Dec 6th through the 12th

[bnts1993]

Does anyone have any must do activities for 12/6-12/12? It is our first time going in Dec. I know of the very merry Christmas party but what is this anyway? It seems pricey and my kids are 1, 10 and 14 will they like this? Is there anything else out there?

 

[The Hendies]

I have never done the Christmas Party, so I can't say whether or not it's worth the extra money. But I can say that there is SOOOOOO much to do for a first holiday trip that you can fill every day and still not have enough time for everything. You must do the Osborne Lights in DHS and be sure to take a little time to visit some resorts to see their amazing decorations. Where are you staying? I'd avoid All Stars if possible, because Pop Warner Football teams will be staying there. We have never had a problem with encountering teams (or the cheer leaders) in the parks, but others will have a different opinion. Enjoy your first visit!

 

[crocko]

I also agree. With kids of those ages, I think you should definitely hit the Osbourne Lights at Hollywood Studios. They are great....especially when you catch the actual lights shows.

Also, I would even suggest the Candlelight Processional at Epcot's World Showcase. During your stay, there should be 2 or 3 different celebrities performing. You could pick your favorite and shoot for attending one of the times on that night. (We really enjoyed this)

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We are planning on taking our son to the Christmas party...I figure its a once in a lifetime for him. We usually don't go in December but we are trying to do that this year. Here is a websit that lists holiday activities...http://allears.net/tp/holiday.htm. Hope this helps. Check out different resorts decoration...we are going to GF, AKL and the Boardwalk/BC

 

[dolphindan1]

I agree with doing Candle light processional...also tour the resorts very nice to see this time of year...As far as the christmas party goes...I always suggest if you havent been before go...if nothing else to see the parade and the snow falling on main street...if you do make sure you watch the parade on Main street...nothing like it...but it can be crowded...We dont go anymore because of the crowds...Dont forget the Osbourne lights, santa storytellers in World showcase...

 

[RMulieri]

I have gone in December many times, and have done the MVMCP too.It is nice to do at least once if you have the money, but I won't do it again.the official party starts at 7pm but guests that have party tickets are allowed to enter the MK at 4pm.Most rides are open, there is a special Holiday Wishes fireworks, a special Christmas parade, free cocoa and cookies ,shows like Mickeys twas the night before Christmas, and Celebrate the season.Also rare characters are out and about.IMHO,The parties USED to be worth the money they charged because they sold less tickets, making it really feel like an exclusive party.Now some party nights are so crowded it is impossible to see and do most of the stuff.They also used to give you a free 5x7, and a free collectors pin...they haven't done that stuff though in years, and yet they increase the price.I really thought that we might change our minds and then saw that for the 3 of us it will cost $182.13 if we wait till day of the party for those last few parties...no way.There are plenty of holiday happenings around WDW that come with your admission ticket

 

[wdwlovin'family]

We will be there during this time too! While this will be the first time I have spent a weeklong vacation in December at wdw, growing up in Orlando and subsequently working at wdw (as well as visiting during the Christmas season) has given me some insight for what we want to do/not do.

My family used to go to the resorts every Christmas Day and have our Christmas dinner there. (just to show how times have changed, I know we never had a reservation, we just walked up and maybe waited 30 min for a table) I don't know if they do this anymore, but GF always had chestnuts roasting on an open fire in the lobby for you to eat. I never really liked them, but I thought it was neat. There was also hot cocoa and cider and of course, beautiful decorations.

I would definitely see the Osborne Lights and the Christmas festivites at Epcot. The Jingle Jungle Jammin' parade at AK is pretty cute if you want to see a Christmas parade. You can find Santa Claus and choirs singing at a decked out DTD. I would personally not go to the MVMCP. In my opinion, it's just too busy, the hot cocoa and cookies aren't that enjoyable and for goodness sake, we live in WI now and would probably cry to see snow in FL. (we're praying for warm, balmy temperatures) Something else to check out might be ICE at the Gaylord Palms resort. It's really neat. Kinda pricey for a walk through and the time you are there, and it's very cold inside, but we liked it. It's not a Disney thing, but if you don't have a car, you can always take a taxi to the resort.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Missytara]

Definately get on the monorail and do the GF, Poly, and CR to see the decorations. GF not only has a 50' tall tree, they have a full sized gingerbread house that cannot be missed.

If you have additional time, check out WL and BW too. You can take the ferry over to WL from MK, and the water taxi from HS to BW.

 

[princssdisnygina]

We go every year this time of year. Here are the holiday things that are MUST DO's for us.

Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party (twice)
Candlelight Processional (EPCOT)
Osbourne Spectacle of Lights (DHS)
Touring the hotels for Xmas display
Listen to some Santas at World Showcase
Castle lighting ceremody at MK

We LOVE the Xmas party but this gets mixed reviews. To us, it is worth the extra $$ to have a little less crowded park, snow on main street, christmas music playing, the Christmas parade, hot chocolate and cookies and little to no waits in lines. It is truly magical to be in the MK for a Christmas Party.

 

[bnts1993]

I have never done the Christmas Party, so I can't say whether or not it's worth the extra money. But I can say that there is SOOOOOO much to do for a first holiday trip that you can fill every day and still not have enough time for everything. You must do the Osborne Lights in DHS and be sure to take a little time to visit some resorts to see their amazing decorations. Where are you staying? I'd avoid All Stars if possible, because Pop Warner Football teams will be staying there. We have never had a problem with encountering teams (or the cheer leaders) in the parks, but others will have a different opinion. Enjoy your first visit!

oh no dont tell me that! I am staying at the all star music resort!!!

 

[phisigprincess]

Nothing to add other than we'll be there the same week.

