Disney Christmas week = Nervous

[Kevin1986]

Gah!!! Now that my trip is 50 days away (going Dec 24th- 28th) I am getting a little nervous that something may go array.

Everything has worked out perfectly so far. I've never had a bad time at Disney and the three times I have been this year things have been completely magical. I even became an annual passholder this year.

I got the Fastpasses I wanted and for six people, those include Christmas eve mine coasters, anna and elsa, wishes, the Christmas parade... as well as everything I wanted for the other four parks. I've got all the ADRs I wanted, BOG Christmas eve, Akershus breakfast Christmas Day, Coral Reef CP package Christmas day, Fantasmic dining package, Tusker House, Ohana breakfast and two Hoop Do Doos.. oh and a sleigh ride, and wishes dessert party for the 26th.

Have any of you had this "nervous" feeling a few months before a trip? I feel like my magicbands aren't going to ship, or there is going to be a glitch and all my reservations and fastpasses are going to go poof! or there is going to be a problem with my hotel reservations.. I dunno.. everything is coming together a little too perfectly.

 

[hunter1722]

This sounds like us except not nervous... excited! We also got all FP+s we wanted (AE on Christmas Eve, Mine train about 5 times, Christmas parade viewing, ect) and perfect dining at BOG on Christmas Eve, Le Cellier Christmas night, Pooh breakfast Christmas morning and so on. We will be with you on Dec 26th at the dessert party.

We usually go on low crowd weeks in Oct and Nov except for one terribly crowded Spring Break. This is our first Christmas week too. I have a plan and we are going into it thankful we have free dining and will just be at the parks during the holiday. Everything else is a bonus! Good luck!

 

[Tammi67]

We were there Christmas week last year and are going again this year. Just know that unless you want to stand in long, long lines, you probably won't do much more than your 3 FP+s. Don't expect to be able to score a 4th. Crowds will be INSANE. But there will be such energy in the air. Expect something to not go as planned, but know that there is nothing you can do about it and go with the flow. You're not a home, not at work, kids aren't in school. You're in WDW, and it's Christmas. Can it get any better?

 

[pad406]

We were there Christmas week last year and are going again this year. Just know that unless you want to stand in long, long lines, you probably won't do much more than your 3 FP+s. Don't expect to be able to score a 4th. Crowds will be INSANE. But there will be such energy in the air. Expect something to not go as planned, but know that there is nothing you can do about it and go with the flow. You're not a home, not at work, kids aren't in school. You're in WDW, and it's Christmas. Can it get any better?

Exactly why we're going back

 

[cakebaker]

We spent Christmas at WDW years ago for a glorious 10 days. It still stands out as our best trip ever! The only downside- Christmas is just ruined at home!

Sounds like you have everything you need- just get your mind set that it's going to be insanely crowded, you won't get to everything, but since you know that up front, you won't be surprised.

Get screen shots of all your reservations. While I don't think anything will happen to them, it's always good to have proof of what you scheduled.

Otherwise, sit back and relax! I'd love to do Christmas at WDW again!

 

[twinsmama]

Gah!!! Now that my trip is 50 days away (going Dec 24th- 28th) I am getting a little nervous that something may go array.

Everything has worked out perfectly so far. I've never had a bad time at Disney and the three times I have been this year things have been completely magical. I even became an annual passholder this year.

I got the Fastpasses I wanted and for six people, those include Christmas eve mine coasters, anna and elsa, wishes, the Christmas parade... as well as everything I wanted for the other four parks. I've got all the ADRs I wanted, BOG Christmas eve, Akershus breakfast Christmas Day, Coral Reef CP package Christmas day, Fantasmic dining package, Tusker House, Ohana breakfast and two Hoop Do Doos.. oh and a sleigh ride, and wishes dessert party for the 26th.

Have any of you had this "nervous" feeling a few months before a trip? I feel like my magicbands aren't going to ship, or there is going to be a glitch and all my reservations and fastpasses are going to go poof! or there is going to be a problem with my hotel reservations.. I dunno.. everything is coming together a little too perfectly.

Screenshot everything! Do it now, do it again right before you leave. FPs and ressies. I had helpful CMs last year when we had FP+ issues, my screenshots were honored....I know they don't have to be, but I am definitely screenshotting again just in case.

Don't be nervous, be excited! You are lucky to have gotten all of the things you want!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Take a deep breath.

In the words on Aaron Rodgers.. R-E-L-A-X.

You've taken care of the hard part. You booked your reservations, you got your FP+, everything is done! Next, order your MagicBands. I'll be down there the same time and I will be ordering my MagicBands in the next week or so. If they don't come, at least you have time to give Disney a call.

