florida or california christmas 2009

[pigletforever]

After 2 years of having trips to WDW planned for Chrismtas and having to cancel for various reasons I am going to be spending Christmas 2009 with the Mouse somewhere.

We live in Sacramento. We are planning on a 12 day vacation. We ahve been to WDW before and know we can do 10 days there easy. We haven't done DL yet.

I want to go back to Florida, DH wants to go to Anaheim. He is worried about getting stuck if weather gets bad between here and there. If we go to Anaheim we can drive. Plus saving the cost of airfare makes him happy. One in favor of staying in CA. If we go to Anaheim we will take in other parks (Legoland, Universal etc)

I have run the numbers and staying at a moderate at WDW(CSR has concierge now) and staying at Disney Pier concierge are about the same. AT WDW we do the dining plan which DL doesn't have. That is one in favor of WDW.

Can anyone give some thoughts on what they would do?

 

[ter-moo]

I would go to Florida, simply because DL is absolutely INSANE at Christmas. It's just way too crowded. At least at WDW, you have several parks to split the people between.

Since you live in CA (and since it's not THAT far to go from Sacramento), I'd save DL for another time of year. We've gone in late August before (right before school starts) and although it's crowded, it's certainly do-able. The weather is less iffy, too.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

WDW is insane at Christmas, too. Almost worse. Think about all the extra space at WDW and then imagine that filled. Then multiply that by 4 parks.

It really is half a dozen either way, if you look at it from the crowd perspective.

Dining plan doesn't matter as much here. Food cost is a bit more reasonable. Also factor in that you don't have as many sit downs, and ADRs or PSs as we call them here, are pretty easy to come by, as most locals don't even think to make them.

It's definitely a great place to spend Christmas. We've done both parks at Christmas and each has something different to offer.

 

[JennCa]

I live in Folsom so I understand the hard decision.

I would definitely go to Florida. I think being off any more than 7 days I would always go to Florida, less than that I would go to So Cal. Both places will be swamped for the holidays, but there are more places to go in Fla and so many more close by options. I like a long weekend at DL, it's easy and fun, can combine San Diego/LA, etc but I think the Orlando area hotels offer more for less money (better pools, amenties, etc) I like going out to eat there much better. Christmas with the Osbourne Lights at MGM, fun events at Epcot like the Candlelight processional I would absolutely go there. Downtown Disney, Seaworld is better there in my opinion, Universal is different and I love Islands of Adventure. Busch Gardens, nature parks, beach, lighthouses, etc.

If there is a chance you might not be able to go book Southwest when it gets closer and it keeps it flexible and then book a hotel that can be refundable.

Just my 2 cents.

Jenn

 

[CableKC]

If you have the time then go to WDW in Christmas and plan some other long-weekend trip to drive down to DL. You can always drive down to DL since you're in California, but you can't really do that for WDW.