Christmas Planning - Need Advice.........

[Martinvols]

I need some advice from those that have been to Disney at Christmas. Here are some questions:

1) Should we plan to swim in the WL pool? Weather unpredictable?
2) Which table service meals offer the best value for those that have the Entertainment Card which gives 20% discount? We do not plan to purchase the DDP.
3) What other things should we plan to do on 12/23, 12/24 and 12/25?

We have never been to Disney at Christmas and are looking forward to our first Christmas trip to Disney. Thanks and Go Vols!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

1) Should we plan to swim in the WL pool? Weather unpredictable?

Plan on swimming. If you are there for a while, the weather is probably going to be okay for swimming some of the time. We are from an area where it's below freezing at Christmas so anything above 70 feels like it's a summer heat wave. We have been to Disney for 3 of the last 4 Christmas/New Year's periods and I swam on New Year's Day on each of those trips.

2) Which table service meals offer the best value for those that have the Entertainment Card which gives 20% discount? We do not plan to purchase the DDP.

Do you mean the DDE Card? It's great. We use it all of the time. One meal at the California Grill for our family paid for the card. I think the places like Cape May are an especially good value. 20% off the cost of the buffets is very good.

3) What other things should we plan to do on 12/23, 12/24 and 12/25??

Go to the parks early, have lunch and get out for the rest of the day. Go have fun someplace else like at your hotel pool. The parks get very crowded in the afternoons. They are open late so you can go back at night. We have done the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve and it was spectacular and very moving. See the Osborne lights, and make sure to make your ADR's on the first day that you can.

It is very crowded but if you plan properly, you should have a great time.

HBC

 

[Scratch42]

Best Advice for Christmas time - Go with the flow! It's gonna be very crowded and if you can't do something have a Plan B in place!

Be prepared for cooler/colder weather, bring your own mitts and hats, just in case!

Enjoy! It's a lovely time to go!

j

 

[Cruelladeville]

I agree--bring your winter gear! Last year the first two days at WDW were warm enough to swim, then it turned cold, and I was glad to have my down-filled coat along. I bought coffee for the lifeguards at the pool, it was freezing at 60 degrees(I don't understand why), and no one was in the pool, or even at the pool. Three years ago it was warm enough on Christmas Day to play golf, and get a sunburn, so go figure! Just bring along a sampling of all the clothes you own, and you should be ready for whatever WDW has to offer, weather-wise.

 

[micminnieapolis]

I agree with the advice to pack a little of everything! It gets tricky when you fly and try to stay inside the weight restrictions. We've been there when Christmas was in the 90's and in the 30's too. I even pack those crack open handwarmers! Fleece jackets and other things that can be layered. I also plan on carrying a bag of some sort to carry our extra stuff in. Now about what to do -- we do the Candlelight and it is wonderful. It's our Christmas evening tradition. We also love to visit all the resorts to see the decorations. We've been surprised by the variety of Holiday entertainment that we have found at the resorts -- like a marvelous bell choir. We try to eat at the resorts so the other guests can have the parks, but we do eat at the parks on Christmas and New Year's Eve. Our Christmas trip takes on an almost entirely different feel than our other trips -- we celebrate Christmas! We just happen to be in a magical place. Good luck!

 

[krishouse]

Hi,
You will have a wonderful time!
Christmas is an extra special time at Disney.
We did Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party as well last year and it was amazing.
Trying to go with the flow is also a good idea.
I even enjoyed spending a couple of hours in the gift shops trying to pick up odds and ends for stockings.Santa is also available in Downtown Disney for great photo opportunites.
Enjoy!
Kristin

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm pretty sure that DDE has Christmas as a black out date. I know we couldn't use it on Mothers Day.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with the advice to pack a little of everything! It gets tricky when you fly and try to stay inside the weight restrictions. We've been there when Christmas was in the 90's and in the 30's too. I even pack those crack open handwarmers! Fleece jackets and other things that can be layered. I also plan on carrying a bag of some sort to carry our extra stuff in. Now about what to do -- we do the Candlelight and it is wonderful. It's our Christmas evening tradition. We also love to visit all the resorts to see the decorations. We've been surprised by the variety of Holiday entertainment that we have found at the resorts -- like a marvelous bell choir. We try to eat at the resorts so the other guests can have the parks, but we do eat at the parks on Christmas and New Year's Eve. Our Christmas trip takes on an almost entirely different feel than our other trips -- we celebrate Christmas! We just happen to be in a magical place. Good luck!

Great advice and great attitude! We have never done Christmas itself, but have often done New Years Eve and have also done early December. We usually bring our leather Disney jackets and wear them on the plane. We need them in Minneapolis when we get home anyway, so might as well have them for those cooler Florida nights too. I have often worn both the big jacket and the gloves in it's pockets when going to illuminations or Candlelight Processional.

 

[dvc guy]

Everyone has given you great advise, I concur with it all. We are 7 time Christmas veterans heading down to our 8th trip this year.

The one thing I did not see listed was that you need to make ADR right away if you have not already. Without a reservation you will get nothing.

 

[mambrose]

Hello- we are going to Disney from Dec 20th - 27th. ANd from what i am reading it is very crowded and the weather is unpredictable. We have 7 children going on this trip with us ranging in ages from 1 to 10. I was hoping someone could share some advice. I have heard get out early- so my question is- if I only have the regular passes where you do one park a day- if we leave are we able to go back later on as long as it is the same park? Also is that week right before christamas really bad? I am thinking if we try to get alot done on the first 3 days we are there- like the 20th- 23rd- is that just a s crowded? Aslo what seems to be the least crowded of parks- which parks would be best to do on those two days after christmas?

