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

[berrytwee]

It all depends on what you mean by "get a spot"?

Physically, you should be able to make the location with the 6:45 show, no problem. We saw the late show last year. And even though we had to hustle, we still made it to the opposite side of the lagoon to see Illuminations.

If you mean, so you can get front row, I wouldn't know. But you may want to try to put in for a late ADR at La Hacienda de San Angel to at least lock in the locale.

Well I just meant to get a spot at one of the tables in the Mexico San Angel Cantina, like in the outside seating area. It's become like a tradition of mine to sit there and eat while watching Illuminations.. but this is the first time I'm doing the Candlelight Processional, so I wanted to know if the 6:45pm showing would give me enough time to get my spot in Mexico if I'm going on Christmas Eve.

 

[bnlbebes]

We generally vacation 12/26-1/2. Magic Kingdom last year had extra magic morning every day that week. The other parks rotated days.


Top row is extra magic morning...bottom row is late night extra hours. Hope this helps!

This post was of 2010 hours right? I think the 2011 hours are different as posted on the Disney site.

 

[bnlbebes]

most crucial that once your in the park do not leave once its closed due to capacity you will have a hard time trying to re-enter the parks

Does this apply just to Christmas Day or the entire Christmas week?

 

[tksbaskets]

This post was of 2010 hours right? I think the 2011 hours are different as posted on the Disney site.

Yes, this was last year's hours. Just posted to give people an idea of how they could plan to get the most out of their day.

 

[Robindianne]

most crucial that once your in the park do not leave once its closed due to capacity you will have a hard time trying to re-enter the parks

Does this mean don't leave any park, or only MK? And does it mean once at capacity or don't leave at all in case it gets at capacity while you are away? Staying at AKL w/annual pass if that matters.

Thanks for the help.

 

[SteelerCountry]

I think I am going to bite the bullet and go to WDW in December...7-13, crowds should not be as bad as the actual holiday week/after, ay? DH isn't a fan of Disney but since he went fishing on the bass excursions just this past trip in September, he likes Disney, lol. By the way, his bass excursions were great, according to him. Do you think Dec 7-13th is enough time? We won't really be doing many rides or anything, we just came back from 12 days last week, so we would be going for him to fish, us to relax and see decorations and eat excellent meals and get out of the December Pittsburgh weather!!

 

[VrBchJ]

This is my favorite time of the Disney year. I think your dates will be plenty of time especially since you were just there and don't plan on many rides. You can fully occupy yourselves with fishing and looking at the decorations at the parks and resorts. Don't forget the Candlelight Processional and the Osborne Family Lights. They are not to be missed.

 

[SteelerCountry]

 

[Turk February]

Thought I was super lucky to get a CP ADR for 8:05 a.m. on Dec. 23rd. The posted hours as of now are 9 a.m. opening, but now reading some earlier posts, looks like the hours might get extended so that the park opens at 8:00 anyway?? We are staying Dec. 18 - 26, is there any day in there that would be LESS likely to have the hours extended that I could book an early a.m. breakfast? I thought it would be really neat to get in before the crowds and get an xmas photo on main street!!

We have an 8:10 CP ADR for that same day, for the same reason as you. Hopefully the hours will keep since it's before Xmas week. Fingers crossed!

 

[Disneybrenda]

Great thread. dh and I going in Dec. We want to see and do as many Christmas things as possible. Good ideas on here. Thanks.

 

[ckdsnynt]

I think I am going to bite the bullet and go to WDW in December...7-13, crowds should not be as bad as the actual holiday week/after, ay? DH isn't a fan of Disney but since he went fishing on the bass excursions just this past trip in September, he likes Disney, lol. By the way, his bass excursions were great, according to him. Do you think Dec 7-13th is enough time? We won't really be doing many rides or anything, we just came back from 12 days last week, so we would be going for him to fish, us to relax and see decorations and eat excellent meals and get out of the December Pittsburgh weather!!

