December 2015 Help Thread - What To See & Do (Crowd Calendar Added)

[Maleficent Dragon]

I might have missed this and if so, I apologize. Does anyone know when the Christmas parade runs instead of FoF? I remember 2 years ago we were there Christmas Eve and got to see the Christmas parade, but I'm wondering if anyone knows the exact dates?

Unless something has changed, the Christmas parade will replace the daily parade after the last Christmas Party.

 

[sbeets]

Can someone explain how you "see" the Osborne lights? I assumed you just walked down the street. Now the Frozen package promises prime seating for the lights. Our night at HS is pretty full already (dine with Minnie, Fantasmic, and a preschooler I was planning to take to the Disney Jr Dance Party). We're going on an EMH night. Can I allocate 15 minutes to see the lights?

 

[lovndisney12]

Can someone explain how you "see" the Osborne lights? I assumed you just walked down the street. Now the Frozen package promises prime seating for the lights. Our night at HS is pretty full already (dine with Minnie, Fantasmic, and a preschooler I was planning to take to the Disney Jr Dance Party). We're going on an EMH night. Can I allocate 15 minutes to see the lights?

Yes, you can just "walk by" some of the lights. Depending on how crowded it is and how much you want to stop and look at the detail - you can just spend 15 minutes if that is all your time allows.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Can someone explain how you "see" the Osborne lights? I assumed you just walked down the street. Now the Frozen package promises prime seating for the lights. Our night at HS is pretty full already (dine with Minnie, Fantasmic, and a preschooler I was planning to take to the Disney Jr Dance Party). We're going on an EMH night. Can I allocate 15 minutes to see the lights?

It is an open area that you walk around in. The words "prime seating" are interesting to me because this area is not really designed in such a way to have a seat and be able to see everything.

 

[agwood123DLFerguson]

One of our December days we are planning on going to AK in the morning. Then I'll be taking my daughter to Downtown Disney for her BBB appointment. How long on average does it take to get from AK to DTD? Should I take the shuttle or drive my own car? I've heard shuttles can be really packed. We will be there the first week of December. Thanks!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

One of our December days we are planning on going to AK in the morning. Then I'll be taking my daughter to Downtown Disney for her BBB appointment. How long on average does it take to get from AK to DTD? Should I take the shuttle or drive my own car? I've heard shuttles can be really packed. We will be there the first week of December. Thanks!

The bus ride without traffic is about 15 minutes. You would also want to plan for time waiting on the bus, especially if you 'just missed it'. Depending on the time of year you visit will also affect how many buses you may have to wait on. You should allow yourself about an hour if taking Disney transportation.

 

[sbeets]

It is an open area that you walk around in. The words "prime seating" are interesting to me because this area is not really designed in such a way to have a seat and be able to see everything.

We're not big Frozen fans so I'm not booking the package anyway. I am aware that Disney is expensive, but I didn't see anything worthwhile in the Frozen experience for $89 a person (I think that was the price).

 

[Ginya]

Thank you so much for all the info in this thread so far! MD your time tables earlier for that walk from boardwalk area was fantastic! We have ADR's For Biergarten for Christmas Dinner. Has anyone eaten there that night and happens to know what is added to the menu to make it a Holiday meal? Have searched all over the net but no details to be found so far.

 

[Ginya]

We're not big Frozen fans so I'm not booking the package anyway. I am aware that Disney is expensive, but I didn't see anything worthwhile in the Frozen experience for $89 a person (I think that was the price).

I must be missing something here. I looked for the Frozen experience and could not find it this year. I called Disney and the CM first told me they were sold out. (she thought I was trying for Frozen Summer Fun Package) After we cleared that up she told me they did not have that this year. Now of course like the earlier poster, We have Minnie's Holiday Dine and Fantasmic Christmas Eve, so doubt could fit frozen package. But where is Frozen package this year on the website please?

 

[sbeets]

I must be missing something here. I looked for the Frozen experience and could not find it this year. I called Disney and the CM first told me they were sold out. (she thought I was trying for Frozen Summer Fun Package) After we cleared that up she told me they did not have that this year. Now of course like the earlier poster, We have Minnie's Holiday Dine and Fantasmic Christmas Eve, so doubt could fit frozen package. But where is Frozen package this year on the website please?

It was offered last year, but not until later in the fall, maybe October? I'm just guessing they will offer it again. I was more interested in the reserved seating for Osborne Lights. That I didn't understand.

 

[Ginya]

It was offered last year, but not until later in the fall, maybe October? I'm just guessing they will offer it again. I was more interested in the reserved seating for Osborne Lights. That I didn't understand.

I read a review with photos about the reserved seating. There was a small area roped off with decorations and tables and chairs similar to Wishes Dessert Party. The reviewer said the day their friend went this is where they were and they loved it because you could sit and look from afar while enjoying the goodies but you could also step out of the area to look closer then come back into the area. The thing was, the day He attended it was pouring rain! they moved them into an unused building where there were just some plastic tables and chairs, no decorations and you couldn't see the lights from the spot. Although he said half the lights were not lit because of the rain. He was very unhappy though because he would not have paid so much if he knew ahead of time what it would be like if it rained. Being Florida of course you roll the dice for rain.

 

[siskaren]

The bus ride without traffic is about 15 minutes. You would also want to plan for time waiting on the bus, especially if you 'just missed it'. Depending on the time of year you visit will also affect how many buses you may have to wait on. You should allow yourself about an hour if taking Disney transportation.

The person you responded to wants to go from AK to DTD and there isn't a direct bus between the parks and DTD. She indicated that she'll have a car so she should do it that way.

