First time to Disney world over Christmas questions

[Mesh]

Thought of a couple more things that my daughter loved at your girls' ages...Peter Pan (this line gets very long during the day), Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Meet Tinkerbelle. Also, if you don't get the ADR at 180...we got our Christmas Day reservations much later (many cancellations around 45 and 60 days out...and even day before to avoid no-show fee), so keep trying! The Christmas Parade was amazing (I believe it takes the place of the Festival of Fantasy parade during the time you'll be there) and there's a castle lighting show each evening that's amazing!

 

[nherbert]

I just saw that you changed your dates to 21st December and I can't see that anyone has mentioned that you can get FREE DINING. the last day of special is the 21st December, but if you book a package (room, tickets dining) that starts on this day the free dining lasts your entire vacation. It's generally the only discount available over Christmas week.

 

[BruceIndy]

Awesome Mesh. Great idea and thank you everyone for the replies. I've made some serious movements with my trip planning and have gotten this far.

Trip date is Dec 21 - 27
Note to self to bring a double umbrella stroller or rent one at the park (I have two girls ages 4 and 6 and everything I read says use a stroller!)

Day 21st
Land at MCO and reach park between 11am - 1pm. Head to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios with the girls till room is ready for us message arrives. Head back for dinner using magic bands deluxe dining package. Let the girls swim (if pool is open.. I know it will be December so unlikely?) and early to bed.

Day 22
Poly character breakfest @ 10am - reserved
Head to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.
Head back early @ 6 or 7pm (seeing a theme here? )

Day 23
Sleep in!
Epcot day. Reserved dinner @ 5:30 Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Kids do whatever they want at Epcot and Head back at 7-8pm. Burn off energy with pool time or some other activity if I can identify one then head to sleep.

Day 24 The Magic Begins! Christmas Eve! Magic Kingdom Day 1!
Get to park by 9AM (I hear it closes doors early due to reaching capacity on Christmas Eve and Christmas day)
Crystal palace dinner @ 6:35. Head home right after?

Day 25. MK Day 2! Christmas!
Park by 9AM. Maybe even try for a rope drop?
1pm reserved Cinderella Royal lunch

Day 26. Shopping day. Do whatever day.
I do have a reserved 8:30 dinner at MK sort of a last character dinner before our 6AM flight the next morning. I wanted to get "Be our Guest' earlier but it was totally all the way back to even before the 21st. All times!


So the going theme here is to burn those deluxe dining credits on room service. Sit down table service (when the crowds are fighting long lines for food) and character dinners.
Don't wear ourselves out by staying in the park to close every day. Instead sleep in a little.. Do what events I can then get out early for some down time and relaxation back at Poly!

Haven't book Fast Pass selections yet as it isn't close enough to my reservation yet but I am thinking I better use all of my inital fast pass reservations on Christmas Eve and Christmas day and not even bother with them on the 3 days leading up? MK is going to be packed on those two days so might as well right?

Critique? Suggestions?

 

[BruceIndy]

I just saw that you changed your dates to 21st December and I can't see that anyone has mentioned that you can get FREE DINING. the last day of special is the 21st December, but if you book a package (room, tickets dining) that starts on this day the free dining lasts your entire vacation. It's generally the only discount available over Christmas week.

Oh wow totally didn't notice this before. I have the deluxe dining package from when I first signed up but I think that if you have Free dining isn't deluxe dining supposed to be a reduced cost upgrade? Going to call tomorrow and see if they applied that special to my account when I changed my check in date to the 21st

 

[Accident]

I wanted to get "Be our Guest' earlier but it was totally all the way back to even before the 21st. All times!

Last year, I had a lot of success just walking into be our guest. It's going to be tight on that week but if your in mk and have a little flexibility on a lunch you might want to try to walk in before alternatives to eat.

With that said, it was the first place I reserved to ensure my daughter doesn't miss it next trip.

 

[nherbert]

On December 24th you could get a Be our guest lunch either early lunch reservation right now for 10:50 or late lunch 1:55 - your girls will like cupcakes and enjoy seeing rooms (no characters).
Also on 25th December MK typically opens at 7am (maybe also on 24th).

 

[prairiesarah]

(if pool is open.. I know it will be December so unlikely?)

Pools will definitely be open - they are open year round. As will Typhoon Lagoon waterpark. That said, in my opion/experience it will be mostly Canadians and people from the Northern States out swimming. We're heading down around the same time as you are and I know we will spend tons of time in the pool, but it will be well below zero and snowy at home, so anything moderately above zero is swimming weather!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

(if pool is open.. I know it will be December so unlikely?)

Pools will definitely be open - they are open year round. As will Typhoon Lagoon waterpark. That said, in my opion/experience it will be mostly Canadians and people from the Northern States out swimming. We're heading down around the same time as you are and I know we will spend tons of time in the pool, but it will be well below zero and snowy at home, so anything moderately above zero is swimming weather!

TRUE THAT! Lol

 

[BruceIndy]

I just saw that you changed your dates to 21st December and I can't see that anyone has mentioned that you can get FREE DINING. the last day of special is the 21st December, but if you book a package (room, tickets dining) that starts on this day the free dining lasts your entire vacation. It's generally the only discount available over Christmas week.

Thanks for this! Saved more then 1k with this change. It basically just paid for my flight! Also just paid off my trip in full so now I'm committed!

 

[nherbert]

That's great news! I hope you have a great trip and enjoy all that food.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Thanks for this! Saved more then 1k with this change. It basically just paid for my flight! Also just paid off my trip in full so now I'm committed!

AbFab!!! Doesn't it just make you tingle all over to save that chunk of change! These forums are really really beneficial!

 

[BruceIndy]

These forums have been crazy amazing for me. Just a few of the mistakes I would have made without them

1. Waiting to schedule hard to get dinner reservations over Christmas
2. Spending more on deluxe dining plan
3. Not taking a stroller for a 4 and 6 year old for when they get tired of walking
4. Trying to do to much every day at the park instead of heading back early or taking a mid-day break
5. Almost missing out on a free dining offer! I extended my trip by two days and SAVED money because I could take this offer.
6. Pack each child's outfit for the day into a ziploc bag

I'm sure I will have even more. Super excited about this trip. It is so hard to keep myself from telling the girls about it but this is their Birthday/Christmas present. I'm thinking of buying some Disney luggage for them to unwrap right before the trip and then telling them we are going to Disney World!

 

[happymommy]

Side note: on Deluxe Dining, your kids don't have to order off the kids' menus if they don't want to. They can order adult meals.