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

[bukosluvswdw]

We go in the summer but this year we are going Dec 12 though the 18 and cannot wait. We will be at our favorite place in the world at our favorite time of the year.

I found this video that aired on HGTV last year

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-behind-the-magic-disney-holidays/videos/index.html

 

[wheeliefun]

Vincent405,

I haven't read all the pages of this thread but some little known things:

Depending on your timeline if you have an off day you can do the "monorail tour" and see all the WDW resorts decorated and the gingerbread houses in several:Among the especially amazing decorations are the edible holiday displays whipped up by pastry chefs throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Gingerbread goodies are sold nearby. Most of the displays open on Thanksgiving weekend. Beach Club Resort usually has a fully detailed, life-sized gingerbread carousel in the lobby. The lobby of Yacht Club Resort offers a miniature New England-style train racing through a sugary rock mountain surrounded by a candy-coated model village. The lobby of BoardWalk Resort is home to Santa's Workshop as well as a customized BoardWalk train. A holiday toy shop made of sugar and chocolate, featuring Pinocchio himself, is the sweet spot for Disney's Contemporary Resort guests to purchase treats and toys on the 4th floor of the tower building.

The biggest edible production is a gingerbread house at Grand Floridian Resort that is large enough that it doubles as a real bake shop. Featuring gingerbread using a classic Austrian recipe, the bake shop offers freshly baked items such as cookies, ornaments and miniature gingerbread houses. Other homemade items for sale may include Stollen Bread, chocolate peppermint bark, lollipops and special Grand Floridian logo boxes filled with truffles. Demonstrations of how to decorate a gingerbread house take place in front of the bake shop six days a week.

Chip and Dale dressed in their winter scarves and singing holiday tunes:
Sing around the campfire and watch a FREE Disney movie. The campfire program at Ft. Wilderness is open to all Walt Disney World resort guests. It is held every evening, at about 7:00 pm in fall and winter and about 8:00 pm in spring and summer, near the Meadow Trading Post. The program starts with a sing-a-long and marshmallow roast. You can bring your own food or buy it from the Chuckwagon, which sells S'more kits for about $9 (makes enough for about 4 people) and also offers other food such as pizza and hot dogs. Chip and Dale meet the guests and sign autographs. Then a Disney movie is shown on a large outdoor screen. There is some seating on bleachers and benches, or you can lay out a blanket. No reservations necessary -- just show up. Cost: FREE to all Disney resort guests



Santa Claus at Downtown Disney
Each year, from approximately a week prior to Thanksgiving through December 24, Santa appears in his chalet at Downtown Disney Marketplace. You can take pictures with your own camera or use PhotoPass.

For 2009, Santa appeared on this schedule:

November 17-26 - 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
November 27 - December 24 - Noon to 10:00 pm

****text mostly from mousesavers.com, but I have done all of them and if you have days off it is worth seeing and mostly low cost or free. Also I am a big fan of the Mickey Jammin Jingle Jungle parade, I think it is a great transformation of the usual parade, I'm upset we'll miss it when we are there in early November.

Wheelie

 

[ccgirl]

I am currently in Afghanistan and will be coming back "home" in December for some rest and relaxation. I will be flying direct to Orlando and will meet my wife, my 3 year old daughter, my Mother and Brother at Shades of Paradise.
We will be there from the 15th to the 21st.
After reading every page of this thread from last year I have put together a rough itinerary for our trip, as I would like very planned out to maximize the short time I will have with my family.
We are going to get a 3 day park hopper
15DEC- Fly into Orlando, relax have dinner (suggestions) at Disney Boardwalk
16Dec- (Daughters 3rd birthday) Wake up bright and early for MK, rides during morning lunch, (naptime) more rides, Dinner at MK (suggestions) MVMXP! To long of a day for a 2 year old? Should we take a break, head back to the hotel and nap and then go back? Or would that risk us not being able to go back into the park for MVMXP? Or just let her nap in the stroller?
17DEC AK Morning, lunch at AK, nap and relocate to DHS, BPB AT 1530, Fantasmic dinner package (suggestions), Osborne Lights
18Dec Princess tea party at GF, DTD, see Santa, Dinner at DTD (suggestions?)
19DEC EPCOT!!! (our favorite) rides, lunch, World showcase, CP dinner pkg (restaurant suggestions?) Illuminations
20DEC Universal Studios

I know there is a lot there, I am just looking for some help make sure I am not missing anything, lets assume money is not an issue and we are pretty laid back about everything. Any good holiday dinners that we should get to, or any other places we could squeeze in there. We will also have two cars so if my Mom needs to take my daughter back to the hotel that will not be a problem as well. I have been to Disney World almost 14 times since 1986 and 4 times to Disney Land so I am no stranger. First time with our daughter so I want to make it as enjoyable for her as possible. Anything that she would enjoy during December please let me know thank you all for the help!