 

[agwood123DLFerguson]

The person you responded to wants to go from AK to DTD and there isn't a direct bus between the parks and DTD. She indicated that she'll have a car so she should do it that way.

Thanks for the new info! I will drive that day to save us time

 

[disneysailor]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/tri-circle-d-ranch/ Has anyone done the wagon ride at the campground in December? Since you can't make reservations, I was wondering how far ahead of time we should arrive and if it usually sells out. Also, for those of you who have done it, did you enjoy it and what did you see along the ride? The decorated campsites sound wonderful.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

So I have the Wishes Dessert Party booked on 12/26 for the 9 pm fireworks. I got an email that my reservation been updated because the fireworks now start at 8. I just checked the TA calendar and it was moved to 8 pm every night Christmas week. MSEP is now 9:30 instead of 10:15. This works for me because my kids are 4 and 8 and are early risers.

Thought I'd share!

Illuminations is still scheduled for 10:30. I hope they move that to 9:30 or we probably won't be able to see it.

 

[Ginya]

So I have the Wishes Dessert Party booked on 12/26 for the 9 pm fireworks. I got an email that my reservation been updated because the fireworks now start at 8. I just checked the TA calendar and it was moved to 8 pm every night Christmas week. MSEP is now 9:30 instead of 10:15. This works for me because my kids are 4 and 8 and are early risers.

Thought I'd share!

Illuminations is still scheduled for 10:30. I hope they move that to 9:30 or we probably won't be able to see it.

We are going to wishes dessert on Dec 22. They moved our party to 7pm also. We had ADR for Chef Mickey at 5:15pm ack! Somehow I got lucky though and got a 4:05 for 1900 Park Lane for the six of us instead whew! It actually all worked out for the good, because our ADR for 1900 Park Fare had been on the 21st. So, cancelled that and my parents and my DH get to eat at the Boathouse we couldn't fit in after all lol. I'm not thrilled to eat dinner at 4pm, but at least we should have space in our bellies now for all those Desserts!

 

[PirateD]

I like the idea of earlier fireworks because it will give us a better chance to see them even if we aren't planning to stay late on all of our MK nights. However, as Josh on easyWDW stated, it is a departure from what Disney usually does in scheduling them later to lessen the crowd issues at the Hub. Hopefully, the added capacity can handle the holiday crowds at that earlier time. We often watch Wishes from Fantasyland so I don't know that it will really impact our group that much. We do hope to see the castle lighting show but I'm not sure what time that will be. I don't remember seeing any times mentioned on that.

I'm a little concerned about Disney still not finalizing park hours. It looks like they have changed them from 9 to 11 at the MK to 9 to 12, but still no addition of more EMH. I have read some rumors and speculation that Disney might be trying to cut back on EMH. I didn't really take much stock in it at the time but I'm starting to get nervous. We are depending on that 7 AM EMH to avoid the crowds and long lines and are hoping for at least one late night EMH. I'm a little nervous that the earlier nighttime entertainment is an indication that the parks won't stay open as late. I hope that's not the case. I feel like those early mornings and late nights help spread out the holiday crowds.

 

[Ginya]

I like the idea of earlier fireworks because it will give us a better chance to see them even if we aren't planning to stay late on all of our MK nights. However, as Josh on easyWDW stated, it is a departure from what Disney usually does in scheduling them later to lessen the crowd issues at the Hub. Hopefully, the added capacity can handle the holiday crowds at that earlier time. We often watch Wishes from Fantasyland so I don't know that it will really impact our group that much. We do hope to see the castle lighting show but I'm not sure what time that will be. I don't remember seeing any times mentioned on that.

I'm a little concerned about Disney still not finalizing park hours. It looks like they have changed them from 9 to 11 at the MK to 9 to 12, but still no addition of more EMH. I have read some rumors and speculation that Disney might be trying to cut back on EMH. I didn't really take much stock in it at the time but I'm starting to get nervous. We are depending on that 7 AM EMH to avoid the crowds and long lines and are hoping for at least one late night EMH. I'm a little nervous that the earlier nighttime entertainment is an indication that the parks won't stay open as late. I hope that's not the case. I feel like those early mornings and late nights help spread out the holiday crowds.

They are having EMH on Dec 23 at MK from midnight to 2am.

 

[PirateD]

They are having EMH on Dec 23 at MK from midnight to 2am.

True, but last year that same week the MK was open from 8 AM-1 AM with EMH at 7 AM everyday and it looks like they had late night EMH from 1 AM-3 AM twice that week. I'm probably overthinking it and imagine they will have similar hours this year. I'm just not sure why they are so slow with releasing the finalized hours. It's a little frustrating when you have to plan your time in advance for ADRs and FP+ and don't really know for certain what the final schedule will be. I would love to have recommendations from easyWDW as to best days for each park before we book FP, but Josh isn't releasing any recommendations until more information is released for the park hours that week. I guess it doesn't make too much difference as we already have ADRs in place, but we may cancel some and try to move around others. It's kind of hard to do with a group of 10, however. I'm sure that when it's crowded a smart touring plan is more important than picking the best park days, but we still need to know the hours to develop that smart touring plan.

I have been following another thread which is sharing how more open the Hub has become so maybe Disney can now move up the fireworks and parades and not worry about crowding. I do think that the earlier times could be good for most families including ours.

 

[wehrengrizz]

Does anyone know if there's a place to meet Santa ? I thought I saw this at a couple of resorts...or was it EP? Oh man, excitement and info overload on all the holiday stuff to do! Thank you