Disney @ Christmas-How crazy are we?

[paper1225]

Just looking for thoughts on this-what exactly should we expect? We went in Christmas of 2002........but after 9/11 the year before, I think it was a quiet Christmas. How crazy will it be? Just some info, so maybe some of you folks can compare our other trips to this one.........we will arrive at Disney on the 22nd and stay until the 30th..........we have been 4th of July, the second week in August, early May, and as I said earlier, christmas before, but I think it was a quiet Christmas......due to my school, DH work schedule, and kids school Christmas is the best time for us.............Just wondering what we are getting into!

 

[thebecka]

I would expect lots of people and long lines. But a great opportunity to take advantage of fast pass...

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi Paper1225,

I will be there the same time as you...23 - 31. The way I look at it is...this is not the first time I have been to Disney and also not the last. I plan on enjoying what I can, net get stressed and enjoy all the decorations and holiday activities...oh, and get married!!!

I am sure it will be fun and enjoyable if you just go knowing that there will be crowds, certainly use the Fast Pass and do not stress if you miss something...Enjoy!

Lauren

Oh, also, if you have not already, make some ADRs!

 

[TinksMagic54]

Formr CastMbr - congrats on your upcoming wedding!!!

paper1225 - we will also be joining you (and everyone else) at WDW for Christmas. This will be our first holiday at the parks and we're taking the approach of trying to take everything in stride. Parks will be crowded -- there will be lines -- make sure you made ADR's -- and just try to go with the flow and enjoy the Magic.

 

[paper1225]

I have already started making my ADR's........I will probably make more today. Since we are not telling the kids, I have to do it while they are at school during the day I hope Ican keep it all a secret!! I am so excited! We will use fastpass, as we have many other times! I cannot wait, now I need to figure out how to change my ticker!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Formr CastMbr - congrats on your upcoming wedding!!!

Thank you TInks! What part of Jersey are you in? I am in Clinton...

Does anyone have kids that still believe? Will you be shipping gifts down and decorating? I have been planning the decorating and gifts forever! Hopefully, DS8 will wish for small things!!!

 

[TinksMagic54]

FormrCastMbr: We're from Brick. Its about mid-way down the state and not too far from the Ocean (5 miles?)

This trip is DD's Christmas present -- she will have one package under the tree when we get home (she is choosing not to open it before we leave but wants to have something to open when we return). Plus I have been setting aside some small things to put in her stocking for Christmas morning (plus a Disney gift card so she can do some "shopping"). At 12, its hard to come up with ideas for Christmas and this trip was what she wanted -- so its making shopping easier on me this year. DH is getting me a new digital camera and I'm getting him a new camcorder (which we will buy before our trip).

DD was fine with not having allot to open this year. She will still receive some things from her Godparents and other family members so she is not being shorted at all.

I bought a Marie stocking (DD is crazy about cats) after Christmas last year and I've just been putting small things in it for her to open Christmas morning -- other than that, we are not bringing down (or shipping down) any Christmas presents. I'm sure we will buy enough at WDW to make up for it tho!

 

[xa-minister]

Only 7246800 seconds for me!!

man that seems like such a long time.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

FormrCastMbr: We're from Brick. Its about mid-way down the state and not too far from the Ocean (5 miles?)

Ahhh! I know Brick fairly well. My FSIL and family live there.

This year will be a little hard since DS8 still believes in Santa...as they say, when the kids get older, the presents get smaller and more expensive!!! I just have to be pretty organized.

Lauren

 

[TinksMagic54]

Where in Disney are you getting married? That is so cool!

 

[MinnieSummer]

We've done Christmas at DW for the last 5 years and will never go back to doing it at home. It's wonderful there. The decorations are spectacular and the special events are really great -- even the ones held at the resorts. My suggestions:

Spend the first two days you are there (prior to Christmas Day) getting in whatever rides your group absolutely has to ride because once Christmas Day arrives the crowds come in as well.

Avoid MK on Christmas day (we go to AK in the morning and its rarely crowded, Camp Minnnie-Mickey has all the characters out in their holiday garb and there are entertainers and it really is a great way to spend the morning/early afternoon)

Make reservations for the Candlelight Processional Dinner package either Christmas Eve or Christmas night but do it NOW as space is filling up.

Spend Christmas Eve touring the hotels and visiting with the Characters at each. AKL, WL and GF in the past have had the most entertainment on Christmas Eve.

I don't know the ages of the people in your party but I ship a box of presents directly to the hotel to arrive the day before we get there. These are the presents from Santa. Then on Christmas Eve, after my DD goes to sleep, I go down to the lobby and pick them up to put under the tree (yes I take a 4 ft. tree and decorations with me) for Christmas morning.

My only problem is where to stay this year. My DM will be with us this year and I want it to be very special. I've got tentative reservations at Poly but don't like their decorations and that is important to me. I just can't make up my mind.

Anyway, Christmas at WDW is magical and you will enjoy.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Where in Disney are you getting married? That is so cool!

We chose to get married at the Wilderness Lodge since the Wedding Planner said that this is the nicest decorated resort there is...out of the places to get married...I have planned dinner after at Artist Point and then we may do the sleigh ride...I am also going to try and make ressies for a fireworks cruise.

Thanks Minnie Summer for the great tips!

 

[DisneyFairy19]

have a great time... The weather is great during that time of year

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I just booked my fireworks cruise. We are taking one of the pontoons at the WL...this is where we are getting married and eating dinner so it works out well. I am going to order champagne and chocolate covered strawberries...YEAH!

 

[byoung]

Mid DEC is the best time to go to Disney. Central Jersey here.

 

[paper1225]

thank you for the info about the Candelight Processional-I will call tomorrow and see if we can get reservations-what a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas at Disney!!!

 

[budcollector]

i never gave it a thought about crowds there at christmas, when i planned my trip, but i don't care, it'll still be a disney christmas