Disney Christmas

[Dimples1973ca]

I love these forums. Thanks to everyone's feedback, report tips etc... DH has given me the green light to start planning our Disney vacation for December 2009 opposed to the August 2010.

Like alot of you I am a chronic planner and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would love to hear about fellow Canadians spending Christmas there. We have a young daughter and the Santa thing is something we have to consider. We plan to be there Decmeber 23-January 1.

I am from the East Coast and weather is a huge consideration as well. Hopefully, Halifax International wil stay snow free.

 

[nat1234]

We're going Dec 7-15, 2009 and staying at Wilderness Lodge. I'm so excited. I was able to book our trip last week. I'm taking my mom who has never been before and two of my daughters. I'm also discovering that I've become a compulsive planner as well. I never thought I was like this. So far I have a list of things that we didn't get to do last time and stuff we would really like to do this time. One thing that I would really like to do this trip is make an early reservation at the Crystal Palace for breakfast so that I can be there before the park opens and see Main Street and the castle with no one there. It sounds like you're going to be there over the actual holidays. That's just not an option for us because I have to work every other Christmas and New Years. It should be a truly wonderful time for all of you.
Natalie

 

[boundfordisney]

The planning is almost as much fun as the trip! theres so much to do and see, i would recommend purchasing the unoficial guide to walt disney world it was a great help to me when planning and I still use it for upcomimg trips. This December will be our first trip to wdw through the christmas holidays we stay Dec.6 to the 16th at the Caribbean beach 3rd time at cbr! From what Ive heard about going at Christmas time this may turn out to be my favorite time to go , just weather wise in getting there could be a little worry some you never know what mother nature has in store! We fly out of Buffalo last 2 trips we went in September and found it was a good time to go but am really looking forward to going in december! have fun with your planning!

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

May I ask why you have chosen to go over Christmas? It is Disney's busiest time of year!! I believe Magic Kingdom even closes due to reaching capasity on Christmas Day. I can't imagine that being much fun.

If it is the Christmas feeling and decorations, etc, that you are looking for, I would suggest going early in December. But look out for Pop Warner week when all the cheerleaders are there. It doesn't really add to the crowds too much, but they are all over the value resorts and some of the moderats, being too loud and rude.

We have gone several times in early December and it is great. The weather is nice, the decorations beautiful, and it is great to come home to the cold because Christmas, just doesn't feel like Christmas in warm weather.

We always just have everything ready for Christmas here before we go, house decorated, most gifts bought and wrapped. We try to be home the week before Christmas to finish up any last minute things and so we can spend time with family.

I am also from Nova Scotia. So far weather has never had an impact on our trips.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[mackeyapp]

We have been at DW the past four years arriving a day or two after Xmas and staying through until about the 9th. Every trip has been fantastic and yes you do have to plan on spending time in the parks either early in the morning or take advantage of the EMH (to avoid the thick crowds)but if you know that going into the vacation it's certainly great. This year will be our first time to be there for Xmas due to the fact that our boys are getting older and we don't want them missing school. They are 11 and 12 and thrilled with the plan as are we.
We have also spent the past two years visiting DW in late June and I personally would pick Xmas time over that time of year. Summer is just as busy plus you have the extreme heat and rain showers to deal with.

Have fun planning and I agree with the others who have told you...............get the unofficial guide. Money well spent.

 

[Dimples1973ca]

We have chosen to go over Christmas because DH is a teacher here in the Dartmouth. So we are limited to March Break, Summer or Christmas Break. March Break would be OK but I thought a week to fly, play and return home would be cutting it close especially if the weather does cooperate. DH refuses to miss any school time. We are going to give my in laws an option to go with us, as DH is their only child and DD the only grand child.As for my family, it is a large one in CB and we can vist them the weekend we return. I am sure my neices would prefer a special Disney Christmas present than something from Toys R Us or the GAP.We will probably only be in the Parks for a very short time Christmas Day. (if we go out at all).

Which are the best books to use as planning guides? Unofficial Guide? Passporter?WDW for Dummies?

We were in California last March Break before we adopted DD, and we spent a day at Disneyland. I vowed that once we get a child of our own, we would take he or she to WDW. DH has been there before when he was about 11. I have never been and even the planning has got me emotional. I am going to go crazy!

