on our first holiday trip this past year. we went early December though. the holidays at Disney are magical.

While i haven't been on vacation during the week of Christmas, I have worked it as a cast member. I worked at Hollywood and Vine at MGM (this was 1996), which was just a cafeteria back then- only open for breakfast and lunch. I swear i worked from 5am-8pm most days during Christmas week (and thanksgiving week)- it was so busy. 12-18 hour days. I was doing cashier and heard the MK and Epcot closed mid morning due to capacity crowds. And I never saw the end of the line all day. It went outside all day long- and I never saw where there was an end in sight until we closed. It was absolutely crazy. just be prepared for crowds and long lines- maybe focus on the less visited attractions- country bears, hall of presidents, COP etc. or maybe do non park things on Christmas eve and day? good luck- regardless you will be in disney and have a great time!

 

[Zbridget]

This is going to be our first Christmas trip in Disney Dec 22-30th. DH is off from work that week, so it worked out well for us work-wise, but DH is also nervous about the crowds.

The last time we went to Disney was in Feb, and I don't think we can afford to be as spontaneous as we were then. I am already planning for TS meals & shows, and looking at scheduling ahead of time which parks we will be going to.

So far, I am planning to get tix for the MVMCP on the 22nd, planning a Fantasmic Package for dinner one night, and another dinner for the CP in Epcot. (not to mention HDDR cuz we love it!) We're also planning to use DDP for the first time this year.

These boards have been helpful so far, but I fear overplanning the vacation and making everyone (me, dh, dd-4) miserable, but I also don't want to spend the vacation waiting in lines!

Any advice?

 

[EAP'sDAD]

I to have done the unthinkable (at the pressing of DW). We will be there from Dec 21 through the 27th. What I am planning to do is all the parks before Christmas. Want to do the Candlelight processional on christmas eve. Also want to do MVMCP on the 22nd and see the Osborne lights an the 23rd. Then do a Character breackfast at Cape May for Christmas morning. Hang by the pools from that point out.
Christmas eve is really big for my kids. The hard part is trying to get Santa to come to the BWV.
Also the other hard part is the kids have no idea we are going so have to do everything without being caught.

 

[ktnlxismom]

Thanks for all the ideas. I will definitely take your suggestions. I may call Disney Reservations and see if I can move my reservation to arrive on Friday and leave on Christmas. If they will allow us to do that, perhaps we will do a Character Breakfast Christmas morning, go to Downtown Disney and then leave for home. That is the nice thing about living in Florida, we can be flexible! Thanks again for the ideas!

Rebecca

 

[DemonLlama]

We stayed through the 26th only once, although every trip is in December. Typically, we are leaving around the 23rd as the crowds begin to swell.

We were at MK at opening on Christmas Day 2002. By 10:30 it was sardine city in Fantasyland. Getting through the masses from the carousel to the castle was a feat. By the time we decided to cut and run at noon they had closed the park to any more visitors. Keep in mind this was a relatively low park attendance year, following the travel slump post 9/11. We got great deals on flights and stayed at the Boardwalk Inn for about what we have to pay this year for Port Orleans. I mention this just because my guess the parks are now more packed that week than they were when we experienced it.

Best plan is to go early with lots of patience and no insistence on getting a whole lot done.

 

[Rella Bella]

We stayed through the 26th only once, although every trip is in December. Typically, we are leaving around the 23rd as the crowds begin to swell.
We were at MK at opening on Christmas Day 2002. By 10:30 it was sardine city in Fantasyland. Getting through the masses from the carousel to the castle was a feat. By the time we decided to cut and run at noon they had closed the park to any more visitors. Keep in mind this was a relatively low park attendance year, following the travel slump post 9/11.

We were there that year too, but we arrived on the 26th. The parks were busy but not packed until New Year's Eve. But I didn't remember the connection to 9/11 until you mentioned it. So I guess that year may not have been quite as crowded as normal. (Now I remember wondering if we should fly yet and if Disney was next on their list.)

I still think you can have a blast, even if it is crowded! If you have your ADR's and maybe spend more time enjoying the out of the park fun. Last December my 10 yr old spent over an hour trying to find ALL the hidden Mickey's on the lifesize Gingerbread House at the Floridian! He had a blast! I bet he recounted about 400 times! (At least it seemed like it! )

There is a lot to see and do, even if you don't visit a park everyday!
Oh!! I wish it were me!!

 

[Lady SnowElla]

We arrived last year on Dec 20 & stayed through Dec 28. The days after Christmas were certainly the busiest I've seen at WDW. The MK actually opens earlier this week so we made a point to be there when it opened. The family had a plan as to what rides we had to do & what would be nice to do. We accomplished this by noon when it was becoming crazy so we left & headed back to the resort to enjoy the pool & resort activities.

