Christmas Day at WDW

[lovehoney]

Thinking about going the week before Christmas (12/20-26/15) as DS14 will be in high school this fall and we don't want to take him out any days. We can't do Thanksgiving as we have other plans.

I know people have different traditions but if you have spent Christmas Day at WDW could you please share your experiences? What park did you go to on Christmas day? Did you go to church on site? Did you bring a tree? What about Christmas gifts for the kids? Where did you have Christmas dinner, etc?

We plan on staying at a moderate since we are a family of 5.

 

[cakebaker]

We went during Christmas quite some time back (about 12 years) and absolutely loved it.

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and ordered a decorated tree from the Disney florist- it was expensive, even back then, but all these years later we still have it, the lights still work on it and we add an ornament every year from the trip we take during that year.

My girls were older, just graduated from college. We picked 1 day before Christmas and all headed to Downtown Disney and shopped for each other for Christmas gifts separately. We wrapped them, put them under the tree and we all opened gifts Christmas morning.

Then we went to HS for a few hours and hopped to Epcot later for Christmas Dinner at Le Cellier. We ended the day watching the Candlelight Processional. Since we were there for 2 weeks, we felt no need to go to the MK that day, the crowds there were crazy.

A warning though- it has ruined Christmas for us! We'd do every Christmas there if we could! We felt no need to decorate at home, no frenzied shopping for gifts, no cooking- it was perfect!

 

[lovehoney]

A warning though- it has ruined Christmas for us! We'd do every Christmas there if we could! We felt no need to decorate at home, no frenzied shopping for gifts, no cooking- it was perfect!

I hadn't thought of the no cooking and decorating. Sounds wonderful!

 

[HappyHaunts999]

We have gone this week for a few years now. We go to the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve. Because my kids are older we try to avoid MK Christmas day. We bring decorations for the window and I bring sacks for presents. Pick a restaurant that is your favorite. We love Raglan Road for Eve and Boma for day. We enjoy a quiet day on Christmas and visit the resorts to see all the different decorations. Christmas night we see the Osborne lights. No matter what you decide you will have a great time.

 

[luvmy2sams]

We always spend Christmas Eve in Epcot, ending the day with the Candlelight Processional. On Christmas morning, we sleep in and either hang out at the resort or head to Downtown Disney for a movie/bowling/DisneyQuest afternoon. We've always gone to the Magic Kingdom in the evening, usually waiting until around 8:00 p.m. or so to arrive. In fact, when we had to miss Christmas in Disney in 2013 due to my back surgery, we missed the carefree time spent at Disney. It was nice to just focus on family without having to worry about the obligations of home.

We always end up at the Magic Kingdom to end our Christmas Day. When the kids were younger, we'd head to the park mid-morning, ride some rides, and have a table service before returning to our resort for the busiest part of the day. Over the past several years, however, we opt for a very late breakfast in the resort or lunch at Downtown Disney. Then we have a late table service for dinner in the Magic Kingdom.Last year, we scheduled the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party for Christmas night, and it was a great way to start our evening in the Magic Kingdom.

Since we drive down, we've always taken a small tree with us. Along with window clings and Command hooks for our stockings, our room is filled with Christmas cheer. We pack Santa gifts in the car (or did until our youngest figured it out...on Christmas Eve at French Quarter no less) and purchase stocking stuffers at MouseGears or World of Disney. The kids still purchase gingerbread men for Santa at Epcot on Christmas Eve. They were bummed (as was I) when the gingerbread house was missing from the American pavilion last year.

Spending Christmas/New Years at Disney has spoiled us for everything else. We book the upcoming year on New Year's Day.

 

[Disneylover99]

We were there this past Christmas. We were at Pop between the 20th and 30th. We brought stockings and stocking stuffers and we decorated our window at Pop. The kids received letters from Santa in their stockings stuffers saying their gift was waiting for them at home. We were at the bus stop at 6am for a 7 am opening at MK. We had a blast! The park was empty for the first few hours, then it got really packed. We had lunch at LTT and then we headed back to Pop to open our stockings and relax. We headed back to MK later that evening for fireworks. It was amazing!

