Could you do Disney over Christmas?

[hockey mom]

I just asked my kids if they would like to spend the holidays over Christmas one year and all 3 said no. I was surprised. They said they couldn't hace a Christmas with no snow.

 

[Emmyfaye]

We're heading south soon for our fifth Christmas at WDW - our kids have always loved our Christmas vacations at the "World"... however, we are often home at Christmas as well.

 

[juniorbugman]

Don't forget that Disney is the most special place in the whole world and can even make it snow in Florida.

 

[Cruisin]

yes, we have done Christmas in Florida quite a few times. It is kind of nice NOT having the snow.
We were once at MGM when it "snowed". That was very cool to see.

 

[disneykins]

Absolutely. Done it 3 times and heading down again in 3 weeks. The worst part is the expense. Everything is high season. But the atmosphere in the parks and at OKW is just like home--without the hassle of shovelling snow to get to parents and then in-laws, and kids visiting friends and cooking turkey and cleaning up after. Parents are getting older now so we'll probably stay closer to home in the future but its great to relax over the holidays. Of course we just move all the stress forward a few weeks and do all those things in early December. LOL.

 

[mbb]

...then again, I think we could do any time in Florida!!

 

[hockey mom]

Does everyone put a tree in their room and what about dragging down all the gifts? Just curious how everyone handles the holidays because I think I would like to try it one year as soon as I convince the kids. LOL
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[MikeJ]

We did 5 nights in a 2BR at BWV two years ago with my parents who live in Saskatchewan. They alternate Christmases between our place and my sister's in Yellowknife, so we figured we'd take the opportunity to do a Christmas in Florida before they're unable to travel. Echoing what Tony said about expense, we'd have never been able to afford it if we weren't DVC members.

We added little touches to make it feel like home. With the full kitchen in the room, we cooked our own (small) turkey on Christmas day. You could smell it all the way down the hall when we got back from the parks. We drove, so we took a small tabletop tree and our presents with us and opened them Christmas morning before going to MK. (We did take all the receipts just in case we had problems at the border.) My dad, who's rather stoic at best, came away from the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve with his eyes a little misty.

Even though we had no snow, it was probably one of the most memorable Christmases we've had.

- Mike

 

[mbb]

I'd take a tree, otherwise, might hit WalMart and get some kind of "Florida Tree", ie, no decorations!!LOL

Gifts...hmmm, probably one or two special things for the kids...whatever would fit in the "you can't open this" suitcase, otherwise, I would probably do some shopping there, only to drag it all back in the "why did I buy all this stuff" suitcase!!

 

[Emmyfaye]

Since we always drive, we always manage to cram a small artificial tree, mini lights and small decorations in the trunk of the car, as well as stocking stuffers and a few presents for the kids...and everything else is left at home and we have another present opening when we return.

Santa's presents came with us when the kids were younger.

We also take and hang the stockings and a few small room decorations (for example, things to hang from door knobs, etc).

All resorts have a Christmas dinner so you can have that festive meal wherever you are, if you stay onsite.

 

[MaMudduck]

In a heart beat!

In fact we've spend Christmas' ( prior to kids) in warm places before. I think it's something in my genes,( I was born way south). Christmas should be celebrated at the beach or WDW!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Maybe you could spend Christmas day here and then head down to WDW afterwards ... Or go before Christmas and then come back in time for Christmas day.

 

[eleanor]

WE went for Christmas one year and really enjoyed it. We made reservations at the hotel we were at {YC} for christmas dinner and I thought it was wonderful that for once I didnt have to do any cooking It is especially pretty at this time of year.

 

[dsneygirl]

Absolutely! We're going in early Dec this year but I would do it in a heartbeat! In fact DH and I plan on it in the future.

I guess it depends on your family, I'm no as fixated on Christmas as being Dec 25. If I celebrate with my family on the 28th or the 30th it's still Christmas to me.

And as for snow...I would rather be in my bathing suit

 

[Nagle]

We did 2 years ago. We had a great trip but it was odd somehow. Not necessarily the lack of snow, but the lack of the rest of the family that was weird. Not sure we will do it again anytime soon.

John

 

[DSNY FN]

Never couldn't do it and wouldn't want to I need to be home with all my family for X mas and not in Florida it wouldn't be right to have x mas in 25 degree weather.

 

[CdnMom2]

We left Christmas afternoon last year. Did present opening, usual morning festive routine with grandparent & were on our way driving to Florida just after lunch. Dec. 25 evening at hotel in Findlay, Ohio. Everyone was thrilled, lots of new activities for car, couple small gifts to open en route. Roads were really good.

Felt VERY Christmas-y at DisneyWorld & Universal with all the special decorations everywhere, those AMAZING Osborne lights, "snow" at MGM, Christmas-Around-World at Epcot, giant gingerbread carousel, The Grinch & Macy's Parade. We were actually surprised at how Christmas-y it felt. Kids actually had an eye opener to see that yes, Christmas still occurs without the possibility of snow. We've had many a brown-ish Christmas up here. Came home to FEET of snow in early January and kids had a blast playing in it the Sunday before returning to school.

And frankly, I LOVED not worrying about turkey dinner and trimmings last year. But yes, earlier part of December was VERY stressful.

 

[CdnMom2]

We would have loved to have had 25 degree weather there! It was quite cold and we were freezing the night we saw the Osborne lights. Too funny as they had cold/snow machines on at the street and we hardy Northerners with our Fall-weight jackets & stretchy mitts were complaining they should turn off the machines! Thank goodness the lights were as wonderful as they were.

The day before we had been at Blizzard Beach (its last day open before refurbishment) and again the theming the CM's had on was appropriate. It was deserted. Don't know if the CM's are always so grateful for (or always wearing) the parkas, gloves, & toques. But the kids still did swim -- briefly. We did a lot of walking around looking in our all-weather gear first.

 

[hockey mom]

Glad to hear so many enjoy it. I am starting to think we are never going to get snow anyway so we might as well be in sunny Florida.

 

[cassmat]

we left on Christmas Day!! All my family is hours away, so we get up, open the Santa presents and go.....Kind of depresing though, we take a picnic dinner to eat at our hotel and eat in their dining area!!
Kids have never complained, as it is a way of life!! I would really like Santa to arrive Christmas Eve around 7pm, so they could have the opening done, BUT I remember Christmas mornings and half the fun was getting up and doing the gifts!!