Dining on Christmas Eve

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Hey fellow Dis'ers. I wanted to know others experiences on Christmas eve. We have a weeklong trip coming up this December. A close family member is joining us on the last 2 days of our trip and is gonna try to squeeze in highlights from all 4 parks. She will try to hit 3 parks on Christmas Eve (Last day of our trip) and I know the crowds will be heavy.

We don't have any reserved dining for that day so she can focus on rides but should I find a table service meal for Christmas Eve to prevent long QS lines? I have heard horror stories about people waiting hours for Quick Service Meals during peak times.

Its looking like we will hit AK first thing then one of us will take her to DHS in the afternoon to use some FP's while the other will take the kids back to the hotel for a nap. We will all close the day at MK so she can see the fireworks (we aren't expecting to get much done at MK other thank Fireworks and some minor attractions.)

Does anyone have tips or experience with Christmas eve in regards to food? Thanks!

 

[hakepb]

I don’t ever recall waiting hours for QS
(Christmas Eve, NYE, July 4th..)

But I guess we generally avoid peak times (ie 11-1p) and of an ordering line looked too bad (mostly if a group of 15’s in the summer), we leave and go to another place. The TS restaurants will be running at full capacity, so they will likely be on the slow side (unless you do a buffet)

If you can do mobile ordering QS you could save more time.

Although my MK Christmas Eve experience was on a rainy evening, so that was nice to stay dry eating a later TS dinner at Tony’s (I know, we are in the minority that likes them)
After the fireworks, most of the wet people left, and we had a great night doing several more rides, including scoring a rare 4th FP+ for 7DMT.

 

[RangerPooh]

One thing to keep in mind is that since this is a peak period there is the potential for the MK to hit capacity earlier in the day. We were there last year from the 18-27 and avoided the MK on Christmas Eve and Day due to crowds. I though that we did receive a text or that it was on MDE app that the park had reached capacity by noon.

As for dining options, EPCOT might be the easier location to secure Christmas Eve table service dining as the park has the most options available. This isn't to say that MK doesn't have reservations available. Another option are the resort hotels, but be mindful of park capacity and the time that it takes to travel and reenter the park. QS lines aren't as bad as long as you eat off of peak mealtime hours; before 5, after 7:30 for dinner.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The chances of MK going into a phase 4 closure and being closed to all arriving guests is slim to none. If you are a WDW resort guest, have an AP or have an in-park reservation, you will still be allowed in, up and through a phase 3 closure. I think sometimes when people hear the park is "at capacity", the park is actually in a phase 1 closure which only means casual visitors are turned away at the automobile toll plazas. This means that people without tickets, those with one-day, single-park tickets, and those intending to use cast member passes will not be allowed to park.

Here is a good article explaining closure phases and their history: https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/capacity-closures

OP, I would make an ADR in MK anywhere that has availability. And I mean, anywhere - even Tony's! QS will have lines, literally, out the door (I've been there during Christmas week - I've seen the lines!). Even if you do mobile ordering, there is zero guarantee you'll get a seat.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Thanks for the replies guys, our crew has some little ones so we will definitely be wanting to sit down... we will probably be looking to eat dinner at the busiest time, 6-7

I know its less than ideal but the last day of the trip is really for the family member on the 2 day schedule... any recommendations for obtainable mk dining?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks for the replies guys, our crew has some little ones so we will definitely be wanting to sit down... we will probably be looking to eat dinner at the busiest time, 6-7

I know its less than ideal but the last day of the trip is really for the family member on the 2 day schedule... any recommendations for obtainable mk dining?

How many are in your party? I just did a search and Diamond Horseshoe seems to have the most availability (again, I'm not sure how many people you have). Strangely, the fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing still has availability - if you are willing to splurge, I would really consider doing this!

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Definitely make a reservation, don't rely on mobile ordering. Look for various sites that will alert you when there's an ADR opening. We were in MK this past Christmas day and mobile ordering was not accepted at various locations during the day. Apparently there are only so many orders it will take before shutting down for awhile so the QS staff can catch up. Lines for QS and snacks were crazy long, I stood in line for about 30 minutes to get a coffee and cinnamon role at Gaston's at a little after 9am (it opened at 9). By the time I got my order and left the line was twice as long as when I entered.
During Christmas Day MK reached phase 1 closure around noon. It didn't last long. Don't let people make you believe that phase 3 or 4 is common- it rarely happens.