 

[drag n' fly]

We are venturing home to our resort at Christmas this year. Apparently the busiest time is between Christmas and New Years. We plan on boarding the DCL ship on Christmas eve right before the rush! We plan on enjoying the parks as commando touring to get on rides is impossible. We are staying concierge at our home resort so we plan on spending alot of time at our resort enjoying that and the pool etc! See the lights, decorations, CRT. We really do not want our kids to miss school any so we will be travelling during the high season also from now on. OP if you have realisitic expectations you will have a good time. TGM (tour guide mike) a board sponsor will be quite helpful in your case and the unofficial guide is also very helpful.

 

[bluenosemickey]

We've been th WDW at xmas before and are returning this xmas with the grandparents in tow. Since we have young kids the santa thing must be addressed.

We told them that santa knows they will be going to disney and that he will adjust the amount of gifts they receive accordingly. It's only fair to give more to the kids not going away. As they walked around the parks we were able to go back into the shops and send the desired items back to our resort without the kids knowing. Late on xmas eve we retrieved them from the resort store ( I believe that's were they were).

Note: xmas day is just like any other day at WDW. At least that's what we found. I thought there would be more fan fair on that day, but there was nothing different, so if you skip the parks that day, you won't miss anything. We attended the MVMCP in the 19th, it rained, but it was otherwise a great night. No necessary though, if you have enough park entrances on your tickets, I don't think I would pay the extra again to attend this party. But if you are going to be shy a day or two with your passes, it's a good price for a MK pass. You are allowed to enter the park for the party after 4pm, even though the party doesn't start until 7pm. It is usually a lower attendance day because of the early closure so you can get some efficient park time that day.

I would subscribe to touring plans and get the recommended park days from them. This is critical for the days after the 24th. It will make or break your vacation. The parks can be extremely crowed if you don't know where NOT to go. It's all about going against the flow. We found often we were walking against the crowds. This is usually a good sign. If everyone is leaving, it's a great time to be arriving! And vise versa.

I love the warmer trips (aug), but that first xmas trip is definately to be remembered. And you might get lucky with some 80 degree days, we had a few.

good luck and happy planning.

 

[nat1234]

I've used The Unofficial Guide and the Passporter for my trip last year and will be using the 2009 versions of both these books. The UG is great for it's information about crowds, restuarants and places to stay and the Passporter is nice because you can write in it as you plan things and it has pockets to keep the bits and pieces that you need to keep and that you may want as mementos of your trip. Even the UG recommends picking up the Passporter.
You'll have fun whenever you go, especially if you realize that it's going to be busy and that you may not be able to see and do it all. Just look at it this way, you'll have a reason to go back again.
Natalie

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We're planning on hitting Disneyworld Dec 2009 too - I'm not 100% sure of the dates yet but we're thinking we'll do Disney the 1st week and then do a cruise the 2nd week that either runs over cmas or or stay in Disney for Cmas day then do the cruise after since Cmas is on a Friday that year. That's the plan anyway - depends what DVC resort we can get too!! My boys will be 15 and almost 10 (we'll celebrate my ds' 10th while we're there - it's Jan 10th)

 

[tgropp]

When our children were small and still living at home, we would go at Christmas time every two years or so. The days leading up to Christmas day are so magical. Depending on where you are staying, there are lots of activities at the resort leading up to Christmas day. These vacations are still fondly remembered as the best family vacations ever. First off, beginning in the new year, pick your resort and book it. Then try and reserve a car, as when you book it early, you may get a fairly decent deal. Then in June, you will have a chance to book the Candlelight Processional if you are interested in it. Then at your earliest booking date, book your ADR's. Shop for your airfare and book it early also as the rates only go up. It will be very busy but we would go to the parks early, leave at noon and go back after dinner. The parks are open very late. Avoid MK on Christmas day. Enjoy yourself. I wish that it was my family

 

[momlady]

We went to WDW the week before Christmas in 2004 and came home on the 26th. In our house Santa only brought one big gift so I had the 2 kids' gifts wrapped and quickly threw them under the tree in the morning once they were belted in their car seats and ready to go to the airport. We told them that Santa would visit our house while we were gone but that if they were very good the elves might make a side trip to fill up their stocking at WDW. They were too young to wonder about this, LOL!!!

