How Crazy is it...

[Dawn16]

Yes, it seemed Christmasy enough. We were in Jambo House and on Christmas Eve Mickey & Minnie (dressed in their holiday outfits), along with Santa, were in the lobby by the beautiful Christmas tree, posing for pictures with guests. It was wonderful!

I had preordered a Disney-themed Christmas tree from a DISer who had her own business at the time. She set it up in our room while we were out. What a nice surprise for the kids to return to our room and find a tree and Xmas decorations!

The lobby was filled with gingerbread houses as the Cast members had some sort of contest between each other & their completed houses were on display for all to see.

AKV is not our home resort, so I booked at 7 months, & it was no problem.

We had arrived on Dec. 20, & did the last MVMCP on Dec. 21st that year.

Good luck!!

Thanks, good to know it seems Christmasy at AKV. My son will be thrilled if Santa and Mickey and Minnie are in the lobby We arrive on the 21st so maybe we will get lucky and get a MVMCP!

 

[alanapapa]

I've heard of the Christmas Tree exchange but have no idea how it works. I will check out that thread, thanks. We definitely want to have one in our room.

She sets up lists of guests at each resort based on who donates when and where. I picked ours up at Bell Services and since we were the last on the list, we packed it up and sent it to the owner. If there was another person on the list we would have left it at Bell Services. There is an envelope to put money in to help with the cost of the shipping and of the tree originally.

 

[Dawn16]

She sets up lists of guests at each resort based on who donates when and where. I picked ours up at Bell Services and since we were the last on the list, we packed it up and sent it to the owner. If there was another person on the list we would have left it at Bell Services. There is an envelope to put money in to help with the cost of the shipping and of the tree originally.

Got it, thanks. That makes sense. We would be the last ones as well as we plan to be there until New Year's Day. Definitely worth it to have a tree for Christmas!

 

[jpolak]

If I had the choice, I'd definitely go with the first week in December. There's a reason it's the most popular time of year for DVC bookings.....you get the same decorations, same shows, same events, but without the insane, shoulder to shoulder crowds and hours-long waits for rides and food.

Thats why we went that time of year. One morning while walking through Epcot DD said "Where are all of the people?"

 

[hmillerbarilla]

We too are thinking about going for Christmas in 2012. I haven't been for "actual Christmas" since I was in high school.

We would plan to maybe hit the parks at rope drop, but then spend the afternoon and evening touring resorts and having dinner. I'm not interested in the crowds!

I hate to use all those points though.

I've asked this on the resorts board, but maybe you all can help. Are AP rates ever available? I'd pay cash if I could get a decent discount, but if not, I'll book it with borrowed points.

 

[starbox]

We too are thinking about going for Christmas in 2012. I haven't been for "actual Christmas" since I was in high school.

We would plan to maybe hit the parks at rope drop, but then spend the afternoon and evening touring resorts and having dinner. I'm not interested in the crowds!

I hate to use all those points though.

.

We are here NOW!!! Arrived Christmas Day! It's our first time Christmas week. Crowds are INSANE. Like Easter Week on Crack. MK, DHS, and AK all closed yesterday. Here is AK - the man holding the sign was the ne dog standby for Kilimanjaro Safari (we actually saw the line longer - over the bridge) later in the day. By 11:00 am MK was already closed - which probably caused the AK and DHS closures.

 

[Tamar]

We were there Dec 10-18 this year. Thursday Dec 15 it started getting busy. Friday and Saturday were crazy. The most difficult thing was getting from place to place, there were VERY long lines for busses. We're glad we went when we did!

 

[YEWDVC]

Just back from WDW. The crowds this week were huge and parks closed early but reopened later in the day. I always wanted to see WDW at Christmas and everythig was quite beautiful. I loved every moment but I don't think I will go again this time of year. Navigating the crowds was a pain and FP were out very early. If you can go earlier, go.

 

[DVC Jen]

We just decided a few days ago to bite the bullet. Being at WDW over Christmas is something we have wanted to do for a LONG time - but when our DDs were younger I wanted to be home on Christmas morning.

Times flies and man do I mean FLIES! Our DDs are now 23 and 18. I know that it won't be too much longer and getting them both to travel with us anywhere will be nearly impossible. So DH and I decided as long as we are able to snag that ressie at our home resort (VWL) we are GOING!

I am totally prepared for miserably large crowds - but honestly.. I don't care.