 

[kruegeme]

We took the family (DS 6, DD 8, as well as In-laws) for Christams week this past year. This is our first time to visit this week as we normally avoid these holidays at the parks but for the same reason, not wanting the kids to miss school, we decided to take the plung. For the main part of the week, we stayed at BLT with TP view. Had a couple nights at GFV as we added on after the original plans were made. Since we drove, we brought a small tree (there were lots in the windows) and lights for the balcony. We did the Candlelight Processional package on Christmas Eve and treated this as our church service. On Christmas morning, after opening a few small gifts, we had breakfast at Cindy's at 9am. After breakfast, we did a few rides and got out of MK before lunch.

We went down with the expectations of not being able to accomplish much but we were there. To our surprise, since we got up and rolling for rope drop every morning, we were able to hit all the major rides and even get in some that we didn't have FP for that would normally have long wait times. We were rarely in the parks late at night with the exception of Christmas night as went went to Epcot for dinner in Germany.

Our only disappointment was that MVMCP ended the night before we got down there. Would liked to have made one of the parties.

Not sure this will be a tradition for us but it's now on the list of places to celebrate the season if all the stars align again.

 

[lovehoney]

Christmas night we see the Osborne lights.

I am thinking Disney Studios for Christmas Day. I think the Christmas lights would be a perfect ending to our last night at Disney.

Along with window clings and Command hooks for our stockings, our room is filled with Christmas cheer. We pack Santa gifts in the car (or did until our youngest figured it out...on Christmas Eve at French Quarter no less) and purchase stocking stuffers at MouseGears or World of Disney. The kids still purchase gingerbread men for Santa at Epcot on Christmas Eve. They were bummed (as was I) when the gingerbread house was missing from the American pavilion last year.

I love the idea of the window clings and command hooks. Brilliant! I totally forgot about cookies for Santa - Very important!

The kids received letters from Santa in their stockings stuffers saying their gift was waiting for them at home. We were at the bus stop at 6am for a 7 am opening at MK. We had a blast!

We might need letters from Santa about gifts at home. Great idea!

We were rarely in the parks late at night with the exception of Christmas night as went went to Epcot for dinner in Germany.

We don't usually go to the parks at night either but I think a dinner Christmas Eve or Christmas Day would be great.

 

[HappyHaunts999]

We love getting eggnog and taking our time looking at all the lights. Don't forget to look for the purple cat and the razorback. Plus lots of hidden Mickeys. Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

In 2010 we had a big extended family trip the week leading up to Christmas. Our last say in the park was the 25th and we spent it in MK. We should have just went home. The crowds were ok that week but Christmas day was the worst I've ever seen, will never do it again. We were staying a POP and brought stocking stuffers and gifts and opened them in the morning, we should have waited and got to the park earlier (we are rope droppers). I understand about not taking kids out of school, unfortunately we just haven't been going as much as when DD was younger.

 

[lovehoney]

We love getting eggnog and taking our time looking at all the lights.

Eggnog sounds great. I hope they have hot chocolate too!

Christmas day was the worst

The plan right now is to go to Disney Studios on Christmas Day and go to MK earlier in the week because of the crowds.

 

[hollybearsmom]

we took a 6" tiny tree from the dollar store in our suitcase. we wrapped one trading pin per child as tiny gifts under it. that was for Christmas Eve. and bought tiny stockings at michaels that a disney gift card fit in as their Christmas morning gift.
we went early to MK and just expected it to be crowded! it was our second day at MK so the kids werent so upset that we got to do three rides and sat in front of the castle over an hour to see the parade.
we just got Caseys to go and spread out a beach towel in the hub and marked our spot! my hubs and i took turns walking the kids to the bathroom and through the shops so they could think about what to spend their gift card on.
we heard the gates closed at noon when the park went to capacity.
if you plan for a hot crowded day with little rides accomplished..you will be fine!

 

[Dimaline312000]

In 2007 my family (5) were there for Christmas day and it was very beautiful but very busy. We were at Magic Kingdom. We brought our presents with us and opened them early Christmas morning than went to the park. Can't remember where we had dinner at but I do know we stayed in a value hotel to save on cost. We'd rather spend the money on souvenirs than on just a place to sleep.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I'm going for the 7th time over Christmas and love that time. For Christmas Eve, we see the candlelight processional. On Christmas Day, we go to AK in the morning because it is not that crowded and we used to eat Christmas dinner at liberty tree, but now we avoid MK on Christmas. Last few times we have spent the evening at the studios to see the lights. This year we plan on eating at California grill on Christmas Day.

