Christmas/NYE trip planning

[SharonEM]

I wanted to get some opinions on a near 2 week Christmas break vacation. We’ll be staying onsite and have factored in crazy crowds and have been to Disney enough to where we’re willing to just soak in the holiday atmosphere and sprinkle in some rides and shows. But with a decent amount of days, should I or would you plan a Christmas Day at the resort or at the parks? I’d love to read your reasons why as well.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I haven’t been on Christmas Day (have done New Years), but if I’m around WDW on Christmas Day, you bet I’m going to go to a park at least at some point for a bit to see what it’s like!

If I’m not mistaken last year MK had a super rare 6-7am EMH - I’d be all over that (although obviously not ideal for non-morning people).

 

[Disneylover99]

I love Christmas Day at the MK! It's crazy busy but there is no other place I love to be.

 

[SharonEM]

I love Christmas Day at the MK! It's crazy busy but there is no other place I love to be.

How do you fit in opening presents? Take a break mid-day?

 

[Disneylover99]

How do you fit in opening presents? Take a break mid-day?

Yes. We were on the bus at 5am. We went to BOG for breakfast mid morning and then we left the MK at noon to go to Whispering Canyon Cafe for lunch. We got back to our resort mid afternoon to relax. We usually go back to the MK later in the evening for fireworks, but this year we opted to soak in the hot tub instead, so we never made it back in the evening.

 

[Klayfish]

I would absolutely be in the parks. We're not believers in "resort" days. We stay offsite, but they are nice places too...however we're there for Disney, not a hotel/resort/condo. We've done Xmas twice. First time we did MK, because we wanted to say we've been there/done that. It was great. We got there pretty early, around 8:30am (no way would we want to get up before the crack of dawn) and stayed until 1pm or so. The second trip, in 2017, I forget if we were in HS or AK for Xmas Day, but it was one of the two. It was crowded, but not horrible. As for opening presents, we did it later in the day.

 

[3threebabies]

I haven’t been on Christmas Day (have done New Years), but if I’m around WDW on Christmas Day, you bet I’m going to go to a park at least at some point for a bit to see what it’s like!

If I’m not mistaken last year MK had a super rare 6-7am EMH - I’d be all over that (although obviously not ideal for non-morning people).

We are not rope droppers—at least not since paper fastpass days. We waited almost 40 minutes for MK bus at Yacht Club and got stuck in a massive crowd checking magic bands around 6:30 on bridge to Tomorrowland. Watching the sunrise over the castle from the peoplemover on Christmas Day was FANTASTIC! Just like a Mastercard commercial—priceless. We then ate breakfast at ‘Ohana (last minute reservation) and used our fast passes at DHS. Candlelight Processional package at Teppan Edo with the 8:30 show. It was a wonderful day. However, I have a teenage son. Traditional Christmas with present opening was not a priority.

We have already decided we will go early to MK this year, too.

Edited for spelling.

 

[SharonEM]

We are not rope droppers—at least not since paper fastpass days. We waited almost 40 minutes for MK bus at Yacht Club and got stuck in a massive crowd checking magic bands around 6:30 on bridge to Tomorrowland. Watching the sunrise over the castle from the peoplemover on Christmas Day was FANTSTIC! Just like a Mastercard commercial—priceless. We then ate breakfast at ‘Ohana (last minute reservation) and used our fast passes at DHS. Candlelight Processional package at Teppan Edo with the 8:30 show. It was a wonderful day. However, I have a teenage son. Traditional Christmas with present opening was not a priority.

We have already decided we will go early to MK this year, too.

That sounds fantastic. My son is younger but I’m thinking an afternoon break to nap and open presents before going back out for dinner and more park time will suffice.

 

[3threebabies]

That sounds fantastic. My son is younger but I’m thinking an afternoon break to nap and open presents before going back out for dinner and more park time will suffice.

I hope your family has a wonderful time. I know my husband napped. I think my son went to Stormalong Bay We usually do a Christmas Eve service at home, but I just couldn’t imagine not doing CP Christmas night instead. Starting the day at MK and ending with CP was the best of WDW on Christmas, in my opinion. Now if only there were still Osborn Lights...

 

[TwinkleKS]

We don't go to the parks on Christmas Day. Not really because of the crowds (I mean if we do NYE, we can do Christmas Day), just a personal preference. We usually go to Mass at the CR, then eat at Chef Mickeys, then swim weather permitting, and go to one of the dinner shows at night.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

We spent the Christmas holidays at WDW in 2018 (from Dec 21st to the 30th) and everyday and every park -- was crazy busy. We just went with the understanding that it would be crowded and if we didn't have a FP+ for something we might not ride everything -- FP+ to make sure we rode what we wanted, booked must-have ADR's at 180 days and booked some events that would mitigate the crowds (MVMCP, Savor the Savannah, dessert parties, fireworks cruise, Disney After Dark at DHS, etc...), and tried to enjoy despite the crowds -- we had a good trip but all agreed that it was a one-and-done for Christmas week trips.

We did go to the parks (MK in the morning/EP for dinner evening) on Christmas Day but all days around the holiday were really busy.