Disney cruise snobs abandon ship.... for the parks.. Christmas Trip Planning..

[HFC1969]

I'm just gonna ramble... sorry.... try and follow along...

Our family has cruised DCL at Christmas for about 10 years... sometimes we would end the holiday season with a stay at the parks.

This year DCL just priced us right out of cruising.. Example: we did the 12 night southern in 2010 for less then they are wanting us to pay for 2014 Christmas... so decision was made.. just do the parks!

Reservations are made... Boardwalk... Here we come..

Our family are AP holders... from STL... yeah we are true Disney

A little bit about us...

DH (me) 44... DW (too young for me ) DS (14) DD (8)








We have traveled to WDW many times at Christmas.. We know the crowds are huge. We know they shut down the parks and we still enjoy it!

I am going to be building an agenda for our stay with your help. I am looking for those out of the norm things to do so please feel free and help build this Christmas trip.

I have been searching the web for helpful hints and unknown Christmas activities..

Here is what I have come up with so far: (copied from other posts)

• During the month of December, Disney offers 25-minute “sleigh” rides through the woods from the Ft. Wilderness Campground. (The horse-drawn vehicle is wheeled but made to look like a red sleigh, complete with sleighbells!) You can book up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-PLAY (939-7529).
  
  
  
• Downtown Disney 2013 Santa/Santa Goofy hours: Santa Goofy , December 25-29 from 3:00 – 10:00 pm.
  
  
  
• The Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World offer fantastic edible displays. Beach Club Resort usually has a fully detailed, life-sized gingerbread carousel in the lobby. The lobby of Yacht Club Resort has had displays such as a miniature New England-style train racing through a sugary rock mountain surrounded by a candy-coated model village. The lobby of BoardWalk Resort always has an amazing gingerbread display, and theContemporary Resort has had a 17-foot gingerbread Christmas tree!
  
  
  
• During Christmas it’s common for the Magic Kingdom to have a regular opening time of 8 am, and Extra Magic Hours at 7 am. If you can haul yourself out of bed and be in front of the Magic Kingdom at 6:45, the ride lines will be really, really short for quite some time. Yes, that means getting up at 5:30

 

[HFC1969]

Found this today from Epcot Christmas Story tellers:

EPCOT Holiday Storytellers 2014



EPCOT's nightly fireworks show gets an extra boost during the holidays.

A holiday segment and extra fireworks are added to the end of the show with a heartwarming narration by the late Walter Cronkite and a choir singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth." Some of the best spots for viewing are the bridge between the United Kingdom and France.

 

[HFC1969]

Magic Kindom - If you'll be visiting the Magic Kingdom during the approximately two weeks between when Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party ends and NYE, don't overlook special shows such as A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas (Tomorrowland Stage) and Celebrate the Season (Castle Stage). These shows are available to the general public for two weeks only! "Celebrate the Season" takes place on the Castle Stage and is the more popular of the two shows with its classic Disney characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip, Dale), a salute to "The Nutcracker" and singalong format.

EPCOT - Santa Meet and Greet: Whisper your Christmas wishes in Santa's ear at Santa's Village in the American Adventures pavilion in World Showcase. Santa appears from November 29 – December 24 at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sessions are 70-minute each. Even Mrs. Claus will be there.

EPCOT - Don't miss the Gluhwein sold at Germany's Sommerfest. Gluhwein is a German holiday drink composed of mulled wine with just a hint of cinnamon, vanilla, and citrus, and it's served hot - a must-do's on chilly Florida December evenings. Other hot holiday drinks, like Werther's hot salted carmamel are offered at the Prost! kiosk at Germany's ChristkindlMarkt (Christmas Market) near the outdoor seating area

 

[HFC1969]

Fireworks - Disney’s BoardWalk also offers a great view of the fireworks from IllumiNations at Epcot. Head past the ESPN Club and grab a spot on the bridge. The fireworks start around 9:00pm except during the Christmas season, when they start at 9:30.

Boardwalk - From 7:00-10:00 each evening, the BoardWalk’s street performers come out to entertain you; These performers are hand picked by Disney and the best in the world at what they do, while offering free shows that are appropriate and fun for all ages. There are three performers most nights with shows at two different locations — one in front of the Flying Fish Restaurant, and the other by the Screen Door General Store. You could see juggling, magic, a plate spinner or even occasionally a sword swallower. All of the performers are unique and will leave you amazed. Most nights there is a ring of children sitting in the front, and your kids will have a blast. (Make sure that you keep an eye on your children — it is not a baby sitting service.) If it rains or the temperature is too cold, the shows will instead be performed inside the BoardWalk Hotel — one in the lobby and the other near the elevator.

Hair Confetti – The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A., will sprinkle confetti and “pixie dust” on your child’s hair for free. Castle Couture in Fantasyland also has “pixie dust.”

Epcot
Get a Drink - Club Cool in Epcot’s Future World, sponsored by Coca-Cola, offers weary Epcot (You know what EPCOT stands for, right? Every Person Comes Out Tired) walkers eight drinks from around the world (all of which are types of Coca-Cola brands). Taste as much of the beverage samples as you want for as long as you want.
Try the Beverly - We just mentioned Club Cool. The “Beverly” is so famous among Disney fans that it earned its own number. The Beverly is a rite of Epcot passage.

 

[HFC1969]

Attractions in MK that are usually not as busy..

What am I missing??


Main Street USA:
Shows at Castle

Adventureland:
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets
Pirate of Caribbean
Pirates League Show
Swiss Family Treehouse
Tiki Room

Liberty Square:
Hall of Presidents
Riverboat

Fantasy Land:
Carrousel
Its a Small world
PhilharMagic
Brave Meet and Greet

Enchanted Forest:
Ariels Grotto

Tomorrowland
Laugh FLoor
Stitch Great Escape
People Mover
Carousel of Progress