First Christmas Trip, need HELP please!

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Just got back from our summer split stay @ CBR and WL Now it's time for us to plan our First Christmas Trip Loved the WL, rooms a bit small, but the resort was amazing. Now we can't decide between WL again, AKL (never stayed there) and/or Contemporary (stayed there 4/04) . We are traveling with two small children and it will be a short stay five (5) to six (6) night stay max, and plan on mainly going to parks, not sure what the weather is like in December to plan for pool time . I know we need a special ticket for MVMCP, do we need special tickets for any of the other parks ?

Please add any tips/suggestions/advice, as this is all new to us!

Thanks in advance

 

[3for Me]

You will love Christmas time at WDW.

To answer some questions...I LOVE the way the WL looks and feels at Christmas, and if you are not going to be in the room much, then maybe the size of the room won't be much of an issue That is something to think about as you'll be bringing "bigger" clothes for winter. (Not just bathing suits and tee shirts.) The other thing to think about is that if it is cold and windy that boat ride to the MK might not be pleasant. We stayed there one February and brrrrrrrr. But again, not a deal breaker. Also, there is a lovely carriage ride at the WL which you must book in advance that your children might enjoy.

The two events you may want to get the hard ticket for are MVMCP (which you mentioned) and the Candelight Processional at EPCOT. It is a beautiful event, but depending on your children's ages and attention spans, you may want to do some research on it and see if it is worth doing for your family.

They have Santas from around the world at each of the countries in EPCOT and the Osborne lights at MGM are spectacular. You can also visit Santa Goofy at the AK - you are really immersed in the Christmas spirit all arount WDW.

Also, if I am not mistaken there are pictures with Santa at DTD in the Marketplace area. We did not do this, but saw it set up (we were there in 2005, so things may have changed)

Bring LOTS of film - there are sooo many neat things to see. I am sure others will think of more. ENJOY!

 

[cvrapclark]

Santa and Mrs. Claus are located at American Adventure in Epcot. This is a family tradition for us to have a pic of the whole family.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Thanks a bunch
I need a seperate ticket (aside of the park ticket) for the Candlelight Processional @ Epcot?
Santa's around the world, that sounds like fun for the kids, are the Santa's only out and about during certain times?
MVMCP is a seperate ticket from a park ticket, so I enter with that special ticket and not a park ticket?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[3for Me]

Thanks a bunch
I need a seperate ticket (aside of the park ticket) for the Candlelight Processional @ Epcot?

ANSWER: YES - it is a dinner package and more info can be found right here on the DIS if you do a search - I highly recommend this program.
Santa's around the world, that sounds like fun for the kids, are the Santa's only out and about during certain times?

ANSWER: YES - if I am not mistaken they will let you know the times on your TIMES GUIDE that you pick up at the park when you enter.

MVMCP is a seperate ticket from a park ticket, so I enter with that special ticket and not a park ticket?

ANSWER: YES - you can enter as early as 4:00 PM if they continue the policy they have had in the past. Not sure if it will be the same this year.



Thanks a bunch!

Have Fun and just ask if you have any other questions.

 

[cdotla]

Hi GoingtoWDWAgain:

I tried to PM you but couldn't. I would really appreciate it if you could PM me with your impressions of both CBR and WL. We are booked into CBR for 4 days. We are also considering between 3 options for our 1st nite (WL, CSR or ASMu).

Would love to hear your thoughts on each of CBR and WL.

 

[Kevin355]

We stayed at CBR for Christmas in 2003. LOVED IT. And the Christmas magic all over Disney was incredible. It was crowded, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Watching the MC Fireworks on Christmas eve, and walking down Main Street USA afterwords with the fake snow...it was the best. On Christmas morning, there was a Christmas gift from Disney on our door.

 

[louey]

We just were there this past Christmas and stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was really wonderful, no matter where you go on the property everything is decorated beautifully . I know one of the evenings we were hanging at the hotel and Santa, and friends showed up so be sure after you check in at your hotel to ask what times there are suppose to be there. I am sure most of the hotels do that, or it may be only (deluxe???) . Have a great time.

 

[Tink901]

Just got back from our summer split stay @ CBR and WL Now it's time for us to plan our First Christmas Trip Loved the WL, rooms a bit small, but the resort was amazing. Now we can't decide between WL again, AKL (never stayed there) and/or Contemporary (stayed there 4/04) . We are traveling with two small children and it will be a short stay five (5) to six (6) night stay max, and plan on mainly going to parks, not sure what the weather is like in December to plan for pool time . I know we need a special ticket for MVMCP, do we need special tickets for any of the other parks ?

Please add any tips/suggestions/advice, as this is all new to us!

