Going at Christmas... any tips?

[TruBlu]

We've only been in Spring/Summer. I have NO CLUE how to plan a December trip. PLEASE HELP!

 

[kimis]

I am interested in this also. We have gone in September, January and February before but never Christmas time. This year we are hoping to go at Christmas too! Can't wait. 170 days.

 

[jlm]

We've gone twice in December-first year 80's every day, only used sweatshirts once. Second year, one day in the 70's-layers every day. We are also from MN and used to cold in the winter, just didn't want it on vacation
We always pack a bit of everything. Shorts, capris, wear pants down with t-shirt and sweatshirt. T-shirts, tanks, and zip up sweatshirts. I watch the forcast like crazy the week prior to our trip...although that sometimes changes too!
December can be warm during the day and cool at night-or like last year, a bit of snow and drizzle! We have also been just fine in the evening at the Christmas party in shorts and t-shirts.
Hope this helps!!
Jen

 

[dblr]

We went between Christmas & New Years plan on large crowds, what we did was when parks got to crowded or we needed a break we would go tour the different resorts to see how they were decorated for the holidays, it was very nice to see and we got the kids pictures @ all the different Christmas trees.
The weather was mixed as said before pack with some cooler weather gear as you can always have layers to adjust to haw you feel. I think around Christmas is the greatest time to be there if you can deal with the crowds.

 

[TruBlu]

We're actually going Dec 4-11. I'm hoping it wont be crazy crowded yet.

Do you think we can swim then?

 

[yooperfamily]

We're actually going Dec 4-11. I'm hoping it wont be crazy crowded yet.

Do you think we can swim then?

i think it's only crazy crowded closer to christmas. we went in 2006 the 18-23 and it wasn't crowded until the last day! we swam, but we are also from northern MI - so no matter the temp, it was "warm" to us

 

[Greyhound22]

Great question, we are in the same boat. We've been in June, July and March. So, will it actually be warm enough to swim? My kids will go CRAZY if it is. I'm sure it varies from year to year. But, all information is useful.

 

[leamarie]

We went between Christmas & New Years plan on large crowds, what we did was when parks got to crowded or we needed a break we would go tour the different resorts to see how they were decorated for the holidays, it was very nice to see and we got the kids pictures @ all the different Christmas trees.
The weather was mixed as said before pack with some cooler weather gear as you can always have layers to adjust to haw you feel. I think around Christmas is the greatest time to be there if you can deal with the crowds.

Great idea about touring the resorts! We went in early Nov 2006 and saw the giant gingerbread house being built at GF. Would have loved to see it finished. What were the best resorts to see at Christmas? Also, any tips on finding characters dressed for Christmas?

 

[kimgg]

We are planning a cruise and then DW in Dec. 2011. We will have two families with 3 kids ages 2, 9, and turning 12. I am concerned how we are going to handle Christmas gifts since I am hoping to be there until after Christmas (and maybe even New Years!)? We plan to rent a house rather than an onsite resort, but we'll still have to take our bags w/ us on our cruise (we will probably have to do cruise first due to school schedules/ cruise prices) so it will be tough to lug all our things, gifts, clothes for sea and land with us. Are there any rental properties that would store some of our things while we go on the cruise? And of course even if they did, I'm not sure how we would get it there other than maybe shipping it by mail - maybe I could have a relative mail it from home to the rental while we are on our cruise - anyone know if this is possible? We were looking at VBO rentals - I will have to email them to ask but if anyone has any other ideas??

 

[sharonabe]

You will want to add in more time to just do some looking around. Everything is decorated. But, since you don't have the heat, it is much easier to go all day without a break in the afternoon.

Be sure to make time for the Santas around the World at Epcot.

 

[sdchickie]

Great question, we are in the same boat. We've been in June, July and March. So, will it actually be warm enough to swim? My kids will go CRAZY if it is. I'm sure it varies from year to year. But, all information is useful.

It was warm enough for my kids to swim at least a couple days every time we've been to Disney and we've been 4 times in the winter. Some days are cooler than others, but if you watch the forcast you can figure out which day is best for swimming. When we went in Dec. 2004 there was a heat wave and it was 94 degrees while we were there!

Great idea about touring the resorts! We went in early Nov 2006 and saw the giant gingerbread house being built at GF. Would have loved to see it finished. What were the best resorts to see at Christmas? Also, any tips on finding characters dressed for Christmas?

The best place for meeting characters that are dressed up is during the Christmas party (extra fee for the party) or over at AK they are dressed up in Camp Minnie Mickey area.

We are planning a cruise and then DW in Dec. 2011. We will have two families with 3 kids ages 2, 9, and turning 12. I am concerned how we are going to handle Christmas gifts since I am hoping to be there until after Christmas (and maybe even New Years!)? We plan to rent a house rather than an onsite resort, but we'll still have to take our bags w/ us on our cruise (we will probably have to do cruise first due to school schedules/ cruise prices) so it will be tough to lug all our things, gifts, clothes for sea and land with us. Are there any rental properties that would store some of our things while we go on the cruise? And of course even if they did, I'm not sure how we would get it there other than maybe shipping it by mail - maybe I could have a relative mail it from home to the rental while we are on our cruise - anyone know if this is possible? We were looking at VBO rentals - I will have to email them to ask but if anyone has any other ideas??