I agree. Screenshot everything and make a hard copy of your schedule. I'll give you one quick example. Last year, my family got to test FP+. We were so fortunate to get every FP+ that we needed - including Toy Story Midway Mania.

We had a 1pm FP+ for TSMM. As we got closer to our time, it was gone! I freaked. I'm a type A and need everything to be planned - probably why I enjoy FP+ so much. I was about to change my reservation and it popped back up. It was a glitch with the app. Don't do this! If you change or cancel your reservation - you lose it. And, when it's for something like TSMM, you will NOT get another one for xmas week.

Just relax. If anything seems awry, give Disney a call. If it's their fault, they'll make up for it.

The crowds will be crazy, the weather will be inconsistent.. but you're at the happiest place on Earth during the happiest time of the year! Enjoy it. Don't worry about seeing and doing everything - just enjoy your family and the fact that you're on vacation. SOMETHING will go wrong. You'll miss a bus or your allotted FP+ time or something along those lines - but why get stressed?

 

[BigAlsGal]

The only part I ever worry about are circumstances where we'd have to cancel our trip like our whole family come down with super diarrhea flu. Those things you mentioned definitely would be a bummer but at least you could still go.

I'm a couple weeks out and I want to keep my kids home from school and store them in a bubble!

I get so dang worried!

 

[hunter1722]

Take a deep breath.

In the words on Aaron Rodgers.. R-E-L-A-X.

LOL... Priceless!

 

[Liljo22]

We were there Christmas week last year and are going again this year. Just know that unless you want to stand in long, long lines, you probably won't do much more than your 3 FP+s. Don't expect to be able to score a 4th. Crowds will be INSANE. But there will be such energy in the air. Expect something to not go as planned, but know that there is nothing you can do about it and go with the flow. You're not a home, not at work, kids aren't in school. You're in WDW, and it's Christmas. Can it get any better?

We usually go during Christmas week to MK. We fill in the spaces with the low wait attractions. In between your FPs, do Monsters Inc, Philharmonic, or ones like that. You won't feel like you waited in lines all day. We did these even with Legacy FP.

 

[wisblue]

To the OP, since you are obviously staying onsite, I strongly recommend at least one day of hitting the MK when EMH starts. If they do what they did last year, they will be expanding the hours so EMH starts at 7 AM.

There is nothing like arriving at the MK at about 6:45 AM while it's still dark out and there are literally dozens (not hundreds or thousands) of people there. You will be amazed how many things you can do for 2-3 hours with virtually no waiting. One of my favorite things is strolling through Liberty Square and Frontierland when they open that at 8 AM and soaking in how empty it is, knowing that in a couple of hours there will be wall to wall people there.

If you take advantage of some of those EMH you can dial it down in the middle of the day when things are jam packed and soak in the atmosphere, enjoy some of the "anytime" attractions a PP mentioned, or get out of the park for a little while to refresh yourself.

It's a great time to visit if you know what to expect and prepare accordingly.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

To the OP, since you are obviously staying onsite, I strongly recommend at least one day of hitting the MK when EMH starts. If they do what they did last year, they will be expanding the hours so EMH starts at 7 AM.

There is nothing like arriving at the MK at about 6:45 AM while it's still dark out and there are literally dozens (not hundreds or thousands) of people there. You will be amazed how many things you can do for 2-3 hours with virtually no waiting. One of my favorite things is strolling through Liberty Square and Frontierland when they open that at 8 AM and soaking in how empty it is, knowing that in a couple of hours there will be wall to wall people there.

If you take advantage of some of those EMH you can dial it down in the middle of the day when things are jam packed and soak in the atmosphere, enjoy some of the "anytime" attractions a PP mentioned, or get out of the park for a little while to refresh yourself.

It's a great time to visit if you know what to expect and prepare accordingly.

THANK YOU for the peace of mind! I had a full-blown argument with my family last night about MK's EMH. They were POSITIVE that they started at 8am last year.. I argued for 7am. We checked the current park hours and I ate crow!

 

[HatboxHaint]

You have amazing reservations. I think that even if I just did those FP's and ADRs I would be happy plus all the christmas ambiance.

 

[js]

Screenshot everything! Do it now, do it again right before you leave. FPs and ressies. I had helpful CMs last year when we had FP+ issues, my screenshots were honored....I know they don't have to be, but I am definitely screenshotting again just in case.

Don't be nervous, be excited! You are lucky to have gotten all of the things you want!

I will be at Disney December 26-29, pre cruise.
Thank you. I read your post and my phone is right next to me at work and just took screen shots of my dining and FP ressies. Thank you.