Christmas Day we had planned as a non park day and so we got up, opened stockings, went to Mass and then out for brunch afterwards, and had a nice family day. It was also POURING rain all day so I would venture to guess that much of the parks were closed anyway. The rain was running in rivets down the streets, bouncing off the pavement...ugh!

 

[nat1234]

You can actually book your resort or package now. I was able to book the resort I wanted and the package pieces that I wanted to go with it about two weeks ago. Wilderness Lodge Dec 2009 here we come.
Natalie

 

[Dimples1973ca]

I went out and bought my 2009 Unofficial Guide. I will ask "Santa" to bring me the 2009 Passporter. I am so excited and have read for hours. We are going to talk to the in laws this weekend about our plans and we should be booking with in the next couple of weeks.

How does the booking work? Is the entire stay charged to the credit card? Is there a payment schedule? When booking, do you use a TA or do it yourself?

I am reading a lot about DP vs no DP. Thoughts?

Thanks again for the valuable info.

 

[nat1234]

My last trip I used a CAA agent. They do offer a small discount on the room portion of your package (if you book a package that is). You still get the discount on the room if you don't book a package. This trip I called Disney and booked my package myself. In either case you need to place a $200.00 deoposit to hold your reservation. The balance is due 45 days before the start of your vacation. If you book a room only reservation, I believe the deposit is the cost of one night for the room with the balance due 5 days before the start of your vacation. I could be wrong but the UG explains it well. I did the dining plan for both my trips. I like knowing that my meals are all covered. So if I spend too much on souviners, I still get to eat. I'm hopping they'll come out with a code for next Dec that will give me a break on the cost of the trip. I also added the park hopper option for this trip. My last trip we had the water parks and more option as well but I found that we really didn't use it very much so I didn't think it was worth it for us this trip. I hope this helps a little bit.

Natalie

 

[Dimples1973ca]

Thanks Nat1234. Was it even warm enough to take advantage of the water parks in December?

 

[nat1234]

Our last trip was in August of last year. This our first time going in December. I not sure if it will be warm enough for the water parks or not, which is another reason that I left them off this time around. I've talked to a neighbour who has gone in December before and she was saying that during the day it can be warm enough to swim. If my daughters decide they want a day at the water parks, I'll pay for a one day admission. This way I'll only be paying for what we are actually using.
Natalie

 

[boundfordisney]

I agree with nat, We too added park hopper but left out the water parks and more option for this trip December6. Had the water parks and more option last 2 trips but found we really didnt need them so skipped them for the upcoming vacation. would for sure do the park hopper as it can make your planning much more flexible.We purchased the dining plan for our trip in December had free dining in 2007 and 2006 wish it could have been free for December but no matter disney is worth the cost!Was unsure to pay for the dining or not but deceided that it would be easier not to have to worry about carrying all that extra money just for dining. All we need to carry is for spending. dont know that the dp will really save us anything but that wasnt really my main connsern the less you need to worry about the better!Paying for the dining up front works for me. One thing you should consider is doing table service dining at lunch time then using counter service at dinner. we found that sometimes having to get to our dinner reservation later in the day didnt work as well we were tired by then and not really to hungry

 

[boundfordisney]

Kind of funny that I mention to do the tbsv at lunch time then counter serv. at dinner since all my reservations for my trip are the opposite. , I only had to do it this way because of the rest of my family are in a vacation home and reserved dining just at either breakfast or dinner and we wanted to do most meals together otherwise I would be doing my reserved dining at lunch. we found that having to be tied down to a later day reservation was a little inconvenient we would have prefered to be more flexible on where and when to eat at that point in the day. I would do a lite breakfast and a table service meal at lunch as our big meal of the day plus you can walk off all those extra calories the rest of the day! 2009 trip I will be planning it that way!

 

[Dimples1973ca]

Having lunch as Table Service makes a lot of sense. It will give us a park break. I think the in laws are coming with us provided my FIL gets the knee replaced by then. We are going to decide where to stay in the next week or so. If we book now and opt for the room, DP and Park hopper option and then a discount code comes out, will they let me change the res and get the discount? Have any of you travelled with your in laws before? What are the chances of getting adjoining rooms at Disney? If the rooms adjoined, the can keep an eye on DD if we take some alone time. I like to have DH to myself sometimes.