How to tackle the world in December

[2002Disneybride]

Ok, I have been to WDW a bunch of times...however, I am sensing that Christmas time is a whole different experience as far as crowds etc... my question for you is: How should we set up our itinerary--stay away from EMH parks or go to the EMH parks? Which parks on which days? We are getting close to making our ps's for this trip the end of next week and i am trying to get an idea of how we are going to visit each park...
I appreciate the help!

 

[maddy]

We go to WDW every Dec. Only make PS's at California Grill and Flying Fish and no park will be crouded on any day. Pack for all kinds of weather, hot,cold and wet you may get some of each or it will be clear and mild. Many of the fast passes will be turned off and the partks close early , some show's run less frequently or not at all. ITs just a very toned down but beautiful time especialy take time to tour the resorts and admire the decortations. mm

 

[JOELLE]

what shows run less frequently??

 

[Dan Murphy]

I go at the time maddy goes, early Dec, and all those are true, then, early Dec. But your countdown says Christmas time, and that is a different story. I personally have never been there at Christmas time itself, though 4 years in early Dec. No crowds then, not sure about this year yet. I do think you should anticpate the normal VERY high crowds of late December. And nothing is less frequent late in the month, only some things may be less in the early part of the month. JMO.

 

[2002Disneybride]

We are going from December 25-January4. This is not our first time to WDW so we are looking for some different things to do...we already have a Ps for the candelight processional dinner pkg on Christmas Night and one for the hoop de doo...I am just wondering if we should make several PS's since it will be super crowded or just a few...

 

[justhat]

I would make a PS for every meal you plan to eat, you can always cancel them if you change your mind. We went last year December 27 - January 4 and we were so happy we always had a PS since the wait times for walk-ins were usually huge, and we never ate at peak hours. We ended up using all of them (we had 1-2 each day, a late breakfast/early dinner combo usually) except one member of our party skipped dinner one night. It was also much easier for us to get more done and plan our schedule that way, since we knew exactly when we'd be eating, and aside from the FDP we never waited more than about 5 minutes for our table.

Oh, I almost forgot! We used EMH everyday (except NYD) and I definitely recommend it. I know it's tough to get up that early, especially since it was so cold every morning, but we'd get so much done during that time that it was definitely worth it. For us, EMH started at 7am since most parks opened to the public at 8am, so we'd usually arrive around 7:00-7:20 (depending on AKL transportation, which was horrible 12/27-12/31, when we switched to the GF). Between the time we arrived and about 10:30-11:30, whenever our breakfast/lunch PS was, we'd see most of what we wanted to for that park. Then we'd stay till around 2pm, go back to AKL and nap, then head our around 5 to whereever our dinner PS was and then stay in that park, or whatever one we were closest to if we ate at a resort, until around closing time. This plan worked great for us and we say every attraction/ride at least twice. It also helped that we were in the parks 8.5 days, so we didn't have to rush, and since you'll be there longer you can take a slower pace too.

We had already done the CP once before so we skipped it this trip, but one thing I would suggest that is different from just regular park attractions is to visit the resorts to see the holiday decorations. The GF in particular was beautiful with it's huge Christmas Tree and gingerbread house. AKL, BWI, and YC were also very pretty and I've heard WL is great around that time too. It definitely breaks up the day and gives you some relief from the crowds.

 

[Dan Murphy]

As said above, if you think you want a sitdown at that time of the year, make the PS. It's free, and if you don't have one, I doubt you would get in.

 

[maddy]

Good catch Dan, I was totaly focused on early Dec. I wonder why.

PS's would be very necessary in late Dec. maddy

 

[2002Disneybride]

Thank you everyone! So far...we have the following plans:
Thurs Dec 25 arrive..9:30 am Candlelight Processional
Fri Dec 26 Hoop de doo
Sat Dec 27 Shulas/La Nouba
We usually do 1-2 PS's...we can make them starting at the end of next week.

I think we will try what you suggested about going for EMH and then ducking out around 2 justhat...

So it's chilly in december? can we swim? or is it too cold? I am trying to think what to pack...

 

[PNO4TE]

Originally posted by 2002Disneybride
So it's chilly in december? can we swim? or is it too cold? I am trying to think what to pack...

