First Xmas at Disney

[fluffykim]

Hello All-

My family (hubby, 3yr old son, mom, auntie and cousin) are staying at SSR 2bed from 12-23 to 12-29. This is all our first time to Disney during Xmas.

Anyone have any tips/ideas to make this experience extra special? For example, where to eat for Xmas day, etc?

This will also be our sons first trip to Disney..we can not wait!

Kim

 

[allshookup]

We ate at CG for Christmas dinner & it was wonderful. It's a nice place to view Wishes and avoid the crowds. If you want to eat at MK, I think CRT would be nice.

I recommend that you visit the parks early, leave & go back to SSR to rest or swim, & then head back later for Spectromagic, Fantasmic, Illuminations, Osbourne lights, etc. It is so crowded in the parks in the afternoon, that is very hard to walk through the crowds at times. It is much lighter in the morning & it gets a bit lighter later in the evening.

I would also suggest you take some time to visit some other resorts and check out the decorations. The gingerbread house at the GF is amazing.

Have fun!

 

[fluffykim]

I am sorry but what is CG and CRT?

 

[allshookup]

I am sorry but what is CG and CRT?

California Grill at the Contemporary & Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[vascubaguy]

We were there in 2003 around those same dates... and wow... expect lots and lots of people. Especially if try to go to the parks on Christmas Day!

I agree with allshookup, go check out the decor at some of the other resorts. The Grand Floridian, the Wilderness Lodge, etc...

You'll have a blast, just go expecting big crowds.

 

[conciergekelly]

Maybe a carriage ride through SSR or VWL. You can bring hot beverages with you.... A little hot chocolate ( and Bailys perhaps). It is usually cool in the evening. They provide a blanket. Very cozy.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I had an Uncle who went to the Magic Kingdom one X-Mas only to find out they were turn away because the park was too crowded and they would not let anyone else in.

We went one year during Thanksgiving weekend and on Thanksgiving day we went to the at the Luau at the Poly. And no they didn't serve turkey but the show and the food was great! So for X-mas forgo the traditional ham and enjoy the wonderful food at the Luau.

 

[Cruise04]

Just a few words -

Prepare for a lot of people but don't let it discourage you.

Resort guests are the last ones to get turned away from the parks. But if you want to go to a park on Christmas day get there by 8am. If it opens early, get there early to ride the rides because by noon it will be way crowded. If you need to leave to rest you can do that with the idea in mind that you might not get back in until later in the day/early evening - might is the word, very slim chance.

Use FastPass - it WILL save your days. While you are waiting for your FastPass time (see the Theme Parks board for more info you haven't heard about FastPass) go see a show or get in line for a ride that doesn't use FastPass - that way you are kind of doing two things in one time.

Make sure and rest - even if it's just finding a bench in the park and people watching - it's important to do this. Maybe change your socks in the middle of the day (especially if the temps are nice) and your feet will love you later too.

Get a locker if you are going to stay all day and not go back to your resort - that way you can bring jackets and sweatpants/shirts for later in the day/evening. It does get chilly and I am always so glad we do this. And bring rain ponchos - just in case.

Take a day and go resort hopping - it's so cool to see how all the resorts are decorated. Make sure you ask if you see a resort that doesn't appear to be greatly decorated - they may have their big display someplace else - Contemporary has it in the bottom level.

Eating on Christmas Day - we do one sit down meal and make a reservation (or whatever they are called now). This year we did Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The first year we went we ate at Tony's because we were at MK. The one thing you have to decide on though is whether you are going to a park or not. Then you can decide where to eat. Crystal Palace is also a nice place to eat as is Liberty Tree Tavern if you want to go to MK. Almost all of the restaurants outside the parks are great too. The one place I don't enjoy is Boma but I did it because we took my dad and we wanted him to experience something different.

If you can - go to Candlelight Processional once while there. And do it with the reservation with smaller children, that pretty much guarantees you will get a seat to see it. If you wait in the standby line you may not get in to see it. It's awesome and it doesn't matter if you are Christian or not. My dad is not that Christian and he was moved to tears. It's just great music on top of the story of the birth of Jesus.

Go with patience in mind - it makes your trip so much more enjoyable.

Remember to have a good time and walk slowly at some point - it helps you enjoy the day.

Hope this helps. We've gone several times during that time period. Feel free to PM if you'd like.