What about doing the owners locker that I've seen advertised on here. I don't know how it works but it might be something to look into.

You will want to add in more time to just do some looking around. Everything is decorated. But, since you don't have the heat, it is much easier to go all day without a break in the afternoon.

Be sure to make time for the Santas around the World at Epcot.

Definately see the Santas around the world. There are also printable pages on here for the Santas around the world. The other thing that is a not to miss is the Osborne lights you gotta see that!

 

[3mickeymom]

We went once in November and the hours were much shorter than when we went in the summer. We stayed in the park longer and didn't head back to the resort in the afternoon like we do in June/July. Just something to consider.

 

[devjam]

Definately see the Santas around the world. There are also printable pages on here for the Santas around the world.

Can you tell me where to find the printable Santa pages?

 

[Greyhound22]

Be sure to make time for the Santas around the World at Epcot.

What are the Santas around the world? Are there Santas dressed in each country just standing around for pics? Is there a line (like every mall in America for kids to sit on Santas lap). Sounds pretty interesting for my youngest.

 

[CanadianPaco]

i think it's only crazy crowded closer to christmas. we went in 2006 the 18-23 and it wasn't crowded until the last day! we swam, but we are also from northern MI - so no matter the temp, it was "warm" to us

OT- Yooper. I'm from Soo, On originally, and only just heard of the expression Yooper. And a few days later, I see you post and moreover your name! Very cool!

 

[dblr]

I would agree about seeing the Santa's around the world, we really liked the one from Canada he was a very good story teller.
As far as the resorts we liked the Grand Floridian the best the gingerbread house was awsome. We also liked the Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge was great.

 

[nicki.momof3]

We are planning a cruise and then DW in Dec. 2011. We will have two families with 3 kids ages 2, 9, and turning 12. I am concerned how we are going to handle Christmas gifts since I am hoping to be there until after Christmas (and maybe even New Years!)? We plan to rent a house rather than an onsite resort, but we'll still have to take our bags w/ us on our cruise (we will probably have to do cruise first due to school schedules/ cruise prices) so it will be tough to lug all our things, gifts, clothes for sea and land with us. Are there any rental properties that would store some of our things while we go on the cruise? And of course even if they did, I'm not sure how we would get it there other than maybe shipping it by mail - maybe I could have a relative mail it from home to the rental while we are on our cruise - anyone know if this is possible? We were looking at VBO rentals - I will have to email them to ask but if anyone has any other ideas??

We will be wat WDW on Christmas day 2010. We have already talked to the kids about Santa and presents (they still believe ). Santa will still be coming to our house on Christmas eve we just won't get the presents until we return a few days later. I will set everything out at home before we go. Pick the kids up directly from school that day (no going home first) and everything will be there ready to go when we return home.

We have agreed not to buy each other gift until we are at WDW. We will surprise each other with those on Christmas morning (buy them at the parks in the days before x-mas and have them sent to the resort).

I would not haul all the presents to FL.

 

[robinkwilson]

We've been to DL the week between Christmas and New Year's. We were actually in the park on New Year's Eve! Very fun! Here's what I learned from that experience: Go early in the day. The crowds got much worse at night. Although it was super crowded, the daytime was still very doable. My kids have Christmas birthdays and had just turned 3 and 5. Even with little ones, early in the day we had a great time. It became so crowded at night, we had to leave after dark.

-Robin

 

[lisadonahoo]

We are going Jan. 2-9. Has anyone been during that week before? How crowded is it as opposed to June and July (when we have gone before)?

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We went Christmas/New Years of 2008-2009. Arrived Dec 27 and departed Jan 2. The weather was very nice. I wore jeans or capris and long sleeve or short sleeve t-shirts with a light jacket/hoodie DH wore jeans or shorts with short sleeve shirts (I'm always cold it seems). Except for maybe 2 days when it was warmer DD(3) was able to wear a costume without somplaining she was hot.

The pools are heated so you will be able to swim.

My biggest tip is take advantage of EMH am hours at every park!!! We did MK on Christmas day and were abel to do everything we wanted to do (which was just about everything) even with 3 ADRs.

Stock up FPs! Get them in the morning as time permits and use them in the afternoon/evenings when lines are longer. If you decide to leave the park without using them, pass on the magic to another family/couple.

Make ADRs early if you use them and if something comes up that you will not use them cancel as early as possible so someone else may be able to have a seat.

We noticed that the crowds really started to come in on Dec 27th and Dec 28th. The Christmas spirit kind of left and was replaced by pushing and shoving. Seriously! Up until the 28th people were saying excuse me and offering children spots up front to see parades...come the 28th it seemed like a mad dash of who could get where before the person they just cut off. Fortunately with a plan and several days we were able to take it slow and just smile.

Take time to enjoy the little things.