Holiday Advice

[EEyorelover22]

After reading these boards for more years than I should admit, I have seen posts by people who state they will never go to Disney over the Christmas holdiay again. Here's my question.

If it's the only time I can go between Christmas and New Year's and it's the only way to see the holiday decorations at Disney, would you go during this time? I'm a teacher and this would be the last time we could go at Christmas for many years since my kids will both be in high school and basketball practice will take place over the holidays for my DD.

I know it's busy and I know it's more expensive for rooms too.

We've never gone except in June.

 

[Danauk]

We went to WDW last Christmas (December 21st - January 2nd) and stayed at the BCV. My DH and I are both teachers too so we are stuck to school holidays. I have to say we loved being at WDW over Christmas time and would go again in a heart beat. It was no where near as bad as what people made out. We made sure we planned our trip well and made all our ADR's and back stage tour reservations as soon as we could. We made sure we went to the parks (the non EMH park of our choice) first thing in the morning to do what we wanted. Then we got fast passes for later in the afternoon before returning to our room at around lunch time for a swim and a break. Then we returned to the parks in the afternoon ready for our fast pass time. After our evening meal we would often return to the parks just to wonder around or go on rides that were walk ons or we would watch the fireworks at either Epcot or from around the MK (we timed our meals at Ohannas and the CG to fit in with Wishes.) We also made sure we had realaxing days where we just either hunga round the resort, went shopping, or spent the day touring the deluxe resorts to look at the decorations to take pictures.

We had an amazing time and would go again at this time of year without a doubt. When looking at our photos of MK which we visited on the 24th December we couldn't believe how emoty the park looked in all our pics, but then we remembered that we walked on every ride we wanted to until about 11am!!

Have a great trip, make sure you plan well and research exactly what you want to do. I sure wish I was going again next Christmas!!!

 

[paigevz]

We went the week before Christmas in 2004. I'm a teacher too, and just had heard so much about how beautiful it is, the candlelight processional, the storytellers in the World Showcase, I just thought we'd bite the bullet and go. We planned obsessively, like I always do, and had a great time. The only thing I wouldn't do again is take a two year old!

Go, but try the week leading up to Christmas. It's not as busy as the one between Christmas and New Year's (or so I hear).

 

[momshark]

I would certainly go and see the decorations. You can avoid some of the craziness at the parks by avoiding certain ones at certain times. Other people who have been at that time must have some great suggestions for you.
I, too, am a teacher and feel your pain. Finally this year I am taking my DS at Thanksgiving time. My family has recently moved, so I am taking a few years off of full time teaching. What better time to go? I can take DS who will be 9 out of school for 2 1/2 days. I would never have been able to get that time off if I were working.
So, I guess my short answer is yes, go. But plan well.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thanks for all your replies.
I wish we could go the week before Christmas, but this year we went to school till Thursday before Christmas so I'm making a guess that we'll be in school through that Friday the 22nd. I am on the calendar committe, but I don't think I have that much power

I know the MVMCP are over by then, but is the Candlelight Processional still going on that close to the 25th? We'd probably fly down the 23rd.

I called and we always stay at AKL and all the poolviews are already booked so I did book a standard view. I can always cancel. We are going in June this year so I'd have to make our ADRs while I'm down there and I would for sure since I know it will be busy.

 

[Evil Genius]

The candlelight processional is still going on the days you are looking at. The only advice I would add is to avoid MK and Epcot on Christmas day.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

We are in the same exact boat and planning to go 12/26-1/1. We went during Easter/Spring Break last year and found it very manageable. This should not be that big of a deal.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plan to get to the parks early in the day, because some of them will close around 10AM because the park is full. They may reopen later in the day. This is especially true for MK. For NYE, Epcot gets very crowded as does MK. Disney Studios is not too bad but it was more crowded this year than two years ago.

The earlier you get to the parks, the more opportunity you will have to ride the attractions you want without spending long times waiting in line. Get your Fast Passes as early as possible, use them and get others if you still have the time. Make any dining reservations as soon as you can. Otherwise you will be doomed to counter service for all your meals and even then, you may encounter long lines.

 

[kaelarad]

My DN and I have spent the last few years at WDW during Christmas. As others have said it is not as bad as people say. It is far more crowded the closer you get to New Years EVE. I am also a teacher so I need to follow your kind of schedule. We generally go from Dec 20-28. New Years is too crowded for us. We also use to live in Florida about 5 mins from WDW and Christmas was always our favorite time of the year. You gotta see it!

We however do the Morning EMH and we have always been able to get on all the rides we love inside of two hours. Be smart about using Fast Pass! I would pass on evening EMH it is far too crowded.

Good Luck!

 

[EEyorelover22]

You all have me pumped now!!

I made a reservation and all the poolviews were gone, but I booked standard at AKL. I made my spreadsheet and I'll be ready to plug in the hours for our dates and book dining. I just hope now that DH doesn't back out. DS will have finals when we return since he'll be in high school. I'll have to bring along his notes with us. Studying at WDW wouldn't be so bad. I don't think I'd do that to him!!

 

[Ariel413]

I am also limited to the school schedule. We usually go during February vacation (President's week), but decided to try Christmas week this past trip. We were there from Dec 27- Jan 2 and had a great time. One day it was especially crowded at MK (Dec 28), but the other days were not much busier than February. It helped that the Magic Kingdom opened everyday at 7 am for those staying onsite. We avoided the parks on EE days and we went to the Hoop Dee Do on New Years Eve.

We had so much fun that week-- we are going Christmas week this year, as well!!

 

[EEyorelover22]

I am also limited to the school schedule. We usually go during February vacation (President's week), but decided to try Christmas week this past trip. We were there from Dec 27- Jan 2 and had a great time. One day it was especially crowded at MK (Dec 28), but the other days were not much busier than February. It helped that the Magic Kingdom opened everyday at 7 am for those staying onsite. We avoided the parks on EE days and we went to the Hoop Dee Do on New Years Eve.

We had so much fun that week-- we are going Christmas week this year, as well!!

Oh my! My family might disown me if we were in the parks at 7 am!! We now avoid EMH just to sleep in a bit since it is "vacation", but I usually make ADRs for 8:00 so it doesn't really work

Do the breakfasts start earlier then? I'm so use to doing an 8:00 and being at ropedrop at 9:00. I'll have to rethink my plans then.

 

[Ginamarie]

Oh my! My family might disown me if we were in the parks at 7 am!! We now avoid EMH just to sleep in a bit since it is "vacation", but I usually make ADRs for 8:00 so it doesn't really work

Do the breakfasts start earlier then? I'm so use to doing an 8:00 and being at ropedrop at 9:00. I'll have to rethink my plans then.

Oh yeah, the hours are going to be significantly extended during the holidays. I'm glad to hear that you decided to make the trip. As long as you're well planned out, you'll have a great time

 

[EEyorelover22]

Oh yeah, the hours are going to be significantly extended during the holidays. I'm glad to hear that you decided to make the trip. As long as you're well planned out, you'll have a great time

That's good to know though because we could go early and leave when it gets busy. I have still found that mornings are great since most people sleep in.

When they are open that early are all the rides open or is it like EMH and only a few are open?