Christmas Must-Dos???

[Buckeye Fan]

DH and I are taking DS (15) and DD (9) to WDW over Christmas this year. We'll be there 12/22 - 12/30, and since I've never been down over Christmas, I'd like to know your lists of must-dos. I'm assuming we'll miss the Christmas parade tapings (blond moment...as I didn't realize that they were taped so far in advance - ). DD would have LOVED it, as she's at the age where all of those kids are on the shows she watches. But I digress! So far, I don't have much...

- Candlelight Processional - Maybe Christmas Eve? Anyone know when I can make a dining package reservation? I've read 180 days out and not until Aug.
- Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
- MK on Christmas Day (okay...this is a maybe, as I hear it's insanely crowded)

We will have APs (already purchased them), so we can come and go in the parks as we please. In advance, thanks for sharing. Not sure if this matters, but we're staying at VWL and we'll have a car for the entire stay. In advance, thanks for your thoughts and experiences!

 

[vicki_c]

You should be able to see the Christmas parade at MK that is from MVMCP (so not the one they show on TV) during the week. After the MVMCP parties stop, they traditionally show the Christmas parade during the regular park days.

Definitely see some of the storytellers in the World Showcase.

I would not go to MK on Christmas Day - we took Christmas Day off altogether and it was nice.

CP packages have not yet been released by Disney - keep your eyes on the boards here to see when they are announced.

The WL is really breath-taking at Christmas.

 

[helenk]

You are correct about the Candlelight Processional dinner packages, they generally start taking those reservations around August.
I love visiting the resorts to look at the decorations. I try and do the tea at the GF and just kind of stroll around the lobby taking in the gingerbread house and all the decorations. I always buy a few gingerbread shingles to bring home.
I make sure I see the carousel in the Beach Club lobby, I think they are made of gingerbread and chocolate and then I make sure I get over to the BWI lobby to see their gingerbread "house". Last year they had a kind of gazebo type building with Donald Duck and his nephews it was really nice, the lobby at the WL is very nice so is the lobby at the AKL, but I like the WL better, I think its the atmospher at the WL.
I enjoy going to see the Santas in the countries in Epcot, and the Jingle Jangle parade in DHS is good too.
December is my favorite time of year to visit WDW, although I've not gone over Christmas.

 

[ccigliano]

We have gone every year right after Thanksgiving or the first or second week in December for the last 12 years and it is always amazing. My must dos are in order as follows:
Candlelight Processional, Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, Christmas Around the World at Epcot's World Showcase, Wilderness Lodge Decorations, Fort Wilderness Campground decorations at night after Hoop De Doo. FW is amazing since some folks set up in October and stay until February. They decorate their sites for Halloween and Christmas and they are almost as good as Disney. We've also done MVMCP and while it was fun don't plan to do it again for a while. The Christmas Parade is actually taped in the first weekend in December and I have seen the taping a few times. Christmastime is my favorite time of year at Disney and it is not only magical but the Candlelight Processional highlights why we celebrate Christmas and is the one thing I will never miss. While it will be crowded, just realize that you won't hit every ride but do fast-passes for your favs and take advantage of extra magic hours. Afterall, you're DVC member and you'll be back. Once you go at Christmastime you'll be back in December again.

 

[Steffy]

I love watching the Christmas tree lighting at Epcot. Awesome. When they turn on the lights on the canopy near World Showcase and the lights on the countries. Magnificent.

Must watch the special Christmas parade in MK.

Must watch Illuminations with the special holiday tag.

Must see the Osborne Lights.

And I'm going totally against everyone.... you must at least walk up Main Street on Christmas Day. Hop on that adorable boat at WL and go see the Castle. Will it be crowded? YES!!! Are you going to get on many rides? NO. But just to drink in the ambiance of being on the happiest street in the world on the most special day of the year. Priceless. Then you can just go resort hopping. Valet park. Once you pay for the day, you can valet at all the deluxe resorts that day. See all the trees.

Don't miss Fort Wilderness next door. Cruise the campground. They have some of the most elaborate lights bar none. Go after dark. Totally awesome.

 

[Sammie]

When they turn on the lights on the canopy near World Showcase

They don't offer this anymore.