Also does anybody ahve any suggesstions on christmas dinner? This is the first time alot of us wil lbe together in awhile- so we are looking for sommething special- any suggestions? Also how about Christmas morning?


I went ot disney a few times when i was younger- and have been there on day trip excursions when on cruises- i never imagined that so much planning was needed- please help- I want it to be a great trip for everyone.

 

[CarolA]

Bobbi is correct. DDE is blacked out Christmas and Christmas Eve along with most other holidays.

 

[mambrose]

Hello - i am not sure what DDe is- but i do not have it. ANy recommendations on where to eat on christmas mornign and christmas dinner?

 

[dannyh23]

Hello - i am not sure what DDe is- but i do not have it. ANy recommendations on where to eat on christmas mornign and christmas dinner?

DDE is Disney Dining Experience. You must have an ANNUAL PASS or be a FLORIDA RESIDENT to purchase a DDE card. Basically you get 20% off resort dining when you buy the card... but it's blacked out on holidays...

It's valid for one year and good for everyone in your party (limit 10 I think) -- but search for Disney Dining Experience for more details and costs...

-- Dan

 

[dvc guy]

Here are some things be aware of this Christmas. The 25 falls on a Tuesday, my presumption is that most if not all schools will be off starting the 22nd. This will mean that the parks will probably be more crowded than usually on the 22,23, & 24.
Please understand that more crowded than usually is a relative term as they are always busy on those days.
It is always less crowded the few days before Christmas. My advise is to avoid MK on Christmas as everyone will head there.
As to which park on which day depends if you are staying on site and hitting the EMH parks makes sense based on what the kids want to do. I am of the belief that going to the EMH park is a good thing if the rides that are open are ones that you want to do. You can get a lot done in that 1st hour+ till the crowds start coming in.
The 20 & 21 should be good days before it gets to bad. I would suggest breaking up your group . traveling with 10 children is going to slow you down in a big way.

We are 8 year Christmas veterans please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

[newarknut]

Well, I just completed our ressie for this Christmas. This will be our first Christmas at Disney. We've gone several times in December and love it. We'll be at VWL from the 19 - 28!

Any further advice from Christmas vets is appreciated!

 

[Island_Lauri]

We spent our first Christmas holiday at DVC this past year and had a wonderful time. We were very nervous about the crowds as we had heard that they would be very bad. We arrived on the evening of the 23rd and went to Epcot - walked right on Soaring that evening. (Never made it back on Soaring during the rest of the trip as the wait lines were 1 hr + everytime we checked again). We went to Magic Kingdom on Christmas Eve in the morning. Left there around 2 pm and the crowds were pouring in - it was difficult to walk down Main Street to leave the park due to the crowds entering. We went to Animal Kingdom on Christmas Day - which was what some of the CMs recommended as the least crowded park on Christmas Day. We walked right on all the rides in the morning on both days. We went back to our rooms in mid afternoon and went back out in the evening and stayed out late.

 

[DisneyMama27]

Subscribing...we will be at SSR for Christmas this year!! So excited, even though it's SO far away! I have my calendar marked for calling for ADRs already!!

We have never done any of the parties at MK - is the Christmas one worth it, or is it so terribly crowded that it's hard to enjoy?

I would also like recommendations for meals, etc. We will probably do a few mornings/nights in the park and visit resorts the rest of the time, so it's probably a good time to eat at other resorts. Plus, we are planning to drive, so transportation won't be as much of an issue.

We've NEVER gone anywhere for Christmas as both families are local, so this is monumental for us. DH finds it impossible to not tell the kids about Disney trips, but I would LOVE to make this one a surprise - just don't know if he can do it. He gets so excited himself, he wants them in on the excitement too!

Can't wait to hear advice from veterans!!

 

[MrShiny]

I need some advice from those that have been to Disney at Christmas. Here are some questions:

1) Should we plan to swim in the WL pool? Weather unpredictable?
2) Which table service meals offer the best value for those that have the Entertainment Card which gives 20% discount? We do not plan to purchase the DDP.
3) What other things should we plan to do on 12/23, 12/24 and 12/25?

We have never been to Disney at Christmas and are looking forward to our first Christmas trip to Disney. Thanks and Go Vols!

Plan for anything weather wise. We went this year 12/19-12/23, it was great - mostly in the 70's. 12/15-12/19/2001, it was cool in the mornings, but still able to swin every day. 12/20-12/26/1999, it was freezing (almost)! 35 on Christmas morning, and no higher than 60 most of the trip.

You never can tell, but the last minute forecasts before you leave should give you an idea.

The crowds build leading up to Christmas, but it seems they are not really bad until Christmas day itself. Even then, when we went in '99, MK closed in the morning, but was open in the afternoon. After dinner, it was quite manageable. I did get caught at the end of Main Street when the parade ended, and was in wall to wall people.

We used both the DDE and the DDP and saved over $300 on a 4 nioght trip with 6 people (4 adults, 12 year old, 8 year old). The DDE will discount alcohol and the occasional thing not on the DDP. The DDP is a really good deal whe used for the Candlelight Processional dinner at Epcot.

For best value using the DDE alone, look for the buffets for sure (Boma and 'Ohana are my favorites along with Cape May and Liberty Tree).

If you go down early enough, the MVMCP is worth it (especially if you are not using AP's - you can do non park stuff in the morning and MVMCP at night without using a day on your park tickets).

Visiting the resorts is a must - they are really nicely decorated.

See the Osborne Lights at MGM and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot (dinner is worth it).

If you want to avoid crowds on the 24th or 25th, go for Animal Kingdom - it seems to be the least crowded as it has the least that is specific to Christmas.

Christmastime is great at WDW.