Christmas Tips & Tricks

[Cdn Gal]

OK I know that Christmas is CRAZY and INSANE- but... we're going next year. So, what are your best tips and tricks for surviving Christmas at Disney? (we will be staying off site at Bonnet Creek- if that helps at all) Thank-you for all of your expert advice!!

 

[Robo]

(we will be staying off site at Bonnet Creek- if that helps at all)

Staying offsite can cause you some extra problems at Christmastime.

 

[BradyBz12]

There are a bunch of "Christmas at WDW" threads floating around right now. Here's one very recent discussion, and if you give the search feature a whirl you should turn up a bunch more...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2358420 (keep reading through to page 2 for good experiences/advice)

Best generic advice is to have a really good touring plan, arrive at rope drop, use FPs, make your ADRs as soon as the window opens up for your trip (walk ups will be virtually impossible) and above all else, have realistic expectations about what you'll be able to do and how crowded it will be (there will be lines for EVERYTHING - incl., food, bathrooms, shopping...)

Robo's right that being offsite presents a challenge, particularly if parks close to capacity (MK & AK did yesterday, MK has closed already today)

The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

 

[princess lovers mom]

most of the best tips and tricks involve staying on site....can you change those plans???

you need to get to the parks at rope drop - plan on riding and seeing shows until about 11am and then suggested you go back to room for rest or tour the resorts to see decorations...

make your dining reservations at the 180 day mark

realize that you will be the first not allowed in if the park closes for capacity - so get there early and plan to stay - you may not get back in....

if you are planning on staying offsite and sleeping in and getting into the parks around 11 you may have a very sad vacation.......fast passes will be gone, park may be closed

 

[Cdn Gal]

Can't stay on site- we own at Bonnet Creek- and our friends are anxious to stay there and 'try it out.' I have been reading the threads as mentioned and to be honest- I'm a little bit worried!! I really do hope that it will all work out!

 

[princess lovers mom]

I think the only way it will work is if you leave your timeshare very early to ensure that you are parked and at the gate of your selected park well ahead of when you can get in - to make sure you get in and then stay there all day !!!

sorry, but if your friends are going on this trip to "check out" the timeshare - sounds already like you may be in the wrong frame of mind to have a reasonable trip over this time period.....it requires a lot of time to be spent in the parks....

you could always take another approach and enjoy the resorts more - for meals etc and look at decorations there....

but if you plan on sleeping in - going to the parks - head back for a swim or activities and then thinking about going back to the parks in the evening - doubt that will work...you need to invest the time in gathering fast passes early and strategically planning attack.....can't be done in a few hours....

 

[BradyBz12]

Can't stay on site- we own at Bonnet Creek- and our friends are anxious to stay there and 'try it out.' I have been reading the threads as mentioned and to be honest- I'm a little bit worried!! I really do hope that it will all work out!

It's really going to come down to what everyone's expectations are. If you're looking for a leisurely time where you can just walk up and choose a restaurant at will, an environment where it's not wall-to-wall people, or the ability to ride a lot of rides... definitely NOT a good time to go.

But if you are ok with doing a fair bit of planning ahead of time (ADR tip is a must for TS meals), getting to the parks early to ensure you get in and possibly needing to stay in the parks to avoid being shut out later (closures Mon/Tues were between 11am and 3pm), being fine with doing maybe your top 3-5 attractions each day (with anything else being a bonus), and overall just enjoying the being in WDW at Christmas, you can have a lovely time.