Everything you need to know about WDW Christmas- Tips & Secrets

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Thank you! I assume they have a 90 day window like everything else?

Your welcome...yes 90 days. They don't book quite as quickly as the dining though!

 

[joeshan]

Loving the tips on this thread. We will be at WDW from Dec. 11- 19, this is also our first time in Dec. so please keep those tips coming!

 

[darkkskyzz]

Excellent read here -- family will be there 12/25-1/1.

Excited already!!!

Those are the dates for our first Disney Christmas trip!
Can't wait to suprise DD12 on Christmas morning!!

 

[pmama]

Those are the dates for our first Disney Christmas trip!
Can't wait to suprise DD12 on Christmas morning!!

Oh wow, that is a super idea! How fun to be able to surprise your DD on Christmas Day and be in WDW by the end of the day. Hmmmm, I may have to remember that one.

 

[lshanks07]

Hi Everyone!!

This year will be my family's first ever WDW Christmas trip!! I have read this entire post (almost), Thank you to all that have posted with your tips and expertise! I do have a couple of questions if ya'll don't mind.

1. Is the Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party a must? DD-2 DS 9. Is this something maybe my daughter and I might enjoy, but the guys not? Do you think she is too young to appreciate and the Osbourne lights will be just as impressive to her?

2. We will be staying 12/13-12/17. I don't see very much posted about this week....most of what I see is 12/18 - 01/01. Is the 12/13 week really crowded from your experience? We have visited July 9-12 this summer..comparison?

Thanks so much for your time!!

 

[skier_pete]

1. Is the Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party a must? DD-2 DS 9. Is this something maybe my daughter and I might enjoy, but the guys not? Do you think she is too young to appreciate and the Osbourne lights will be just as impressive to her?

2. We will be staying 12/13-12/17. I don't see very much posted about this week....most of what I see is 12/18 - 01/01. Is the 12/13 week really crowded from your experience? We have visited July 9-12 this summer..comparison?

Hi there,

We are going the same week as you (12/12 to 12/20). This week is notoriously NOT crowded. (Last year the Unofficial Guide actually had a crowd level of "3" one day that week.) As the week goes on it gets more crowded, with by the weekend before christmas (12/18 in this case) the crowds get pretty huge). It will certainly be way less crowded that early July.

I have not been to MVMCP so take my comments as such - this is the one thing I intend to skip. There are others on this board that swear that MVMCP it is wonderful, but on a whole I would say you would get a 50/50 split on whether it is worth it.

To me, there is so much christmas stuff to see that is included in your regular ticket...MVMCP will cost me over $200 extra for my party, and will give me:
1) The christmas parade - the one thing I would like to see - but I can't justify $200 for it.
2) Mickey Christmas Stage show - don't mind it I miss it.
3) Christmas Wishes Fireworks - Similar to regular wishes - but bigger finale - worth xtra $$? I don't think so. DW and I are going to have dinner at the California Grille at the contemporary to see this. (12/15)
4) Meeting characters in christmas attire - YAWN
5) Hot Coacoa and a cookie - I'll wait until 12/21 thanks.

In addition, our DD6 is an "early to bed" type - it is unlikely she would handle staying up until Mid-night that well. Also, it is the last week of the party - likely to mean it will be pretty busy. So, overall, I don't consider it a "must see". I certainly don't think I would bother with just your DD2 - while she might appreciate the parade - I bet she would enjoy Spectromagic 10 times as much. And the fireworks she wouldn't be able to to tell the difference between regular wishes. I agree, that she would probably be more "awed" by the Osbourne lights.

Instead, go to MK on Monday (12/14). Instead of an 8:15 PM parade and 9:30 PM fireworks (for MVMCP), you'll get a 7 PM parade and 8 PM fireworks! (Based on last year's schedule.) The park will probably still be open until 11 PM thanks to EMH, and you didn't pay anything extra. Plus, you can say HI to me and my family, as we will be doing the same thing celebrating my 40th birthday! (Look for my orange camelback with the LGMH.)

SkierPete

PS: I am speculating EMH on Monday, 12/14, but this is very very likely. Normally they do EMH on Sundays, but when there is a hard ticket event on Sunday...like there is on 12/13, they normally bump the EMH to Monday. (I have it all on a spreadsheet - trust me. )

 

[lshanks07]

Thank you Skier Pete!! I was thinking along the same terms you are. Thanks for the tip on the EMH.... I will take your tip as you meant it. We will take advantage if this is the case. When we were there in July...my DD hated the fireworks. It probably didn't help that we were caught on the bridge right in front of the castle.......but she did not like the noise. Is the spectro show fireworks or like a laser type deal? I am sorry for the obvious quetions..I can't seem to find an answer.

Also, does it "snow" any other time besides during the Christmas Party?

Again! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Any other input is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.....you guys are great!!

 

[skier_pete]

Thank you Skier Pete!!

Is the spectro show fireworks or like a laser type deal? I am sorry for the obvious quetions..I can't seem to find an answer. Also, does it "snow" any other time besides during the Christmas Party?

You're welcome!

Spectro is shorthand for "Spectromagic"...it is the "regular" night-time parade at the magic kingdom....all done in electric lights. It is GREAT for kids, especially the little ones. Not noisy (except the music). My DD LOVED it when she was 3.5. We missed it last year because it wasn't running when we were there, but I usually consider it "don't miss". It usually only runs 2 or 3 nights a week, so it typically gets pretty big crowds. Based on 2008 schedule, it will run on Monday and Wednesday (12/14 an 12/16) @ 7 PM when you are there. Not christmasy in any way - but well worth it.

