First Christmas Season Trip!!

[LiaNWillsmom]

So I'm planning our first trip during the Christmas season!! (We are so excited!)
It will be me, DH, DD(6), DS(turing 5 on the trip), MIL, FIL.

We are booked in Boulder Ridge Wilderness Lodge, 2 studios from Nov 26th-Dec 2

We have been to Disney several times (DH and I actually got engaged there in 2000). This will be all of our first time staying at wilderness, though. My inlaws go often (like 2 times a year sometimes) and take different sets of grandkids. They prefer to stay at Boardwalk or Beach Club, because of the closeness to Epcot. Since my kids are so small, i like being close to the magic kingdom.

Anyway, just looking for suggestions, big must do during Christmas season , etc.
Also, I booked Boulder Ridge, instead of the new Copper Creek, because I was scared that Copper Creek would not have any discounts available (looking for room only or free dining discounts to drop).
Any suggestions on what to request for rooms?

Here is a very brief "what i have so far" schedule:

Sunday Nov 26- arrival day - time???(no flight yet)
--Possible dinner at Ohana, and fireworks on poly beach

Monday,27th
Epcot?
-Garden Grill late breakfast or early lunch (with candlight processional package hopefully 5:00 show)
-Biergarten dinner around 7:30

Tuesday 28
Possible MVMCP (this will be my first ever "hard ticket" event)- Dates are not out yet
-eat late lunch at whispering canyon
-arrive at MK at 4:00

Wed 29
Hollywood Studios?
-Jedi training is a must, since DS was not old enough last trip
-late lunch/early dinner at SciFi Drive in

Thurs 30
Animal Kingdom?
-Dinner at Tusker house

Friday , Dec 1 (DS turns 5!!!)
-Pre park open hopefully : should i try for Crystal Palace or BOG? We are going to eat at both regardless, but which is best for PPO?

Sat.--
Checkout

Thoughts? Suggesions? MUST DO AT CHRISTMASTIME??

Thanks in advance !!

 

[sharonabe]

Friday , Dec 1 (DS turns 5!!!)
-Pre park open hopefully : should i try for Crystal Palace or BOG? We are going to eat at both regardless, but which is best for PPO?

I think the answer to this depends on what your goal is.

CP is DEFINITELY a better choice for a 5 yr old birthday....I mean what's better than Pooh and Tigger!!??
But if your goal is to get a head start on some rides in FL, then the BoG will work better.

Truth be told, I'd probably not do a PPO and do a late breakfast at CP.


Another thing you'll want to do at EP is the Holiday Storytellers. They are all great, but our favorite is Norway....he's so funny!!

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

Another thing you'll want to do at EP is the Holiday Storytellers. They are all great, but our favorite is Norway....he's so funny!!

I was curious about the "Christmas around the World" at Epcot. I know we are going to FP the FEA, so we will be in Norway. we will also be in Germany for Biergarten. Any other country "not to miss?"

 

[sharonabe]

I was curious about the "Christmas around the World" at Epcot. I know we are going to FP the FEA, so we will be in Norway. we will also be in Germany for Biergarten. Any other country "not to miss?"

We didn't see her, but I've heard the one in Italy is pretty good too.

 

[CynBeth]

I would recommend the storyteller in France.

If you can take time to visit the deluxe resorts for their decorations especially the gingerbread house at GF. Also WL and CR for the MK resorts. BC, YC, and BW for the Epcot resorts. And AKL.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Candlelight Processional is great, but be prepared that your kids may not enjoy it, especially on the heels of two sit-down meals that day. It seems like a lot of sitting, especially for the just-turned-5-y-o. Seeing the holiday storytellers is one of the best things for the holidays. I'd watch some YouTube videos and decide which ones to prioritize.

Definitely visit the gingerbread house at GF, maybe on your MVMCP day. The trains in YC lobby are neat if you have a train enthusiast.

 

[sharonabe]

OH! I almost forgot. The miniature train set up in Germany! Your little birthday boy will LOVE it, and it is decorated for Christmas.

 

[mamaofsix]

Dates for MVMCP are up. There is one on the 28th!

