First Time Visitor

[gregg4]

Does anyone have any advice for a first-time middle aged (40's) couple, no kids? Which resort? Which packages? What options? We were thinking of going late December-is this good/bad as far as crowds? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[renessa]

Late December....do you mean Christmas and New Years??? This week is packed, with peak prices and low availablity for hotels. Now early or mid December would be fantastic...they have the decorations up, but the crowds have not arrived yet! I am going with my new husband (it will be our honeymoon) and we are two grown up kids. I am leaning to split our resort stay btwn a moderate and a deluxe...the last few days for more relaxing. Packages are only good if they provide you with convience and affordability. Many families find that they can book the room/ tickets/ meals/ transportation seperately, and for less $$$.
Just wanted to let you know that you have landed on a great site, full of helpful and friendly people. Best of luck!!! If you have any more questions feel free to ask! Renessa

 

[Bob NC]

Gregg4.....We have never been to WDW during a busy season, so I can't comment on just how bad it is when it's crowded. I can tell you, however, that touring is VERY enjoyable during the slower seasons. We either go in April/May...or Sept/Oct.

What kind of budget are you looking at? We are also in our 40's, if we were going without children, I'm sure we would be at one of the deluxe resorts. Perhaps Polynesian or Contemporary, or lots of folks like the Epcot area resorts, Yacht Club, Beach Club. There are very nice moderately priced resorts too, Coronado Springs Resort being our favorite. Since you aren't traveling with kids, I'd recommend staying away from the Value resorts, (All Stars), I know I'll get some flak about that, but that's just the way it is, they are themed towards kids and you'll find A LOT of them there.

 

[kidzmom3]

Welcome to the Dis. You will definelty find a lot of friendly people and advice here. I personally love the weeks before CHristmas. I just love the decorations. If we ever go without our kids (i hope, i hope) I would like to stay at an Epcot Hotel. So probably the Swan/Dolphin or Beach/Yacht clubs would be my choice. There are so many great things for couples to do. I can hardly begin to think where to start. I would say book things seperately if you have the time to investigate. The packages really seem to have a lot of extras that no one ever uses. I also like to buy my passes at home and bring them with me so I don't have to wait in line for them. length of stay passes are good only if you intend to go into the parks everyday including arrival and departure days. Have fun planning, thats one of the best parts. kim

 

[tampafan]

Late December is very crowded, but as long as you know this you can plan around it.

As far as resorts go, I would suggest the Beach Club if you want a luxury resort. You are right across from Boardwalk and can enjoy it and then retreat to your quiet. You also boat transportation to MGM and Epcot. Epcot is also a very short walk. To get to the Magic Kingdom, you can walk through Epcot to the Monorail. If you want a moderate, then I would choose Coronado Springs. It has a spa and a great restaurant. Of the moderates, it is probably the quietest.

By the way - I agree with Bob about staying away from the All Stars, unless your biggest concern is budget. I love the All Stars and we stay there often (as recently as last weekend), but we have two small children and these resorts are really geared towards family.

 

[Grumpy92]

Anytime in Dec before the week of xmas is a great time to visit WDW. The holidays at WDW are truly wonderful and there are plenty of extra activities.

Resorts- YC/BC, BWR, PO, CSR, CR, WL, AKL
Disney is for kids of all ages so one resort is really no better then another. I would stay away from the values and ask to be away from the main bldg. Room will be much quieter.

Suggestions:
1. Dont miss the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. It is the best show at WDW and will truly get you in the xmas spirit. Call ahead and make a PS for the CP dinner pkg. It includes dinner and reserved seating for the show. Most times the wait for the show is atleast an hour.
2. Osbourne Lights at the Studios
3. GF lobby enjoy CM caroling and a 20s jazz band play songs as you enjoy tea or a drink.
4. Reserve the Yultide Tour. This is a great way to see how WDW plans for Xmas. They talk about the various traditions, get backstage entrance to 3 parks, visit a resort and get a special view of the Xmas warehouse. The warehouse is incredible.
5. Visit the resorts. Each resort has decorations related to their theming.

 

[Grumpy92]

You also might want to check your local bookstore for guides. Some are for adults at WDW and give great tips. Birnbaum and the Unofficial guid are both very good.

 

[jaguar9748]

Definitely get a book - there are many to choose from.

Don't go the week of Christmas and New Years. Go either before or just after New Years. In fact, if you wait until after New Years the prices go way down.

Definitely stay away from the All Stars - great family with kids places.

Definitely a deluxe - GF, CR, Poly, WL, YC, BC, BW. You might also want to rent a villa at BWV, WLV, OKW, BCV. If you want a resort that is close to lots of restaurants and activities select the YC, BC, BW, BWV, and BCV. If you want to be in the Magic Kingdom loop pick GF, CR or Poly. If you want peace and quiet pick WL, WLV and OKW.

Have fun!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I went to WDW this past year for New Years. It is a fun, yet very busy time to go. Resort room rates are also the highest of the year. This probably isn't a good time to visit for a first time, but I really liked being there for the holiday. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort, on the Tower Club Level (12th floor). We had a room with a Magic Kingdom View, which was an awesome way to enjoy the nightly Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks.

Definetly stay at a Deluxe Resort, I prefer the Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary). My favorite is the Grand Floridian. It is a wonderful victorian seaside resort.

 

[gregg4]

Just wanted to say thank you for the helpful information.

 

[rab]

We've never been during the holiday season, but I do have some friends that went because they thought no one would be there. They actually went to Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day and by the time they got there (about an hour after the park opened), the park was full and they weren't letting anyone else in.

We go during the summer now because we have kids, but one of the many times we went before children we went in October. Crowds seemed very low and the weather was cooler. Also I heard that the week (or so) before any major holiday at Disney have lower crowds because most people are waiting for the holiday time.

After hearing so many people talk about how nice it is around Christmas, I would love to go in early December sometime. Guess I have to wait for the kids to grow up (they're teenagers now).