Christmas Strategies

[Toadlover]

When I was 10 years old, my family of about 20 went to Disney World- Magic Kingdom and Epcot then. (EPCOT had just opened two months before!) It was right at Christmas time. I remember the crowds and the long waits. Now, we are planning another Christmas trip, though with 11 of us this time. (We leave the 19th and get back a few weeks later.) We've been many times before, but we need some Christmas-time pointers. We've never been with the new wristband system, for example. How can we work this to our advantage? I understand that no matter what we do we are in for peak times. (As evidenced in how much our hotel will cost for one thing!) I just want some pointers to soften and make an even more magical time at the parks a little easier. Thanks!

 

[vatali]

1) Do the things you HAVE to do leading up to the 24th

2) do not set the expectation that what you experience 19-24 will be what it is going after

3) Get Fastpasses

4) Relax, because no one else will.

5) enjoy the Christmas time at the parks, it truly is magical at Christmas

6) don't be scared of what everyone will tell you. Yes, it will be roe crowded than anyone can ever explain, but you are there, and you need to enjoy it

7) make time to be outside the parks, with the expectations that you wont be back in until after dinner

8) stay up late. really late. abuse the EMH evening hours. from say, 10pm to 2am will be magical

9) schedule your meals as downtime. Lines will be long, and sitting down and eating dinner for 1 1/2 hours while people are swarming by will make the relaxation feel much better.

 

[jco_direwolf]

Christmas day the parks will open early VERY VERY Early, I think last year the first set of "We are in MK" was post by 6am. The parts will be crowded and get worst as people in central FLA decide they have had enough family together time.

as a PP said, plan on 25 being a walk around and soak up the environment day. If you do something just do it because you "Want to" not because it's "Planned" get your FP+ (I would even shoot for getting FP+ for A&E, just think it would be fun to visit on a super crowded busy crazy day.)

But really do NOT expect to be able to do much that day.

 

[Toadlover]

Thanks for your reply!

1. What do you mean by do the things we have to do?

2. What happens on the 25th and after? I know the prices all go up on the 19th or so.

3. Fastpasses were around last time we were there, but now they're on your wristband which we've never used. You have to remember which rides you fastpassed, I guess?

4. Good advice!!

5. Yay. That's why we're going when we are.

6. My memory from when I was 10 was of Spaceship Earth (When it had just opened 2 months prior, mind you) and waiting in a 2-hour line!

7. We will probably do some swimming or just plain downtime during the middle of the day. We were talking about getting up and getting to the parks as early as possible and then when we can stay as late as possible. Obviously, on the same day this would wear us out, but as much as we can. I know my kids will all be teenagers by the time we go and they'll love the EMH until 2 a.m.

8. See above.

9. We are planning on doing as many meals as we can at our cabin. Eating every meal at the parks gets way expensive. That's not to say we won't eat at the parks, though, just not every meal every day. We probably will come back when its really busy and rest or swim and then go back out for the evening.

10. As far as the wristbands go, right now you can only fastpass three attractions, is that right? And I want to keep my kids from charging to the room. I don't even know if *I* want to charge to my room. We'll see . This is going to be one expensive trip! Its their birthday presents (sept ,oct and oct) and xmas rolled into one.

11. As far as the wrist bands, when you fast pass, you do that on your laptop before you leave in the morning? Are the ticket machines for that gone now? Boy its been a while since we've been! My first time in 1982, we had paper admission tickets for our whole stay that they punched!

 

[Toadlover]

Christmas day the parks will open early VERY VERY Early, I think last year the first set of "We are in MK" was post by 6am. The parts will be crowded and get worst as people in central FLA decide they have had enough family together time.

as a PP said, plan on 25 being a walk around and soak up the environment day. If you do something just do it because you "Want to" not because it's "Planned" get your FP+ (I would even shoot for getting FP+ for A&E, just think it would be fun to visit on a super crowded busy crazy day.)

But really do NOT expect to be able to do much that day.

Wow six a.m.!

What is A&E?

I think that day we should get there asap then go home for a while. My mom went a few years ago and got on Dumbo first thing in the morning.

 

[jco_direwolf]

Thanks for your reply!

1. What do you mean by do the things we have to do?

ie our Epcot day is the 25th and we HAVE to ride Soarin.
or my Daughter will be crushed if we can't do it's a small world 8 times before lunch.

2. What happens on the 25th and after? I know the prices all go up on the 19th or so.

Busiest week of they year for Disney. They regularly reach various phases of closed that week, not just Christmas day but that whole week it dances around capacity. All the kids are off from school, people are visiting grand-parents, etc...

3. Fastpasses were around last time we were there, but now they're on your wristband which we've never used. You have to remember which rides you fastpassed, I guess?