And even though a lot of people negatively review the Sci Fi dine in at HS, that was our kids' absolute favourite

 

[dkmulder]

If you make it down to Disney Springs at all, hopefully they will have the Christmas Tree trail again, and your kids can meet Santa. Best part is you don't have to wait in line for Santa, they give you a pager so you can wander around and the pager will go off when it's your turn.

 

[JennyDrake]

You are going at a wonderful time of year! _I_ would not do much planning and allow time to simply drift and enjoy the atmosphere. ALL of the storytellers in Epcot are great. CP is indeed beautiful BUT be prepared to stand in line for a good hour WITH dining package; your kids may be "done" with lines followed by a 50 minute show a that point.

 

[hes122]

-Pre park open hopefully : should i try for Crystal Palace or BOG? We are going to eat at both regardless, but which is best for PPO?

I'd try for BOG unless you want the character interaction for your son's birthday. I had a BOG reservation for 8:50 on a 9:00 opening day and we got in with the early crowd and were seated by 8:20 (we also pre-ordered our meal so we didn't have to wait through that line). There are no characters at breakfast though. We were finished eating around 9:50ish and walked over to 7DMTR and were off at 9:02. If getting on that or PP early (w/out a FP) is important to you, I'd try for BOG.

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

Thanks everyone for the input!! Regarding the Candlelight Processional, my kids are pretty good at sitting and watching I'm lucky with that one ! They LOVE Christmas carols, so I think they will really enjoy it actually.

CP is indeed beautiful BUT be prepared to stand in line for a good hour WITH dining package; your kids may be "done" with lines followed by a 50 minute show a that point.

Do you think if I get the 5:00 show, we will be in line close to an hour? We won't really care about where we sit.

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

I'd try for BOG unless you want the character interaction for your son's birthday. I had a BOG reservation for 8:50 on a 9:00 opening day and we got in with the early crowd and were seated by 8:20 (we also pre-ordered our meal so we didn't have to wait through that line). There are no characters at breakfast though. We were finished eating around 9:50ish and walked over to 7DMTR and were off at 9:02. If getting on that or PP early (w/out a FP) is important to you, I'd try for BOG.

Yes we have eaten at both, I have done breakfast at BOG, but like 9:05, never PPO. We are still planning on eating at both on the same day, just was not sure about PPO, because if we do BOG, we can ride the fantasy land rides without long lines, but Crystal palace we can do jungle cruise, pirates, and BTMRR early.

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

And even though a lot of people negatively review the Sci Fi dine in at HS, that was our kids' absolute favourite

Yeah we eat there every time!

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

I'd watch some YouTube videos and decide which ones to prioritize.

That is awesome advice! I didn't even think about that Thank You!!

 

[CynBeth]

Thanks everyone for the input!! Regarding the Candlelight Processional, my kids are pretty good at sitting and watching I'm lucky with that one ! They LOVE Christmas carols, so I think they will really enjoy it actually.

Do you think if I get the 5:00 show, we will be in line close to an hour? We won't really care about where we sit.

We usually get in the dining package line about 40 minutes in advance for the last show of the night and have been fine getting pretty good seats even with some popular narrators.

 

[dkmulder]

Since your kids love carolers, be sure to make it to the American Pavillion and watch the carolers there! They're dressed in colonial Christmas dresses and suits and are a the epitome of traditional Christmas perfection

 

[matheke]

Depending on your arrival time on Sunday there is always Hoop-dee-do at Fort Wilderness and the Holiday Sleigh ride. Since Sunday is traditionally a MVMCP date, the fireworks would be at 10PM.

Tuesday you could see the Deluxe resorts and possibly do lunch at the Boardwalk area.

 

[LiaNWillsmom]

Depending on your arrival time on Sunday there is always Hoop-dee-do at Fort Wilderness and the Holiday Sleigh ride. Since Sunday is traditionally a MVMCP date, the fireworks would be at 10PM.

Tuesday you could see the Deluxe resorts and possibly do lunch at the Boardwalk area.

yeah, i was thinking about Hoop-de -do, but i think since we are staying at wilderness, we will be pretty immersed in the country-vibe
Im trying to stay away from the Boardwalk, my in-laws stay there and the beach club A LOT, they just got back last week actually, so we want to do something a bit different
This is why I'm thinking Ohana, I've never eaten there, and I think my kids will enjoy doing the monorail loop.