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

[MournNStar]

looks like we're going as well. but our trip will be broken up I think...we are booked 12/17-1/1, (but that is to cover us for now)I think we wil be @ WDW 12/18-25 ( depart on the 25th to go see family, then return on the 29th for 3 nights to experience NYE. Our kids are older, 15 and 19 so we are gonna brave it. We did do NYE at SW about 7 years ago and it was jammed there so I Imagine Multiply that x10 for WDW But we are going RIGHT PAST WDW on our return deive home, so what they heck? It's GOT to be better than at home, and Chicago can get crowdwd, but it's COLD...and Florida is so colorful and lush even if it is chilly. SO...all you NYE experts, prepare me!

NYE is CrAzY!! Mainstreet USA and up to the Castle is packed like sardines, especially right before the fireworks at midnight! Its near impossible to get through that madness. Its a great time to ride Thunder Mountain Railroad though. We rode Thunder Mountain Railroad over and over and watched the fireworks from it. It was a great way to welcome the new year!

 

[TiggerAllie]

There HAS to be a summary of this somewhere.........

What are some of the special decorations in the resorts that would warrant a side trip just to see them? I know the GF has the huge gingerbread house and I believe the Beach Club has the chocolate carousel. We're eating at The Flying Fish, so if The Boardwalk has anything we can easily see it. Same for AKL, since we're eating at Boma. (Do those two have anything to see?)

What other resorts have "wow" decorations? Photos would be greatly appreciated!

The BWI also had a display in the lobby, a big candy and chocolate scene.

 

[scrappin2ofeach]

We love going in December. My one tip is to avoid MK on the first weekend. I know someone else mentioned the filming of the Christmas parade. We made the mistake of going three years in a row on that weekend, and I will be sure to choose a different park on that weekend if we go this year. It is crowded, yes, but we also ran into several grouchy CMs, which was not something we were used to seeing. Epcot was not nearly as crowded and everyone that chose that park seemed much happier.

 

[Lilmattie13]

So would the first weekend be during Nov 28 thru Dec 4? We are going those dates next year and am having panic flashes after reading its awful lol Should I just avoid the MK on that weekend like on the 3rd? We want to try to hit a MMVMCP during that time but I dont know if they are offered during the week or if they start on the weekend.
Any info would be great. You experts always know best.

 

[mommystieg]

AAAHHHH!! We are taking a cruise 12/17-12/20 and spending one night in WDW before and after -- being WDW "veterans" I know I can't do everything but I am really having a hard time narrowing all the Christmas stuff down to two and a half days.....and after reading just a few things from this thread I am overwhelmed!!!
I am planning on visiting MK on 12/16 -- I just HAVE to see the Castle. Will Wishes be the "holiday" version then? Is there a Christmas parade then?
Will it be possible on 12/20 to see Illuminations and then dash over to DHS for the Osborne lights?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[f15robyn]

AAAHHHH!! We are taking a cruise 12/17-12/20 and spending one night in WDW before and after -- being WDW "veterans" I know I can't do everything but I am really having a hard time narrowing all the Christmas stuff down to two and a half days.....and after reading just a few things from this thread I am overwhelmed!!!
I am planning on visiting MK on 12/16 -- I just HAVE to see the Castle. Will Wishes be the "holiday" version then? Is there a Christmas parade then?
Will it be possible on 12/20 to see Illuminations and then dash over to DHS for the Osborne lights?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I would think the opposite plan might be better. On the 16th you could see the Osborne lights between 6ish and HS's 8pm close and then get over to Epcot to see the Holiday Illuminations at 9:30pm. Because on the 16th, the activities at Magic Kingdom aren't the holiday ones (it's the regular 3pm parade, and the regular wishes at 8pm).

Then on the 20th (depending on when you get back from the ship), the 3pm parade is the Christmas one, as is the 10pm Holiday Wishes.

Have fun.

 

[michaeldorn1]

AAAHHHH!! We are taking a cruise 12/17-12/20 and spending one night in WDW before and after -- being WDW "veterans" I know I can't do everything but I am really having a hard time narrowing all the Christmas stuff down to two and a half days.....and after reading just a few things from this thread I am overwhelmed!!!
I am planning on visiting MK on 12/16 -- I just HAVE to see the Castle. Will Wishes be the "holiday" version then? Is there a Christmas parade then?
Will it be possible on 12/20 to see Illuminations and then dash over to DHS for the Osborne lights?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Negative on both questions. The "Holday Wishes" and the Christmas Parade are only at MVMCP. Which is the 15th ( we are going to that one ) the 17th and 18th. They will have Spectro and Regular Wishes on the 16th. Regarding the 20th, Illuminations is @ 9:30p and DHS closes @ 8:00p. So, No, you would not be able to do that!

Have Fun and Good Luck!

 

[Yummy]

For the dates you are going, if you want to see the Christmas parade and Christmas Wishes you have to go during MVMCP. Otherwise you won't be able to see those - just the normal parades and normal Wishes.
QUOTE]

Thanks GaSleepingBeautyFan! I thought the Christmas parades and fireworks were on all December, not just for the MVMCP. I would have really been dissapointed not to see those!

We did decide to pay the extra money for the MVMCP, figuring we might as well do it, since we'll already be there, and it will be our first time during the holidays. And we picked our date after reading the boards, and are going on December 10th, because it's a weeknight and not a DVD discount night.

88 days to go! Woohoo!