Sure, you have plenty of time to plan it! We just threw together a trip for our anniversary in Nov. and we'll get to experience Christmas a little early!
Have a great time!

 

[Luv4Mickey]

We will be booking our trip on Friday for Dec 15-22! We went that time last year and it was one of the best trips we have ever had. Everything was so beautiful and we weren't standing in line sweating to death.
We went several years ago the week after Christmas and the crowds were just too much. This way we take the kids out a day and half early and get to enjoy everything before the crowds pick up. The last 2 days of our trip last year were pretty busy, but bearable.
All I can say to those thinking of going or just booked your trip...it is worth it!!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I can't wait for December to get here!

Do you think on MVMCP days we'll be able to get into MK at 4pm?

 

[houtexan69]

Can't help it. Don't have vacation time. Just me and my wife.

Will arrive 12/23 by 1pm and leave 12/26 8:20pm.

Planning to go to MK after check in (12/23). Am I nuts? Will they close the park? Will be staying at POR FQ. How long is bus ride to MK? Am I wishful thinking about getting into park. BTW, won't need to ride anything (wife can't do thrill rides) and not into Haunted House or Pirates. But want to get in to experience night time and Christmas lights.

Can anyone tell me about restirctions for bringing in food/drinks? I know no alcohol but how about fruits, snacks, sandwich?

How about bottle water/drinks?

Then want to do MGM on 12/24 all day and 12/25 Epcot all day. Any suggestions for things to do/see (again, rides are not that important as won't do any thrill rides). Want to see the candle procession in Epcot. Thinking of reserving a dinner/lunch to insure seating (is it needed?) Wife would love to see this. Also, does it give seating for Illumation show?

Final date plan to go to Animal early at rop drop (if I can wake up) and leave park at 4 to get back to POR FQ by 5 to catch magic express to Airport. Can I get back to POR FQ in 1 hour waiting on bus???

Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

[Pinkocto]

You can bring in any food/drinks. I don't think glass bottles though. We always have a backpack full of stuff. I'm new to the Christmas scene, but from what I've heard you might want to book a lunch/dinner for the Candlelight Processional since you're going in the busiest time. I'm going when it's supposed to be lighter crowds so we're going to chance it and wait in line. An hour should be enough to get back to the hotel for Magical Express. I say 'should' because we gave ourselves plenty of time once and the bus just never came and we missed our scheduled Magical Express bus. We were able to get on the next one, but it was a hassle. For a must do list, go to the beginning of this thread, and on the first page someone put a link to a list of all things available.

 

[mousenyc]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but something special we did during our Christmas stay at WDW was to arrange for a table Christmas tree from Disney Florist. It's pricey as expected, but it was a great touch to our room and when the vacation was over we shipped it home. Now every Christmas we pull it out of the box and put it in our sons room. It brings back great memories every year

 

[mousenyc]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but something special we did during our Christmas stay at WDW was to arrange for a table Christmas tree from Disney Florist. It's pricey as expected, but it was a great touch to our room and when the vacation was over we shipped it home. Now every Christmas we pull it out of the box and put it in our sons room. It brings back great memories every year

 

[wdwgrannyb]

Be sure not to miss the castle lighting in the MK, usually around 6 pm. It is awesome!!!

 

[wdwgrannyb]

houtexan69
Just sayin', Disney has some really awesome "show rides" like small world, haunted mansion, pirates, country bears show, tiki bird show that you should really see. these are not thrill rides. Mickey's Philharmagic is a wonderful 3-D show not to be missed.
Enjoy the Magic of Disney. I never tire of it!
Darla

 

[brightspark]

Hello!
Am rather late joining this thread, but we are off to WDW on 27th Nov - 11th Dec and I can't wait. We've been at other times of year several times, and once in the holiday season, but sadly that time Dh and my sister both got very sick, and I had morning sickness, MVMCP got rained off and the whole trip was a bit of a disastor!

This time it's me, Dh, DS(3.5) and my sister again, and we're hoping for a much better experience.

Been reading some of the ideas and feeling so excited