If need be, make a reservation at a restaurant at The Contemporary and walk over. The Wave is often overlooked but is a great restaurant.

The biggest obstacle to hitting 3 parks in 1 day on Christmas Eve will be transportation. There are way more people than normal waiting for buses and monorails so you will wait as bus after bus departs and you still are standing at the bus stop waiting your turn. Also, there is more traffic on the road compared to normal so everything moves slower.

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks for the replies guys, our crew has some little ones so we will definitely be wanting to sit down... we will probably be looking to eat dinner at the busiest time, 6-7

I know its less than ideal but the last day of the trip is really for the family member on the 2 day schedule... any recommendations for obtainable mk dining?

get on MDE and limit your dining to MK for christmas eve.

I'd go grab something now. For 4 there's LTT, Skipper Canteen, Diamond Horseshoe, Tony's and the Plaza. For 6 there's nothing in the 6-7 time range, either 4-something or 7- something but availability at Skipper Canteen, Diamond Horseshoe and Tony's.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Hey there!

We go every year for Christmas, so hopefully i can help a bit...

So I'd like to learn a little more. What matters most to your group? Are you looking to sit down and enjoy a meal, seeing as it's Christmas Eve, or is it one of those "we just so happen to be IN Disney for Christmas Eve, now let's find a quick spot to eat" kinda things?

I'd personally switch your day around and hit Hollywood Studios early, then AK in the afternoon for FP+. I know there's tons of buzz surrounding DHS right now with TSL, but I think you can use this to your advantage. Assuming you go on the rides, I'd head directly to ToT and RnR in the morning, rather than TSL. You may not get on Slinky Dog Coaster, but I'd much rather use a FP+ for Flights of Passage.

I'd do Animal Kingdom in the afternoon-to-late afternoon. Reserve a FP+ for Flights of Passage, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari. Trust me, after riding FoP you'll be glad you chose it over anything in TSL.

Going to AK later will help with your food selection. Neither DHS nor MK have impressive QS. I'd much rather eat at AK. You can do the Yak and Yeti QS, Satulii Canteen (highly recommend it), Pizzafari, Harambe Market, Restaurantosauras, Flame Tree BBQ, etc.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Hey fellow Dis'ers. I wanted to know others experiences on Christmas eve. We have a weeklong trip coming up this December. A close family member is joining us on the last 2 days of our trip and is gonna try to squeeze in highlights from all 4 parks. She will try to hit 3 parks on Christmas Eve (Last day of our trip) and I know the crowds will be heavy.

We don't have any reserved dining for that day so she can focus on rides but should I find a table service meal for Christmas Eve to prevent long QS lines? I have heard horror stories about people waiting hours for Quick Service Meals during peak times.

Its looking like we will hit AK first thing then one of us will take her to DHS in the afternoon to use some FP's while the other will take the kids back to the hotel for a nap. We will all close the day at MK so she can see the fireworks (we aren't expecting to get much done at MK other thank Fireworks and some minor attractions.)

Does anyone have tips or experience with Christmas eve in regards to food? Thanks!

When we have gone over Christmas, we have always done the Candlelight Dinner Package on Christmas Eve. That could be an option as well. But I agree that Epcot would probably be one of the better park options to find food on Christmas Eve. Keep in mind in WS that most QS have very limited tables, so if you would prefer to sit then I would suggest getting a TS ADR.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Really appreciate the tips from everyone...
We are doing MK and Epcot on the day before and we are doing a Candlelight Procession Package.

We have a group of 5... Its a bit tricky to find anything (a lot more is available with 4) but for now I have a 7:55 at Skipper Canteen... I will keep trying to change it to earlier.

My reasoning for AK first is that 4 of our 5 will have already been in AK and presumably done FOP. We will try to get our 2 day guest in position to rope drop FOP and take our 2 young kids to see animals or Navi River.

I am pondering flipping the order of DHS and AK, but most of the rides at DHS wont appeal to our toddler and infant so my wife and I may split up and take the kids back to the hotel (Boardwalk) While the other takes the family member to DHS for thrill rides with Fastpasses.

Apart from FOP, I am thinking AK will be smooth sailing if we arrive at 7:15-7:30 for an 8AM opening... does it being Christmas Eve Change that reasoning? and/or will our FP go further at AK vs DHS?

