Help me plan for christmas

[Yensid4me]

Hi everyone!Newbie here.Been lurking for a while.About to close on AKV and planning our first visit home Dec 23-28.I need some opinions.I would like to go to the parks daily but tickets are so expensive.Two adults one child.We will do the DDP.Haven't decided whether to make reservations at the parks since you also need a ticket to get in or simply dine at the nicer hotels.I absolutely must go to the parks 12/24/and 12/25 but by the time you buy 2 day tickets for 3 people,you could have purchased an AP .We also plan to take a summer trip(probably cash) and visit every christmas.Is there enough to do at the resorts for the holidays?Our child is 5yrs old and we would also like some down time.Can't stand the thought of missing the processional at EPCOT,the lights at hollywood or the snow and parades at MK.I want the holiday experience without mad rush(I guess that what disney christmas is all about)!!I just have not figured out the most cost effective way to do this.Any and all help would be most appreciated.

 

[disneynutz]

Discount admission tickets are available from sources other than Disney. AP's are discounted $100 for DVC Members. MVMCP tickets get you into the MK at 4:00 PM for the cost of the MVMCP ticket.

Christmas Eve and Christmas will have max crowds at MK and the park will probably close the doors noon. Fighting the crowds just to say that we were there on Christmas isn't my cup of tea. Last year we just chilled in our room Christmas day.

 

[liznboys]

I know, tickets are expensive! But I can understand you wanting to do the different holiday things in each of the parks too.

Have you looked at this website:
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

We spent Christmas in WDW last year. We had Annual Passes so we were able to do all those must-do holiday things. We only spent a half day in each of AK and HS. AK for the Jingle Jungle Parade and to meet the characters dressed in their holiday attire, and HS for the Osborne Lights of course!

In Epcot we decided not to do the Candlelight Processional as we felt our younger boys would not enjoy it enough to warrant trying to sit there and be quiet. We thought about just walking by as it was going on and hearing/seeing what we could see but we never got around to it.

On Christmas Eve we went to MK for the morning and it was very fun to be there for the holiday (Christmas Eve is a very close second to Christmas Day for us!) It started to get very busy in the early afternoon and we were happy to be heading out of there.

We went back to SSR and enjoyed the things going on in the lobby that night... We met Santa and got a great family picture (with NO line I might add!) We enjoyed the cookies and beverages they had out. And they had a caroling group and some of my boys went up and sang with them and they gave us bells and candy canes. It was fun!! And then we strolled back to our room and did the usual Christmas Eve stuff, hung up stockings, put out treats and milk for Santa... It was a wonderful evening and we did not miss being in the park.

And then on Christmas Day we did NO parks. We enjoyed a relaxing, peaceful, family morning. We rented a Surrey bike in the afternoon (how neat to do that on Christmas Day!) And for Christmas dinner we ate at Chef Mickey's! It was a wonderful day and again, we did not miss being in the parks one bit.

Then on December 26th, we went to MK first thing in the morning and it was VERY LOW crowds. We rode a ton of stuff with NO wait or close to it. It was amazing!!

Good luck and happy planning!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You may want to hold off on all your planning until after you close and get that reservation. You may be out of luck unless your Guide guaranteed you could get those dates. Those have been pretty well booked up several months ago.

There is no way you are not going to experience the mad rush on Dec 24 and 25. It will be extremely crowded and the MK and Epcot may close in the morning to all guests. Wall to wall guests.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I agree with the PP that you are going to have a hard time getting a reservation for this December. Trips for the holiday periods need to be booked quite far in advance. You may luck into something, but just be realistic about your chances.

That said, you may want to look into buying Annual Passes. DVC members get a substantial discount ($100 of the regular AP, $125 off of the premium AP) and with the other trips you have planned you'll definitely get your money's worth. We usually book one trip to start an AP, take another during that year and then book a third for just before the AP expires. An option for you would be to book the first week of January '10 (especially since a Christmas ressie this year is going to be tough to get), then your summer trip, then a Christmas trip for '11. That way you'd get three trips on one AP and cut down on your ticket cost.

Another option is to buy the 10-day, non-expiring tickets and use them for a few days on each trip. Once you reach a certain number of days on a park ticket, each additional day is just $3 or $4 so buying a ticket for more days can be a good deal. The non-expiration component adds a chunk to the price though, so definitely see if the AP would be a better deal.

