Christmas Confusion

[CruisinPetey]

Hi! Our family has been to Disney many times, but always during the summer. This was supposed to be our year for Christmas. I’m confused. Do we go anyway and make the best of it? Or wait it out until things are “normal” again and we can get the full Christmas experience? WWYD? Thanks for any opinions as I try to decide!

 

[Naomeri]

Personally, I’m waiting for a Christmas trip until things are back to normal, because I’ve never been for Christmas before, and I want it all. But I’m fine going for a limited Halloween experience because I got the full experience on a previous trip.

 

[nw6675]

We're going even though we are disappointed our DD won't get to see and do all the regular Christmas offerings. My husband and I have been at Christmas so it isn't as big of a deal for us. Since my DD doesn't really know what she is missing, we figured we'd make the most of it! I know everyone is sad about the castle lights, but the projections aren't a big disappointment for us. It is the ability to easily resort hop and seeing the gingerbread houses that are making me sad

DH says DW is like fishing - a bad day at DW is still better than a good day at work.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I would never plan a special trip to WDW right now where paying full prices for a limited experience. I'd wait for a time to go when you can enjoy all the Disney Magic at Christmas w/out the current situation hampering it.

 

[Disneylover99]

I love Christmas week at Disney! It’s my favourite time to go and we’ve been often. I’m cancelling this year though. I’m not interested in paying big bucks to make the best of it.

 

[Heather07438]

I'd wait as well if this was to be your first time to experience Christmas, especially if after you wouldn't plan on doing it again anytime soon. Postponing feels sad but time flies and before you know, your Christmas trip will come. I just think the risk of regret is too high at this point. Too many things still up in the air for this year that could impact the quality of a 1st time at Christmas experience.

 

[Befferk]

We're going anyway - arriving on Christmas Day and leaving 1/3. We've been to Disney before, just not at Christmas. After the way this year has been, we need something to look forward to (like mentally, I seriously NEED this). I don't really care about the things that aren't happening. Since we've never been at Christmas time we won't know what we're "missing". I'm super excited and am counting the days.

 

[Surr]

Hi! Our family has been to Disney many times, but always during the summer. This was supposed to be our year for Christmas. I’m confused. Do we go anyway and make the best of it? Or wait it out until things are “normal” again and we can get the full Christmas experience? WWYD? Thanks for any opinions as I try to decide!

I would say it depends on what is important to you about the Christmas experience. If seeing decorations and characters dressed for Christmas with less crowded parks (but maybe not much shorter wait times) then go. If fireworks, shows (like the Candlelight processional), meet and greets and Christmas Party are important, and you don't expect to go again at Christmas, then wait.

Assuming Christmas is handled as Halloween has been, you can probably see parts of the Christmas parade during regular park hours (Of course you Christmas week you got to see that parade every year).

 

[nw6675]

I love Christmas week at Disney! It’s my favourite time to go and we’ve been often. I’m cancelling this year though. I’m not interested in paying big bucks to make the best of it.

Our compromise was we cancelled the Riveria and rented an awesome house in Reunion with less park days so it cut the cost in half. We really wanted something to look forward to (closer than 2021), plus we're able to have my stepson and his wife meet us. We'll save the super big bucks trips onsite for when more things are open and things are at least somewhat more normal.

 

[Lizzards]

I am desperate for Disney magic, so I say go and make the best of it!!! But you have to pay for the trip and ultimately decide if it is worth it to you. If things aren't being offered that your family really loves and enjoys at Christmas time, then you may want to wait. There will still be decorations up and the Christmas vibe will be felt, but no special type events or shows of course. I guess it depends on what makes the season magical to you. Like I said.... I would still go, but I live in CA and apparently Dland is never going to open! Our trip is planned for Thanksgiving week. Hope you can make the best decision and feel good about your choice!

