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

[modnm]

we went early december last year, my husband was at a conference so dropped us off, he arrived to pick us up but we were riding star tours so he came in to meet us. Anyway, we walked through the Osbourne Christmas lights before they had been switched on. We stopped and decided to wait for 10- 15 mins to see if they came on before returning home.

Got talking to a cast member who spoke to my DS x2, she then asked them all about the lights. After 5 mins she said would they like to see the special light switch and turn them on.. OMG it was an amazing surprise to our holiday. My DS1 (7) and DS2 (5) got to flip the switch, lots of amazing photos taken by the photopass photographer

That is my amazing christmas story

Michelle 154 days until we return

 

[siskaren]

Thank you! This one must have slipped by me Do you know of one for the parks or just WDW in general? I looked but I couldn't find one.

There's a lot of pictures in easywdw.com, but they're from posts from last November and December, and easywdw.com doesn't seem to have an easy way to look up old posts (well, not by month anyway.)

 

[BDL]

Here's a link from the 2011 Christmas thread. It has pics of the MVMCP specific merchandise.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2592868&page=9

 

[siskaren]

Here's a link from the 2011 Christmas thread. It has pics of the MVMCP specific merchandise.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2592868&page=9

This is actually the 2010 thread.

 

[BDL]

This is actually the 2010 thread.

My bad. Sorry. Was cleaning out old subscriptions and I came across that 1.

 

[Kathy Jetson]

There's a lot of pictures in easywdw.com, but they're from posts from last November and December, and easywdw.com doesn't seem to have an easy way to look up old posts (well, not by month anyway.)

Thanks for the info!

 

[gingercake71]

I saw where up the road from Disney there is a huge attraction called ICE at Gaylord. It's only about $20 to attend. It looks interesting...has anyone ever been and would my 15 year old like it? Planning a trip in December...CAN'T WAIT!

 

[Senator Tressel]

I saw where up the road from Disney there is a huge attraction called ICE at Gaylord. It's only about $20 to attend. It looks interesting...has anyone ever been and would my 15 year old like it? Planning a trip in December...CAN'T WAIT!

They make you pay for parking as well. So I haven't gone.

 

[ksromack]

I saw where up the road from Disney there is a huge attraction called ICE at Gaylord. It's only about $20 to attend. It looks interesting...has anyone ever been and would my 15 year old like it? Planning a trip in December...CAN'T WAIT!

We're considering going to this on our way from moving from the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal to our WDW resort in December. I think there may be youtube videos of past years.....try looking for that. I think it looks fun!

 

[Tink-aholic]

What I mean is that the CP consists of a celebrity narrator telling the Christmas story (the birth of Christ), combined with a mass choir singing religious Christmas songs, so all there is to see is the narrator and the choir.

Check out this video from one of last year's shows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODCdSqARo8

I am glad you posted this, as I think it should be posted more places. We did the CP a few years ago and I was so surprised at the content of the show! I had read the informational blurb and everything when I signed up...but thought the narrators would be sharing Christmas storIES rather than the Christmas StorY. As someone who is not familiar with that terminology (I am athiest), I felt that those who describe the show should make it clear that it is very religious. It had honestly never occurred to me.

Of course, it was my fault for not checking it out more thoroughly. I see that they have changed the wording of the CP description, but I can still see how people can become confused. We appreciated the music, the singers sang very well, and the narrators were quite good...but I was uncomfortable the entire time and it would have seemed rude to leave.

 

[Phatoomch]

I have never been to the World for Christmas ... I am so excited

However, I didn't realise there were so many 'elements' to the party and that planning would be so bloody difficult

So heres what I'm thinking - please correct anything I have wrong/skewed!

Arrive at MK around 5.45 and pick our spots for the Castle Dream Lights at around 6.15pm - will 30mins prior be enough time? How long is the lighting, I'm assuming 30mins max?

After should I immediately go to Main St where I want to watch the parade at 8.15 - I'm really worried about getting a good spot for this. Thats about 1.5hrs before the parade, is that too long? If so, what is a good time?

Lastly watch Wishes fireworks - might it be possible to do the Dessert Party for this? (I know the dates aren't up yet but they did offer it last xmas).

Then spend the rest of the evening doing some M&Gs .... or should I have done some earlier.

Please help. My head hurts

 

[Phatoomch]

I am glad you posted this, as I think it should be posted more places. We did the CP a few years ago and I was so surprised at the content of the show! I had read the informational blurb and everything when I signed up...but thought the narrators would be sharing Christmas storIES rather than the Christmas StorY. As someone who is not familiar with that terminology (I am athiest), I felt that those who describe the show should make it clear that it is very religious. It had honestly never occurred to me.

Of course, it was my fault for not checking it out more thoroughly. I see that they have changed the wording of the CP description, but I can still see how people can become confused. We appreciated the music, the singers sang very well, and the narrators were quite good...but I was uncomfortable the entire time and it would have seemed rude to leave.

I am a Humanist however, I am looking forward to CP. Although not religious, I still appreciate the 'story' - its an undeniable part of our history - in the same way I appreciate Harry Potter

 

[siskaren]

I have never been to the World for Christmas ... I am so excited

However, I didn't realise there were so many 'elements' to the party and that planning would be so bloody difficult

So heres what I'm thinking - please correct anything I have wrong/skewed!

1. Arrive at MK around 5.45 and pick our spots for the Castle Dream Lights at around 6.15pm - will 30mins prior be enough time? How long is the lighting, I'm assuming 30mins max?

2. After should I immediately go to Main St where I want to watch the parade at 8.15 - I'm really worried about getting a good spot for this. Thats about 1.5hrs before the parade, is that too long? If so, what is a good time?

3. Lastly watch Wishes fireworks - might it be possible to do the Dessert Party for this? (I know the dates aren't up yet but they did offer it last xmas).

4. Then spend the rest of the evening doing some M&Gs .... or should I have done some earlier.

Please help. My head hurts

1. I don't think you need to stake out a spot that far in advance; 15 minutes should be fine. And it's only about 7 1/2 minutes long.

2. It's really better if you can see the second parade. You probably will need to stake out a spot that early for the first one.

3. I wouldn't do the Desert Party during the MVMCP, especially since Holiday Wishes (as well as regular Wishes) is really best seen from in front of the castle.

4. I would recommend checking out this post on easywdw.com for a detailed overview and strategy for MVMCP.

 

[Phatoomch]

1. I don't think you need to stake out a spot that far in advance; 15 minutes should be fine. And it's only about 7 1/2 minutes long.

2. It's really better if you can see the second parade. You probably will need to stake out a spot that early for the first one.

3. I wouldn't do the Desert Party during the MVMCP, especially since Holiday Wishes (as well as regular Wishes) is really best seen from in front of the castle.

4. I would recommend checking out this post on easywdw.com for a detailed overview and strategy for MVMCP.

Thank you so much, that was really helpful.

The only thing I was worried about doing the later parade, everyone will still be there from the first parade waiting for the fireworks then I won't get a spot. Off to check out that link, thanks

 

[Phatoomch]

4. I would recommend checking out this post on easywdw.com for a detailed overview and strategy for MVMCP.

Again thank you! Just read that, was an awesome guide and I finally think I have got it all sorted in my head Much appreciated. I'm practically done .... just waiting on BOG

 

[Desnik]

Trying to plan for our trip Dec 22-28. We have been to WDW many times, but never for Xmas. This trip is a surprise for our kids!!! I'm so excited & can't wait! I just ope I can keep the secret till then!!

Where can I find the hours for the parade & fireworks at MK for Xmas week?

We have been in Nov and have seen all the holiday decorations & will have our car & plan to visit the resorts again but I'm wondering if any of the resorts do anything special on the 24th or 25th?

I have made dinner ressies for the 24th (Trails End Buffet) & 25th (Il Mulino) but I'm wondering if the menu options will be different than normal? Will the prices be higher? Will prices be higher at all the TS & CS places?

Weather? I know it can fluctuate a lot in Dec but how has it been in the past for Xmas week?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Beauties n the Beast]

I saw where up the road from Disney there is a huge attraction called ICE at Gaylord. It's only about $20 to attend. It looks interesting...has anyone ever been and would my 15 year old like it? Planning a trip in December...CAN'T WAIT!

I haven't been to the Orlando but here in DC they have the same (similar) exhibit and we all really liked it, even my 15 year old daughter! It's VERY cold though. They make u wear parkas and gloves would be recommended.

 

[Beauties n the Beast]

Trying to plan for our trip Dec 22-28. We have been to WDW many times, but never for Xmas. This trip is a surprise for our kids!!! I'm so excited & can't wait! I just ope I can keep the secret till then!!

Where can I find the hours for the parade & fireworks at MK for Xmas week?

We have been in Nov and have seen all the holiday decorations & will have our car & plan to visit the resorts again but I'm wondering if any of the resorts do anything special on the 24th or 25th?

I have made dinner ressies for the 24th (Trails End Buffet) & 25th (Il Mulino) but I'm wondering if the menu options will be different than normal? Will the prices be higher? Will prices be higher at all the TS & CS places?

Weather? I know it can fluctuate a lot in Dec but how has it been in the past for Xmas week?

Thanks for any help!

Good luck keeping the secret!!!

i surprised my girls on Christmas with a trip, and told them we were leaving that day...it was pretty exciting!!!

I can only comment here on the weather. When we went (2 years ago), it was cold in the mornings, had to still wear our coats and scarves. Most days it had warmed up by noon but then back to cold at night. Good thing we drove and had all of our winter gear!

 

[Desnik]

Good luck keeping the secret!!!

i surprised my girls on Christmas with a trip, and told them we were leaving that day...it was pretty exciting!!!

I can only comment here on the weather. When we went (2 years ago), it was cold in the mornings, had to still wear our coats and scarves. Most days it had warmed up by noon but then back to cold at night. Good thing we drove and had all of our winter gear!

Thanks!
We are driving too so we can pack all our winter gear with no problems!!

 

[Tink-aholic]

I am a Humanist however, I am looking forward to CP. Although not religious, I still appreciate the 'story' - its an undeniable part of our history - in the same way I appreciate Harry Potter

Nicely put. I agree with you -- I was just kicking myself for being taken so off-guard and then having to explain to my son what we were doing there. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I forget that other people attach religious connotations to it.