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks for the replies guys, our crew has some little ones so we will definitely be wanting to sit down... we will probably be looking to eat dinner at the busiest time, 6-7

I know its less than ideal but the last day of the trip is really for the family member on the 2 day schedule... any recommendations for obtainable mk dining?

We have a group of 5... Its a bit tricky (a lot more is available with 4) but I have a 7:55 at Skipper Canteen... I will keep trying to change it to earlier.

I was going to suggest Skipper Canteen! That's where we'll be Christmas Eve as well. - I've never been and I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Nancyg56]

I was going to suggest Skipper Canteen! That's where we'll be Christmas Eve as well. - I've never been and I'm looking forward to it!

We have it booked the week before. It was my DD's family's favorite restaurant, so they requested it for our Mk day. I have it booked for dinner and hope to get a FP into the Jingle Cruise just before the meal.

 

[Nancyg56]

OP- I have not been during Christmas week in so many years, so that aspect I cannot help with. I do think that having a TS meal booked on Christmas Eve will be a life saver though, especially if you plan to be in MK that day. I know it is possible to get a CS meal, however if your little ones need to eat at certain times, I would not chance that the CS will be convenient.

AS for the three parks in one day, I agree that the transportation is going to be the most difficult to nail down. I am no fan of wall to wall crowds, so this would not work for us, but if you all are prepared for it, you can just add it to the adventure of the quest.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Really appreciate the tips from everyone...
We are doing MK and Epcot on the day before and we are doing a Candlelight Procession Package.

We have a group of 5... Its a bit tricky to find anything (a lot more is available with 4) but for now I have a 7:55 at Skipper Canteen... I will keep trying to change it to earlier.

My reasoning for AK first is that 4 of our 5 will have already been in AK and presumably done FOP. We will try to get our 2 day guest in position to rope drop FOP and take our 2 young kids to see animals or Navi River.

I am pondering flipping the order of DHS and AK, but most of the rides at DHS wont appeal to our toddler and infant so my wife and I may split up and take the kids back to the hotel (Boardwalk) While the other takes the family member to DHS for thrill rides with Fastpasses.

Apart from FOP, I am thinking AK will be smooth sailing if we arrive at 7:15-7:30 for an 8AM opening... does it being Christmas Eve Change that reasoning? and/or will our FP go further at AK vs DHS?

If you could be more specific about what exact rides/attractions you would like to do in each park, we can probably help you with a FP+ plan.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

The AK Rides/Shows are: FoP, Safari, Festival of Lion King, EE, Tricera Spin, and Maharaja Trek... (She mentioned the Wildlife Express Train but Im gonna discourage that having wasted an hour on that in the past)

The DHS Rides are: ToT, RnR, ST, SDD, and TSMM

MK: Fireworks and Dinner Only (I may shoot for/ strongly encourage a Resort Dinner and Viewing to preserve our sanity)

One last bit of info i forgot to mention, we are at the boardwalk and have a car so the biggest headache will be MK, DHS and AK shouldn't be too difficult

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The AK Rides/Shows are: FoP, Safari, Festival of Lion King, EE, Tricera Spin, and Maharaja Trek... (She mentioned the Wildlife Express Train but Im gonna discourage that having wasted an hour on that in the past)

The DHS Rides are: ToT, RnR, ST, SDD, and TSMM

MK: Fireworks and Dinner Only (I may shoot for/ strongly encourage a Resort Dinner and Viewing to preserve our sanity)

One last bit of info i forgot to mention, we are at the boardwalk and have a car so the biggest headache will be MK, DHS and AK shouldn't be too difficult

I would still RD AK. Go straight to FoP, then Safari, Festival of the Lion King, Maharaja, do single rider for EE, Triceratop Spin and then leave. If you drive and one spouse is taking the younger kids back to BWI, they could drive back to the resort while other spouse takes the young adult to DHS via Disney bus.

If one spouse is not going to DHS, the other thing you could do would be to put AK FP+ (I would do FoP and EE) on that person's MB and then when you all arrive at AK, you can give that MB to the young adult to use those FP+ (this is assuming he/she would ride on her own). This will ONLY work if the spouse has entered AK on their ticket and then gives the MB to the young adult.

I would then FP+ SDD, ToT and RnR, try for TSMM and ST as 4th, 5th FP+.

I would not drive to MK. It will be a traffic nightmare. Take a Disney bus or get a Minnie Van!