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

[AmyHernandez]

Subscribing! This will be our first Christmas at WDW so looking forward to it. We will be there Dec 17-26th. Loving all the tips and advice!

 

[theduck619]

We will be there the week after Turkey Day. I have read and heard the crowds are light. What are your opinions?

 

[disneylovin24]

I haven't read through the thread yet (I need to find time to read the 70-something pages!) but I have been at Christmas 5 times and will be down there the first full week of Dec this year cool1: 18 days away!).

I think my big tip is just to soak it all in and enjoy it all! It is truly a magical time to be at WDW so remember it and enjoy it.

My other thing would be to take advantage of the once a year things. I didn't personally care for the Christmas party, but I would suggest it's worth it to go once but don't expect to ride a lot of rides at it, it is busy! Osborne lights and Candlelight Processional are two must sees! Also take the time to view the resorts' different decorations.


Everyone who's going, enjoy your trips!

 

[disneylovin24]

This is such a great thread! I'm listening to my Holiday Wishes music and reading along right now... and I'm just getting SO EXCITED!! 43 DAYS LEFT!

We're risking it and going from Dec. 21st - Jan 2nd.. so it's gonna be crowded. But I have gone to Disney several times this year and I have gone on all of the rides, so my main priorities are anything and everything christmas!!

This will be my first Christmas Trip... so I was wondering about the "full capacity" thing.
- Is Magic Kingdom the only one that tends to close due to full capacity?
- Around what time do the parks typically get filled?
- Around what time to they typically reopen?
- Do the parks close due to full capacity on the 27th-30th usually?

Also
- Does every single World Showcase country have a story teller?

- Does Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, The Swan and Dolphin, any of the moderates or values had decorations worth seeing.
- When is the best time of day to go to Downtown Disney- Does Downtown Disney have anything special going on?

THANK YOU! I'm so excited I can not WAIT!!

I highlighted the two questions that interested me.

I want to know if SSR has any decorations, that's where I am staying in a few weeks and Im curious to see if they have decorations!

I would say the best time top shop at DTD is early afternoon. It becomes a complete zoo every night because it doesn't take a lot of people to make it feel busy. I would say a weekday afternoon would be the lest crowded time there.

 

[disneylovin24]

I just wanted to pipe in on the early December crowds. I have been that time of year 5 years, most recently last year. For someone who has gone mostly over February break, I would call it not crowded. I think the longest lines were 30-60 minutes, which isnt bad compared to 2-3 hours over February break. The only rides that are 60 minutes are the super headliners like Soarin, Toy Story Mania and so on. Last year we got on Splash Mountain in 5 minutes, Space Mountain in about 15, and Big Thunder Mountain in about 30-40. Most of the other rides in MK were 10 minute waits. I think the ease that I got ADR's this December shows how it's not too crowded. I got Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace reservations for the times I wanted about 3 months out, that would never happen for a busier time of year.

 

[Smileybug]

We will be there the week after Turkey Day. I have read and heard the crowds are light. What are your opinions?

This is when we always go. We usually do Saturday to Saturday. The crowds aren't as light as they used to be. But still very, very manageable. Wish we were joining you this year. But we have to wait until next year. 376 days.

 

[klmall]

Crowds were light the first four days of our visit Dec. 15 - 22 in 2007 but I'm sure it will be busier this year when we're there Dec. 12 - 18 this year due to all the promotions. There is no slow time in December anymore!

As for the cold, we learned from camping and in 2007, dress in layers!!! I will bring my red fleece, hooded light jacket and turtlenecks and a sweater! Plus gloves and a hat and socks and hand and foot warmers. DS almost froze to death that year because he refused to wear a jacket to MVMCP and we ended up going back to the hotel right after the second parade. No way am I going to miss the fun this year due to cold! My goal is to get pictures of the Seven Dwarfs or Bust!

You can also stow extra clothing in a locker that night if want to and that way you don't have to carry it everywhere if it's warm in the afternoon.

 

[brightspark]

We will be there the week after Turkey Day. I have read and heard the crowds are light. What are your opinions?

So are we! (although we are there for 2 weeks)... I've heard that the crowds are fairly low, although not quiet. Can't wait - less than 2 weeks to go

 

[inSTiTCHes]

Hey Everybody!

First post :-D

So I'm SOO Psyched, I'm heading to Disney Dec 3-7 (I know - so short!) for a first time Christmastime visit! So I'm not a noobie to disney, JUST the Holiday stuff.

So A Couple questions:

How is the park going to be crowded wise when I'm there? 30 minute lines? About?

