December 2014 - have we lost our minds?

[AussieCaribou]

Hi everyone,

DH is looking at taking DD - 15 years and me to the States for Christmas. We can't leave until after Dec 8 (DDs year 10 graduation) so we are there for the later part of the month. Currently we are looking at the following:

9 Dec - drive to Melbourne from Canberra (dropping dogs at the breeder's property so that they have a good Christmas while we are away).
10 dec - fly to San Diego (lots of things to do/people to visit)
19 Dec - red eye to Orlando. Go to first stop: universal Orlando (staying onsite)
22 Dec transfer to WDW (via NASA ATX...yep, driving there and back in the one day)
23-28 at the parks
29 Dec fly back to LAX and on to DLR
1 jan fly back to Melbourne, pups and home.

Okay, tell me we haven't lost our minds.

And I have a ton of questions...

1. Any help with Universal? We have never been.
2. Where to stay at WDW? We are thinking on site - value or moderate. We have only been 1 time at that was 10 years ago!
3. Which park on Christmas? (And where to eat Christmas dinner)
4. Disneyland - should we stay onsite? Would we have better luck getting into the parks? We have never been in a busy period (scared!)

Thank you!
AussieCaribou

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi everyone,

DH is looking at taking DD - 15 years and me to the States for Christmas. We can't leave until after Dec 8 (DDs year 10 graduation) so we are there for the later part of the month. Currently we are looking at the following:

9 Dec - drive to Melbourne from Canberra (dropping dogs at the breeder's property so that they have a good Christmas while we are away).
10 dec - fly to San Diego (lots of things to do/people to visit)
19 Dec - red eye to Orlando. Go to first stop: universal Orlando (staying onsite)
22 Dec transfer to WDW (via NASA ATX...yep, driving there and back in the one day)
23-28 at the parks
29 Dec fly back to LAX and on to DLR
1 jan fly back to Melbourne, pups and home.

Okay, tell me we haven't lost our minds.

YAY...Congrats. You haven't lost your minds.

And I have a ton of questions...

1. Any help with Universal? We have never been.

Sign up to the Universal website for their emails. Read the emails...some times, you'll find a pin 3/4 down for resort specials. Given that Diagon Alley is opening up this year, I would recommend that you stay on-site for the early entry to WWoHP.

The other thing is keep an eye on the price of the Universal photo connect. If there is an on-line special, I'd recommend you sign up. I found that the ride and character photos are worth it; even more than Disney but ymmv.

2. Where to stay at WDW? We are thinking on site - value or moderate. We have only been 1 time at that was 10 years ago!

This would come down to where you want to stay and how much you want to pay. I like the moderates over the values; but that's a personal choice. You'll need to figure out which theming suits you best.

3. Which park on Christmas? (And where to eat Christmas dinner)

I haven't been to WDW in Christmas; I'm sure someone else will be happy to advise.

4. Disneyland - should we stay onsite? Would we have better luck getting into the parks? We have never been in a busy period (scared!)

Thank you!
AussieCaribou

Again - this will come down to $$.



Have fun planning!

 

[ColinA]

3. Which park on Christmas? (And where to eat Christmas dinner)

We go to WDW every year from mid December to mid January. As much as we love WDW at Christmas the week from Christmas day to NY is crazy in the parks. Too crowded to move and MK is often closed by late morning.

On Christmas day we go to Trails End for dinner at Fort Wilderness and the Horse Drawn Sleigh ride around the Christmas decorations in the campsites. Well worth the unique experience.

 

[LivingforDisney]

Colin, I just looked up dinner and a sleigh ride for Xmas day.As our plans are for Dec 2015,I have certainly added this to my list.
I was thinking being at rope drop at MK on Xmas day, staying for as long as we can, then heading to Fort Wildnerness , have a look around, have dinner and do the sleigh ride.
Does this seem doable?
Does the ride take you through where the campers have decorated? What time will it be dark?
Main question, how and when would we book to do this Xmas day?
Thanks

 

[ColinA]

Colin, I just looked up dinner and a sleigh ride for Xmas day.As our plans are for Dec 2015,I have certainly added this to my list.
I was thinking being at rope drop at MK on Xmas day, staying for as long as we can, then heading to Fort Wildnerness , have a look around, have dinner and do the sleigh ride.
Does this seem doable?
Does the ride take you through where the campers have decorated? What time will it be dark?
Main question, how and when would we book to do this Xmas day?
Thanks

I would suggest if you really want to go to a park like MK on Christmas day get there at rope drop and then leave by 10.30 or 11 am as it will be near capacity by then and too crowded to move.

Maybe a late breakfast or early lunch at Crystal Palace or a visit a resort for dining.

Our normal routine is to do the resorts like Grand Floridian with the Gingerbread house, a boat across to Wilderness lodge and hire a Surrey bike for 1/2 hour, then across to Fort Wilderness for 4.30 dinner at Trails End and then a Sleigh Ride at 6.30

To book the Sleigh Ride you ring WDW Tours. You can try 180 days when the dining starts but normally the ride will not be released until later. Keep trying, you will have no problems, there are lots of rides.

Sleigh Rides take you around the Camp sites. If you are lucky you might see Dave “The Castle Guy"

http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2012/11/ft_wilderness_christmas_dave_t.html

Darkness will arrive about 5.30pm.

There is much to do at WDW apart from the parks.

 

[Tashinwdw]

Okay, tell me we haven't lost our minds.

AussieCaribou

Sounds like it will be an enjoyable christmas, ColinA has sold me on facing the crounds to do a christmas over there one day - another thing to add to the bucket list.

Enjoy the planning, sorry I cannot help with any advice, only been in April or September and this will be our first trip tackling Universal Orlando.

 

[pad406]

Have you lost your minds? No
Is it going to be busy? Oh yes,yes, yes
Will you enjoy it? Absolutely Yes!!!

Around that time of year there can be park closures, particularly MK, so staying on site is an advantage. On-site guests are the last stages of closure. Also EMH is invaluable. I see recommendations that you don't really plan a full park day on Christmas day, 2nd that plan, we did no park on Christmas day, just resort hopped. Allowed for a chilled and relaxing day and the best thing, we hit the park super early next morning and had 3-4 hours of a practically empty park. all rides were pretty much walk on.

POFQ seems to be a really popular moderate resort, we're thinking of that this time, though we have only ever stayed deluxe, the savings are jusst too big to ignore!!!

Can't help with Universal unfortunately, this year will be our first time there

Don't miss the Osbourne lights in HS, they might not be around for much longer and they are well worth seeing.

Haven't done the sleigh ride around FW, but looks fun, maybe this time

Have a great trip