?? for those that do go at Xmas

[litlpixie]

I've been wanting to ask this for the longest time, and now I will after reading another post about those of you that go during that time. I have always wanted to go to WDW during the holiday, but tell me the truth, is it worth it w/ the crowds? I'm scared enough going at Easter. Also, for those w/ kids. What do you do on Xmas day, as far as having your normal Xmas day traditions not-so-normal due to the fact that your not home? I hope I'm not confusing anyone. Also, is it really neccessary to do the MVMCP? I would love to hear from those of you that go at Xmas time. Is there anyone out there that has gone then and will never go again?? Sorry for so many questions but I've always wanted to hear from you "Xmas people"....you know who you are

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

Hi litlpixie,

I went to WDW last Christmas (Dec 13 - 26, 2003) and did the MVMCP on the 19th. The trip was great. There was no crowd in the first week. If you want to see the Xmas stuff, e.g. Candlelight Professional, MVMCP...etc, but don't want the crowd, you can go a week before the Xmas... As for MVMCP, it's really up to you. I think you can see most of the shows and parade on a regular day (during the Xmas period). I'll definitely go again during Xmas. I love Candlelight Professional and all the Xmas stuff.

I can't answer your question re: what to do on Xmas with kids because I don't have kids.

 

[CamColt]

We spent our first Christmas at Disney last year, 12/20-12/29.

To answer some of your questions...
We didnt do MVMCP since the last night of it was 12/19. From what I gather, most of the stuff that takes place during that party happens during regular park hours during Christmas week, so I dont feel I missed out on much.

As for crowds, we didnt find the beginning of the trip to be too bad, but after Christmas we saw some big crowds at MK. By doing EE and using FPs, you can still get stuff done, but dont save your must dos until after Christmas.


As for Christmas, all our regular traditions didnt happen because we werent with my family. I will admit that did bother me a bit. I wouldnt go away every year for Christmas, but I also wouldnt be against doing it again sometime. We actually had a very enjoyable Christmas Eve & Christmas although it was different than usual. Christmas Eve we had dinner at Le Cellier and did the CP. Christmas morning we hit MK at opening for 4 quick rides(all walk ons) before our breakfast in the castle. We then left MK, resort hopped, played mini golf, and went on a sleigh ride at night. It was really great!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

We are one of the families that go every year at Christmas. We have usually planned the trip either the week before or the week after Christmas and managed to be home for Christmas day almost every year since the kids were born.

However, this year, our schools had the whole week of Thanksgiving off and my wife thought it would be less crowded Thanksgiving week than Christmas week. I tried to tell her but she insisted, so we went...the crowdes were as heavy as we have ever seen them during Christmas week!

We all missed the Christmas decorations being lit. They were up, but didn't start getting turned on until mid-week just before we left. So we missed them at MK and Epcot. Before we left my wife said "Let's go back to our usual Christmas schedule next year."

Don't forget to tour some of the Resorts, especially the Deluxes, and downtown Disney. Each has a different theme and you would be surprised how Christmasy earth tone ornaments on the trees at AKL can be.

 

[WeLuvWDWx5]

We have spent the last 4 years at Disney for Christmas, so it has become sort of our tradition. Early Xmas morning, my DH brings in our gifts that we hid in our SUV for the drive down and the kids believe that Santa has found them at WDW. When they wake up, the first thing they do is check the balcony of where we are staying and find that their presents have been delivered. On the drive down, we visit with my parents for several days and do our Xmas exchange with them, however, they actually went with us this past year. We do the Candlelight Processional on Xmas Eve or Xmas Day evening and it is beautiful to be there one of these two nights.

It is definitely crowded, but we get most of the things we like to do done by going for EMH. We also visit WDW at least 1-2 other times each year, so we do not feel the need to cram everything in over Xmas. WDW is absolutely beautiful over the holidays, and I feel it is even more special to be there over Xmas. I have asked my girls (7 & 9) if they miss being at home over Xmas and would like to stay home one year and they say no way (my 18 month old son doesn't get a vote yet - of course, he has spent both his Xmas's at Disney), so we will probably keep going.

 

[dmonroe]

We've spent 2 Christmases at WDW. The first one, I did't really notice it being all that crowded until Christmas Day. (In '93 and it was EXTREMELY cold that year!) From Christmas Day until the end of our trip (DEC. 28) the crowds were pretty bad. I don't think we even went to MK after Christmas morning! We also spent Christmas of 98 there. I was about 5 months pregnant and we weren't there so much for the parks as for the atmosphere. It was really crowded; but it didn't bother us.

Normally, we go in December; but either the first or second week of the month. That way we get all of the decorations and almost none of the crowds!

Part of me would really like to try another Christmas down there. Now that we go pretty often it might me fun to just go enjoy Christmas in "the World" and take it easy on the park touring!

 

[zurgswife]

We spent from Dec 20 to Jan 4 th this past Christmas...the decorations are awesome...the crowds are very high...especially from Christmas Day on...

We arrived to late to do MVMCP ( but we are going earlier in Dec this year 4-12th so we definately will go this year) It is a very fun party...and if you can afford it I suggest you try it at least once..

I purchased a small 4ft tree on clearance last year we brought it down with us and decorated it...we also decorated our balcony and inside door way....Presents were delivered after the kids went to sleep on Christmas eve....( I shipped lots of the presents down to the hotel we were staying at) I did manage to keep the presents on the smaller easy packing side...clothes, gift certificates, video games, a few small toys....

We did not go to the parks on Christmas day...had a great morning just opening presents and hanging out like normal then we headed to DTD...GC's were burning a hole my DD12's pocket...It was a very enjoyable day...

I don't think I'll do Christmas/New Years again for a while...but we are doing Dec as I love the decorations...but I'm glad I did it at least once..

 

[steelmans DW]

We were there Dec. 21 thru Dec. 27 this past year. We brought a fiber optic tree with us for our room. We also brought some small gifts with us for the kids. A friend had our house keys and put the rest of the gifts under our tree at home so the kids were really surprised when we got home! The crowds weren't bad until Christmas Day. They closed MK & Epcot periodically through the day. We resort hopped and went to AK on Christmas Day. There was hardly anyone at AK. We had Christmas dinner at Chef Mickeys. The characters came around to our table even more than usual. On Christmas Eve we went to Epcot and the CP and had dinner at Biergarten. That was our first time to try Biergarten. My DH loved it so we will eat there again. We had a great time and would go back the week before Christmas but never the week after Christmas. On our drive home to Ohio we saw a traffic jam that started around Daytona and stretched all the way back into South Carolina! Our kids are 12, 11, & 9 and had no problem being away from home for Christmas. We're going to try Thanksgiving week this year.