 

[michaeldorn1]

If you are staying on site you can make your ADR up to 10 days from your check in date. More even if you have party tickets I just learned.

OK experts! Has anyone else heard this about being able to make ADR's in MK if you have tix for MVMCP and if so, what is the info?
Thanks for the help!

 

[michaeldorn1]

Do you mean the 90+10 meaning I can book hundred days out...or i can book up to 10 days after the start of my reservation.

Also, how many more days can you book early if you have party tickets?

Im sorry for all the questions I am soo confused

OK experts! Has anyone else heard this about being able to make ADR's in advance of your 90+ in MK if you have tix for MVMCP and if so, what is the info?
Thanks for the help!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

We did decide to pay the extra money for the MVMCP, figuring we might as well do it, since we'll already be there, and it will be our first time during the holidays. And we picked our date after reading the boards, and are going on December 10th, because it's a weeknight and not a DVD discount night.

88 days to go! Woohoo!

See ya there!!! We're also doing the 10th!

 

[mommystieg]

I would think the opposite plan might be better. On the 16th you could see the Osborne lights between 6ish and HS's 8pm close and then get over to Epcot to see the Holiday Illuminations at 9:30pm. Because on the 16th, the activities at Magic Kingdom aren't the holiday ones (it's the regular 3pm parade, and the regular wishes at 8pm).

Then on the 20th (depending on when you get back from the ship), the 3pm parade is the Christmas one, as is the 10pm Holiday Wishes.

Have fun.

Thanks so much!! From what I have read we should be back to WDW in plenty of time to catch the 3:00 pm MK parade. I feel so much better now that I have a plan Hopefully MK won't be too crowded...

 

[chewreck]

We're going to Disney December 12-19 this year and are so excited about being there during the Christmas Season.

My wife and I are interested in going to the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, but we're unsure if it would be entertaining enough for our 4 year old daughter.

Any thoughts/recommendations for doing CDP with kids?

What restaurant is best for doing an ADR with the CDP?

 

[momtoamulan]

We're going to Disney December 12-19 this year and are so excited about being there during the Christmas Season.

My wife and I are interested in going to the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, but we're unsure if it would be entertaining enough for our 4 year old daughter.

Any thoughts/recommendations for doing CDP with kids?

What restaurant is best for doing an ADR with the CDP?

We will be there the same time! I have decided not to do the CDP dinner option...we will just take our chances and see if we get in. We aren't sure if our six year old will enjoy it or not....but I figured we won't be wasting an extra TS by not doing it...lol.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

So, the parade is probably going to tape Fri/Sat, Dec 4/5, right? Well, what about Sunday, Dec 6? I had planned to be in MK that day, but now I'm not so sure. Is the taping going to be over? Is the park going to be crowded b/c people were avoiding it?

Do you think I should change my plans for that day?

Thanks!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I too am planning for MK on 12-6..... I think if you get there at RD and get on down Main Street past all that part, we will be okay!!! I hope we are good!!! I have my whole day planned and I am NOT hanging around the entrance or M.S....Headed to Fantasy Land and Toontown!!! Got a kid wanting to see Tink!!! Ok, Ok,....I want to see Tink too!! ha!!!

 

[JPN4265]

New Years Eave at the Magic Kingdom.... For those of you that have gone, do the crowds mostly form around the castle and the central hub, or is all of the park just way to crowded? I'll be on site, just wanted to know your prospective..

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I too am planning for MK on 12-6..... I think if you get there at RD and get on down Main Street past all that part, we will be okay!!! I hope we are good!!! I have my whole day planned and I am NOT hanging around the entrance or M.S....Headed to Fantasy Land and Toontown!!! Got a kid wanting to see Tink!!! Ok, Ok,....I want to see Tink too!! ha!!!

Thanks for the input! So do you (or anyone) know if they will definitely or probably still be taping that day? It still makes me nervous. There's That stuff going on and then later in my trip POP Warner. I'm so stressing....

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I highly doubt they would still be taping on 12/6. They have MVMCP that night. I have read about taping on the Friday and Saturday, but no mention of Sunday. I SUPPOSE, there could be some wacky weather thing that could push it over, but I've also read about them taping early morning too, so...Ah, what do I know?
I have tickets for MVMCP on 12/6, so they better clear the place out for me!!



Does anyone know about the shows for the MVMCP? I want to know how long they last so I can figure out what to do and when to do it. I see from last year's schedule that Belle's storytime and the Twice Upon a Christmas etc all run about 4 times during the party. I would like to know if each lasts 15 minutes, a half hour...what?
TIA!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

TB~ I agree with Sheree...they only tape on Sund if the weather was reeeeaally bad on Fri/Sat...if so...just get past the entrance and it'll be fine! As far as Pop...I am not worrying about it....We are hitting most of our parks early in the day & these kids will be doing the sports thing at that time. I have only seen them at the parks in the afternoon...never in the morning, and they weren't too bad. I just wouldn't stay at the same resort as they will be!!!
Sheree~ I am not sure either! I wonder what time the Castle lights come on? I want to see that, then hit some rides! I think the Castle lighting show is about 15 or 20 min. I read about it, but I could be TOTALLY wrong!! Ha!! I would think nothing would be more than 30--especially since they keep getting repeated...they have to make time for those 2 parades and fireworks! Are you doing the first parade or the second one? We usually do the 2nd one just because there are so many people and I hate that feeling!!!Where are you gonna watch it from on the street? I am thinking more away from the castle/Main Street! Wow! The Crush!!!!