Christmas Day Touring Plan Critique Please!

[choover2576]

This is what I'm toying with for our Christmas Day MK touring plan. We are a family of 4 with a 6 and 8 year old.

-Rope Drop (will probably be 7am(?) but for now planning 8am):

Totally guessing on times. I know it will take longer to get from attraction to attraction with crowds. Do either of these plans seem feasible? We have our dining reservations, but obviously not our FP's yet.

Plan 1:
Space Mountain - 8:15am
Astro Orbiters - 8:45am
Buzz - 9:15am
Tea Cups - 9:45am
Carousel - 10:15am
Be Our Guest Lunch - 11am
Haunted Mansion w/FP - Noon
River Boat - 12:30pm
Splash w/FP - 1pm
Railroad from Frontierland - 1:45pm
Pirates with FP - 2:30pm
Country Bears - 3:00pm
Cinderella Royal Table - 4pm Dinner

Plan 2:
Splash - 8:20 am
Big Thunder - 8:45am
Pirates - 9:15am
Tea Cups - 9:45am
Carousel - 10:15am
Be Our Guest Lunch - 11am
Haunted Mansion w/FP - Noon
River Boat - 12:30pm
Space Mountain w/FP - 1:15pm
Carousel of Progress - 1:45pm
Buzz w/FP - 2:30pm
Peoplemover - 3pm
Cinderella Royal Table - 4pm Dinner

 

[g-dad66]

Have never been on Christmas day, so I don't know that your time schedule will work out (it may require more than about 30 minutes per attraction). But on a day less busy than Christmas, I think it would work out.

The overall plans (both 1 and 2) are excellent, I think. Both plans have the first three attractions as ones you definitely wouldn't want to do any later than 9:30 without a FP. The three FP attractions you have selected are definitely ones you would want to have FPs for, by that time of the day (early afternoon). And the attractions after 9:30 for which you don't have FPs are ideal as the MK attractions least in need of FPs.

 

[mstephen87]

It will definitely take longer than 30 minutes per ride with a level 10 crowd, especially with walking in between rides. Did you not plan on doing Peter Pan or SDMT at all? I have never had a problem getting haunted mansion as a 4th FP, so I probably wouldn't waste a FP on it unless you did not intend on doing peter pan/seven dwarves/pooh.

 

[Disneylover99]

We did MK 2 years ago on Christmas Day. I would definitely go with plan number one, but assume a 7am opening. Be there super early (before 7am) and head to Tomorrowland. You'll get a ton done....probably multiple rides on Space/ Astro Orbiter if you want. Most people head to Fantasyland for PP and SDMT. Enjoy!

 

[js]

We did MK 2 years ago on Christmas Day. I would definitely go with plan number one, but assume a 7am opening. Be there super early (before 7am) and head to Tomorrowland. You'll get a ton done....probably multiple rides on Space/ Astro Orbiter if you want. Most people head to Fantasyland for PP and SDMT. Enjoy!

Hi. Ill be at Disney between Christmas and New Years. My family of four has kids 22 and 18. If we go to Tomorrowland first, do I waste our time on People Mover or wait until later? Ive been over Easter and in September so know the difference in crowds but not sure if I should go land to land and not backtrack?

If weather is okay, we will do Splash but perhaps I will get a FP for that attraction. We always do FL, walk to Haunted, Splash, Pirates and then think we have lunch and Tomorrowland. What do you think?

Thanks.

 

[choover2576]

Thanks everyone!

It will definitely take longer than 30 minutes per ride with a level 10 crowd, especially with walking in between rides. Did you not plan on doing Peter Pan or SDMT at all? I have never had a problem getting haunted mansion as a 4th FP, so I probably wouldn't waste a FP on it unless you did not intend on doing peter pan/seven dwarves/pooh.

We're going for 10 days, so we'll do Peter Pan and SDMT on another day, my boys prefer Splash and Space.

It will definitely take longer than 30 minutes per ride with a level 10 crowd, especially with walking in between rides. Did you not plan on doing Peter Pan or SDMT at all? I have never had a problem getting haunted mansion as a 4th FP, so I probably wouldn't waste a FP on it unless you did not intend on doing peter pan/seven dwarves/pooh.

I'll be sure to add more time to walk/ride, I appreciate the suggestion. What do you think the likelihood of getting HM as a 4th FP on Christmas day will be?

 

[Disneylover99]

Hi. Ill be at Disney between Christmas and New Years. My family of four has kids 22 and 18. If we go to Tomorrowland first, do I waste our time on People Mover or wait until later? Ive been over Easter and in September so know the difference in crowds but not sure if I should go land to land and not backtrack?

If weather is okay, we will do Splash but perhaps I will get a FP for that attraction. We always do FL, walk to Haunted, Splash, Pirates and then think we have lunch and Tomorrowland. What do you think?

Thanks.

We spent the first hour in Tomorrowland. For us, the People mover was so much fun because it was so dead that first hour. It felt like we owned the park. We couldn't believe it was actually Christmas Day in the MK. You could ride SM a few times instead but the People Mover will be packed later in the day. Plus with mid day crowds, it's really hard to navigate through them to backtrack and the train lines get huge.

