Christmas Week strategies/special events

[Terri Hunt]

So we're finally taking the plunge, going to WDW Christmas week. Yes, I know what many of you are thinking, but we're very frequent travelers to WDW and have gotten a taste of Christmas at WDW by having done Thanksgiving week and mid-December but never Christmas. We just did the Pandora opening day and faired very well, so we know how to deal with extreme crowds. We're long time DVC members and fairly extreme Disney planners, so we're starting to plan for the week. We'll do all our dining reservations 6 months out, utilize FP+ to the max, etc. WDW hotel is done and booked, we'll drive like always and now it's time to research those special events and things that are unique to this week. We're aware of a good number of special free and pay-for events that Disney runs in general, but Candlelight Processional aside, are there special events that typically run Christmas week? Having one or two of those as part of the weekly plan are always good respite from the chaos, but we're unfamiliar if Disney does any extra events that week or whether they do the opposite and shut all the extra events down to deal with the madness of the crowds.

Any information or insight would be much appreciated!

 

[stenmarks]

Christmas parade and MVMCP fireworks will run for all guests after the last party (usually the week before Christmas).

The crowds are high, there's no doubt, but we find that we can accomplish a lot in the first few hours after Rope Drop. We haven't done any of the add-ons during these weeks, so I can't speak to those. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For the events (CP, Jingle Jam if they hold it, any of the evening fireworks, etc.), you may want to consider booking the special packages (dining packages, dessert parties, etc.) to try to circumvent the crowds a bit. IMHO, CP is not a respite over Christmas week. The lines to get in are so long you can barely walk through the mid-section of WS. We went Christmas week two years ago and, though pricey, the best thing we did was Wild Africa Trek. We got an in-depth look at the AK savannah and avoided all crowds for the duration of the tour. Any tours available that week would help you circumvent the general park crowds.

 

[Terri Hunt]

Christmas parade and MVMCP fireworks will run for all guests after the last party (usually the week before Christmas).

The crowds are high, there's no doubt, but we find that we can accomplish a lot in the first few hours after Rope Drop. We haven't done any of the add-ons during these weeks, so I can't speak to those. Hope you have a great trip!

Thank you, wasn't aware the parade and fireworks continued post the final MVMCP, good to know.

 

[Terri Hunt]

Thank you, very helpful.

 

[Terri Hunt]

For the events (CP, Jingle Jam if they hold it, any of the evening fireworks, etc.), you may want to consider booking the special packages (dining packages, dessert parties, etc.) to try to circumvent the crowds a bit. IMHO, CP is not a respite over Christmas week. The lines to get in are so long you can barely walk through the mid-section of WS. We went Christmas week two years ago and, though pricey, the best thing we did was Wild Africa Trek. We got an in-depth look at the AK savannah and avoided all crowds for the duration of the tour. Any tours available that week would help you circumvent the general park crowds.

Now we're talking. Had forgotten about the CP dining packages, that's definitely right up our alley. We did a sunrise safari years ago when it was still offered with the included breakfast and that was fantastic, now convincing the fam to do the Wild Africa Trek may be easier given the break from the crowds and it likely won't be beastly hot to boot. Great idea, thank you.

 

[hakepb]

At least some Deluxe resorts (I've seen them in YC and BC) seem to have Character meet and greets and/or caroling in the lobby's, so you might see them in your DVC hotel in the afternoon.

MK often has 7am EMH openings all week, so there's not any real PPO breakfast opportunities.

 

[disneymagic2016]

Thank you all for the useful information. Which dining reservations would be recommended for Christmas, New Year's Eve and for New year morning breakfast or brunch or lunch? Thanx a lot in advance!!