Good luck and Welcome Home!

 

[Yensid4me]

I thought that those dates would be difficult to get at this point also but we were able to secure them with help from our guide.Even our grandma is sooo excited.We're counting down the days.We are going to buy the AP's and maybe cut back on the meal plan.Thanks everyone!

 

[LvsTnk]

I was able to get those dates a few weeks ago on my own. I am so glad you will able to be there at that time of year. Enjoy, there really isn't anything like it

 

[Coach81]

I know, tickets are expensive! But I can understand you wanting to do the different holiday things in each of the parks too.

Have you looked at this website:
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

We spent Christmas in WDW last year. We had Annual Passes so we were able to do all those must-do holiday things. We only spent a half day in each of AK and HS. AK for the Jingle Jungle Parade and to meet the characters dressed in their holiday attire, and HS for the Osborne Lights of course!

In Epcot we decided not to do the Candlelight Processional as we felt our younger boys would not enjoy it enough to warrant trying to sit there and be quiet. We thought about just walking by as it was going on and hearing/seeing what we could see but we never got around to it.

On Christmas Eve we went to MK for the morning and it was very fun to be there for the holiday (Christmas Eve is a very close second to Christmas Day for us!) It started to get very busy in the early afternoon and we were happy to be heading out of there.

We went back to SSR and enjoyed the things going on in the lobby that night... We met Santa and got a great family picture (with NO line I might add!) We enjoyed the cookies and beverages they had out. And they had a caroling group and some of my boys went up and sang with them and they gave us bells and candy canes. It was fun!! And then we strolled back to our room and did the usual Christmas Eve stuff, hung up stockings, put out treats and milk for Santa... It was a wonderful evening and we did not miss being in the park.

And then on Christmas Day we did NO parks. We enjoyed a relaxing, peaceful, family morning. We rented a Surrey bike in the afternoon (how neat to do that on Christmas Day!) And for Christmas dinner we ate at Chef Mickey's! It was a wonderful day and again, we did not miss being in the parks one bit.

Then on December 26th, we went to MK first thing in the morning and it was VERY LOW crowds. We rode a ton of stuff with NO wait or close to it. It was amazing!!

Good luck and happy planning!

We're making our very first visit this Christmas!!! It is something my wife and I have long talked about doing "one day".. well thanks to DVC it is finally going to happen

Thanks for the post.. and the good suggestions!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Frankly, I'd do the AP's and cut the DDP out completely! We found we saved a lot just dining on our own without the dining plan and instead using the TIW discount card available to AP holders. In fact, we spent $200+less when we did the same number of days Out of pocket using the TIW card over doing the DDP.

 

[liznboys]

We're making our very first visit this Christmas!!! It is something my wife and I have long talked about doing "one day".. well thanks to DVC it is finally going to happen

Thanks for the post.. and the good suggestions!

You're welcome! Have a wonderful trip!! Our Christmas trip last year was definitely one of our top favorites, it was extra magical! And we can't wait to spend Christmas in WDW again.

 

[wendydarling826]

If you are going to go again next summer, I would definitely consider Annual Passes. With the DVC discount, they can be more economical than other park passes, and there are other discounts and benefits to be AP holders, such as the Dining card where you get 20% of all food and beverages (it used to be called the Disney Dining Experience - they've changed the name, but it has the same benefits). I have never been during the actual Christmas holiday, but I know that whenever we're there we like the ability to come and go to parks as we please. Whatever way you decide to go with tickets, have a magical Christmas and WELCOME HOME!!!!

 

[jenedpey]

Keep in mind with that the Table in Wonderland (TIW (DDE)) is not valid on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. While it may still make sense to use instead of the Dining plan, you will not receive a discount on those a few additional days.

 

[Disneypirate85]

I would agree with my fellow posters, Use the DVC discount and get the AP. If your set on just tickets go to mousesavers.com sign up for there newsletter and when you receive that there will be a link to undercovertourist.com for MYW discounted tickets. HOWEVER you must wait till you receive the newsletter for that link for the discount. Other wise its not discounted.
AND BTW home and to the DIS......Shawn

 

[wildernessDad]

Just reading this thread is making me excited about this December - first trip for
my grand daughter!!!! VWL, here we come!!