Disney Christmas Advice, please!

[Maverick Mike]

Ok, as I sit here in St. Louis where it is 93 degrees today, I have a question for all of you experts!

My wife, my step-daughter (9), and I go to WDW each summer for a week. We love staying at POP and playing around for a week solid. We tour pretty hard, as we try to hit all of the attractions while we are there.

That being said, my wife and I are both teachers, and our Christmas break is from Dec. 22 - Jan. 9 this year, leaving a lot of time after the Christmas holiday here with our families. I was thinking of driving down to WDW for a week, but I know the crowds are horrible. I also know that we would not be able to see everything like we do in the summer. However, my question to you all is this, is it worth it to spend the $$ and the time to see the Christmas atmosphere? I would really like to see it, but I am just trying to make a decision here soon!

We are also going back in June, 2007, so we will get there within the year. But reading about this Christmas atmosphere just makes me want to experience it!

Thanks again!

MM

 

[Maverick Mike]

I know I had a "typo" in the last message! Sorry for spelling "advice" wrong! I guess I've seen it so many times spelled that way this week that I did it too! Blame it on the 6th graders!!

MM

 

[TheresaNY]

I would have to say YES ! We also go every year in the summer. We went last Christmas and it was an entirely different "World". The decorations, Holiday Music, MVMCP, and even just the change in weather make it feel so different. We FROZE ! But had a great time. If you can afford to go, I'd say go for it ! I didn't find the crowds terribly different from 4th of July and it is a lot easier standing around when it is only in the 70s instead of 95 degrees !

 

[Maverick Mike]

I think that if we go, we would have to put into perspective that we are not going to get to see every attraction. However, we have done everything at WDW at least once in the past couple of years, and will be going back during the summer. We might just have to go for a bit!!

I can't imagine how awesome it would be to be at my favorite place in the world during my favorite holiday season of the year!

But, is it impossible to get a Value resort during the week after Christmas??

MM

 

[Tiffer]

Love, Love , LOve goign at Christmas. It makes the magic even more magical!

 

[Zoie]

Since you have all that time in January, why not do the best of both worlds, and arrive like Dec 29ish when you'll have high crowds but all the Christmas stuff will still be out for the first half of your week, and then starting Jan 2, the crowds are nil so you can experience the other attractions with no crowds!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

YES YES YES!!! This year will be my 4th trip at this time of year. We are travelling from December 26-January 8. Disney at Christmas is so, so magical. I can't even describe it. Crowd-wise, yes, it is packed! My main advice is to get to the park as soon as it opens and be ready to leave by noon. Make your ADR's far in advance.

As far as Christmas stuff goes...we like to ride the monorail around to all the monorail resorts, they have amazing decorations. Don't miss the Osbourne lights at MGM. Also, The Jingle Jungle parade at Animal Kingdom is cute. We are also trying the Candlelight Processional this year for the first time. Just know that you'll be back so it's not important to do it all. Get in the Christmas spirit and you'll have a blast, see you there!

 

[HMHunters]

We've been at Christmas several times. As long as you get out early in the mornings you can still get a lot done. Just set your expectations accordingly. We always avoid MK on 12/25 as it's usually full before noon.

FYI as you plan, January 5-7 is Marathon Weekend so it may be a bit more crazy. I'll be there running the half!

 

[momrek06]

AWESOME time of year at WDW. Yes, please go at least one time in your lives to WDW @ Xmas time. The decorations are AMAZING.

Now the crowds you asked: UNBELIEVABLE. Yes the World is packed to capacity. BUT you will notice a BIG DROP off right about Jan 3rd.

Don't let that stop you from going. Anything you cannot do in Dec. you can do when you go back in June.

But just go PLEASE. It is FABULOUS. The Parade on Main Street in the MK is awesome!!! Walk through all the different hotels and see their decorations.

Here are some Santas to get you in the mood.

 

[luke6417]

I am in a similar situation. My wife and I are both teachers. Before we started teaching we would go durring alot of the off-peak times, now we don't have that luxury. I am going to FW for the week after Christmas. I love it at Christmas. What I usually find is that even when the parks are at capacity I can usually do everything I want to do.

 

[Maverick Mike]

The crowds were really scaring me off, but now I think I'm pretty excited to go! We don't really have the extra money, but when do you ever have enough??

I'm seriously thinking of going! This would be so awesome! I love the place in June, I know I would love it in December!!

Thanks again for all of your thoughts! One thing that I have ALWAYS wanted to see is the Candelight Processional. I think that would be awesome!!

Thanks again! But, can you still get a value resort for the week after Christmas?

Thanks again!
MM

 

[Maverick Mike]

I just went to Disneyworld.com and tried to get a quote for a vacation from Dec. 27 - Jan. 4, and there were no value rooms available. They just showed CSR as having rooms!

And I was all pumped! I will have to keep checking! At Christmas, we would really only be able to afford a value!

But, I know things open up!

MM

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Bummer! Try calling as well as checking different sites such as travelocity. Sometimes availability varies depending on where you check. Also, what are your dates? Sometimes if you actually put in that you want to stay longer you can make the reservation and then you just have to call and cancel the extra days. Good luck getting a reservation!

 

[teresa kay]

Christmas time has my family hooked. Our 1st trip was in June and we melted, now we go the week before Christmas, it's a lot less crowded and as our Daughters b-day is Dec 26, she says she can't ask for more. She can't wait to celebrate her 12th b-day there this year. I think you will really like it.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Travelocity shows availability at Pop Century for December 27-January 4. $108.85/ night. Hope that helps.