Crazy Idea-Disneyworld Christmas 2010

[pistonfan32]

We are DVC owners at OKW. We have a vacation planned for mid-January at AKV-Kidani for 5 days. I was just thinking about something special to do around Christmas this year and I thought about spending 2 or 3 days at WDW from 12/21-12/24. The idea is just to take in the Christmas spirit at WDW since we have never done that before. I am sure I will not be able to find a DVC room but I can always stay off site if I have to. Airfare is reasonable. I will get nailed on park tickets since I will only need two days and then 4 or 5 days again in mid-January starting 1/14/11. I wish there was a way to combine tickets for the two trips but no expiration is very expensive. Not sure if I will pull this off. Is WDW just beautiful around Christmas?

 

[jnsolomon]

With the DVC discount you can buy an annual pass ($399) for the same price as a 2 day base ticket($162) and a 5 day base ticket($237). All numbers before tax. These base tickets do not include park hopper, but the annual pass does. Annual pass holders also get free theme park parking, which is a savings as well if you are staying offsite. Then if you decide to go again sometime in the next year, your tickets for that third trip would cost you nothing.

 

[drusba]

WDW is wonderful in December, but just be aware that if you have not done Christmas time before be prepared for the largest crowds you have ever experienced (e.g., stand-by lines for Soarin can be 3 1/2 hours). If going for only two park days, make sure Studios is one with its Osborne lights in the evening and MK main street and castle are a sight to behold at night.

 

[dvc_john]

You really need to see 3 parks at Christmas time. As mentioned, the Osborne Lights at DHS, and the castle lights at MK. But I wouldn't miss the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, followed by Illuminations with the holiday tag at the end. The holiday tag fireworks are my favorite fireworks of the whole year.

 

[pistonfan32]

WDW is wonderful in December, but just be aware that if you have not done Christmas time before be prepared for the largest crowds you have ever experienced (e.g., stand-by lines for Soarin can be 3 1/2 hours). If going for only two park days, make sure Studios is one with its Osborne lights in the evening and MK main street and castle are a sight to behold at night.

I have heard about the crazy crowds there. My 8 year old does not like the "big rides" nor will he wait in line for a long time. My guess is we will go on a few rides and hope for good weather and swim.

I just spoke with DVC and I can get a studio at SSR for 12/21 followed by 2 nights at BLT. Being at BLT would be pretty cool since our goal is just to enjoy the holiday spirit.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have heard about the crazy crowds there. My 8 year old does not like the "big rides" nor will he wait in line for a long time. My guess is we will go on a few rides and hope for good weather and swim.

I just spoke with DVC and I can get a studio at SSR for 12/21 followed by 2 nights at BLT. Being at BLT would be pretty cool since our goal is just to enjoy the holiday spirit.

That's great that you even got BLT! I've been waitlisted for 3 nights in a BLT studio the week before you are going, and I'm waiting and waiting, you got in just like that!

 

[DisneyPups]

Wow, that is great luck. BLT in Dec? I tried to get a few nights in Jan with no luck. The AP with the DVC discount does sounds like your best bet. Have fun!

 

[pistonfan32]

Wow, that is great luck. BLT in Dec? I tried to get a few nights in Jan with no luck. The AP with the DVC discount does sounds like your best bet. Have fun!

Bad luck for me. I called back an hour later to book BLT and it was gone!

 

[dadio]

that sucks!

another option would be to get a no-expiration ticket for both trips like a 7 or 8 day no-expiration and use in dec and jan.....

hope it works out for ya!

 

[tay72699]

We will be doing the same thing from December 20-24. We (DD and myself) have 2 days left on non expiring PH, but will be back in June for 4 days. I have been tossing the idea of Annual Passes since we would have to by PH for those days in June.
We were there during the same time period last Christmas and I have to say that those were some of the largest crowds I have ever experienced. We have a couple park days planned this year, but hope to spend time checking out the Christmas decorations at the resorts and DTD also. Osborne Lights are a must for us and of course a trip to MK for Wishes and the Castle!

 

[Donna M]

I would just say to go there with very different expectations than when going in Jan. We went one Christmas and couldn't get to see the Osbourne lights because it was packed! To me the processional at Epcot wasn't anything great-though my dh enjoyed it. And as mentioned the lines are crazy.
We ended up using a park hopper and doing all 4 parks in one day. We couldn't get fast passes (for what we wanted) at the last 3 parks because they were out. I remember seeing a young family and thinking what a misserably trip this would be for the kids with the lines as long as they were.

What was enjoyable, since we planned ahead knowing it would crowded, is we spent time at Epcot looking through the stores, which we don't normally do. The other days we were there we spent touring the resorts. Each resort was beautiful. The Floridian had musicians playing. It is beautiful down there for Christmas, but I wouldn't plan on doing many rides. I personally wouldn't even go into the parks again at that time.

I tried to go this year but the airfare was $600pp.

 

[disneykins]

We used to go every other year for Christmas, save the points and stay for 2weeks. Do the parks early to avoid the crowds and go to a different resort every day to check out their decorations. Then back to the parks in the evening. Spread over 2 weeks you can do all the rides without having to line up too much. The whole world is magical that time of year.

Haven't done it since kids moved out, sure miss it, maybe next year, hmmmmmmmm.

Debbie and Tony