 

[js]

To the OP, since you are obviously staying onsite, I strongly recommend at least one day of hitting the MK when EMH starts. If they do what they did last year, they will be expanding the hours so EMH starts at 7 AM.

There is nothing like arriving at the MK at about 6:45 AM while it's still dark out and there are literally dozens (not hundreds or thousands) of people there. You will be amazed how many things you can do for 2-3 hours with virtually no waiting. One of my favorite things is strolling through Liberty Square and Frontierland when they open that at 8 AM and soaking in how empty it is, knowing that in a couple of hours there will be wall to wall people there.

If you take advantage of some of those EMH you can dial it down in the middle of the day when things are jam packed and soak in the atmosphere, enjoy some of the "anytime" attractions a PP mentioned, or get out of the park for a little while to refresh yourself.

It's a great time to visit if you know what to expect and prepare accordingly.

Even at Christmas time, the 7 am opening is not crowded? WOW!
I sure hope that is right! I'll be there on December 27

 

[5Hfan]

breathe! I always have Disney anxiety once the plans are set (tweaked and retweaked) until we actually get there and get going... One person's anticipation is another's anxiety, lol! There's a lot of pressure with a Disney trip, then add in the holidays and extra money and crowds and it can be off the charts! While 180 day reservations and fast pass + add some certainty, they also take away flexibility. You've got great reservations and plans, so now is the time to start stressing over packing lists and the weather!! Divert that energy somewhere more productive!

 

[Kevin1986]

Thank you for all the wonderful tips!!!! You all have made me feel less-nervous!!! I am very excited to be at Disney with my parents, sister and grandparents! It's going to be an exciting adventure.

We have planned- 24th- Magic Kingdom. Planning to arrive between 7-8 AM. Have FP's for Mine Coaster, Wishes and Anna and Elsa.

25th- Epcot- Arrive at rope drop to ride Test Track. Breakfast Akershus ADR. FP's: Soarin, Character Spot and Spaceship

26th- Animal Kingdom, taking advantage of early EMH. Hoop De Doo, sleigh ride later, Wishes dessert party and then the late EMH at Magic. Fp's: Nemo, Everest, Lion King

27th- HS- FP's: Toy Story Mania, Tower, and Indiana Jones. Frozen dessert Party and Fantasmic package.

28th- Magic Kingdom, rope drop until 10 AM. FP's: Mickey and Mine Coaster. Ohana breakfast

 

[MinnieGi]

To the OP, since you are obviously staying onsite, I strongly recommend at least one day of hitting the MK when EMH starts. If they do what they did last year, they will be expanding the hours so EMH starts at 7 AM.

There is nothing like arriving at the MK at about 6:45 AM while it's still dark out and there are literally dozens (not hundreds or thousands) of people there. You will be amazed how many things you can do for 2-3 hours with virtually no waiting. One of my favorite things is strolling through Liberty Square and Frontierland when they open that at 8 AM and soaking in how empty it is, knowing that in a couple of hours there will be wall to wall people there.

If you take advantage of some of those EMH you can dial it down in the middle of the day when things are jam packed and soak in the atmosphere, enjoy some of the "anytime" attractions a PP mentioned, or get out of the park for a little while to refresh yourself.

It's a great time to visit if you know what to expect and prepare accordingly.

SO AGREE!!!! We have done two magical Christmas week trips and they are fab because of the long hours in all the parks!! Walking into MY at 7:00 am is amazing!! Felt like we had the park to ourselves!! We just went from ride to ride having a blast!! By 11:00 we were in need of a break and lunch. So easy to get lunch and find seating at 11:00 am in MK. And there we sat enjoying lunch while watching crowds of people walking into the park and lining up in long ride lines that we had already done!! After lunch we enjoyed the shows and characters and walked out early afternoon with a full day of rides already completed!!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Even at Christmas time, the 7 am opening is not crowded? WOW!
I sure hope that is right! I'll be there on December 27

No, believe it or not, it doesn't get crowded until ~10am at the parks. It's funny, around 10am it's like everyone comes at once! That's why my family gets to the park early, leaves by the afternoon and then returns at night.

 

[liling1]

Great job with your FP's and ADR's, OP! We are also there Christmas week and got all the ones we wanted much like yours - BOG dinner, CRT christmas morning, A&E FP's, 7DMT. I feel more relaxed now that that the hard part is done. What's making me nervous are these last minute changes that keep popping up & could potentially effect my well planned schedule. I'm hearing Christmas week they may open the parks even earlier then what's posted on a whim.

Oh, well - we'll just go with the flow! It will be so worth it in the end!