As far as the "snow" on main street - I don't know the answer to that one...that would be kinda cool to see. (Actually, we have a restaurant locally that does this in their lobby at Christmas.)

SkierPete

 

[snykymom]

Instead, go to MK on Monday (12/14). Instead of an 8:15 PM parade and 9:30 PM fireworks (for MVMCP), you'll get a 7 PM parade and 8 PM fireworks! (Based on last year's schedule.) The park will probably still be open until 11 PM thanks to EMH, and you didn't pay anything extra. Plus, you can say HI to me and my family, as we will be doing the same thing celebrating my 40th birthday! (Look for my orange camelback with the LGMH.)

SkierPete

PS: I am speculating EMH on Monday, 12/14, but this is very very likely. Normally they do EMH on Sundays, but when there is a hard ticket event on Sunday...like there is on 12/13, they normally bump the EMH to Monday. (I have it all on a spreadsheet - trust me. )

Hey, SkierPete! I'll have to look for you and say hello - it's my birthday too! I'll be celebrating my 40th for the th time! Solo trip, but I can't think of anywhere I'd rather spend it! And I hope you're right about the EMH - I love night EMH.

 

[DisneyChristian]

Don't they do "snow" for the Osborn Family Spectacle of Lights? I could be wrong though..

 

[skier_pete]

Hey, SkierPete! I'll have to look for you and say hello - it's my birthday too! I'll be celebrating my 40th for the th time! Solo trip, but I can't think of anywhere I'd rather spend it! And I hope you're right about the EMH - I love night EMH.

Same birthday...on the 14th?...that is amazing. We will have to try and meet up. I love meeting fellow DISers. Maybe you could "adopt a family" to help celebrate your birthday - we could all watch Wishes together. PM me if you are interested...so as not to completely hijack the thread.

SkierPete

 

[f15robyn]

Has anyone done this tour? Do we know if they still offer it?

My husband's bday happens to be while we're at Disney. And we were looking for a tour to take that he could use his Bday fun card to pay for. I've never noticed this one before (although I might have skipped right over it since we've never gone during Yule).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MickeynMinnie]

Don't they do "snow" for the Osborn Family Spectacle of Lights? I could be wrong though..

yes they do!!! its amazing!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We haven't done Osborne yet...fill me in...lots of details...how long is it? What is not to be missed?...

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Wow! There is so much to learn about and do that time of year!

I'm a little confused about something. Is the parade they tape for tv the one during the Christmas party or a parade in place of the 3 o'clock parade? Is the 3 o'clock parade a Christmas parade or the regular parade on non-taping days? What about Wishes?

Are all the MVMCP parades, shows, etc. different ones than non-party times?

Thanks

 

[PA Princess]

Hello, another Christmas trip newbie family here! We have made a dozen family trips over the years at various times, but this will be our first December trip and man are we excited

Our trip is December 17 to December 27. I will keep reading this thread for various tips! I have a ton of questions, but I will save those to see what I can gather from other research first.

Happy planning everyone

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We go in December every year. Here are my tips.

MVMCP a must do once when the kid's are still into the Christmas "magic" but not worth it every year.

We also go over Easter and other times and I always notice that it does get darker earlier (it is Dec) and the parks close earlier at the beginning of the month. Especially MK because of MVMCP. This makes the evening EMH that week very popular.

Definately do the Deluxe resorts. Each one has something wonderful and unique.

Watch the travel channel website. Samantha Brown and other's have done special Christmas at WDW shows which they will probably rerun closer to Dec.

Each park has a huge and special Christmas tree. We are sure to take pictures of the kids in front.

Do not depend on any weather channel or website more than one day out. It could be 80 degrees or 40 degrees pack for both.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

We go in December every year.

Great tips - Thanks!

 

[siskaren]

Wow! There is so much to learn about and do that time of year!

I'm a little confused about something. Is the parade they tape for tv the one during the Christmas party or a parade in place of the 3 o'clock parade? Is the 3 o'clock parade a Christmas parade or the regular parade on non-taping days? What about Wishes?

Are all the MVMCP parades, shows, etc. different ones than non-party times?

Thanks

The parade that is shown on TV is the one that shows during MVMCP, but it's not done at 3:00 until after the last MVMCP, which I think is December 18 this year. Wishes is shown on non-party nights, and during the parties a different show called Holiday Wishes is shown, although I don't know if Holiday Wishes then gets shown after the last party.

 

[ksoehrlein]

Intercot has a great list of all the special Christmas activities here:
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/holidays/christmas/default.asp It includes mention of the Resort displays as well. It's well worth it to schedule a few ADRs at different Deluxe Resorts so you have an excuse to go check out the decorations!

Money-saving tip: If you'll be there for Christmas week, don't worry about MVMCP. You'll get everything except for the "free" hot cocoa and cookies during a normal day at MK without having to pay for party admission. The parade, Castle show, stage show, and even the "snow" were in effect for our 12/20 - 12/26 stay.

One item I never see listed anywhere is that Mickey's house and Minnie's house in Toontown Fair are both decorated for Christmas. Very cute!