We have been to WDW for the past 8 years and have been able to swim about half of those trips. Some years it was a balmy 75-80 for the entire trip and then there was the year the water wheel at POR had ice on it the entire week we were there!

We always plan to swim. Pack those suits and hope for the best. You can always shop or nap or resort hop or ... (you get the picture).

Elin

 

[2002Disneybride]

I am going to pack layers!!!!
Thanks for your help!

 

[Terk-1]

I went the first week of December last year and am heading back again this year. This is a grat time to go, since it is not as crowded as Christmas-New Years week. What I did last year to be able to take in all of the holiday decorations, was to break things up. I always do EMH (always). This gives youthe chance to do some of the best rides with little to no wait. Also, it allows you a little bit of quiet time to take in the decorations at each of the parks without having others walking into your shots. I also took breaks every day in the afternoon. Some of the breaks were wandering around the MK resorts (including the Wilderness Lodge -- this is a MUST see during the holidays), the EPCOT resorts (wait to you see the gingerbread displays at the BC, YC & BW -- WOW!!!), and the AKL (their display is outside of Boma's -- very cute).

Make sure to bring warmer clothes with you. Coming from New England, I had worn a fleece sweatshirt, pants & gloves. I had mostly nice weather, but there were a few days (especially in the morning and evening) that it was very nippy. I saw alot of people who did not pack properly, shivering and running to the gift shops for sweats, gloves & hats. Better safe than sorry when you pack.

Since you are going Christmas week, I would most definitely make PS for any lunch or dinner you plan to have in the parks or resorts. I went down one year and arrived on December 30th. I had made PS for 12/31 & 1/1 and was glad I did. The parks were completely packed and many people were being turned away from restaurants because they were full. I would figure out where you plan to be on each day, choose where you want to dine, then as soon as the 90 day window opens up, call immediately. Again, better safe than sorry.

This is one of the busiest weeks of the year, so expect heavy crowds everywhere. The parks are going to be open later that week, which is a bonus.

 

[2002Disneybride]

thanks terk-1...this is what we are thinking of doing...I appreciate your opinions
Dec 25 Arrive at Swan
P/up CP tix at EPCOT...explore EPCOT
CP @ 6:15 Dinner @ 8:30 Le Cellier

Dec 26
MK
Hoop de doo 7:15
back to MK

Dec 27
MGM-emh
Shulas 6:15 pm
La Nouba 9 pm
Pleasure Island

December 28
EPCOT Princess Breakfast early
Dinner--Alfredo's in Italy later

December 29
AK-emh
EPCOT dinner @ Marrakesh early

December 30
Backstage Magic Tour

December 31
Breakfast at Cape May Cafe early at Beach Club
Dinner at Japan Teppanyaki around 7:30-8:00

January 1
MK-emh
switch to WL from Swan
our resort decoration tour
Dinner-Whispering Canyon

January 2
MK-CRT breakfast
Dinner at Crystal palace

January 3
MGM emh
Lunch at 50's
EPCOT dinner at Biergarten Germany

January 4
Check out of WL
Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
MK
leave at 4:30...

 

[CindyAnn]

Sounds like a great plan, 2002DisneyBride. We were there over New Year's last year, and yes, PSes are a VERY good idea. Please know in advance though that if things are done as they were last year, you will have to give a credit card deposit for any PSes you make on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. I believe the charge for no-shows is $10 per person, but you have until 48 (24?) hours before to cancel.

Hope you're planning to hit the GF on your resort decoration tour - it's pretty spectacular! Looks like you'll have chances to see Beach Club and Wilderness Lodge in any case, but they're also great.

Just an idea - Any chance you'd be able to go to Boma or Jiko at nearby AKL on the 29th after you've been at AK instead of Marrakesh? That would still leave you with 4 dinners at Epcot (Biergarten, Teppanyaki, Le Cellier and Alfredo's) but would give you a chance to explore Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is just beautiful. The buffet at Boma provides a delicious varied menu and Jiko is a little more upscale. If you're planning to ride Kali at AK, don't forget a change or clothes unless you're willing to squelch your way through the evening! If you're still looking for something to do after dinner, you could hit the shops at Downtown Disney, which stay open fairly late. Just my 2 cents!

Have a great time!