Christmas - who's been and whats it like!

[snookhams]

We are considering a Christmas trip with the Children next year, DH says he's not bothered about the time of the year but concerned about the crowds, I'm not sure that I would want to go to a theme park on Christmas Day, but how busy does it stay in the parks right after Christmas, do the parks get really busy on new year as well? On the same vein do villa owners have the house decorated or would we need to get a tree oursleves- it just wouldn't be christmas without a tree? I just though that it would be nice to experience an American Christmas and we would possiibly keep it a secret from boys who will be 14 and 10 by then!!!! Hope you can help me with your experiences and wether it is worth it - after Charley not to sure that we would want to go in hurricane season again!

 

[jockey]

Have not spent Christmas at WDW but have been the 1st three weeks in December and it's great!! The weather is lovely, crowds are low (but pick up around the 16th Dec) and there's usually sales on in most stores!. We are going back December next year, but will be home for Christmas!

I have heard that Christmas day is MK's busiest day of the year!

 

[Camac]

We went to Disney last Christmas, me DH, DD(13) & DS(10) from 16th Dec to 1st Jan 04. We found that the week before Christmas was very quiet in the parks - 5 minute queues at most but from Christmas Eve onwards it was very busy - Magic Kingdom was closed by 11am on Christmas Day and on NYE.

We had been told it would be this way and so we did the Disney parks the first week, just running back into MGM to do Fantasmic one last time on 30th Dec, and visited Universal, IOA and Seaworld the second week. We tried to get to the parks by 8.15, do the big rides early, have a wonder and get out by lunchtime. then we did a bit of shopping or rested by the pool.

The weather was very cold on arrival, frost was forecast and we wrapped up well in hats, scaves and gloves - essential for the late night parades. By the time we left on NY day it was 82 and very hot. We had no rain during our stay.

We stayed in Holiday Inn and had no decorations but would recommend a tour around the Disney resorts to view their wonderful Christmas decorations - surpurb!

Christmas Day we spent at Discovery Cove which was a wonderful way to spend Christmas. I was concerned about what to do for NYE bearing in mind the crowds so settled for a quiet morning at the pool, a bit of shopping in the afternoon at 6.30 we went over to Wilderness Lodge for drinks and took the boat to the 9.30pm Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review. Had a great time there and made it back to Wilderness Lodge in time to see the NYE fireworks reflected in the lake. Some people had been crammed into parks since 10am that morning and were exhausted but we all really enjoyed our NYE celebrations.

 

[allie5]

We have taken the plunge and are going for Christmas this year. We have been in December before, but early in the month. We know that the parks will be lovely and quiet up till about the 22nd / 23rd so are going to do all the parks we want in the weeks before (we arrive on the 9th) and although we will pop into MK on Christmas Day, we wont be staying long! Our final week will be spent shopping, trips to the Gulf Coast, Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach etc.

The owners of the villa we rent dont provide Xmas decs, but have told us that the Walmart sell a ready decorated tree for about $20. DH will also string up a couple of cheap sets of fairy lights as well!

I would say it is a magical time to go, but that a good plan will be essential. If possible try and go for 3 weeks as you will get the best of both worlds...lovely quiet parks in the early weeks, then all the Christmas "buzz" as the big day approaches!

If you do decide to do it, then one piece of advice I would give is BOOK EARLY! We booked in April and got some of the last remaining seats on the flight. Its a very popular time to visit, and seats get booked fast, especially if you want to travel with one of the scheduled airlines like Virgin or BA.

 

[snookhams]

Thank you for all the help, definetly think that we might take the plunge and book for Christmas, I don't know that mine and youngest DS nerves could take another hurricane season trip. I think that I would have to get some decorations, to make it really like Christmas and love the idea of DC on Christmas Day what a truly magical present to ourselves. I think that I will have a look at flights and villa options. Thanks again.

 

[Hilary]

We haven't been at Christmas, but went one year on Dec 28th for a week over NY.

It's definitely a worthwhile experience to see all the decorations, parades, etc., but it is very busy in all the parks. You need a plan and also to be prepared to change the plan if necessary! You also need to be prepared for any weather (although hopefully not hurricanes!) as it can do just about anything at that time of year.

I'll echo the advice about booking early, and I just love the sound of DC on Christmas Day - magical

 

[Goofyish]

I'm really looking forward to next Christmas now

 

[peanut67]

We are going this xmas for a few different reasons.

1. My other half is not very good with very hot weather so this seemed to be the best time

2. I work in school so have no choice in when to take holidays.

3. Cheaper in the long run....my dd and ds do not know we are going so we will be not buying presents this year...they will not know that on xmas day they will be getting £100 worth of $'s but thats still cheaper than normally. No big shop at Asdas cos the shops will never be open ever again and no booze run just incase uncle so and so turns up unannouced also my other half will save about £20 on buying me a present and I will save around £200 on his present .

so in the long run I think we will save money going at this time.

Angie

 

[Miffy2003]

I like your logic there, Angie!

 

[Twinks]

We go every Christmas. Wake up Christmas morning, open our stockings and then over to the terminal to check in. We love it

Only 58 sleeps to go!!!!!!!

 

[pauldolling]

We have booked for next Christmas (2005), this will be our 1st Christmas visit

 

[danandjackie]

we are there this christmas after a fantastic christmas in dlp last year( http://community.webshots.com/user/danny_jackie )..From the 25th to Ny the parks are very busy, especially for children, however if you arive early and take advantage of early entry if your on site(thats 7.00am entry this year), you can easily get all your rides done and then fast pass redone before the crowds build up...

Just a couple of other points...When its this busy make sure you arrive early, MK will usually hit capacity and close.

Dont go to MK on Christmas DAy with Children,personally I love it when the parks are busy but its only the two of us..

Make your PS's as early as possible.

Book Fantasmic and the CP in Epcot as dinner packages unless you want to wait inline for hours.

Remember the parks will be open to 11pm so you can call back after 8pm and ride with shorter lines..

Remember most fast passes will have all gone by 11am

As mentioned above christmas before the 23rd though is a quite time and possibly a good time to visit, but as we run our own business its not an option for us