Christmas Day meals

[castanea1985]

Hi all
Does anyone know if the Disney restaurants change their menus for Christmas Day?
Does anyone recommend a good one for 7 of us, aged from 16 to 70?

Thanks

Tracy x

 

[mackeyapp]

Interested in the answer to this question too. It will be our first Xmas Day away from home.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) On Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day most restaurants change menus.
2) They have "traditional" holiday menu items.
3) Most still have a selection of their regular items.
4) But, predominately holiday offerings.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

Some of the restaurants do change their menus or add special items during the holidays. The big difference seems to be that buffets increase their prices to reflect "holiday pricing" at that time. (Not just Christmas Day, pretty much the whole holiday season.) You can go here http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/Christmasdining.htm to see how it worked last year.

I've never been on Christmas day, but I have been there for NYE/NYD and my advice would be to pick a restaurant based on where you're going to be that day. The crowds are so crazy that you really can't hop (or go back to a resort) with any real guarantee of getting back in to the park you want. Some people hit the timing just right and manage to leave/re-enter the park they chose, but it makes me nervous, particularly if you want to be at MK.

At the MK, I'd probably pick Crystal Palace for a large group. Lots of choices and a nice setting. Lovely decorations, too. If you were at Epcot, I'd probably go for Chefs de France. At MGM, Brown Derby for a nice meal. Otherwise, you might look to see what your resort offers in terms of restaurants, in case the crowds don't appeal to you and you don't intend to be in a park.

Whatever you do, make sure you call as soon as you're able to make ADRs and get something reserved. And I strongly recommend visiting the WL and the GF to see the decorations during your vacation - even if you don't eat there.

 

[castanea1985]

Some of the restaurants do change their menus or add special items during the holidays. The big difference seems to be that buffets increase their prices to reflect "holiday pricing" at that time. (Not just Christmas Day, pretty much the whole holiday season.) You can go here http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/Christmasdining.htm to see how it worked last year.

I've never been on Christmas day, but I have been there for NYE/NYD and my advice would be to pick a restaurant based on where you're going to be that day. The crowds are so crazy that you really can't hop (or go back to a resort) with any real guarantee of getting back in to the park you want. Some people hit the timing just right and manage to leave/re-enter the park they chose, but it makes me nervous, particularly if you want to be at MK.

At the MK, I'd probably pick Crystal Palace for a large group. Lots of choices and a nice setting. Lovely decorations, too. If you were at Epcot, I'd probably go for Chefs de France. At MGM, Brown Derby for a nice meal. Otherwise, you might look to see what your resort offers in terms of restaurants, in case the crowds don't appeal to you and you don't intend to be in a park.

Whatever you do, make sure you call as soon as you're able to make ADRs and get something reserved. And I strongly recommend visiting the WL and the GF to see the decorations during your vacation - even if you don't eat there.

Thanks for that Ally,
We weren't actually going into any of the Disney Parks on Christmas Day (long story!!) so would be looking for somewhere in one of the Hotels or DTD area! There will be 7 of us aged from 16 to 70!!

Any ideas would be great!!

Thanks

Tracy xx

 

[tgropp]

WCC serves an excellent all you can eat Christmas dinner with all the trimmings....turkey, ham or baked salmon, potatoes veggies dressing etc. It still comes in a skillet . If you like your traditional Christmas dinner with beautiful setting at the Wilderness Lodge, this is a must.

 

[chris7]

I was going to make the same suggestion of looking at resort restaurants out of the parks. We ate at WCC our last trip and loved it. We've eaten at 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian and enjoyed it. GF also has a non-character meal restaurant. We are hoping to try Kona Cafe at the polynesian this trip.

 

[castanea1985]

Thanks for all the ideas

Which resort restaurants would be good for seeing the fireworks? It would be great to finish our Christmas meal and then be able to watch the fireworks!! Can you see any fireworks from WL? Artist Point looks nice!

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Tracy x

 

[Connears]

The restaurants that have special menu's will post these before the holiday but allearsnet has history of last year. We have had great meals for the holiday(there will also be a price hike that week).
We have been to wdw for xmas week the last four years. we have made a point of not going to any park on xmas day...too crazy. 2005, we had breakfast (late 10:30am) at BOMA and then went to DTD for a movie and had xmas dinner at Artist Point in WL, it was beautiful and put you in the xmas spirit. 2006 we went to CP for xmas eve with dinner in Japan, then xmas day had breakfast at 1900PF(great food and atmosphere) and shopped at DTD and then very late dinner at CG (9:15pm) but got there early enought to see Wishes!-great food and wonderful view of MK. Last year we went back to 1900PF for breakfast, then went to ICE! at Gaylord Palms Hotel and dinner at Boma. Great all 3 times and didn't miss the craziness of the parts for the holiday. We miss xmas this year, but wil be doing NYE and day(we will be at epcot or DHS for NYE).

Connears

 

[castanea1985]

The restaurants that have special menu's will post these before the holiday but allearsnet has history of last year. We have had great meals for the holiday(there will also be a price hike that week).
We have been to wdw for xmas week the last four years. we have made a point of not going to any park on xmas day...too crazy. 2005, we had breakfast (late 10:30am) at BOMA and then went to DTD for a movie and had xmas dinner at Artist Point in WL, it was beautiful and put you in the xmas spirit. 2006 we went to CP for xmas eve with dinner in Japan, then xmas day had breakfast at 1900PF(great food and atmosphere) and shopped at DTD and then very late dinner at CG (9:15pm) but got there early enought to see Wishes!-great food and wonderful view of MK. Last year we went back to 1900PF for breakfast, then went to ICE! at Gaylord Palms Hotel and dinner at Boma. Great all 3 times and didn't miss the craziness of the parts for the holiday. We miss xmas this year, but wil be doing NYE and day(we will be at epcot or DHS for NYE).

Connears

Thanks for that Connears

I quite like the idea of Artist Point.... as WL look's so beautiful. I've noticed they do sleigh rides at WL too, and thought it might be nice to book this too!

Thanks for all the information!

Tracy x

 

[castanea1985]

If we book for Artist Point for Christmas Dinner - Does anyone know what the parking would be like at WL on Christmas Day, as we will be staying at our villa?
Thanks

Tracy

 

[AlyLynn]

Would Artists point be OK for children? Our 4 kids hated WCC--it was too crazy for them, but we loved the ambience of WL. Thanks!

 

[Connears]

As long as you have adr at artist point there is no problem with parking, you will have to stop at guard post and they will check your adr. We went early and sat by the fireplace and took in the xmas atmosphere. You could also go to the beach and I think the electric water parade can be viewed(I have seen it at Poly and Fort wilderness, so I think it goes to WL, but I might be wrong).

Our son was 13 when we had xmas dinner at Artist point and it was fine and there were also many younger kids there. It is a beatiful restaurant with great service.

Connears

 

[castanea1985]

As long as you have adr at artist point there is no problem with parking, you will have to stop at guard post and they will check your adr. We went early and sat by the fireplace and took in the xmas atmosphere. You could also go to the beach and I think the electric water parade can be viewed(I have seen it at Poly and Fort wilderness, so I think it goes to WL, but I might be wrong).

Our son was 13 when we had xmas dinner at Artist point and it was fine and there were also many younger kids there. It is a beatiful restaurant with great service.

Connears

That sounds great. What time is the electric water parade?

Tracy x