If you have a smart phone you can use MDE to look it up, or any FP line can scan your band and tell you.

4. Good advice!!

5. Yay. That's why we're going when we are.

6. My memory from when I was 10 was of Spaceship Earth (When it had just opened 2 months prior, mind you) and waiting in a 2-hour line!

I've seen 45 minute waits typically in the morning. It's the first attraction people coming in the Main/Front Gate get to so there is a lot Oh lets stop here.

7. We will probably do some swimming or just plain downtime during the middle of the day. We were talking about getting up and getting to the parks as early as possible and then when we can stay as late as possible. Obviously, on the same day this would wear us out, but as much as we can. I know my kids will all be teenagers by the time we go and they'll love the EMH until 2 a.m.

8. See above.

9. We are planning on doing as many meals as we can at our cabin. Eating every meal at the parks gets way expensive. That's not to say we won't eat at the parks, though, just not every meal every day. We probably will come back when its really busy and rest or swim and then go back out for the evening.

10. As far as the wristbands go, right now you can only fastpass three attractions, is that right? And I want to keep my kids from charging to the room. I don't even know if *I* want to charge to my room. We'll see . This is going to be one expensive trip! Its their birthday presents (sept ,oct and oct) and xmas rolled into one.

you can put charging privileges on some or all of the bands. I think bands for kids under 10 automatically have it disabled.

11. As far as the wrist bands, when you fast pass, you do that on your laptop before you leave in the morning? Are the ticket machines for that gone now? Boy its been a while since we've been! My first time in 1982, we had paper admission tickets for our whole stay that they punched!

You can do it from a Smart Phone or Tablet with an App, or via a computer with the website, or the concierge at the resort, or roaming FP+ CM with a iPad, or kiosks about the parks.

 

[jco_direwolf]

Wow six a.m.!

What is A&E?

Frozen Queen Elsa, and her sister Princess Anna

 

[Toadlover]

ie our Epcot day is the 25th and we HAVE to ride Soarin.
or my Daughter will be crushed if we can't do it's a small world 8 times before lunch.



Busiest week of they year for Disney. They regularly reach various phases of closed that week, not just Christmas day but that whole week it dances around capacity. All the kids are off from school, people are visiting grand-parents, etc...


If you have a smart phone you can use MDE to look it up, or any FP line can scan your band and tell you.



I've seen 45 minute waits typically in the morning. It's the first attraction people coming in the Main/Front Gate get to so there is a lot Oh lets stop here.

you can put charging privileges on some or all of the bands. I think bands for kids under 10 automatically have it disabled.



You can do it from a Smart Phone or Tablet with an App, or via a computer with the website, or the concierge at the resort, or roaming FP+ CM with a iPad, or kiosks about the parks.

So its good to go as early as possible so they don't turn you away at the gate?

We will have at least one iphone and an ipad and probably a laptop so we'll be covered.

I don't think I'll let my kids charge. That sounds like a surprise I don't need on the way home.


You have given me something to think about. We'll have to think of the attraction that we must do on Christmas day. Hmm.... Give it some thoughts. Something like Carousel of Progress wouldn't be that busy, I wouldn't think, but maybe we will be at EPCOT that day. We'll have to plan that out.

 

[jco_direwolf]

So its good to go as early as possible so they don't turn you away at the gate?

Disney does Phased Closing. They never really turn anyone away the just "hold you" at checkpoints.

the phases are roughly-
1. no one coming in from off-site (you are held at the parking lot/TTC)
2. no one new guests (you can hop from another park)
3. no one coming in without a reason (FP+ or ADR or BBB appointment etc)
4. no one coming in

On-site guests are excepted from from phases 1 and 2. Also the phases don't "lock in" or anything, once enough people say "Wow this is crasy I'm leaving" and it drops below a low water mark they drop from phase 2 to 1 or from phase 1 to open.

 

[Toadlover]

Also, how much are meals these days? I mean just a hamburger in Tomorrowland kind of thing? I know it can get pricey from there. We will eat at the parks sometimes, but most times we'll eat at our cabin, or bring a lunch. Even with the packages, eating every meal at the parks is just too expensive. I just want to know for the handful of times we will be eating in the parks.

 

[Toadlover]

I am looking at disney's official site but can't find the meal packages price listed. Are they that expensive?

 

[siskaren]

You can find menus with prices at allears.net.

I would also highly recommend checking out easywdw.com.

 

[Toadlover]

Thanks!

 

[Toadlover]

Wow! is it ever expensive to eat at disney! Why did I never notice this until now? I've been to disney at least 10 times before. Maybe because my kids weren't all (going to be) teenagers when we went!