 

[PirateD]

We are also hoping to be there for Christmas this year. We have been at that time of the year before, but always staying with family so on Christmas Day we just all stayed home. This would be our first Christmas Day staying onsite and being at the parks so it's great to hear how everyone has celebrated. Lots of great ideas! I'm so excited!

 

[HappyHaunts999]

They have Hot Chocolate, Hot Cider, wine and beer. They also have holiday mixed drinks. If you like, you can get your eggnog spiked.

 

[lacy1101]

Thinking about going the week before Christmas (12/20-26/15) as DS14 will be in high school this fall and we don't want to take him out any days. We can't do Thanksgiving as we have other plans.

I know people have different traditions but if you have spent Christmas Day at WDW could you please share your experiences? What park did you go to on Christmas day? Did you go to church on site? Did you bring a tree? What about Christmas gifts for the kids? Where did you have Christmas dinner, etc?

We plan on staying at a moderate since we are a family of 5.

We actually did this for the first time last year while our daughter was participating in the Disney College Program. My first instinct was to stay away from the parks and do other things; however, she was scheduled to work Christmas day at Cosmic Rays in MK and I decided I wanted to be close to her and that the most magical place to be in Disney on Christmas Day is MK! I'm really glad we decided to spend that day there. We were there for rope drop (I think it was 7:00 a.m. that day) and honestly didn't "feel" the crowds except for after the 3pm parade and during and immediately after one of the evening castle stage shows. Most people watching the show decided to stay put for Wishes and it was crazy trying to get out of there! I'm attaching a few pictures from our day . . .



As you can see, we did bring a small tree and all of our gifts and stockings (again, really glad we did this), but had our traditional Christmas morning gift opening and Christmas dinner (Artist Point at WL - which is where we stayed during our trip )the day after as we wanted to spend all day at MK.

I think if you're going to be there during that time period, definitely go to MK on Christmas Day! Its a great memory . . .

 

[Drrth83]

Thinking about going the week before Christmas (12/20-26/15) as DS14 will be in high school this fall and we don't want to take him out any days. We can't do Thanksgiving as we have other plans.

I know people have different traditions but if you have spent Christmas Day at WDW could you please share your experiences? What park did you go to on Christmas day? Did you go to church on site? Did you bring a tree? What about Christmas gifts for the kids? Where did you have Christmas dinner, etc?

We plan on staying at a moderate since we are a family of 5.

We went with family in 2012. We were there during Christmas, I believe it was halfway through the week we were there. Me, my husband, daughter who was 4.5, daughter who was 18 months and a newborn baby (about 1.5 months). It is CRAZY busy but with a plan we were able to ride everything we wanted to plus more. We did 4 day tickets to the park (stayed off resort with family in a house). We did 3 days at MK and 1 day at HS. The Sunday we went before Christmas Day to MK was the best day. It was cool temps, but lowest crowds we encountered. We were at the gates an hour before opening every morning. We utilized fast passes and Touring Plans. Christmas Eve we spent out of parks - at the Grand Floridian doing the 1900 Park Fare breakfast and BBB at Downtown Disney. That evening we went back to the house - no tree, but several Christmas gifts (although Santa visited a week before we left at home). We did dinner together at the house as a family (there were 17 of us all together). Christmas Day was spent at MK. We had 7am reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table and we rode a few rides before the crowds became so crazy we couldn't make it back to the baby station to feed/change the baby (had to do it all on a bench). We decided the kids had enough and went back to our house for the rest of the day. That day, the closed the park at 11:00am to any other guests because they had reached capacity. We did a Christmas dinner together, but no church. Touring Plans stated that crowds were more in the 11-12 range (out of 10!).

 

[zummi525]

we are going from 12/17-12/26 this year. we generally go between 12/27-1/2 . i am excited about being there on christmas day! our plan is to go to animal kingdom that morning and come back to the resort after lunch and go to magic kingdom around 7-8 pm and stay all night long as we are leaving the next day and will just sleep late. I think as long as we have our expectations in check it will be amazing

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Hell to the NO! You couldn't pay me to go that week. Sorry, just my opinion...I'm glad you all had wonderful experiences!