Disney at Christmas

[disqueen2]

My wonderful husband just informed me that for Christmas this year, he is taking the family to Disneyworld! Since I am a Disney lover and usually go every year, this is the first year we weren't planning to go. Now I have 6 months to plan and I can't go to sleep I am so excited. We usually go in June. Can anyone give me an idea of what the parks are like around Christmas?

Also, he wants to stay in one of the hotels that has a castle view. Which hotel is best during Christmas for decor and such? And, I am siding more with CR, but in the past people talked about how it needed much updating. Anyone know if it has been updated, or if GF or Poly would be better? I'm just thinking CR is the least expensive, but is it as nice as the other two? Any help? Thanks!

 

[ksoehrlein]

Welcome to the DIS Boards, DisQueen2! How exciting -- and what a wonderful DH you have!

I'm not the voice of experience; this will be our first Christmas trip, too. The parks are insanely crowded, from what I've heard. As an experienced park-goer, I'm planning on going just for the atmosphere and special Christmas shows/parades. If we manage to get onto a ride or two each day, that will be a bonus, but if the lines are horrendous, well, we can always ride Dumbo next time.

We're staying in the Contemporary. The rooms are in the process of being remodeled and I like the new, more modern decor. Lots of pictures online, but I don't have the links at my fingertips.

 

[luvsTink]

If your schedule allows, I would suggest going earlier in December before the madness starts. We went in the second week of December last year and it was fantastic! We got all the fun: decorations, mvmcp, entertainment, etc but without all the crowds.

Happy planning!

Anne

 

[PB'sMOM]

Christmas at Disney is AWESOME !
We have been there the last 3 Xmas's-yes on Xmas day. Twice checking in 5 days before Xmas and checking out on the 26th/27th and last year we checked in on Xmas eve and checked out New Years day. As it gets closer to Xmas day it does get much busier. We have a DD 16& DD 3-so we travel with a stroller-if you have any toddlers a monorail or WL is the way to go if you plan on spending quite a bit of time at MK. Bonus if you stay at CR is you can walk to MK. We have stayed at POLY and the holiday decor is very POLY-like-but I am a POLY lover : . The WL decor is awesome-I don't know if you can get a castle view-but $ wise they are a little less and transportation is usually very good.
Last yr. we stayed at the BC and was able to walk & boat to Epcot and MGM-I thought I would miss being near MK, but it was really neat to see Epcot fireworks and there was always something going on at the Boardwalk.
We usually hit the parks when they first open and leave by noon due to the crowds-MK on XMAS is a nightmare-(MK usually hits capacity limit by noon-so they close the park) we always go to a different park-the crowds are horrendous. In the afternoon we usually visit the other hotels, take a nap and go to another park in the evening.
The light festival at MGM is great- we went there one night just for the lights-

Good luck planning and welcome to the DIS

Cindy

 

[AKLRULZ]

How totally fun for your family - Christmas 2005 was our first Christmas at Disney and we are going again this year, too. It is an amazing time to go.

In terms of resorts we stayed at the Yacht Club on that trip, but I personally felt the Polynesian and Contemporary had somewhat lackluster decorations. The Grand Floridian blew me away, though. It was magnificently decorated - you'll have to visit even if you don't stay there. In fact, make it a point to visit the resorts because each is decorated so uniquely - especially the Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge.

The parks were pretty manageable but the closer it got to Christmas we definitely saw more and more people and longer lines.

Must do's: MVMCP, Candlelight Processional (do the dinner package!), Osborne Lights, and resort hopping (helps so much to have a car rental).

Enjoy planning your Christmas trip - it will be so different from any other trip you've taken. Disney does an amazing job of letting you know it's Christmas and what the reason for the season is all about (CP) - you'll be blessed by this trip!

 

[nascargal]

I prefer Thanksgiving time frame rather than Christmas. Christmas was a zoo! Wall to wall people, walking down main street was impossible! The lights are magical though, and so is the atmosphere! Just enjoy the season, and enjoy the fact you are at the world!

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

To the Dis boards. My DH is the vacation planner around here, but I have the Dis boards to share info.

You really can't go wrong when you choose a Disney hotel at Christmas. They all outdo themselves. We especially like AKL, but that is pretty removed from any views of the Castle. I would go with Polynesian because it is so charming. I've never tried Grand Floridian, but that would be my next Christmas choice. We are thinking of 2007 for that one.

Whichever you choose, that time of year is magical and nobody does it better than Disney. Have a wonderful vacation and don't lose too muich sleep so you can enjoy it.

 

[AKLRULZ]

I prefer Thanksgiving time frame rather than Christmas. Christmas was a zoo! Wall to wall people, walking down main street was impossible!

I think from about the 24th until after the new year this is true, but from the 17th to the 23rd of 2005 it was no busier than summertime and quite manageable - in fact for the first few days of the trip the crowds were not as bad as summer.

Here's another tip - we weren't prepared for the weather to be chilly. Not necessarily a bad thing because we ended up buying some really cool Disney fleece and zippy pullovers - but just a heads up - it felt like Christmas a few nights!

