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

[Pjimmeyer]

I just wanted to say....I am so excited that it's almost Christmas time!!!!

 

[Minniekins]

let me start by saying I didn't read this whole thread:

Do they light the castle at MK on non MVMCP nights? Trying to decide if we should do party or a regular MK day and only have one day for MK and have to see the castle lights! From reading I wasn't sure if the lighting ceramony was different at the party or not??? Also how early do they have a christmas theme to the parade? Thanks.

After the first MVMCP party, approximately Nov 10th I think, the Castle dream lights are on every night. They are awesome, just awesome! Not sure about the lighting ceremony, don't think it's the same on non party nights but could be wrong on that. The Xmas parade is only on MVMCP party nights. I think about Dec 18th the parties are over and then the Xmas parade is the parade of the day in the afternoon and all the Xmas stuff goes on all week for all guests then, not just those who bought party tickets. Btw, we love the MVMCP!

 

[Halbleib1]

let me start by saying I didn't read this whole thread:

Do they light the castle at MK on non MVMCP nights? Trying to decide if we should do party or a regular MK day and only have one day for MK and have to see the castle lights! From reading I wasn't sure if the lighting ceramony was different at the party or not??? Also how early do they have a christmas theme to the parade? Thanks.

The Christmas parade starts showing daily after the party ends. I believe this year that would be the 19th.

 

[skier_pete]

let me start by saying I didn't read this whole thread:

Do they light the castle at MK on non MVMCP nights? Trying to decide if we should do party or a regular MK day and only have one day for MK and have to see the castle lights! From reading I wasn't sure if the lighting ceramony was different at the party or not??? Also how early do they have a christmas theme to the parade? Thanks.

From what I have gathered...the lights come on around 6 PM, and MVMCP doesn't start until 7 PM...so you actually can see the lighting ceremony any day of the week, you don't need a MVMCP ticket to see it.

 

[LaurieN]

I love this thread it has been so helpful
I have one question: I know the deluxe resorts are a must see for holiday decorations but what about the mods and value. Should I plan on visiting any/all of them as well or just the deluxe?
Thanks
Laurie

 

[howlongtildisney]

this is just a hopeful brainstorm, but would New Years Day morning be a less crowded time in the parks because of people staying up late on New Years Eve? I realize the afternoon would probably be a different situation

My brother and I did this on New Year's Day 2000. Didn't get back to CBR until almost 3, but we were up and on the bus to DHS by 7:30 the next morning for EMH. Walking down to Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster, we were the only people there except one CM collecting trash. Rode Rockin Roller Coaster 3 times in a row!

We'll be there for NYE again this year. On NYE 1999 (one of the busiest days ever for the parks) we got there about half an hour early for EMH, went in, rode a couple rides, and then went back to the hotel for the day. Then we went back to the park around 5 or 6 for dinner and the celebration. Park admission had shut down, but re-entering was fine. Does anyone have any idea if this work-around still works?

 

[tlcmommyx4]

I just found this thread and have been reading it all morning. This will my family's first Christmas time trip to Disney and I can't hardly wait. I am worried about the weather. I had a daughter who is in a wheel chair and I am not sure how cold it will be for her. If someone who has been give me some info on what to bring as far as a heavy coat ect. Thanks so much. We will be there Dec 9 thru 15.

 

[lurkyloo]

My brother and I did this on New Year's Day 2000. Didn't get back to CBR until almost 3, but we were up and on the bus to DHS by 7:30 the next morning for EMH. Walking down to Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster, we were the only people there except one CM collecting trash. Rode Rockin Roller Coaster 3 times in a row!

That's so cool! We did this at Disneyland one year - on New Year's Day it was totally deserted until early afternoon!

Park admission had shut down, but re-entering was fine. Does anyone have any idea if this work-around still works?

What you experienced was one of four stages of shut-down that Disney puts in place on crowded days. At a certain point, even people who have already entered the park cannot re-enter if it is too crowded, so it just depends on the crowds that day.

Also, it fluctuates all the time, so while they may be turning everyone away, or just people arriving in cars, or just people who aren't staying on property, the situation could change 30 minutes later if enough people leave the park.

I had a daughter who is in a wheel chair and I am not sure how cold it will be for her. If someone who has been give me some info on what to bring as far as a heavy coat ect. Thanks so much. We will be there Dec 9 thru 15.

The consensus on this and other threads seems to be that you simply cannot predict the weather in December. One day it may be a balmy 75, the next it could be 50! So we're going to bring lots of layers in order to be prepared for anything!