 

[Missytara]

Yup, this year they are staying at All Stars and Coronado Springs. I was there in 2006 when they were at POR. It was a nightmare..... the worst is actually the parents in the evening. Security had to be called every night at the Lounge......

 

[dolphindan1]

oh no dont tell me that! I am staying at the all star music resort!!!

We have been there several times during POP week and Stayed at All-Star movie and All-Star Sports twice...we never had a issue...We stayed in the back side of the tou story buildings 1 year and it was great very quiet...they only time we really saw the POP kids was in the food court...got crowded...just ask for a quiet room and dont go out of your way to see the kids...I find if you look for things then you see things that you normally wouldnt...hope that makes sense...just go dont worry and have fun

 

[Missytara]

I forgot to add that what is great about that time of year is there is plenty of other things to do under your regular base ticket, if you don't want to spend the extra money for the tickets. If I go alone, I usually do the MVVCP, because I have a pretty good budget.

However, like one year when I took my mom, she didn't want to do it. This year, I am taking two college friends, and they don't have the money to do it.

Like for instance, in DTD, there are concerts by local school children; there is a little stage near the Disney Store. My mom and I stopped and got to see a 4th grade class from Kissimmee and they even did a few xmas carols in ASL. It was awesome.

You can resort hop and see all the different decorations.

You can go xmas shopping in DTD. You can watch the Candlelight processional from outside the venue and still hear it rather well.

That is what is so great about it, you can do as little or as much as you want!

 

[Racknack]

I would even suggest the Candlelight Processional at Epcot's World Showcase.

It's a good event to attend alright; but children tend to get very restless during the processional. If you do take the children to this event, I would recommend attending the first one of the evening (at 5:00), and try not to go following a day of super activity.

Karnak

 

[Racknack]

I plan to visit WDW during the same week (Dec. 6 - 12). The events mentioned on this thread are all good, except the Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. The last three times I have attended, the park was so crowded that it was very difficult to get much done. There are two main reasons for this methinks: (1) They sell way too many tickets, and (2) there seems to be no effective way to clear the park of day guests who wish to stick around after the "party" starts.

I do not recomment MVMCP because it's simply too crowded.

Karnak

 

[Lucky Bug]

We had no plans to go, but FD did manage to lure us down there during the same time that you will be there.

We don't have kids, but the plans include MVMCP on 12/10/09. I love MVMCP, but as with all things, your experience might not be as magical as mine.

We are hoping to catch Candlelight Processional at Epcot one night, but we are waiting for more presenters to be listed and for the dinner packages to come out before we pick a night for it. We are considering doing lunch with an imagineer, but that is dependant on if it's offered on the day that we actually end up at DHS. We are going to try to work in a massage and the afternoon tea at the GF. We have been many times now over the past 8 years, so it's not a commando kind of a vacation for us. I am just looking forward to some relaxation and down time with a bit of holiday pixie dust.

Happy planning!

 

[ppony]

We LOVE to do WDW in Dec. though the crowds are getting far, far greater than they were when we started doing this. Enough to make us consider moving out trips to Jan. The Dec decor just make everything so much more magical to us. It's fun to see the gingerbread house at the GF. The BC used to have a chocolate carousel but I think that has been replaced.

You can watch the Candlelight processional from outside the venue and still hear it rather well.

You can hear AND see it very well from outside the venue. If you like to sit and watch singing then you'd probably like this. We had done the Candlelight package w/ dinner and "preferred seating" and found that a huge waste of $. And this is coming form someone that loves to do concierge services which many people consider a waste of $. I would have rather watched from the back and had the freedom to leave when I wanted to and when our DS was clearly bored.

Also wanted to give a heads up on the MVMCP. We've done it 3 times. Before I get into why I give a heads up, I DO want to say it's is very magically decorated and the fake snow is very delightful to watch. Even coming from MN and having the real thing half of the year (almost). The parade is just wonderful to see but I just don't like camping out in a spot an hour prior to the parade, fighting off people that want to sit on my feet or push me out of the way any longer so we don't watch the parade anymore. Anyway, if you do the party, do NOT go on a Thursday or Friday. If you want wall to all people and long lines for attractions (we saw the line for Space Mountain out past the entrance for it) and don't mind feeling jammed in like a sardine, then you might like it . That said, we found going on Tuesday nights was pure heaven. Disney used to advertise it as something that didn't in any way imply long waits and huge crowds but that is exactly what we got on our last visit. I couldn't see any pavement, only heads and bodies. Disney lost it's credibilty w/ me on the special event nights to sell as many tickets as they do because when it's sold out the crowds are almost unimaginable so you can maybe ride a few rides and enjoy a few shows. I'm not going to pay a couple hundred extra for my family to go and just do a few things. We left, along w/ many other guests by 10 pm. If the crowds were kept to a relative minimum as to make it really feel special like it did on the early week dates, I would pay more to be honest. I'd pay $100 per adult if it could just be fewer people. They have to make a profit and I get that, but IMO, people that experience what we did on our last party, won't return.

I would personally not go to the MVMCP. In my opinion, it's just too busy, the hot cocoa and cookies aren't that enjoyable and for goodness sake, we live in WI now and would probably cry to see snow in FL. (we're praying for warm, balmy temperatures)

I hear ya! At least it's not cold snow and they can turn it off and on. Don't WE WISH! AND you don't have to shovel or drive in it! We like the warm balmy as well which is why winter trips are our FAVE to WDW.



So my personal opinion is if you can go Tuesday, DO by all means! But the later in the week nights, are just frustrating. We will actually be in town Nov 13th this ear before our DCL cruise and we won't touch the party w/a 10 foot pole since it's a Friday. Even though, November might be a little better than Dec. Not sure there.