Christmas Must Dos? Need Ideas HELP!

[thesoldtrain]

Hi guys! I need some help for planning our 3rd trip to WDW...the other trips have been during July, so we have never been to WDW at holiday time. Our trip is a big one this year...Dec. 19-30 at WDW and then the 7-night Magic New Year's cruise.....woohoo! Anyway, this will be a first time away from home for the holidays (and believe me, we are looking forward to it immensely! If you know our whole extended family that we host each year, you's understand why! )

Anyway, we are BIG Christmas people and are looking to you experts for some ideas on things that are NOT-TO-BE-MISSED over the holidays! Thanks in advance for your help and ideas! Oh yes, almost forgot....it will be myself and DH, plus our 3 children, DD age 7, DD age 3, and DS 15 mos. and we are staying at CSR.

Thanks again!
Jeanette

 

[AStamm]

Where will you be staying? Depending on the resort, there are nightly activities the entire week prior to Christmas that you can participate in that are really fun. We we checked into CSR on Christmas Eve two years ago, Minnie, Mickey, and Donald were in the lobby to greet us, decked out in their finest Mexican attire. Santa was also there for photos and last minute requests

Although I'm sure already know this, but have your ADRs booked well in advance.

MK has the Christmas parade daily the entire week before Christmas. While it's nice to see it at night during MVMCP, pictures turn out great at the daytime parade. MGM and AK slap some holiday touchs on the cars/floats and call the parades something else although they are essentially the same with a little Christmas music.

I really liked 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Galaxy Theatre in MK although my DH thought it wasn't his cup of tea. At least it was something different and special for the holidays.

Each country at Epcot has a holiday storyteller that is fun to listen to. You'll probably want to book the Candlelight Processional at Epcot as well. You'll receive dinner and seating at this special evening. There are always celebrities who are the guest narrators for the evening.

Have a great time planning. We had a fabulous time at WDW for Christmas--we might even see you there since we'll be returning December 19-31.

 

[AStamm]

Guess I should have read the last night of your post Enjoy CSR.

 

[cranbiz]

Make time to tour the resorts. The decorations are fabulous. The GF has a huge gingergread house, AKL has different holiday trees, Beach Club has a life sized chocolate and gingerbread carousel.

These are well worth seeing as well as the decorations and events at the parks.

 

[Bella2000]

Make time to tour the resorts. The decorations are fabulous. The GF has a huge gingergread house, AKL has different holiday trees, Beach Club has a life sized chocolate and gingerbread carousel.

These are well worth seeing as well as the decorations and events at the parks.

Ditto! I was going to write about this as well as the Epcot's Candlight Processional. We go early Dec most years. Osbourne Lights at MGM Studios...Mk, AK and Studios change their parades to be seasonal and various attractions may have holiday shows ala Country Bear at MK. I also heard the Town of Celebration does something every year however we haven't done that yet.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Be sure you see the tree lighting ceremony at Epcot. It's at 6:00 each night. If you don't have kids, the best place to be is sitting on a bench behind the stage-best view of the tree and the double decker bus is right by you.

 

[thesoldtrain]

Thank you for the ideas! I will record all of them in my planning folder!

Jeanette

 

[vsimeone]

Hi! It looks like we'll be neighbors with AStamm this Christmas at Pop! We'll be there 12/23 - 1/1. For thesoldtrain, I SOOOO know how you feel about getting away at Christmas!!! When we did it in 2004, I thought for sure I would miss spending the holidays with our family. NOT!!! Last year, I cried all through the holidays and couldn't figure out why we didn't just go to WDW again! I am coming to DREAD all the entertaining at the holidays. There is always SOMETHING not quite right. Not at WDW though - EVERYTHING is PERFECT! Ok, even if it's not QUITE perfect - it's WDW!!!! So, we're going back again this year

Anyway, in addition to the other great suggestions you've been given, be sure to see the Osborne Lights at MGM. The display is pretty amazing and it really does feel Christmasy to see all the lights and have it snowing on you in Florida! I second the other suggestions: Candelight Processional is a MUST MUST MUST and the Father Christmases in the countries at EPCOT are so interesting!

Have WONDERFUL time on your trip and wave to us if you see us

 

[Mickey Fliers]

If you do a search, there was a thread with about 7 (or more) pages of great things to do at WDW during the Holidays. There was a ton of fabulous info. The thread was very active in December.

HTH