Just want to say ... Thank you for your service!

Sounds like a great trip you have planned. How special you can celebrate your daughter's 3rd birthday with your family. Don't forget to mention that when you make your reservations as a lot of times they will sing, or perhaps give a free dessert.

You may want to preorder the photopass as well. ($99). You can get all of your photopass pictures and put borders etc. around them. That way it is easier to get pictures of the entire family.

Have fun and thanks again for all that you do!

 

[funkmaster]

Phew just finished the thread!

13 nights 21st Dec to 3rd Jan at Wyndham Bonnet Creek

First time at Christmas, can't wait!

FWIW, we have decided to spend Christmas Day having the morning opening presents, then limo to the GF for all but me having a massage in the spa then GF tea in the afternoon, visiting the Poly then Chef Mickeys for dinner.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Plan to be there 17-23 December..............

Today is the last day of Christmas in July!

 

[kirby428]

Pixleyyy,
5th WDW visit; 1st MVMCP. Love the drill team routine of the marching Toy Soldiers. I am having a hard time deciding where along the parade route might be best for watching the soldiers break block formation and do a bit of razzle-dazzle. I watch the parade as one of my Christmas morning favorites and they seem to favor the north end of Main Street. Would love to hear from the "voices of experience" whether this is a good choice. Likewise, I would love to know how much time in advance of the parade it is necessary to hold an ideal view spot of one's preference and whether crowds thin out for the 10PM second parade.

 

[kirby428]

Le Cellier: a good place for kids? What do the kids require? It is not the primary color, animated cartoon, twirl the napkin over your head type of place from my recollection. Go for the steaks, mom and dad. Pardonez moi while I dry off my keyboard, eh? Le Cellier is, well, in the wine cellar as far as decoration and theme. Might not be tops from the kids point of view. Be ready to negotiate some rewards for treating the grown-ups to a great meal.

 

[JenSop]

 

[1971DBday]

I didn't go through all of the posts and assume the obvious ones are already posted. This will be our 5th year arriving on Thanksgiving Day and staying for 11 days....We always missed the OFCL at DHS and finally caught them last year. It was amazing! However, before we made our way over my DH and I found Holiday cocktails being sold right outside the Sci-Fi Diner and then found hot chocolate and Mickey shaped Rice Krispy treats dipped in chocolate at the Writers Studio.

It made it just a little more special......

 

[Piper]

We're going Dec 4-11th. First time at Christmas!

 

[CanadianPaco]

DH is talking about wanting to do a Christmas trip...in 2011!!!!

 

[heidia]

Just booked for Dec 11-18th, free dining! Our third trip to the world, our first time doing any dining plan and our first Christmas trip. SO excited and hoping the temps are high enough to at least seem warm to us Canadians

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Just booked for Dec 11-18th, free dining! Our third trip to the world, our first time doing any dining plan and our first Christmas trip. SO excited and hoping the temps are high enough to at least seem warm to us Canadians

We'll be there then, too! (but shift the trip a day back) How exciting! Haha I know what you mean... I'll be happy with 60* temps!

 

[heidia]

We'll be there then, too! (but shift the trip a day back) How exciting! Haha I know what you mean... I'll be happy with 60* temps!

Me too! The past two times we went in April and it was HHHOT! I like the heat, but only when I am beachin' it, with a cool drink in hand! The crowds and long lines, in the heat are not my thing at all. I think I'll be much happier in jeans with, hopefully, smaller crowds! Plus I can't WAIT to see the decorations!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Subscribing!!! We are planning to be in WDW for Xmas 2011!!! Hoping DHs aunt can get us 2 weeks in Wyndham Bonnet Creek (or get it through RCI)...otherwise it'll be Windsor Hills for us!!! Either way I'm excited to spend the holidays in Florida!!!!!

 

[Rags]

subscribing!!!! Head to WDW Novemeber 26th stay at Buena Vista Palace for two days and then staying at the Contemporary for a week!!

We have gone the week after Thanksgiving for years and love it. Not as quiet as it used to be but still MAGICAL!!!!

 

[bikinpunk]

I really gotta quit coming here, lol.
You guys are making me want to go back.

 

[Grandmouse]

And me too. I don't have a trip planned for this year, but in the back of my mind I think I AM planning one. I would love a quick trip just to do MVMCP, Candlelight Processional and the Osborne Lights.

 

[saintstickets]

Doing a split stay the week after Thanksgiving. AKV 11/28-12/01 and BWV 12/01-12/04. It will be just DW and I this trip. This time I get to be the kid!!

 

[05MM08MM]

Doing a split stay the week after Thanksgiving. AKV 11/28-12/01 and BWV 12/01-12/04. It will be just DW and I this trip. This time I get to be the kid!!

We will be there during the same time. What's your schedule look like so far?
CP, MVMCP, etc?