Christmas Tips

[topsy]

Hi everyone,

I asked a few questions on other threads about Christmas but can't find them so I thought I'd make one thread where all Christmas tips could be listed together!

Here's my dillemma...as I am a Disney freak and pride myself on knowing most things Disney, I have been asked by some friends for advice about going to WDW at Christmas time. However, I have never been there for the holidays so don't really have any advice! That's where you lovely people come in....if anyone has any tips/advice etc about the following, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a comment.

Thank you!

About them: They will be going to WDW for 2 weeks, it is their FIRST EVER VISIT and they will be staying on-site (not sure where yet though). They will be there for Christmas Day and New Years Eve and have two boys aged 15 and 17.

Advice needed:

1. Best time to visit the parks?
2. Best plan of action on CHristmas Day (is it worth going to the parks or avoiding them?)
3. Other non-Disney must sees at Christmas
4. Good places to eat?
5. Special events they should catch (I've mentioned MVMCP to them)
6. Any other general tips you have!

 

[happymommy]

I would warn them - this is the super busiest time of the year!

With planning and preparation, they will have a wonderful time!!!!

They should go with a good attitude - things will be crowded, so if you are in a positive mindset, you will have fun! If little things can annoy you, it will make you grumpy (ha ha).

We did this timeframe once, but had been so many times, that we just chilled and took it all in stride.

I'd have them get themselves some good guide books first. Passporter is wonderful, and the Unofficial Guide (I forget the author) is full of good information. They really do need to do their reading!

They need to have their dining plans ready - plan each day! It is better to have a dinner or lunch reservation and not use it, than to have no reservation and be left out! Or be flexible, call disney dining in the morning and ask what is available that day. With flexibility, you never know what may come up.

Go early! The parks fill up fast, but early is better! That way if it gets to be too crowded by early afternoon, they can take a break and go back to their resort.

I'm sure others have more advice, but I think if they get themselves some good books and study them (give them tests, ha) they'll have a magical time.

 

[The Hendies]

Sounds crazy, but schedule in a No Park Day. The resorts themselves can keep you busy all day. Resort hop over to Poly for a drink on the beach, take a bus to AK and go to an observation point to see the animals, take the boat ride around from Boardwalk to DHS, then EPCOT, and back to starting point. Other ideas for the teens, DisneyQuest or a round of mini golf. I have known some to even hop to other resort pools. I know Disney frowns on this, but I have known people to do it and not have an issue.

 

[happymommy]

I definitely agree about visiting other resorts!

We have had breakfast at the Wilderness Lodge twice - it's fun. Also dinner at Boma is a great experience! First time we did that (we were staying elsewhere, I think maybe the Boardwalk Villas or the Contemporary at the time) I said I definitely wanted to come stay at the AKL some day!

I would be cautious about pool hopping. I've never done it, not really wanted to, and I've been asked for our resort ID several times when they are busy. I know since it will be a busy time, I'd not even try! It would be embarrassing to be asked to leave, since it's not allowed.

There is nothing wrong with sitting at the pool bar and enjoying a beverage and the atmosphere, though.

Also, if the buses are really crowded, and you're going from one resort to another, or some way that will require transferring to another bus or something, cabs come in handy during busy times. New Years Eve we took an illuminations cruise (fun!) and then took a cab from the Yacht Club to AKL (where we were staying). It was only about $15 or so, and so worth it! They had cabs right there, and we were back in a just a few minutes.

 

[topsy]

Thanks for your replies, I'll pass everything on. Were either of you there for Christmas day at all? I think that's the on they're really thinking about. They can't decide if they should stay in th ehotel, exchange gifts and have a nice meal or go into the parks to soak up the atmosphere.

 

[mareed]

I strongly recommend signing up for TourGuideMike and setting aside some time to read the info there and plan days out. That will include a recommendation about what to do for XMAS day as well as all other days on the trip. We've been twice before over XMAS and will be there again this year. It's insanely busy, but quite manageable with TGM info and especially with a long 2 week trip, which is what we also do!

 

[Kristineamb]

I had never used TGM before but I used him for our Christmas 2007 trip because I wanted to be as prepared as possible!
We spent Christmas eve @EPCOT had the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package (ate @Biergarten...the floor show incorporated the reason for the season...told the story behind the song Silent Night )
We had a leisurely morning at our resort Christmas morning, opening presents etc...sometime after lunch we visited the monorail resorts to see their decorations and take pictures (GF had lemonade, cookies and chestnuts roasting on an open fire!) we ended up @WL where we had a dinner ADR @Artist's Point...the lodge is our favorite resort and the lobby decorations were gorgeous! Mickey & Minnie were in the lobby for pictures! We had no intention of going to any parks Christmas day but after dinner my DB and DSIL decided to check out MK...it had to be after 8pm...they got in without a problem and said it wasn't too crowded...