First time going to WDW in Xmas season! What do you recommend doing/seeing?

[DisneyMotherOf2]

This will be our first trip to Disney at Christmas! What would you seasoned Dis'ers recommend we see and do during this festive time of year? My note pad is ready and I can't wait to start making plans! We'll be staying at BCV. TIA!!

 

[chalee94]

this thread is a fun read. it also has lots of great pics and advice.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2855462

seeing the decorations in the parks and resorts is a lot of fun. the osborne lights at DHS. the candlelight processional and extra holiday ending for illuminations at epcot. the fancy castle lighting at MK.

and here are some random picture threads, if you get bored:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1989228

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1676426

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1852086

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2826904&page=11

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1332673&page=205

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1331996&page=188

 

[jimmytammy]

We have been many times early Dec and love it, as its the most festive time at WDW, all parks and resorts are in full decorative mode.

MK has the Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party, which is a paid event, less people in the park than normal, special parade and fireworks, free hot choc and cookies, special shows and not all, but most rides and attractions open. Even if U choose not to do this, MK is very festive in itself.

Epcot doesnt take a backseat to MK either. Decorated in splendor, narrators from each country dress up, and tell stories relating to their country about Christmas. Not to miss, Candlelight Processional. This is an absolute must see IMO, tells the Christmas story through narration by guest speaker, usually someone from the entertainment world, and a mass choir and orchestra. A good way to get a good seat, do the Candlelight Processional Dining Package, pricey but worth it for a 1st timer to guarantee a seat. It is hugely popular!

HS is dressed up too, be sure to see the Osborne Family Lights on the Streets of America, another not to be missed wonder!

AK is probably the least festive, but they Christmas up the parade a bit.

Other things not to be missed, resorts, these are my faves, take the time to check out, def. worth it. GF, huge tree and life size real gingerbread house, smells really good. Poly, just neat seeing the Hawaii influence in decorations. BW, really cool decs., with gingerbread influences. Last, not least, and my fave among em all, WL. Huge tree, and just amazing to see.

Have fun!!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

The Disney Food Blog has a wonderful E-Book for sale on Christmas at WDW. (It covers everything, not just food.) It was well worth the price. We'd been to WDW at Christmas once before, but I wanted to make certain we weren't missing anything when we went back in 2012. I was really happy with this book.

Use the code "HOLIDAY" for $3 off.

http://dfbminiguides.com/holiday

 

[DisneyMotherOf2]

Thanks so much everyone!!! I will certainly check all of this out!

 

[DisneyMotherOf2]

this thread is a fun read. it also has lots of great pics and advice.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2855462

seeing the decorations in the parks and resorts is a lot of fun. the osborne lights at DHS. the candlelight processional and extra holiday ending for illuminations at epcot. the fancy castle lighting at MK.

and here are some random picture threads, if you get bored:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1989228

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1676426

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1852086

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2826904&page=11

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1332673&page=205

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1331996&page=188

Thanks again for these fantastic Christmas threads and pics!!!

 

[drusba]

I am assuming you mean you are going during Christmas week. If so, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will not be there. It always ends about 4 days before Christmas.

Be prepared for huge crowds. If you have not been at Christmas, the only time crowd-wise that even starts to come close is Easter and if you have not been Christmas or Easter then you truly do not yet know how huge crowds can actually be at WDW. Street crowds at MK get so thick that it can actually take 30 minutes or more to walk from Space Mountain to Splash Mountain. Stand-by lines for popular rides go to over 2 hours and stay there all day and evening except that Soarin and Test Track go to over 3 and sometimes reach 4. Even things like Swiss Family Treehouse can have over an hour line. If you want to eat dinner at any table service or buffet restaurants, you need to make reservations long in advance. Your best chance to hit a few rides right in a row is early morning and during Christmas week they often just open the parks early to everyone. There is also some chance of some shorter lines late at night shorly before a park closes, and for some things from about 4 to 7 at any park but then huge crowds return after 7 for nightly events. The parks have long hours, e.g., MK goes to midnight or 1. Once beyond the first 1 1/2 hours in the morning, fast passes become a necessity for popular rides but those are often gone for the day well before noon.

Don't go expecting to actually get on all the rides/attractions you would like to. Check out any decorations where you are staying. In the parks, particularly MK, they are overwhelming and everywhere. A must see is the Osborne Lights at Studios that dance to the music about every 20 minutes, MK outdoor stage shows and the parade take on a Christmas theme, for kids you can visit Santa at MK through Christmas Eve, the nations at World Showcase also get decked out and take on a holiday theme, and there is the Candlelight Processional at night.

 

[Denmage]

All of the resorts are decorated for the holidays. Some of the better ones to check out are:

Beach Club and Boardwalk: Carousel Horses
Wilderness Lodge: GIANT Four Floor Christmas Tree in the main lobby.
Grand Floridian: Life Size Gingerbread House (already mentioned in another post)


Also, don't miss the holiday Character Meet and Greets. There is usually a big one set up in Animal Kingdom with all the Characters in holiday attire.

Denis

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

Osborne family lights spectacular at HS.

 

[sleepydog25]

1) Osborne Lights in DHS
2) Wilderness Lodge: awe-inspiring.
3) After walking through and around the Lodge, be sure to get over to FW and walk around the RV sites. Many of them have gone all out and decorated for the season: lights, blowup figures, music, animated figures. It's a real hoot!