 

[siskaren]

I love this thread it has been so helpful
I have one question: I know the deluxe resorts are a must see for holiday decorations but what about the mods and value. Should I plan on visiting any/all of them as well or just the deluxe?
Thanks
Laurie

I would say just for the time factor involved that unless you have a car, stick with the deluxes, especially since the deluxes are a pretty easy quick trip from a park. For instance, on a day you're visiting Epcot you can easily take an hour break to check out YC, BC and the Boardwalk Inn. Similarly, you can easily take a break from MK to check out the monorail resorts and maybe even hop on the boat to check out WL.

 

[jamaunt]

There's so much information in this thread that I couldn't get through all of it!!
Thanks to everyone! Our first Christmas trip is this December.

Does anyone know if they accept the TIW card for the candlelight processional dinner/lunch package?

 

[DVC4US]

I just found this thread and have been reading it all morning. This will my family's first Christmas time trip to Disney and I can't hardly wait. I am worried about the weather. I had a daughter who is in a wheel chair and I am not sure how cold it will be for her. If someone who has been give me some info on what to bring as far as a heavy coat ect. Thanks so much. We will be there Dec 9 thru 15.

I have to agree that this one is hard to predict. When we were there for Christmas in 2007 it was in the high 70's, low 80's and I was wearing shorts every day. By the end of our trip a cold front had set in and the high's were in the 50's. The best suggestion I have is watch the weather beforehand and be prepared for anything.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

I want to thank everyone for trying to help me predict the weather. I am trying to stay with one suitcase per person since it's $25.00 per person to take them on our flight. I will just have to make better all weather choices in her suitcase and hope we don't go over 50lbs. Thanks again see ya at the Beach Club on Dec. 9th.

 

[kdzbear]

I want to thank everyone for trying to help me predict the weather. I am trying to stay with one suitcase per person since it's $25.00 per person to take them on our flight. I will just have to make better all weather choices in her suitcase and hope we don't go over 50lbs. Thanks again see ya at the Beach Club on Dec. 9th.

Wal-mart sells fish scales for $5 in the fishing department. They have a scale that goes up to 50lbs. on the hand held handle side and a hook on the other side. We used one on our last trip and coming home it said our bag was 49 1/2 lbs. When it was weighed at the resort luggage check it was just slightly off of that and it was under 50 lbs. You can buy more expensive luggage scales, but this was small and accurate!

 

[nanceliz]

I just read through this thread...lots of great info
thanks guys
cannot wait for our trip

 

[Bluenoser]

That's great! Thanks for posting it.

 

[Puget Peach]

The consensus on this and other threads seems to be that you simply cannot predict the weather in December. One day it may be a balmy 75, the next it could be 50! So we're going to bring lots of layers in order to be prepared for anything!

I plan layers as follows (from the skin out) tank top, tee, long sleeve tee, sweater, and hooded fleece jacket. I carry a backpack for pieces I am not currently wearing plus a rain poncho, extra pair of socks, and stretchy gloves. I frequently start with all these pieces on at rope drop, peel down to the tank by late afternoon, then end up with all of it back on by park closing.

 

[jenbren]

This is so awesome!! We will be there Dec. 19-30 with 13 of the extended family - ages 2 to 86!! This will be the first December trip since I was 11 so I'm very excited but like so many others wondering what to wear - thanks for all the advice. Since we will be leaving snow and are driving down we'll have to have the parkas with us anyway.

Can't wait to see the Christmas magic!!! Thanks for all the great tips!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

I have to agree that this one is hard to predict. When we were there for Christmas in 2007 it was in the high 70's, low 80's and I was wearing shorts every day. By the end of our trip a cold front had set in and the high's were in the 50's. The best suggestion I have is watch the weather beforehand and be prepared for anything.

We were there in 2007 and are very used to cold weather, but not used to colder humid weather (huge difference), humidity makes everything colder and hotter. We were so very, very cold first couple of days trying to enjoy Wishes on the beach at the Poly I was ready to pack it in and head back to Calgary, however the rest of the trip was great - spent tons of time at the pool and beach in shorts etc. So like previous posters have said - layer, layer, layer!!

 

[chrissid7]

I plan layers as follows (from the skin out) tank top, tee, long sleeve tee, sweater, and hooded fleece jacket. I carry a backpack for pieces I am not currently wearing plus a rain poncho, extra pair of socks, and stretchy gloves. I frequently start with all these pieces on at rope drop, peel down to the tank by late afternoon, then end up with all of it back on by park closing.

Thats exactly what I was thinking about doing lol! Maybe skipping the tank though. Im hoping to see some days where Ill need it though

 

[Melani]

They've changed the MK hours for Dec.19!

What are the chances they'll change again?