We have been there and done that so many times in the past (rides) that what I want to do is see the decorations, the special fireworks, shows and just soak up that Christmas spirit and enjoy it with my daughters and husband. Nothing else matters - just being together and at Disney - that is what matters.

 

[starbox]

Here is MK at 1:00pm today (12/29)

Weather is GORGEOUS!! Crowds are insane - like what it's like after Wishes in the summer when everyone is crushing to leave Main Street - except like that all the time everywhere.

 

[Luv2trav]

Here is MK at 1:00pm today (12/29)

Weather is GORGEOUS!! Crowds are insane - like what it's like after Wishes in the summer when everyone is crushing to leave Main Street - except like that all the time everywhere.

Do you regret going this time of year? I am thinking about doing it next year.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Oh those pictures are making my head spin.

 

[photobob]

Oh those pictures are making my head spin.

Mine too! None for me thanks!

 

[starbox]

Do you regret going this time of year? I am thinking about doing it next year.

Well.....

We have gone the 18th-23rd for years and found it PERFECT. Such Christmas excitement in the air!!! Crowded like summer/spring break but manageable with just a little Disney insight/experience. We ride very few rides, really just like the decorations/fireworks/shows.

Honestly - this week - it's difficult to just walk in the parks. I am sure RD would get you 2-3 hours with lines that could be managed if you wanted to ride rides. We have two teens and they are not thrilled to wake up at 6am to get to park opening (which is 7am all week) - plus - since we want to catch the shows and fireworks - nothing starts till early afternoon.

I'm not sad that I went because I could not travel earlier due to school this year, and the weather is AMAZING and we come so often that we don't mind not riding things - we really just like the holiday stuff in the parks. But I will never, ever, ever in a million zillion years be tempted to travel the 25th-2nd again. Just a wee tiny bit earlier with the dates and you can get all the holiday stuff without stage 2-4 park closures every day. PP have said they left on Christmas day or the 26th - and that seems like a great plan.

 

[Luv2trav]

Well.....

We have gone the 18th-23rd for years and found it PERFECT. Such Christmas excitement in the air!!! Crowded like summer/spring break but manageable with just a little Disney insight/experience. We ride very few rides, really just like the decorations/fireworks/shows.

Honestly - this week - it's difficult to just walk in the parks. I am sure RD would get you 2-3 hours with lines that could be managed if you wanted to ride rides. We have two teens and they are not thrilled to wake up at 6am to get to park opening (which is 7am all week) - plus - since we want to catch the shows and fireworks - nothing starts till early afternoon.

I'm not sad that I went because I could not travel earlier due to school this year, and the weather is AMAZING and we come so often that we don't mind not riding things - we really just like the holiday stuff in the parks. But I will never, ever, ever in a million zillion years be tempted to travel the 25th-2nd again. Just a wee tiny bit earlier with the dates and you can get all the holiday stuff without stage 2-4 park closures every day. PP have said they left on Christmas day or the 26th - and that seems like a great plan.

Thank you for your insight!! I really want to try it but those crowds scare me. I don't have a problem doing RD every morning. It's more my husband is really nervous about the crowd levels. We have been the week before Christmas (Left Christmas Eve) and the week during Easter and found them all managable. We have done almost everything so rides wouldn't be a problem. I do worry about the simple things like just walking around. That is one of my favorite things to do... It really frustrates me when we get stuck in a traffic jam of people. Decisions Decisions...

 

[Daddio]

I wouldn't be anywhere else, but don't do it if rides are important to you. Here are some wait times from yesterday afternoon:

Pirates of the Caribbean, 55 minutes
Splash Mountain, 95 minutes
Thunder Mountain, 105 minutes
Peter Pan, 115 minutes
Small World, 50 minutes
Buzz Light Year, 80 minutes

And also some pictures:

David

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I just got back from my first Christmas trip. I stayed December 17th-21st. The crowds weren't too bad, but enough for me to say NEVER will I go between Christmas and NYE! I got to enjoy all the Christmas decorations, lights, and fireworks without the madness of the crowds there now.

I say don't change your plans, go the first of December. That would have even been my choice if I could have, instead of so close to Christmas.

 

[ericamcl]

well our decision has been made....LOL
DH saw the pics that you guys posted and he said "NO WAY"
We're going Dec 1 through 9 like we originally planned (Plus we won't burn so many points this way )

 

[photobob]

well our decision has been made....LOL
DH saw the pics that you guys posted and he said "NO WAY"
We're going Dec 1 through 9 like we originally planned (Plus we won't burn so many points this way )

Good plan!