What Characters can I hope to find? Rare Ones?? and WHERE!?

I need really good tips for doing A LOT in a short amount of time.

I would love if anyone could help, THANKS SO MUCH


Love and Laughs,
Lesley

 

[disneylovin24]

I don't think anyone is going to get a "honest" answer out of what crowds are like. What one person considers slow another person does not. Since I have never been during a really slow time (November, Early February) I think early December is a slow time. People who have only gone during those times and have never gone during busy times are going to think early December is a busy time.

Ive always encountered 30-60 minute line times max in early December. I don't think that's bad considering there are also a fair amount of rides with wait times much less than that.


As for the weather, last December was the first time we experienced cold weath in December and it wasnt even that bad. Last year was jeans and a sweatshirt weather but not layering weather. But this is going to vary for everyone too. Im from the north so Id wear shorts in 50 degree weather

For packing, I just watch the weather and don't pack until a few days before. That way I dont end up with too much stuff packed.

 

[saintstickets]

We will be there the week after Turkey Day. I have read and heard the crowds are light. What are your opinions?

We were there at this time last year and the crowds were very manageable with the exception of MK on Friday, 12/3/10. Not the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving but the next Friday is when they start filming the Christmas Day parade. MK is PACKED with cheerleaders for the first day of filming and possibly again on Saturday if they did not finish Friday. The other parks were great though as you can see from my pics in the TR link below.

As for the weather, during that time of year it can be freezing or 80's. During our trip, the first part of the week it was in the low 80's during the day but a front moved through mid-week and it got down to near freezing late at night. WDW made tons of $'s with people buying sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts after that cold spell hit. We had experienced this before so we were prepared but a lot of park visitors were not.

 

[disneylovin24]

I think anytime you're going anywhere it's wise to pack a few pairs of jeans and a few sweatshirts. Even if its suppossed to be 80s all week I go Ill still pack 2 or 3 jeans and a few sweatshirts. Those things are good to always have and dont take up much room in luggage.

Its the hats and scarves and gloves and heavy coats that Id only packed if it looked really bad.

 

[PopArtGal]

My parents (early sixties) and I (29) will be going December 2012 (from dec 22 to Jan 1). What are the pros advice? I have been to wdw over 12 times so far... maybe 13. I lost count. We are July goers...We have been once at the beginning of December (13-19) but never on Christmas day. However, I am a teacher and going earlier is not an option.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

Hi Folks,

Instead of searching through 77 pages on this thread, I thought I'd ask a quick question.

Prior to leaving for WDW just before Christmas in 2009, we found an online schedule of character appearances and entertainment at the various resorts. We remember this listing or schedule, but cannot find it this time. HELP!!

 

[eculmone]

Hi Folks, just posting so I can see my ticker. I'm getting very anxious around this time. Starting to check weather forcasts, picking out outfits in my mind, gotta pull out the luggage. Does anyone wear Santa hats etc. while at MVMCP? I have some and with it getting chilly at night, it just might be perfect. There are 7 of us, so they take up room. DD also wants to bring her stitch hands. They act as mittens, but they are large. I'm not sure the hats and gloves will fit in one backback

 

[disneyfan2kids]

We have been the past 4 years in December. Almost every year it's been for 6 days and each year, there have been 2 days it was so warm we swam... 2 days we had light jackets...and 2 days it was downright COLD (think hats/gloves/scarfs and we STILL went back to the room b/c we were too cold.)

 

[brightspark]

Hi Folks, just posting so I can see my ticker. I'm getting very anxious around this time. Starting to check weather forcasts, picking out outfits in my mind, gotta pull out the luggage. Does anyone wear Santa hats etc. while at MVMCP? I have some and with it getting chilly at night, it just might be perfect. There are 7 of us, so they take up room. DD also wants to bring her stitch hands. They act as mittens, but they are large. I'm not sure the hats and gloves will fit in one backback

Yes they do! And they sell mickey (etc) ones. Last time we were there at Christmas we bought a giant mickey snowman hat, and a christmas hat with minnie ears and bow on it (cute). Bringing from home might take up space but will save you $$

So excited to see your ticker... Look at mine too :yey

 

[frugalfanny]

During MVMCP, where do the majority of people start ~ adventureland, tomorrowland, etc.? Do they go clockwise or counter-clockwise around the park?

 

[petals]

Do princesses still do meet and greet while first parade is on at MVMCP?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Has anyone seen a schedule for the Christmas Parade taping this year? Still the first weekend of December as usual?