 

[monique5]

Use of booking 3 FP+ prior to trip is a must for Christmas. On-site guests, 60D & offsite guests, 30D prior to arrival day. Here is the thread on all things FP+. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3143281

Also, check out the links in mesaboy2's signature (above thread/website/link), green & blue links. Great info on My Magic+ & Magic Bands.

 

[Crl1817]

You might check crowd calendars and plan which park to visit which days. We have decided to go to Animal Kingdom on Christmas Day. Less iconically Disney, but also less busy.

If you want any sit down meals, I'd suggest making advanced dining reservations ASAP. You can make them as much as 180 days in advance and they book up quickly at busy times, especially popular places.

 

[Planogirl]

Wow! is it ever expensive to eat at disney! Why did I never notice this until now? I've been to disney at least 10 times before. Maybe because my kids weren't all (going to be) teenagers when we went!

It's expensive to feed teens! I feel your pain.

I love the advice here. We've been during that time and it's definitely wise to plan as much as possible.

 

[micminnieapolis]

I'm starting to push some panic buttons for you! We've been to WDW every year for 38 years and are also planning a Christmas trip for this year. The Christmas season is a whole different ballgame -- the busiest time of the year and it's wonderful. The good news is that you're not taking young children. I' ve been reading the disboards (about a half hour a day now) on everything from park strategies, restaurants, fp+, MBs, and other things to do. I have reservations (ADRs) for meals - not everyday yet but the ones we really want. We've looked at the hours posted for our days and planned our days for the parks so we can make some fp plans. We will visit every hotel just to see the marvelous decorations. After all of these visits I still try to surprise my grown-up kids with something special - usually a restaurant we haven' t been to yet. Get your kids to look at the boards and info and pick out what' s important for them - you really have to go in with some kind of plan. That goes for money too. Our kids had charging privileges from about 7 yeas old - really convenient when they wanted an ice cream at the pool and Ididn' t have to jump up from my pool chair and go get it for them ! As they became teens, they had firm dollar amounts put on their privileges. To this day we do not pay for their alchoholic drinks ( they do buy for us though!) Or their coffee specialties. You're right about food - Disney put in the food plans and have caused food prices to go up so we will be looking at meals in the room, Earl of Sandwich, and counter service. Your teens should love the dance parties on NYE and the late hours. Allearsnet.com is my favorite place to look at menues and ,yes, we even surprised our daughter with a princess breakfast when she was 18! Keep those teens busy!

I'm a teacher and when I have students going to WDW I always mark up maps of things I know they won't want to miss and best places to stand for fireworks. Planning is really important for a good trip and especially for the Christmas season. Keep plugging away, set some plans, use MDE ( tricky but a nice place to see how everything is shaping up), and then go and have a good time.

 

[Julylady]

You have gotten some really good advice. I'll just add a couple more things. Don't try to tour the parks as a large group. The pathways will be very very crowded and it will be hard to stay together. Stick with groups of 3-4.

Plan your fast passes wisely. They may be the only rides you do all day.

Make ADRs for table service meals. We once waited 60 minutes in line to order counter service at Electric Umbrella on NYE. Some table service options are only a few $$$ more than counter including the Plaza, Sci Fi. If you must eat counter service consider going to a hotel food court. We like to take the boat to Wilderness Lodge for example.

Make the trip about enjoying each other's company during the holidays in a magical spot. If you are focused on getting your money's worth or having to experience every ride/attraction you are in for a miserable time.

I would seriously consider NOT going to a park on the actual holiday. Maybe plan a tour of the resorts to see the decorations? Let the kids explore the arcades at each hotel? Or maybe take in a movie at downtown Disney or get tickets to la nouba?

We have always let our teens have charging privileges with the room key and now the bands. We give them guidelines and make it clear that they will reimburse us if they go outside the lines. They can charge one counter service meal and one snack a day. They are also allowed to buy water if it's hot. Kids have to learn to be responsible with credit and this is a teachable moment. It's always worked for us.

Have a great time!

 

[CAL2]

hi, on the days when you don't want to leave the park there are ways to cut the cost of eating down, Cosmic Rays and Pecco Bills (MK) are good places to eat as they have a fixings bar, so you could order a double burger add on an extra bun and you instantly have two meals for around $13 and you can then add all the fixing onto the burger, salad, mushrooms, onions etc. also they do the half chicken and rib combo(C.R only) so one could have chick, the other ribs (comes with mash potato's and French beans.)

there are many lovely quick service places that serve a good variety of food for around $10-$14 that can be shared (or not)

I'm not sure if it is still there but at liberty square market there is a stall that sells potato jackets and sweet potato jackets with butter & cheese for around $3.50.

and don't forget you can bring your own food into the parks.

hope this helps a little

cal