Thanks in advance

Be prepared for any kind of weather. I go every Dec and the last few at night you need a warm jacket and even gloves sometimes. During the day we have been known to have long sleeves and a light jacket can be a bit brisk sometimes. Better to be prepared you can even send a box of items ahead to your resort for your arrival vs. having to lug on the plane.

MVMCP is a great time! Lots of characters out and great shows, parade and fireworks!

Make sure you see the osborne lights at MGM allow a bit of time - so you can walk all the streets and see all the detail.

Be prepared with camera and any necessary media cards, battery chargers, etc. I bring 2 chargers and back up batteries and a outlet strip so everything has a outlet and I never run out of media cards or batteries.

Christmas is a Great time to be there, if you have the time visit the different resorts the decorations vary by the theme of the resort, I think its work the time.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Sounds like a great trip!

Santa's are out at scheduled times at each Country - do not always flow nicely to visit a few at a time, but you can plan around the schedule which can be picked up at the resort or better when you enter the park or at park guest services.

MVMCP requires a separate tkt from the regular park tkt and goes on from 7 pm to midnight. They do allow entrance a bit earlier if you have a dinner reservation - be sure to get your wrist bands and have your tkt ready to show. Great parade with Santa at the end, cookies and hot chocolate for free in a few places around the MK. You can see the parade (no free cookies or HC) any night the MK is open. Check for dates and times.

Candlelight Processional does not require a tkt, but a you can purchase a dinner pkg which will include dinner at your choice of sit down (cost of pkg based on different sit downs) and there is a special line for those with the pkg.

The lines are VERY long so even if you have a dining pkg be sure to get there quite early to wait in line (about an hour). After the pkg guests are seating the other line is allowed in.

If possible try to see Osborne Lights after it has been open awhile, rather than when they switch on the lights - the crowds might lesson, but during a busy night it can be body to body.

Hope this helps!! Have a wonderful visit!

 

[Allison]

Great thread. I just made our airline reservations last night so we are officially going for Christmas from December 25-January 3. I'm super excited. We decided to stay at POFQ which seems like a really good place to celebrate Christmas.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

MVMCP requires a separate tkt from the regular park tkt and goes on from 7 pm to midnight. They do allow entrance a bit earlier if you have a dinner reservation - be sure to get your wrist bands and have your tkt ready to show. Great parade with Santa at the end, cookies and hot chocolate for free in a few places around the MK. You can see the parade (no free cookies or HC) any night the MK is open. Check for dates and times.

Is there a difference between MVMCP and a regular park day, other then HC and cookies?

If I purchase a five day hopper, I still need to purchase a separate ticket for MVMCP? Do I use the five day hopper pass to enter the park earlier in the day for rides and then have to exit the park for re-entry for MVMCP

Thanks a bunch, I'm a bit

 

[Minnie&Nana]

It is confusing!

Yep, you would use one of your park hopper days if you want to enter the park before 4 pm (the time allowed to enter with a MVMCP tkt could be later).

Wishes is pretty spectacular and there is faux snow on Main Street, but if you'll be there on Christmas Eve they have the faux snow it then too.

A lot of folks love the MVMCP, but we've done it a couple of times and each time say not again (we did it with friends the 2 times)...you might want to check ahead for the parade times to be sure you'll be able to see it another night. Not a fan of parades, but the Christmas Parade is wonderful!!!

 

[rrgreennc]

Is there a difference between MVMCP and a regular park day, other then HC and cookies?

If I purchase a five day hopper, I still need to purchase a separate ticket for MVMCP? Do I use the five day hopper pass to enter the park earlier in the day for rides and then have to exit the park for re-entry for MVMCP

Thanks a bunch, I'm a bit

First, the differences. Until late December (just before Christmas Day), the special Christmas parade is ONLY run during MVMCP. Also there are a number of shows that are only done during the party, as well as snow on Main Street. The crowds also may be lighter during the party than the regular park day, but that is by no means a guarantee. The hot chocolate and cookies you mention are a very small thing to me. Oh, also there is some exclusive merchandise that is put out only during the party (tshirts/sweatshirts with the MVMCP theme, special pins, and the like). One thing I forgot - they do the special holiday version of wishes during the party, which is also not done during regular park hours until Christmas week.

You do no need to use your regular park entry for the party, you only need the special party pass. Usually you are allowed to enter the park around 4pm with your party ticket. If you do use your regular park admission, then you will still need the party ticket, but you won't have to leave the park and re-enter. At some point during the afternoon, you will have to make your way to one of several stations in the park and get a wristband. You will be herded off into one of the lands while the day guests exit starting at around 6pm. If you enter with your party admission pass before the regular day hours end, you'll get a wristband at that point.