Downtown Disney around Christmas?

[JennysSeven]

I'm trying to plan out our days for our December trip, and my original plan was to spend our arrival afternoon/evening at Downtown Disney. However, I ended up booking a dinner at Chef Mickey's for that night, and now I'm wondering if we should just skip DTD altogether or if we should cancel that Chef Mickey's ressie (I have a brunch there later in the week) and stick with DTD.

We've been to DTD before but a long time ago--almost 10 years. And we're not big shoppers, and I hate saying "no" over and over again to all the kids' requests for "stuff" lol! But if it has Christmas decorations, etc. that are not to be missed, I want to see them! If not, we could just resort hop and see the decorations at the resorts until we need to be at Chef Mickey's.

Any advice from those who have BTDT?

 

[Robo]

DTD is all about shopping.

If you want to see decorations, visit any and all of the Deluxe resorts.

Grand Floridian
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boardwalk Resort
are particularly stunning and fun.

 

[eyehartdisney]

Three things. 1) Chef mickey's is, in my opinion, one of the worst character meals, it's too busy and the food isn't great. If you want to do a character meal, do tusker house. The food is better, it's inside Animal kingdom, so you don't have to wait to get there or leave, and it's 10 bucks cheaper per person for breakfast.

2) Why not have your kids earn their shopping money ahead of time? Then they can spend it how they see fit, and it gives them an opportunity to learn about money, prices, and will lessen the gimmie gimmies. You could, if you want to, say the 'rents will get you one thing in addition to spending money, but that is it. Expectations ahead of time make a big difference.

3) Are they into pin trading? DTD is the pin trading hub. It doesn't have a whole lot of decorations, but there is a christmas store, and the kids always get a christmas photo in front of the statue of heuy dewy and loius (spelling?) That are dressed up in christmas outfits.

 

[JennysSeven]

They are earning their own souvenir money, but we want them to think a bit about what they want rather than blowing it all the first night we are there. My older kids are good about this; the younger ones not so much! We are planning to start pin trading this time though, so that is a definite consideration. We will have 7 days (might add an 8th) in the parks--will they miss much not being able to pin trade in DTD?

 

[eyehartdisney]

They are earning their own souvenir money, but we want them to think a bit about what they want rather than blowing it all the first night we are there. My older kids are good about this; the younger ones not so much! We are planning to start pin trading this time though, so that is a definite consideration. We will have 7 days (might add an 8th) in the parks--will they miss much not being able to pin trade in DTD?

There's a giant pin board that opens randomly three times a day, and there are tons upon tons of cast members to trade with in dtd. I wouldn't say they would "miss out," but it's a fun experience anyway. Here's a thought, what if you tell them that they can only spend their money on the last day? That way they can think about what they want. Sure, it limits some of the more exclusive items, but with the current trend, there's not a whole lot of difference in merchandise anyway.

 

[Garretsoccer2]

DTD is all about shopping.

If you want to see decorations, visit any and all of the Deluxe resorts.

Grand Floridian
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boardwalk Resort
are particularly stunning and fun.

I came here to say this! Additionally, be sure to save time to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios!