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

[JPN4265]

Its wonderful in Disney during Christmas..

Can anyone help me with the easiest way to get to Hollywood Studios from Epcot, via boat... Should I get off at yatch/beach to get on another boat. Or will the boat from epcot goto HS... Any Help is apppreciated... Thanks

We always walk. It only takes about 15 minutes, and its not to bad. It's a lot better than waiting on the boat.

 

[skier_pete]

Thanks for the response. Im pretty sure they have the direct buses still. I am thinking to leave Epcot after Illuminations to make the 1030 fantasmic.. Thanks again for your help..

Sorry, forget it...Illuminations is at 9:30 PM during the holiday season - by the time it ends (say 9:50 PM) you have to get out of the park - onto a bus / boat - to the other park - through the gates, all the way over to fantasmic. Let's say 15 mintues to get to the bus stop...15 minutes wait for the bus....20 minutes travel time...10 minutes walk to Fantasmic....that's 60 minutes...getting you to Fantasmic just as it ends.

The boat MIGHT give you a better shot. If you watch Illuminations from near the International Gateway - 5 minutes to get to the boat...assuming no line for the boat...10 minutes wait for the boat...30 minutes for transit by boat...10 minutes into the park...still 55 minutes...not really better.

BEST BET...walk from Epcot to DHS. Again, watch Illuminations near IG entrance...as soon as it ends, head out...it's about a 25-30 minute walk to DHS. Should get you into the park right around the start of Fantasmic. (Assuming you can get a seat at the 10:30 PM show.)

SkierPete

 

[PA Princess]

I am looking for suggestions on what to do on Christmas Day. I know the parks (Epcot and MK) are usually insane with crowds, so it seems best to skip those??? But then how to spend the day?

What have others done on the actual day of Christmas? I would love to hear any and all experiences - thanks!

 

[JCTigger]

My friend and I are going down at the begining of December! Either the 4-7 or the 10-14 (it depends on what she can get off from work).. I'm not sure of this has been covered yet... When do they usually film the X-mas parade? I know that during the holiday season that parade is what you see at the 3oclock parade time (right?) But its a family tradition to watch it christmas day and it would be cool to say that I was there when they filmed it and maybe even be seen along the sidewalk cause I'll stake out my spot as early in the day as I can! Gosh Darnit hehe I will of course bring my santa ears mickey hat (which will embaress the heck out of my friend but she'll get over it or else )

I cannot wait to see all the hotels decorated for it.. I've only been down there twice for the holiday season once when I was a teenager and don't really recall it and once a few years back when I was on vacation with a family that I worked with so I didn't get to do much exploring on my own I was with their son the whole time (I was his care attendant)

I cannot wait!

Jill

 

[momma2kiddos]

OMG I'm so hating this thread right now! LOL I'm planning a surprise December trip for my kids for....2010! LOL

This has gotten me so excited, I wish I could do it this year but I'm going all out for them next year as far as going deluxe (AKL is as good as it'll get for them! LOL)

I was thinking a quick 4 day trip would do them good. They'll be 2 and 13 when we go. Now I'm thinking 7 days is a must to take it all in. What do you think?! LOL Must do of course Spectro and Wishes, and then turn around and do MVMCP to do Holiday Wishes, must do Osborne lights, go around the world at Epcot and see holiday traditions, and visit all the deluxes to see the decorations. Man what a load!

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

we are considering late december into the first few days of january. Since New Years Day is on a friday I am guessing that week-end will still be busy.

honestly.... does the magic of Xmas season at Disney overshadow the madness of the crowds?

I am a commando by nature. We go hard and long when we go. This time I will have a young baby. I am a FP pro - I know where to go and when to get the big attrations done early, but I also know this time, we can't do it ALL (between the baby and crowds). Plus this time we are touring with another family - that brings our group size to 10.

To begin with, I think we will cut one park. The next thing I have is to cut our "must dos" to a smaller list or break the group up for short times so that everyone gets to do their favorite thing. Problem is thats the fun part of going with a group - the kids like to experience stuff together.

How do you prepare yourself mentally (beforehand) to actually have less stressful, less regimented trip? I would like to take in the small stuff this time esp since it would be during the holiday season.

 

[ado121]

I am looking for suggestions on what to do on Christmas Day. I know the parks (Epcot and MK) are usually insane with crowds, so it seems best to skip those??? But then how to spend the day?

What have others done on the actual day of Christmas? I would love to hear any and all experiences - thanks!

oh me too me too. what do we do? my kids get up at the crack of dawn so i was hoping for some sort of activity during the day. we are planning a dinner out at one of the resorts though. not sure which one. any suggestions?

 

[siskaren]

I am looking for suggestions on what to do on Christmas Day. I know the parks (Epcot and MK) are usually insane with crowds, so it seems best to skip those??? But then how to spend the day?

What have others done on the actual day of Christmas? I would love to hear any and all experiences - thanks!

How about visiting the deluxe resorts to check out their decorations? You could then have Christmas dinner at one of them.

 

[FloridaMM]

I am looking for suggestions on what to do on Christmas Day. I know the parks (Epcot and MK) are usually insane with crowds, so it seems best to skip those??? But then how to spend the day?

What have others done on the actual day of Christmas? I would love to hear any and all experiences - thanks!

For Xmas day we are avoiding the parks. We are going to play miniature golf, have dinner at the WL (love the lodge) and then go to La Nouba. No stress day.

 

[PA Princess]

For Xmas day we are avoiding the parks. We are going to play miniature golf, have dinner at the WL (love the lodge) and then go to La Nouba. No stress day.

Oh, La Nouba...I had not thought of that! I will add that to the possible ideas! Thanks!

 

[cab0ad]

I am looking for suggestions on what to do on Christmas Day. I know the parks (Epcot and MK) are usually insane with crowds, so it seems best to skip those??? But then how to spend the day?

What have others done on the actual day of Christmas? I would love to hear any and all experiences - thanks!

We're avoiding parks on this day too...We thought we'd spend the day touring the resorts decorations and then go to downtown disney. At downtown disney we'll look at decorations/eat some candy at Goofy's, maybe take a hot air balloon ride, and then go to the AMC to see a movie. La Nouba is pretty expensive so we want to avoid that but a movie is reasonable...plus Disney has Christmas movies coming out this season! I think Jim Carry (sp?) is in A Christmas Carol and I believe there may be a Disney version of The Frog Prince coming out....Not 100% sure but I've heard rumors... How fun to see a Disney movie AT downtown disney!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

We're avoiding parks on this day too...We thought we'd spend the day touring the resorts decorations and then go to downtown disney. At downtown disney we'll look at decorations/eat some candy at Goofy's, maybe take a hot air balloon ride, and then go to the AMC to see a movie. La Nouba is pretty expensive so we want to avoid that but a movie is reasonable...plus Disney has Christmas movies coming out this season! I think Jim Carry (sp?) is in A Christmas Carol and I believe there may be a Disney version of The Frog Prince coming out....Not 100% sure but I've heard rumors... How fun to see a Disney movie AT downtown disney!

That is a GREAT idea! Never thought to do a Disney movie at Disney!

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

Ooh yes!

The Princess and the Frog comes out December 11th! Thanks for reminding me that we'll be there after its premiere!

You can watch the trailer here, if you haven't seen it:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780521/

Also, the AMC at Downtown Disney is beautiful! It has two tiers, one on the floor and one in a balcony! We saw POTC 3 there and it was just amazing! I definitely recommend seeing a movie there.

 

[My2Angels]

We are going to the MVMCP on Dec 13th, got my tickets yesterday!
I know we will see the Christmas parade at the party, but will the 3pm parade during the days we are there be the Celebrate Everyday Parade, or the Christmas parade?
I kindof hope it is the "Celebrate" parade, so that the Christmas party seems even more special!
Anybody know?

 

[MarinaAndCharlie]

We are going to the MVMCP on Dec 13th, got my tickets yesterday!
I know we will see the Christmas parade at the party, but will the 3pm parade during the days we are there be the Celebrate Everyday Parade, or the Christmas parade?
I kindof hope it is the "Celebrate" parade, so that the Christmas party seems even more special!
Anybody know?

Apparently the Christmas Parade is supposed to be shown on a regular daily basis after the last MVMCP along with Christmas Wishes, so that's Dec 19th.

 

[ado121]

How about visiting the deluxe resorts to check out their decorations? You could then have Christmas dinner at one of them.

which one would you recommend? we have 4 children under 6 so anything kid related would be good. also will have 2 teens and 1 set of granparents....hard to please everyone!

 

[siskaren]

which one would you recommend? we have 4 children under 6 so anything kid related would be good. also will have 2 teens and 1 set of granparents....hard to please everyone!

Well, I'm sure the younger kids will love the train set-up at Yacht Club and the chocolate and gingerbread carousel at Beach Club. The Boardwalk Inn has a chocolate and gingerbread gazebo with Donald and Daisy inside and the Grand Floridian has a 12 foot high gingerbread house as well as a 5-story Christmas tree. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge also have spectacular trees.

 

[ado121]

Well, I'm sure the younger kids will love the train set-up at Yacht Club and the chocolate and gingerbread carousel at Beach Club. The Boardwalk Inn has a chocolate and gingerbread gazebo with Donald and Daisy inside and the Grand Floridian has a 12 foot high gingerbread house as well as a 5-story Christmas tree. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge also have spectacular trees.

thanks! is the food any better or worse at either of those places? and do any have characters show up? my father in law gets a real kick out of the characters!

 

[Minniekins]

We are going to the MVMCP on Dec 13th, got my tickets yesterday!
I know we will see the Christmas parade at the party, but will the 3pm parade during the days we are there be the Celebrate Everyday Parade, or the Christmas parade?
I kindof hope it is the "Celebrate" parade, so that the Christmas party seems even more special!
Anybody know?

Yeah, the regular Celebrate parade is shown at 3 pm. the days you will be there and the Xmas parade will only show at the MVMCP! The Xmas parade doesn't show on daily basis until starting the 19th of Dec, as the last MVMCP is the 18th I think. Have an awesome time!

 

[tsd1202]

It will be my first time to CP too. I have been told that the program runs just under an hour in length. I have been told that, even with the dinner package, you should still show up a half hour to 45 mins. before showtime to get a good seat upfront. The schedule isn't up yet, and it is rumoured to come out in early August. I believe Steven Curtis Chapman is the only marrator who has leaked his dates to his fans... sometime in early December.

2009 Candlelight Processional Narrators:


11/27 - 11/29: Isabella Rossellini
11/30 - 12/02: John O'Hurley
12/03 - 12/05: Steven Curtis Chapman
12/06 - 12/08: Anika Noni Rose
12/09 - 12/11: Andy Garcia
12/12 - 12/14: Vanessa Williams
12/15 - 12/17: Abigail Breslin
12/18 - 12/20: Whoopi Goldberg
12/21 - 12/23: Brian Dennehy
12/24 - 12/26: Edward James Olmos
12/27 - 12/30: Angela Bassett & Courtney B. Vance

NOTE: The schedule of performers is subject to change without notice

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Sorry if this was posted earlier in the thread, I am still working my way to the more current posts.