Frontierland didn't open until 8am. We headed there right before 8am and rode BTMR with no wait. Crowds started to pour in as we got off BTMR. We didn't do Splash because nobody wanted to get wet on Christmas Day, plus the weather was chilly.

We headed to FL at 9am and used 3 fp's til 11am, had lunch and left the park, but came back early evening for fireworks. We got a lot done.

Crowds get thick late morning and through the afternoon. My advice is this......Try not to backtrack during the day. In the evening it will be a bit easier to do. Eat your counter service lunch early - meaning between 10:30am and 11:00am. Try to stay ahead of the crowds.

 

[glassslippergirl]

I haven been on Christmas but have been on NYE and understand crowds are similar. As the day progresses, just moving from one place to another will become a challenge. Most rides will have lines at 60 mins or more, so I agree that your times are unrealistic, but I'm also the one to suggest to everyone to drop the times for all but FP and ADRs. You don't need that kind of pressure on Christmas Day. I'd also drop the train ride from FL. The train will be packed, and as people don't have to get off at any one station, you don't know how long you'll be in line. Even with the morass of people in the streets, walking will be faster and easier. Probably no changing it now, but your lunch and dinner seem close together, too. Will your party be hungry for both?

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I have been multiple times over Christmas and from my previous experiences, I usually avoid MK on Christmas Day. By about noon, it will be impossible to walk around. Most of the locals go to MK on Christmas Day.

 

[GPC0321]

I like the first plan, but skip the train ride, go see Country Bears after Splash, and then go to Pirates.
Second plan is okay too, but I'd skip the Liberty Belle (River Boat) to allow more time to get over to Tomorrowland after Haunted Mansion.

 

[si-am]

Hi. Ill be at Disney between Christmas and New Years. My family of four has kids 22 and 18. If we go to Tomorrowland first, do I waste our time on People Mover or wait until later? Ive been over Easter and in September so know the difference in crowds but not sure if I should go land to land and not backtrack?

If weather is okay, we will do Splash but perhaps I will get a FP for that attraction. We always do FL, walk to Haunted, Splash, Pirates and then think we have lunch and Tomorrowland. What do you think?

Thanks.

Whether you do Peoplemover in the morning really depends on how much you enjoy this ride. Is it a must-do? (It is for me!) Because lines even for that can get long during really busy times.

 

[scrapquitler]

Thanks everyone!

We're going for 10 days, so we'll do Peter Pan and SDMT on another day, my boys prefer Splash and Space.




I'll be sure to add more time to walk/ride, I appreciate the suggestion. What do you think the likelihood of getting HM as a 4th FP on Christmas day will be?

I wouldn't count on getting any 4th FP on Christmas Day

 

[markmcalear]

I went on Christmas Day in 2012. We arrived at MK for RD at 7am and were able to ride a lot of things without much of a wait until around 9ish. By 1100 the crowd level was unbearable.

We had an ADR at Fultons for 130pm so we left the park and headed to Downtown Disney. It was busy there but nowhere near as busy as MK.

After lunch we hit Disney Quest for a couple of hours the headed back to hotel (AKL) to chill.

I personally wouldn't do MK on Christmas Day again.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree that you should skip the train. I love that ride around the park, but never use it as a means of transportation. It is going to be a time cruncher if you go Christmas morning.

If you like people mover, I love it, go in the morning before the line forms.

I would skip country bears unless you find you have time before dinner.

 

[choover2576]

I agree that you should skip the train. I love that ride around the park, but never use it as a means of transportation. It is going to be a time cruncher if you go Christmas morning.

If you like people mover, I love it, go in the morning before the line forms.

I would skip country bears unless you find you have time before dinner.

We'll do the train another day then. Thanks!

Country Bears is a Christmas present for me. I have fond childhood memories of watching it over and over again with my grandfather when it was at Disneyland. Everyone else in my family doesn't care for it, but I figured they can't argue with me if it's Christmas day

 

[Nancyg56]

We'll do the train another day then. Thanks!

Country Bears is a Christmas present for me. I have fond childhood memories of watching it over and over again with my grandfather when it was at Disneyland. Everyone else in my family doesn't care for it, but I figured they can't argue with me if it's Christmas day

LOL! I sure do understand! I admit that I also go to the Country Bears, and it is a sentimental thing for me as well. Enjoy that show and all of the memories it brings.

I love that train! Last December we attended on a Saturday night and Holy Moly!!! It was LONG! We did not care because we were there specifically for Christmas events, knew that the evening was going to be what is was, so we might as well enjoy the ride.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

This is what I'm toying with for our Christmas Day MK touring plan. We are a family of 4 with a 6 and 8 year old.

-Rope Drop (will probably be 7am(?) but for now planning 8am):

Totally guessing on times. I know it will take longer to get from attraction to attraction with crowds. Do either of these plans seem feasible? We have our dining reservations, but obviously not our FP's yet.

