Christmas @ WDW

[bcmba]

Spontaneously, we've decided to go to Disneyworld over Christmas (yikes - the busiest time of the year!).

I'm simply thrilled to have found a room at this late date. It's at the Boardwalk, which is not my home resort, but where I've often wanted to stay.

Thanks for letting me share my excitement! I've also got a question or two for anyone who can help me.

What are the "must do" things when you're there during the holidays?

If we go to the Christmas morning parade, when do we need to be at the parks. Is there a better or worse place to watch?

Any and all other suggestions are solicited.

 

[PamOKW]

Congratulations on getting a place to rest your head!

As far as the parade, several years ago they went to taping the parade in advance for television broadcast (I assume that's what you are asking about). There will be a regular parade that day at the regular time....I think it's around 3:00 p.m. but be sure to check. MK will be very crowded that day so if that's where you want to be, head over early and take WDW transportation. Very often the parking lots and/or the park closes to visitors periodically during the day.

The Theme Park Board can fill you in on "things to do" but among the highlights are seeing as many resort decorations as possible and catching the Candlelight Processional (you might want to look into whether dinner packages are still available).

Also, be sure to bring layers. It can sometimes get real cool during the day and downright cold at night. It might not happen, but it's better to have the gloves along with the bathing suit.

 

[Regina]

Congrats! We were at OKW for Christmas/NYE last year. It's an incredible experience.

They used to broadcast the Christmas parade live in the morning. Now it's taped.

The MK does get extremely crowded. If you want to start your day there, go first thing in the morning. If you want to see the parade (which will be at 2:00pm) from a prime spot, you're going to have to park yourself and guard your space for hours.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

We go to Disney at that time of year every time we go.... It's a wonderful time. You might get some cold days and yucky rain, but I have found the weather to be very pleasant that time of year. We have been able to swim in 75 degree temperatures most of the trips, but it is safe to bring layers and a rain slicker just in case.

I love the Candlelight Processional and the Dinner Package included w/ it is really nice. The Osborne Light Display at MGM is wonderful to walk thru while sipping hot chocolate, but I heard on the boards this will not be open this year, but if you go again at that time in the future, I think it is a must-see. The Spectromagic parade usually runs at the MK on weekends this time of year and it is a marvelous parade all done w/ lights. The Christmas Parade is really great and if you just want to see the parade and have a great spot for it, you can go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and watch it that evening. Some of the floats are harder to see due to the darkness, but it's not that bad in visibility and it saves you the crowds. Plus, MVMCP is a wonderful treat, if you can afford it. It is in the evening after the MK closes.... it snows on Main Street, has a Christmas Parade and Fireworks and only allows 20,000 people into the park which cuts down on the crowds considerably. And so the ride lines are a lot less as well. If you want to see the Parade during the "shooting" for Christmas Day, you must get there early and they keep stopping and starting the parade for the cameras. I enjoyed seeing Regis and Kelly and had a wonderul seat on a bench by the Main Street Christmas Tree. If you want to see the parade ON Christmas Day.... now that will be VERY busy. Get there early and sit and sit and sit until it begins.

Blizzard Beach is also fun because it is themed like a melting ski resort, appropriate for the season. Lastly, the must sees are all of the wonderful tree lighting ceremonies, the wonderful decorations (esp. the light display you walk under to get from Future World to the World Showcase in EPCOT and the fountains in Future World in EPCOT) and the skits thrown by each country in the World Showcase regarding their celebration of Christmas. Those are really neat to see. Most of these you just stumple upon, but were some of the most enjoyable moments our family had. Go the opposite way of the crowds and you'll be surprised of what you will see.

I hope you enjoy your stay! I'll be thinking of you.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Disney Enthusiast
Lastly, the must sees are all of the wonderful tree lighting ceremonies, the wonderful decorations.......

 

[Cruelladeville]

Christmas is the most wonderful time of year to go--if you have gone to Disney before. It's not the time to go for the first time, since the crowds are a shock, and it can be difficult to go on the rides without a huge wait. I love it, though--it truly is magical!

In addition to the above, go to Epcot for the tree lighting and the Christmas music. They have these wonderful arches covered in lights, and they are timed to the music. For example, the yellow lights are the violins, the blue are the horns, and so on, so you can SEE the music, and the music gets brighter as the music gets louder, and gets dimmer for the quieter sections of the music. It was my favorite thing, besides the candlelight processional, and the Osbourne Festival of Lights. Also, visit the resorts. Each one decorates in such a unique manner--BC is awesome, as is GF, and Santa visits in the lobby before Christmas. And you have never seen so much red in your life! Disney must have bought about a million pointsettias, which are everywhere. A friend of mine went about 3 or 4 years ago when the temp was about 34 degrees, and they replaced the pointsettias every few hours, so they never looked wilted from the cold. Believe me, that's A LOT of pointsettias!!!