Disney World in December/Christmas...Tips? Must Sees?

[WaltD4Me]

We are headed to Disney the 2nd week of December. I've been to the World five times, but have always wanted to see it decorated and done up for Christmas.

I'd love to hear about everyone's December Disney trips and would appreciate any tips, suggestions and what are Must See's
or things we might miss while we are there!

I heard Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party tickets sell fast, do I need to get those now? This early? How is the party? It sounds great, but I always like to get "man on the street" opinions! LOL!

Thanks so much!


Lisa

 

[goofy4tink]

You're in for a treat!!! The holidays at WDW are soooo wonderful. First......the tickets for MVMCP don't really sell out all that fast. I got ours for Dec. 14, 2003 in mid November. The Friday parties toward the end of Dec. go first. I would avoid the Friday shows anyway. The party is great fun. Lots to see and do.

We also like Candlelight Processional over in World SHowcase in Epcot. The narrator for that particular evening tells the Christmas story in parts, interspersed with a beautiful choir/orchestra singing appropriate songs. It is incredibley moving. We do it in conjunction with a CP dinner package.

Each country in WS also has a story-teller that tells the holiday traditions of that particular country. Times are listed in the park brochure.

Each park lights a huge Christmas tree each day. The ceremony in Epcot is a lot of fun. We also like to travel around and check out the holiday decorations at the other resorts around WDW. If you have a day that has yucky weather this is particularly good.

No matter what you do, just relax and enjoy it. Christmas at WDW is so very magical. Have fun planning.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Oh, I just can't wait! It just sounds wonderful! I love Christmas and to have it combined with Disney World? What more can you ask for? LOL!

I'm wondering about the weather too? I don't mind it cool, but for the 2nd week of December will it be too cool for the kids to do Blizzard Beach or even the hotel pool? I know Typhoon Lagoon will be closed for refurbishing then. Personally, I would happily skip Blizzard Beach, but the kids love it.

Also are there any special character meals or anything for the holidays?

Lisa

 

[MikeD]

Hello fellow Ohio'er. We've gone every Dec since '97 and have attended MVMCP every year. We love to get the photo and see how big the kids have gotten over the years. Some favorite X-mas activities are: meeting characters in their X-mas outfits; Osborne lights at MGM; X-mas trees in parks and resorts; X-mas shopping at Downtown Disney. Hope these help!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Hi Mike ......... Go Buckeyes! LOL!

I had heard awhile ago that they might be doing away with the Osbourne lights. Anyone know if this is true or if so, if it's a definite decision yet?

Lisa

 

[Bimmy56]

2 absolute must - sees are the Candlelight Processional and the Osbourne lights, which are scheduled to be back this year I believe.

 

[TwingleMum]

In response to your ? about swimming. The weather is always chancy. I've gone and worn t shirts for NYE and swam. And other years its been freezing. Bring layers and prepare the kids that they probably won't be able to swim. But bring swim suits just in case. Have a great trip.

 

[Magic2000]

We've gone the week AFTER Thanksgiving for three years now, and we love traveling at that time!!! I'm trying to schedule another trip this year too!

Although we've been going the first week in Dec, its hard to tell about the weather. The first year we went, it was rather cold. We had sweatshirts on, but there were some kids in the pool!! The next year, it was warmer in the day, but cool at night. Then the next time, it was rather cool - a little too cool for us to be in the pool! (Last year, we did MNSSHP - and it was warm the first couple of days, then turned cool so we couldn't swim!)

I would also highly recommend Mickey's Christmas Party, the Candlelight Processional, and the Osborne Lights! The Osborne Lights are supposed to be back this year! We always do the dinner package for the Candlelight Processional, because we like to eat at the different restaurants anyway, and you are assured of a seat for the show!

Also, be sure to check out the Christmas tree at the Grand Floridian!!!! It is gorgeous!!!!

Good luck and have a great time!!!

 

[Grumpy92]

This is an extra magical time to visit and so many things to do.

1. CP - Dont miss this show it is the best on property. I would suggest the Dinner Pkg. It includes a meal, reserved seating and a small discount on merchandise.

2. Osbourne Lights- Thankfully they are back this year. They are a wonderful display at MGM. We go to dinner at Mama Melrose then meander over.

3. Epcot- Wonderful holiday narrators in each country share stories from their homeland. We also enjoy the Festival of Lights bridge.

4. MK Tree lighting- Daily arrive about 5pm and see the moving Flag Ceromony followed by a wonderful little show which culminates with the tree lighting.

5. Resorts- Each resort has decorations that match their theming they are amazing. Even the campers at FW get into the act and decorate their sites with annimation and music. The GF is wonderful in the eveng with cms xmas caroling and the band/pianist. Not to mention the fresh gingerbread in the huge gingerbread store in the lobby.

6.Yultide Tour - We did this a few years ago and it was so fun. You visit three of the parks, one resort and the WDW Xmas Warehouse. Guides discuss the various holiday traditions and just how they decorate WDW & the Cruiseships.

 

[wannabee princess]

You will love Disney in December! Our first trip for the holidays was last year and I can't wait to go back this year!

A couple of other items -

Santa hats with Mickey ears! They are a fun way to show your holiday and Disney spirit!

Santa Goofy at AK (Camp Minnie-Mickey) - This was our favorite family picture last trip. I framed it and it's in our family room.

The Liberty Tree meal with the characters in their Christmas garb.

Country Bear Jamboree Christmas show

Definitely take the time to visit the resorts! We loved looking at the trees, the carousel, the gingerbread!

The CP - we waited until the narrators were announced before planning what day to go.

MVMCP - don't go on a Friday if you can help it. You should be able to buy tickets later in the year.

DD with the Christmas decorations

The tree lighting at Epcot (around 6) and MK

My kids swam 2 days (on the free days that we had). It was the middle of the day. The weather is definitely one for layers - starts off cool, warms (varies as to how warm) and then cools again in the evening. We used gloves on MVMCP, but at least sweatshirts or jackets most nights.

 

[chessie]

We really enjoyed the tree lighting at Epcot. Your best view is to stand under the arch in front of the tree. They put on a little holiday skit with all the characters and then light the tree. The arch begins to light up and change colors and patterns until everything is all lit. There is a great photo of the arch on this link. http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/photoepxm.html

We went to the 2nd show of the Candlelight Processional. It was dark by the time it started. Afterwards we had dinner as part of the dinner package at Rose and crown. We had finished up desert just before illuminations started. Our server took us to a special viewing area that is only for R&C dinner guests. We were practically on the water. There were only about 6 or 8 of us in the viewing area and we had a completely unobstructed view of illuminations.

 

[Beca]

DTD is wonderful at Christmas!! They have carolers out singing in the evenings. This really was one of my favorite memories...they were VERY good!

As with the weather. It can change rapidly from day to day!! We traveled with friends who told us this, but we did not believe them. The first night were were there, we were SO cold that we ended up going to DTD and spending WAY TOO MUCH for coats (which are beautiful btw, and we will be TAKING them this year). Also, my friends said the number one item needed was gloves. I thought they were insane!! But, they are SO right. It doesn't have to be that cold for the coldness to really start to wear on you after a while, but when your hands are warm, you tend to feel warmer. They're so small...and yet, I didn't want to "bother" with taking them...never again!!!...gloves are on my list of "must haves"...you just never know about the weather!!!

Be prepared, and think "LAYERS".



Beca