 

[tgropp]

Everything has been covered with very good advice so plan accordingly as it is busy after the 25'th. We find the three to four days before Christmas day the most magical as the anticipation and atmosphere is so magical. If I could give any advice, I would stay away from MK on Christmas day. It is insane, but we do go watch the fireworks in the evening. We enter, stand on main street for viewing, then quickly get out.

My favorites are :

Candlelight Processional ....so moving
Mickeys Very Merry Christmas party....love the night time parade
Christmas around the world....kids will like this
Osborne Lights...make sure you stay for 2 songs as lights dance differently
Illunimations Holiday fireworks......great special finale
An evening at Marketplace....busy but fun
Resort Hopping....Decorations are beautiful and evening enterainment very nice

Christmas Day Dinner at WDW.... We prefer Whispering Canyon

Spend lots of time relaxing and enjoy people watching and enjoy the atmosphere that WDW has to offer during this very special season.

See you there!

 

[Kidanifan08]

This will be our first trip to Disney at Christmas! What would you seasoned Dis'ers recommend we see and do during this festive time of year? My note pad is ready and I can't wait to start making plans! We'll be staying at BCV. TIA!!

Here are some things to "do" before you get there:

"Do" get holiday head gear of some sort -- Christmas Mickey ears for the kids, Mickey ear Santa hat for DH, Christmas Minnie ears for you. We did this the last trip and our photopass photos with the Christmas headgear are priceless. It is a very festive time to visit the parks and you will see lots of people decked out in a holiday fashion.

"Do" watch the Disney Store website for holiday tees and sweatshirts. They have some really nice looking stuff and often have a sale on the merchandise in the Fall.

"Do" keep an eye out for flashing light necklaces and pins at Walmart/Target in the holiday area or "Dollar Spot". Glow sticks are also a must for the evenings. Your kids will love it!

"Do" watch for the Disboards Christmas Tree exchange and consider participating.

"Do" take stockings for the kids and have special surprises throughout the week.

Have a great time planning!

 

[disneychic]

YouTube!! If you search Walt Disney World Christmas or Walt Disney World Christmas Decorations TONS of stuff comes up! You can also watch Samantha Brown's Xmas special and the HGTV one called Behind The Magic as well. It's getting me all ready for our big holiday trip this year!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[luckyman_apd]

I think the Very Merry Christmas party is worth doing.....since this is your first time. We went last year for our first ever Christmas trip and my kids LOVED it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I was told the MK has a capacity of 70,000 people but during those parties they sell only 25,000 tickets. So it is considerably empty in comparison to a normal weekend day. We are going back this December for a weekend trip just to do the party again.

A few tips. Since the party is a paid extra, only those with party tickets are allowed in the park once the time starts. Usually 7pm. You will get a wristband that shows your are part of the MVMCP. If you have a party park ticket, you are allowed entry to the park at 4 pm, so when purchasing park tickets for the trip, keep this in mind. The day of the party sleep in, enjoy the resort have a nice lunch. Since you already purchased the park ticket, no need to pay twice unless you really want to be in the park earlier in the day.

Stay AWAY from Main Street from 7-8pm. Everyone without a wristband will be forced out, while people who have a wristband are trying to reserve a spot for the parade. Take this time to ride the rides that will have short lines. The parade repeats at 10 pm. Well worth waiting for the second parade.

 

[DisneyMotherOf2]

Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions! I probably should have mentioned our travel dates are November 30 - December 7. So we won't be there on Christmas Day, but will be there for the decorations, festivities, etc. . I'm assuming all parties, decorations, etc. will be up and running by then.

 

[erionm]

Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions! I probably should have mentioned our travel dates are November 30 - December 7. So we won't be there on Christmas Day, but will be there for the decorations, festivities, etc. . I'm assuming all parties, decorations, etc. will be up and running by then.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/holidays/
Some begin/end dates are already on the above site, others are generic ranges and will be updated later by Disney.

 

[CocosMeme]

Those are our dates also. You are going at a perfect time to get in the Christmas spirit and see everything Disney has to offer for Christmas. The crowds are pretty low the 1st week of December (after Thanksgiving and before kids get out for the holidays). We love soaking in the atmosphere. We spend 1 entire day just visiting all of the premier resorts to take in the decorations and strolling around Epcot to catch the Santa's and other shows about the customs of the different countries. You will love it. This is our 3rd trip during that week.

 

[luckyman_apd]

We were there for Jersey week last year and the first MVMCP was on NOV 9th so they get those decorations up fast. Each morning as we entered the MK we noticed more decorations were up from the day before. They must work overtime overnight.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions! I probably should have mentioned our travel dates are November 30 - December 7. So we won't be there on Christmas Day, but will be there for the decorations, festivities, etc. . I'm assuming all parties, decorations, etc. will be up and running by then.

Yes, they should be, though things can vary. However, that's a great time to go as a pp mentioned. Crowds aren't huge, decorations, parties, and Osborne Lights are in full swing. We were there that same time-frame a couple of years ago, and it was perfect. One of our first days, the garland hanging across Main Street wasn't up because they had yet to film the parade they show on TV. Once it was done, the garland went up overnight. All of the Christmas magic will be in full swing, and yet you'll still get to be home for the actual day. Enjoy!

 

[darbry]

We are also going those same exact dates. So excited! I haven't been there for Christmas time since I was a kid and now I'm taking mine for the first time during that season.