Christmas trip strategy- WWYD?

[leebee]

DH and I are planning a Christmas trip (12/21-12/27) but it's not strictly a Disney trip. If it was up to me, it'd be onsite, in the parks, all week, but DH is not a huge fan AND needs some down time, so we are "compromising." Staying offsite at Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace at Disney Springs. We'll do a day at Universal, a day at KSC, and have some time "off," but I am trying to decide what to do about Disney. I think my choices are a one-day park hopper (AK, then Epcot) or 2 one-day base passes (still probably AK and Epcot; I don't think MK at Christmas is the best choice for DH, hahaha!). Accustomed to buying multi-day or package-tied passes, I find the prices to be absurdly stupid for these tickets, but, whatever. I just don't know what to expect for crowds and flexibility. Would you do the one-day park hoppers or two day base tickets? Any other ticket suggestions that won't totally break the bank? (I'd LOVE to do 2 day PH, but now we are talking about taking out a second mortgage to pay for them, hahaha!)

 

[TravelandLeisure]

I would do 2 day base passes. I feel like with the Christmas crowds it will be too much trouble to try to hop between parks in just one day. Also, 2 days at Disney is definitely better than one. I think you’ll get a lot more done over 2 separate days.

Good luck! We’ll be there 12/19-26. I’m looking forward to it!

 

[leebee]

I would do 2 day base passes. I feel like with the Christmas crowds it will be too much trouble to try to hop between parks in just one day. Also, 2 days at Disney is definitely better than one. I think you’ll get a lot more done over 2 separate days.

Good luck! We’ll be there 12/19-26. I’m looking forward to it!

Thanks! I am looking forward to it also. Although my plans are currently what's outlined above, I also have a reservation for a free dining package at ASMusic. Honestly, if they had queen or king beds and a really nice pool/pool bar area (think AKL) we probably would have stuck with that, but this is supposed to be a delayed 25th anniversary trip and we decided we wanted something nicer than the craziness of the AllStars and 2 double beds in the small room!

 

[TwinkleKS]

Is there still availability at ASMovies? All of their rooms are now the refurbished ones with queen beds - just throwing that out there.

To minimize the crazy, do the Disney days at the first of your trip - like the 22nd and 23rd. The crowds always get progressively worse until NYE.

 

[verleniahall]

pop can queen beds

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

I'd do the 2 day base tickets.
I know you said you don't think your DH could handle the crowds at MK...but MK has the Christmas parade and Christmas stage shows (and probably the new fireworks too) going on daily from day after the last MVMCP through NYE. Just something else to think about.

 

[Katiegrose]

I would second trying for All Star Movies or Pop. There are some rooms that are King (but may all be handicap rooms), but even if you get the 2 queens, putting the murphy bed up would make the room feel more spacious. You can always resort hop and spend time at the lobby/bars, especially with the decorations. I just prefer stay on property when available. Either way, it will be a Magical trip.

 

[mickey1968]

I think you should give ASMovies or Pop Century a try. They are not fancy but the newly renovated rooms are very nicely set up, especially for one or two people. I have stayed in the new rooms at Pop now a half a dozen times and it is my home base. Plus, now you will have the skyliner transportation to DHS and Epcot.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Maybe one day at Epcot, and the other day split between DHS and AK? It's not as good as when they had the Osborne Lights, but DHS is still really nice with the Christmas light and music show projected on the Tower. I was there last year around that time and enjoyed it. BTW, even though not specific to the holiday season, KSC is also well worth a day.

 

[leebee]

Maybe one day at Epcot, and the other day split between DHS and AK? It's not as good as when they had the Osborne Lights, but DHS is still really nice with the Christmas light and music show projected on the Tower. I was there last year around that time and enjoyed it. BTW, even though not specific to the holiday season, KSC is also well worth a day.

I think we are going to avoid DHS for this trip, with StarWars just having opened. I suspect DHS might be as crowded at MK!! We are also going to KSC; we really enjoy it there and haven't been in probably 10 years. DH's undergrad degree is in physics, and he has a very good friend who actually WAS a rocket scientist at KSC; we are meeting up with him on our KSC day!

 

[TinkerPan]

I would keep the hotel arrangements you have. Like you said, this trip isn't a Disney trip and your husband needs some time away from the crazy crowds that are Disney this time of year. You'll have a bigger nicer room, and likely more quiet neighbors.

As for the parks, I'd go with two days using base tickets. Hopping this time of year sounds stressful. It seems your husband wants to go at a slower pace, and who can blame him. If I had to choose one park I'd do Animal kingdom. Disney Springs offers lots of good dining choices so you don't really need Epcot so much. Just saying...

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I think we are going to avoid DHS for this trip, with StarWars just having opened. I suspect DHS might be as crowded at MK!! We are also going to KSC; we really enjoy it there and haven't been in probably 10 years. DH's undergrad degree is in physics, and he has a very good friend who actually WAS a rocket scientist at KSC; we are meeting up with him on our KSC day!

We went in Dec 2016, and did the Dine With an Astronaut lunch. We loved it! The buffet actually had quality food, and they let everyone who wasn't in a big tour group go first so that the (well-behaved) middle-schoolers who were visiting en masse didn't scoop up all the best stuff before we ever got a chance. (The buffet staff even encouraged us to take big servings and multiple desserts because as the voices of experience they knew we wouldn't get a second pass at the dessert table because the students would clear them out.) I called it the KSC Character Meal, because you line up and get your photo with the day's Astronaut (who does a presentation during the meal) just like with a princess.