 

[stashf]

What a great DH you have, mine has yet to go at Christmas time with me- thank goodness for dear mom! This will be our third Dec trip, we also celebrate both kids bdays there so we always go the 2nd week of Dec. It's great, there really are not any crowds and you still get to enjoy all the Christmas festivities - MCMCP is great! Our first year we did try to visit other resorts but only managed GF - they do have beautiful decorations. I have stayed there but in May and we did not have a castle view. The Contemporary had a tree and some basic decorations nothing that blew me away though you cant' beat the location to the MK. We've stayed at both POR and POFQ, preferred POFQ. Decorations arent bad, this year we are doing our longest stay yet 10 days and plan to split between ASMovies and WL. I've been dying to stay at WL at Christmas so can't wait. I hear the decorations are amazing. The Poly's decorations are alright too - they do have a neat gingerbread decoration! Though I find there you don't have that Christmas feel, so tropical. That one comes down to personal choice. For Christmas I'd choose GF, CR or WL. The CR has rooms that are apparently MK tower view, though I've not seen them but sounds pretty neat. I know you will have a wonderful time, Christmas is an amazing time in WDW!! Good luck planning.

 

[tysonfamilyof4]

We too are going for christmas for the first time this year!! we are staying at CR from the 19-26. I am soooo excited!!!

 

[CheshireVal]

We always go the week before Christmas (this year we are going the 16th-26th). The crowds are generally pretty light right up until the 23rd or 24th.

As for resorts, the best decorations and most Christmas-y feel can be found at Grand FLoridian, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk Inn, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Poly has the neat gingerbread thing but it doesn't feel like Christmas there to me. The Contemporary doesn't have the best decorations ever, but there is a giant Christmas tree in the front of the resort that's pretty neat!

 

[TinksMagic54]

This will be our first time at WDW for Christmas and we are going to stay at the GF from 12/21 - 12/27. Last Christmas my DH and DD saw the special on the Food Channel about all the decorations, Gingerbread Houses, etc. they do at Disney for the holidays -- so that's when we made our decision to vacation there this year. We've had a year to plan and WAIT Thank goodness for this website or I would be driving everyone I know crazy.

I'm looking forward to visiting the resorts, and the countries of EPCOT for their holiday presentations. We are looking as this trip as a "take it as it comes" and don't stress with the crowds. Whatever rides we don't get on, we can always do another time -- at another time of year. We want to go experience the holiday season for this trip.

Having said all that, the ADR's are already made and I'm scounting out best plane fares now.

 

[PSUfan]

We will be there over thanksgiving ( 11/19 - 11/28 ). Trying to convince DW that MVMCP is worth the extra $. Any suggestions?

 

[kerri0616]

We're also going over X-mas!! Like other Dis'ers, we're concentrating on absorbing the holiday atmosphere, not conquering the parks like commandos.

You are already less than 180 days away from your vacation, so I would suggest you make your ADR's!! I made all of mine 6/27/06 and got everything I wanted within 20 minutes of my times!! Happy planning!!

Kerri

 

[AKLRULZ]

We will be there over thanksgiving ( 11/19 - 11/28 ). Trying to convince DW that MVMCP is worth the extra $. Any suggestions?

It snows on Main Street, Holiday Wishes, all you can eat cookies and hot cocoa, Santa!

 

[MinnieSummer]

UUugh! I didn't realize it was less than 180 days out. Panic time.

Actually, we go every year for Christmas. It is the most magical time to be at WDW. The crowds on Christmas day can be overwhelming -- avoid MK at all costs as it usually reaches capacity around 11:00am -- but AK in the morning, early afternoon then Epcot for Candlelight Processional Dinner package works for us. Make sure you see the holiday parades, tour the countries at World Showcase, and take advantage of whatever "extras" your resort is holding.

As for the most Christmassy resort, that's has been my dilemna for several years. I've actually made than cancelled reservations at CR because of their lack of decorations. The best decorations: WL for traditional holiday decor, AKL for exotic but still holidayish decor, GF for Victorian elegant decor, CSR for traditional with a twist decor. We stayed at BWI last year and I wasn't impressed although the little display in the lobby was nice. The YC&BC were just OK and the Poly and CR were sadly lacking. I'm not sure why CR doesn't decorate more as they certainly have the room for it -- think concourse in front of gift shops, huge tree and lots of little trees with a seat for Santa and entertainers.

Also, plan for all types of weather. I've been there when the temperatures are in the 80's and when they actually hit the 30's. Sometimes all in one day.

Have a great holiday.

 

[HarryLeg]

We went for a long weekend last year at the beginning of December and decided to make it an every year event. We did MVMCP and watched the parade on Main St. with the snow falling. My favorite part of the trip was Epcot with all the different story tellers, The Candlelight Processional, and Illuminations with the 'Let There Be Peace on Earth' ending (better than Christmas Wishes).

 

[PSUfan]

Thanks AKLRULZ (I agree about AKL ). DW is a chocaholic, so if the cookies are chocalate chip and add the hot cocoa, it might do the trick.

 

[Dianewes]

we are going at Thanksgiving ... I saw the Gingerbread House on the Food Network last year and it blew me away just looking at it on TV... Any one know when they put it up each year??

 

[TinaMillion]

I heard that the week right AFTER thanksgiving is awesome. We plan on taking our 2 kids out of school mid week, the week after Thanksgiving and heading to Disneyland for a day (we live in San Diego) - I love Disney at Christmas but the crowds are hard to deal with if you go during that 2 week break from school. I've only been one other time and it's very enchanting! I'm looking forward to early December to avoid the crowds yet enjoy the pretty decorations, etc.



Tina