 

[debkorb1]

Although I've never been, I have read a lot of threads on this topic and the general advice is to avoid MK on Christmas day - the park will be closed to new visitors by noon because of overcrowding. I've been at busy, busy summer times (when lines can reach an hour and a half plus) and the park never closed. It'll be BUSY on Christmas morning! Realistically, getting on rides will be waste of time so I guess it is the atmosphere, which you'll go for. With that in mind perhaps Epcot will be better simply because there is so much space and so many events on at the WS.

Have a great time!

 

[Danauk]

We were there last Christmas (from December 21st - January 2nd) and I have to say it wasn't half as bad as what I feared. We did lots of research as to which parks to go to and avoid on each day (avoid the EMH park), we got to the parks for opening, did the attractions we wanted to do (we only needed to get fast passes for 4 rides the whole trip!) and then left just after lunch as the parks were very crowded by then. Sometimes we went back in the afternoon to catch a parade or in the evening after our meal to catch fireworks, osborne lights, a show etc which worked out well. In the afternoons we toured some of the deluxe resorts, swam in the pool, rented the boats, went shopping etc which worked out great. I would definately go at that time of year again.

 

[budcollector]

I too shall be down there for Christmas, Dec. 23-28 Pop Century

 

[3for Me]

We were there last Christmas (from December 21st - January 2nd) and I have to say it wasn't half as bad as what I feared. We did lots of research as to which parks to go to and avoid on each day (avoid the EMH park), we got to the parks for opening, did the attractions we wanted to do (we only needed to get fast passes for 4 rides the whole trip!) and then left just after lunch as the parks were very crowded by then. Sometimes we went back in the afternoon to catch a parade or in the evening after our meal to catch fireworks, osborne lights, a show etc which worked out well. In the afternoons we toured some of the deluxe resorts, swam in the pool, rented the boats, went shopping etc which worked out great. I would definately go at that time of year again.

ITA with this...at least last year, it was not nearly the nightmare I anticipated. Just have a plan and ADR's and you should be fine!

 

[Mouse-n-Mini]

My family and I were there this Christmas. It is a wonderful time of year to visit. We stayed from the 19th to the 26th (left the 26th). The days leading up to Christmas Day were wonderful with suprisingly few people at the parks. Honestly, this one afternoon I thought we were about the only ones there. I would say the crowds were average on Christmas Eve at Epcot. On Christmas day though... LOOKOUT. The crowds were horrendous. It was a solid sea of people at the Magic Kingdom all day. After WISHES was over and we all began to file out, I kid you not...we moved an INCH at a time because it was so packed. I have never seen crowds like that. You know what though, the Disney magic and your kids excitement will make you forget all about it and I'm sure you'll be happy you decided to make it a Disney World Christmas.

 

[3dog2kidmom]

We were there last 12/25-29 and it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd been prepared for. Yes, there were huge crowds in the parks, but the buses weren't busy and there was NO ONE in line at resort check-in.

Having ADRs once or twice a day gave us a break from the crowds, and I only had 2 or 3 "must dos" on our list each day and figured everything else was a bonus. We actually got a lot "accomplished." The morning of 12/26 we had Fantasyland practically to ourselves before breakfast during EMH. No wait at all for Dumbo & Philharmagic. Oh and Christmas night after Fantasmic at MGM we wandered around Osborne Lights with very light crowds and even walked on to Star Tours right before park closing with no line or wait at all.

I would do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

To the poster who said that MK was filled to capacity, and no one was allowed in, aren't you supposed to be guaranteed entrance if you stay at a WDW resort? I am going the week of Thanksgiving (toward the end), and although not as busy as the week of Christmas, I am expecting my 1st couple of days there to be crowded! I have never stayed on property before, but I remember this being a selling point. Is there something that I should know? TIA!

 

[TinaLala]

We've been every month except for December and I've always heard that Christmas was the BEST time to go. There's nine of us going - grandparents and bil. I've purchased the MVMCP tickets, made my ADRs and purchased seasonal creat your own shirts for everyone.

I keep checking the boards for holiday ideas.

I can't wait because it will be snowing when we leave MA and beautiful weather when we get to FL.

 

[cranbiz]

To the poster who said that MK was filled to capacity, and no one was allowed in, aren't you supposed to be guaranteed entrance if you stay at a WDW resort? I am going the week of Thanksgiving (toward the end), and although not as busy as the week of Christmas, I am expecting my 1st couple of days there to be crowded! I have never stayed on property before, but I remember this being a selling point. Is there something that I should know? TIA!

WDW resort guests are guaranteed admission to A park, It may not be the one that you initially want.

We have AP's and we are also guaranteed admission to a park. On New years Eve last year, it was NOT going to be MK. ( we did not get to WDW until 11am)