 

[Toolulu22]

We cancelled our Christmas trip this year. The main reason being that we don’t want to pay full price and not get to see and do everything we’d like to do at Christmas. Low crowds are a plus, we wouldn’t be there for the rides as much, but I want to see and do Christmas and not have to plan one park, skip the resorts (plus, no gingerbread houses). I’ll save my money and at the same time will be limiting exposure to Covid by staying home and away from thousands of people. Hopefully, we can go another year.

 

[Mrs. Potts1341]

This is a very difficult decision! Our family will be taking our DD, for her first trip to Disney, this December! I am hoping that the reduced crowds, for her first trip, will be a positive experience for her. Growing up, we would take a December Disney vacation every other year and since my father passed away, our trips have severely decreased! I am hoping give my DD the Disney joy I was fortunate enough to experience growing up! I will definitely miss the Party, the Gingerbread houses and the Castle lights but that is something we will look forward to in the coming years for my DD to experience for the first time, when all returns to "normal"! Good luck making this tough decision!

 

[TravelandLeisure]

I would definitely wait until things are normal. We went this past Christmas, and had an amazing time. I can’t imagine Christmas without the wonderful dream lights on the castle, Santa and character meets, Candlelight processional, Epcot storytellers, Christmas tree trail, etc. IMO these are all of the things that make it worth potentially putting up with higher crowds at that time of year. Not to mention all of your lovely Christmas pictures would be in masks!

 

[MomOTwins]

We’ve gone at Christmas season a few times but we always avoided the Christmassy aspects because the crush of people was just unbearable. We would go to the Christmas party for example but go on rides during the parade, stage shows and fireworks. As for candelight processional, it was always impossible to get a seat unless you bought an expensive restaurant package or queued up for hours—no thank you. And there will still be decorations—the gingerbread houses are just one component but they are mostly just a photo op and once you see it you’ve seen it. The trees are pretty and they’ll be back.

The one thing I might miss are the dream lights on the castle. But the castle is lovely without it too.

I think you should still go. It will still be Christmassy and candidly the crowds were such a drawback to enjoying the Christmas elements that have been cut this year (which is why they were cut)

 

[lbkemama]

Is there a spot on this board where Christmas is laid out as we know it right now. We have reservations 12/30-1/5 and I am confused as to what is happening.
I know certain things are cancelled but I wondered if there was a spot where it's laid out? Thanks in advance

 

[MomOTwins]

Is there a spot on this board where Christmas is laid out as we know it right now. We have reservations 12/30-1/5 and I am confused as to what is happening.
I know certain things are cancelled but I wondered if there was a spot where it's laid out? Thanks in advance

With those trip dates, I think you will most of the Christmas festivities, which only run through December 30: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays/#/drawer=drawerFestiveFlourishes

 

[lbkemama]

With those trip dates, I think you will most of the Christmas festivities, which only run through December 30: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays/#/drawer=drawerFestiveFlourishes

Yes that's why I switched it one day so we could at least be in MK on 30th to see some of it.
Is there anything posted for NY Eve yet?

 

[yulilin3]

Is there a spot on this board where Christmas is laid out as we know it right now. We have reservations 12/30-1/5 and I am confused as to what is happening.
I know certain things are cancelled but I wondered if there was a spot where it's laid out? Thanks in advance

https://www.disboards.com/threads/o...arts-in-page-12.3790038/page-10#post-62028485

 

[MomOTwins]

Yes that's why I switched it one day so we could at least be in MK on 30th to see some of it.
Is there anything posted for NY Eve yet?

Not yet. My guess is they are waiting to make a decision on whether there will be some sort of limited fireworks show or not, since fireworks have been tested after hours relatively recently. I would place bets on Epcot being the park most likely to have NYE festivities, since world showcase would allow at least some social distancing during fireworks viewing.

 

[mickey0930]

We have been for Christmas before and it was our favorite time. I actually had a trip planned where we would be arriving at Disney today(hurricane Delta had other plans for us, Louisiana resident here!), but we decided to move it to Christmas. The one aspect we will miss the most is the after hours Christmas party. But, given everything we have dealt with in 2020 we need this vacation. I feel no matter where you go or when you go you will make the best of it. If you like us and mentally need this get away....go for it!