Help me get excited about Dec 12-18

[sets14]

So long story short, we decided to cancel our much coveted DVC reservation at Disney's Grand Californian in Sept. My sister is getting married and pushed the date back into Aug. That along with our summer trip to Florida spelled doom for our Disneyland trip. We are now booked in a studio at the Poly for Dec 12-18. I am so bummed about not going to Disneyland for the 60th anniversary. Help me get excited for Disney World in Dec. We have never been during the holidays so that's a plus I guess. It will be me, DH, DS8 and DS4.

How are crowds?
Favorite things to do during the holiday season?
Love the poly?

Pump me up DIS followers!

 

[pmaurer74]

We cancelled our DLR plans as well due to the airfare and got WDW annual passes instead! I too am disappointed. Disney at Christmas is wonderful and worth the compromise. Candlelight processional is awesome and I like the MVMCP. You are going around the same time I have the past two years and the crowds were manageable.

 

[larryz]

It's usually a good time to go, more people than in the past, but not as many as will be there in a week from then.

Think of it as WDW taking a deep breath getting ready for Christmas/New Years...

 

[dsanner106]

So long story short, we decided to cancel our much coveted DVC reservation at Disney's Grand Californian in Sept. My sister is getting married and pushed the date back into Aug. That along with our summer trip to Florida spelled doom for our Disneyland trip. We are now booked in a studio at the Poly for Dec 12-18. I am so bummed about not going to Disneyland for the 60th anniversary. Help me get excited for Disney World in Dec. We have never been during the holidays so that's a plus I guess. It will be me, DH, DS8 and DS4.

How are crowds?
Favorite things to do during the holiday season?
Love the poly?

Pump me up DIS followers!

Absolutely our favorite time of the year to go to Disney world, this will be 8 or 9 in a row this year. All the decorations are up, Very merry Christmas party is in swing, holiday menus and events in all parks. The only thing missing is the Christmas to New years crowd. You can enjoy the environment without the crush.

 

[CAS239]

Should be glad you're taking a trip to WDW over DL! Way more things to do and see. Especially around the holidays.

Around Christmas time is our favorite time. All the lights up and decorations. If you haven't been then Osbournes Spectacle of Dancing Lights should be number 1 on your list to see.

The only disappointment of Disney around Christmas is that it's usually still warm. Living in Florida we're use to it, but it still sucks. Doesn't really feel like Christmas time when its 80 degrees. Crowds aren't too bad and it's a good time to make Disney feel even more magical

 

[sets14]

Thanks everyone! Don't get me wrong, I am excited to see the world all done up in her Christmas glory. Christmas is a special time for our family, with our anniversary and birthdays all falling within that time frame. So at least I have an excuse to plan something special while we are there

I guess I was so pumped about the new fireworks and parade at DL, along with Cars Land. We have been to DW many times and I was looking forward to something new. You all reminded me that there will be new stuff at DW during that time. We will have to make the most of it!

 

[scrhsa]

Weellll, since you will be there on the 12th can I vicariously celebrate my 50th with you? Maybe you could eat a cupcake for me Have fun!!!

 

[Txshadow]

Any place in the Disney bubble is a happy place! WDW has a much larger bubble than DL so there are always places to get away from the crowds. Osborne Lights are fantastic holiday tradition and a ride through Wilderness Campgrounds to see all the decorated campsites should not be missed.

 

[sets14]

Oh yes, I had read about the carriage ride at FW!!!!! Will definitely have to do that!

 

[chefmb]

We were there 2 years ago that week and loved it. Crowds were not bad at all. The nighttime shows do get crowded, so be prepared for that, but Osborne Lights is my absolute favorite Christmas event now. DH and I first went in 2011 for our 24th anniversary--special trip--one time deal - good discount at POFQetc.etc.... 2012 was our 25th anniversary trip and we splurged and stayed at BC. Then 2013 we were able to do FD at CBR. Last year, we did FD at CSR, but had to go earlier. We were a little disappointed because most of the resort decor wasn't up before we left. So this year, we are going Nov. 30-Dec 5 with a discount. As you can see, our "special one time trip" has turned into an annual trip. We love going this time of year!!

 

[kathy884]

This is a wonderful time to go. We went the same time last year and had an absolute blast. Like you also, I was contemplating for a change of pace going to California, but high costs got me back to Orlando (air, travel time, car rental, and accommodation costs for me are less in Orlando by quite a bit and that savings was great for the ole vacation budget -- a longer spring break trip -- could stay in Mexico a whole week instead of a mini trip with the savings). The Christmas decorations are beautiful - Check out Ozborne Lights at Disney Hollywood Studios -- incredible. Check out the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge hotels for two that really get into the Christmas theme. Your week is soooo much less crowded than Christmas week. It's less crowded than spring break weeks and popular summer weeks too. And Moderate crowds are such an improvement over heavy crowds. If you want to do something different you could get tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party at the Magic Kingdom. They will be running that party several nights the week you are there. If you are into characters they bring some out you never see. All seven of the dwarfs are there. My nephew had to get his picture taken with Tinkerbell and my mom (his grandma). I was there with my 20 year old nephew and 19 year old so and OMG it was so much fun. They acted like little kids are were so excited about every little thing at the party.

No heat and humidity like summer either -- you'll have so much more energy. I'd go for Florida in the winter every time vs. Florida in the summer.

And OMG, the POLY is my favorite WDW resort. I'm so envious. I hardly ever stay there, as it's not in my budget. But I love the theming and the resort brings back lots of nostalgia due to all my visits there as a kid in the 70s.

 

[CWDW10]

In my opinion, this is the BEST time to go! The crowds are moderate, the parks are gorgeous and the weather is as close to perfect as you can get in Florida. to be honest, it usually takes a lot to get me in the Christmas spirit but when I'm at WDW around the holidays, it is impossible not to be! I think after you go, you'll have a hard time not going back every year...I know I do haha!

 

[MatzoBelle]

Truly one of the best times to go in terms of weather, crowds, atmosphere and special events. The decorations at Universal are stunning after dark (especially in the Seuss area) if you get the chance to go there as well. I find WL and AKL to be the prettiest resorts at Xmas time.