Plan 1:
Space Mountain - 8:15am
Astro Orbiters - 8:45am
Buzz - 9:15am
Tea Cups - 9:45am
Carousel - 10:15am
Be Our Guest Lunch - 11am
Haunted Mansion w/FP - Noon
River Boat - 12:30pm
Splash w/FP - 1pm
Railroad from Frontierland - 1:45pm
Pirates with FP - 2:30pm
Country Bears - 3:00pm
Cinderella Royal Table - 4pm Dinner

Plan 2:
Splash - 8:20 am
Big Thunder - 8:45am
Pirates - 9:15am
Tea Cups - 9:45am
Carousel - 10:15am
Be Our Guest Lunch - 11am
Haunted Mansion w/FP - Noon
River Boat - 12:30pm
Space Mountain w/FP - 1:15pm
Carousel of Progress - 1:45pm
Buzz w/FP - 2:30pm
Peoplemover - 3pm
Cinderella Royal Table - 4pm Dinner

Hey there..

My family goes to Disney for Christmas every year. We always do MK for Christmas Day, so hopefully I can offer some tips.

As many have mentioned, it doesn't get too packed until ~11am. Then it gets crazy crowded and only gets worse as the day goes on.

First and foremost, are you staying on-site or offsite? If you're onsite, MK should open at 7am for EMH.

Anyway, I like Plan A. That's very similar to my family's plan. Like I said, if you are onsite, plan to get to MK by 7:30-7:45. We usually do that and make a B-Line to Space Mountain. The wait is normally around 20 minutes, but goes faster. Then we head right over to Buzz. I'd go with that second, as I feel like more people are heading there then the Astro Orbiters. Do the Astro Orbiters after Buzz.

Honestly, the Tea Cups shouldn't have a long wait. You can save those for later. Same with the carousel. I'd use this time to get on the more popular rides. Any reason why you're not doing Peter Pan, Pooh and the Jingle Cruise? What about 7DMT? Again, I don't know too much about your family, so I can't make ride recommendations... but I'd even go as far as recommending that you go standby for Haunted Mansion before lunch and save the teacups and carousel for later.

Otherwise I like your plan. You have just the right amount of sitting and downtime. Pirates and Country Bears will be relaxing. You can do without the railroad, but I understand some people just enjoy the ride. My dad worked for almost 30 years on the railroad here in NY, so he always enjoys it.

 

[choover2576]

Thanks PlutoTheDog89! I didn't include Mine Train or Peter Pan because we didn't want to use FP's for them and plan on going on them a different day.

I'll tweak my plan with everyone's suggestions.

We are staying onsite, so it looks like there is a good chance of a 7am magic hour. No problem for us, its Christmas morning! I know MK is going to be crazy, but being there on Christmas Day is a bucket list thing for me.

How crowded does Tom Sawyers Island get? Is that a nice place to escape some crowds if our plan allows?

 

[Klayfish]

I am as big of a WDW lover and "Disney apologist" as most here, and MK on Christmas Day was a bucket list item of mine for pretty much my entire life. We did it last year for the first time. Yes, I will do it again, but just like this past year, we're out of there by noon. "Packed" doesn't do it justice from noon time on. It's insane. That's the one and only day of the entire year where I wouldn't want to be in MK after lunch. If you get there at RD, you'll have good success getting on rides. Maybe people/locals are at home opening gifts first, not sure?? Whatever the reason, the first few hours are manageable. We did our 3 FP+ for the morning and got to ride probably 4 or 5 more things as standby...I forget which ones now. We ate lunch around noon, which was hard to find a spot to stop and eat. After that, we couldn't get another FP+ for anything we really wanted and it was a sea of people, so we left. We didn't go to Tom Sawyer island, but I'd bet it was fairly crowded after lunch too. Pretty much everything will be. Of both of your plans, A sounds more realistic, but I'd definitely skip the railroad. When we were leaving MK, we could see the line of people trying to get on it at the park entrance. It was HUGE. There's nothing wrong with being in MK in the afternoon, as long as your expectations are realistic. It's probably the busiest 8-10 hour period of the entire year at MK.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Thanks PlutoTheDog89! I didn't include Mine Train or Peter Pan because we didn't want to use FP's for them and plan on going on them a different day.

I'll tweak my plan with everyone's suggestions.

We are staying onsite, so it looks like there is a good chance of a 7am magic hour. No problem for us, its Christmas morning! I know MK is going to be crazy, but being there on Christmas Day is a bucket list thing for me.

How crowded does Tom Sawyers Island get? Is that a nice place to escape some crowds if our plan allows?

Oh, I wasn't trying to keep you from going—it will be crazy and very crowded, but nothing beats it! The second you turn down Main Street and see the castle on Christmas morning, nothing else matters.

It's good that you're onsite and even better that you'll be able to return other days. We basically try and pack as much as possible into the morning, then leave in the afternoon. Even as an older family, we still get tired and the crowds become a little too much. We star 12/24-1/1, so we have no problem leaving and coming back later or another day.

I can't really speak to Tom Sawyer Island, as I've never been. Maybe this year I'll head over. Look - tailor your expectations, which it seems like you have, and you'll have a good time. I promise it's crowded but it's also one of the best experiences and I wouldn't trade it in for anything else!