FIRST XMas Trip - Tell Me Everything I Need to Know!

[*NikkiBell*]

I am beyond excited to announce that we will be going to Disney December 26th, 2006. I have never gone to the World for XMas and am going bonkers!

When should I start making reservations?

What should I be aware of?

I feel like a newbie!

 

[lark]

I am beyond excited to announce that we will be going to Disney December 26th, 2006. I have never gone to the World for XMas and am going bonkers!

When should I start making reservations?

What should I be aware of?

I feel like a newbie!

On when you should start making reservations -- do it now. Why wait. If you know when and where, call. Try to get a room-only rate with an AAA discount if you have AAA. Lock yourself on a reservation and then if codes or other discounts happen later, you can apply them or make changes, but get something now.

I'll leave the what should I be aware of to others since I haven't been there then, but I'd say crowds and more crowds.

 

[tysonfamilyof4]

I have the same question. We are planning on Dec 22-27, 2006. I want to make our reservations soon!! We are hoping to stay at the Contemporary.

 

[adrock1976]

This is arguably the best time of year to visit, and definitely one of the most crowded. This time of year is best booked at least a year out to give you the best choice of option. As previous posts said, you can always make changes or cancellations, or apply discounts that may come up, but popular resorts will fill up fast at the holidays, and you don't want to be left out.

 

[Mom to 2]

I just booked this month for Nov. 26-Dec 7th 2006

Cant wait!!

Lory

 

[Jen Jen]

I strongly suggest that this year you pay close attention to all the schedules for the park hours and the holiday happenings. It helps immensely when trying to plan your trip, and the schedules for the time you will be there will closely coincide. They won't be released until frustratingly close to when you'll actually be going though, so now is the time to collect the information. And with the new 180 day ADRs, you'll probably want to have all your plans in place prior to that so that you can call and get all the times you want for the restaurants the morning of that 180th day out. Also, I think that MVMCP tickets go on sale in April or May, so you'll probably want to have a pretty good idea of the layout of your trip by then, if you're planning to do the party, so you'll know what night to get your tix for. While the tix themselves don't sell out so fast that you have to really jump on purchasing them, sometimes the good dining times for the Christmas Party dinner at Liberty Tree do. My husband and I are going for our first December this year, so I've just finished going through all this. Sometimes I get a little too uptight about planning though! You'll have a great time no matter what!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

All excellent tips!!!


What else?????

What can I expect to see?

 

[pic22]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/christmas_world.htm#hm-holiday
This should get you started. All the information is for this year, but most things don't change much from year to year. IMHO there is no arguement, this is the best time of year to visit. Leaving in 25 days for second Christmas trip in 3 years, and I can't wait.

 

[oots]

we went xmas week 12/23-12/27/02. we booked the trip in mid oct. we booked the luau and a candlelite processional dinner package-did not make any other specific plans-we stayed at the poly. it was very crowded but we had a great time-so go for it-just book it and take it as it comes. we are kinda doing the same thing-we leave in a week.

 

[Avalanche]

We loved it last year at Christmas. Even though it was crowded it was great. We stayed at the CR and it was sooooooooooo convenient. We usually stay at a moderate and it was well worth the expense for the convenience.

My #1 suggestion is to be at the parks at opening. Crowds build really fast and you should be able to get two or three things done before the lines really build.

We had all our PS at resorts. We would be at the parks in the AM, take a break, then go to dinner, and then if we were up to it visit a park at night. If you have a PS at a park and you are not in that park, they may close to capacity and you would be out of luck. Having dinner at the other resorts was also a nice way to see the Christmas decorations.

Have a great time.

 

[tdelano]

I LOVE to go at Christmas! My tip would be to take some winter clothes. One Christmas when we were there we needed sweatshirts/jackets at night and didnt' have any packed.

 

[Pats Dragon]

We decided to make Christmas our annual retreat. You will LOVE the music and decorations and festive resorts. Plan time to see all the decorated resorts. Make processional ressies in August and MVMCP as soon as it is announced. Choose a Christmas dinner. We are going to Biergarten! Plan a sleigh ride at WL. Go to all the early park entries if you want to ride everything. We do that and always ride everything with no lines. Take a little tree and advent candles, Bible and whatever family traditions that you usually participate in. You will see that Christmas is the best time to go.

 

[CheshireVal]

The 26th through January 1st is *the*most crowded time at WDW out of the whole year. We always leave by the 26th, so I've never experienced it myself, but I have heard horror stories.

My biggest tip, therefore, is to go with very little expectations of riding all the rides. Pick your very few favorite ones and plan for those. Otherwise, go more for the experience and the sights.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I have always heard that Easter was more crowded than Christmas.

 

[CheshireVal]

Christmas itself isn't that crowded; it's the period from Christmas to New Year's that is historically one of the most crowded (if not the most crowded) times.

 

[mom23boys]

The 26th through January 1st is *the*most crowded time at WDW out of the whole year. We always leave by the 26th, so I've never experienced it myself, but I have heard horror stories.

My biggest tip, therefore, is to go with very little expectations of riding all the rides. Pick your very few favorite ones and plan for those. Otherwise, go more for the experience and the sights.

I agree, we went at Christmas 2002. Never again. MK closed NYE at 10am, it was filled to capacity.

I do admit we did not have a plan, but there were so many people even when we got to the parks before opening there were lines everywhere.

We chalked it up to lesson learned. I loved Disney at Christmas it is beautiful, but if you can go before Christmas it is much less crowded.

 

[princess-rn]

Sorry to ask a question in the middle of someone else's thread..but I feel the writers excitement....

How is Dec 1-11 in WDW? I thought maybe it would be less crowded but still be able to see all the Christmas stuff. Am I right?

 

[franw]

That is an exciting week to be there and also one of the most crowded. Unless you dates are set in stone you might consider going the first week in December when all the Christmas decorations and celebrations are in place yet the crowds are so much smaller. We have gone several times during the first half of December and, with the exception of the locals coming in for the events, the parks, restaurants, etc., are so much more accessible and enjoyable.

But some folks just love to be in the middle of all the action and the week after Christmas would certainly be a great time to participate.

Enjoy the anticipation!

 

[pedro2112]

Congradulations Nikki!!

Are you going to stay at the Poly like you previously planned??

 

[DonaldsGrl103]

yes last year it started to get crowded when we were leaving on the dec. 28th but other than that it was great