Howgreat is Disney at Christmas?

[studog100]

My family and I are new to DVC and we wanted to go to Disney this year during Christmas. I know it would use more points and be a bit crowded but I wanted to know how many of you have been during Christmas, and was it absolutely wonderful? Magical, I am sure as it always is. We normally go every year around the end of March/ beg of April so it will be a change for us.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

ya know, I will probably be in the vast minority on this topic. We were at WDW around Thanksgiving this past year. Christmas decorations were up in parks and resorts. I thought that it would be really cool and magical to see all the beautiful decoraions. BUt it turned out to not really be all that cool after all. I LOVE Christmas, and I LOVE Disney World, but for me the two just don't mix well. I'll take my Mickey without the Santa hat, thank you very much. And I'll take a nice Christmas tree without all the Disney hullabaloo. But that's JMHO.

Having said that, I would not AVOID WDW during Christmas. After all, it's still Disney World.

 

[Twende]

I think that great is not the right word!~ I think it is fantastic!

I do not think I would go on Christmas but we much prefer the time after Thanksgiving and before say December 15th.

I think that the Disney themes and the Christmas decorations go together very well. The resorts themselves are simply breath takingly beautiful! I love to see the characters in their festive holiday clothes and the Osborn lights in MGM are so beautiful they are beyond the imagination!

To each their own. I think that Disney in every season is a perfect time to visit!

 

[Brianne]

We love going during that time. The decorations are wonderful, especially over at Epcot (they play Christmas music over the speakers, and time lights to the music---it's a definite "must see", I think). And the Osbourne Family Lights at the Studios was neat to see as well--my kids loved the "snow".

Your best bet is to time your visit towards the beginning of December, if you're looking to enjoy the decor without fighting the crowds. The week of Christmas is known to have record-setting attendence, and that usually goes through until New Year's.

As for the Mickey's Christmas Party special event, I couldn't tell you about that--we didn't think it was worth the extra money to do that, unlike the Halloween event. But I'd imagine plenty of people like it.

 

[addicted2disney]

I, on the other hand, DO think Christmastime and Disney mix well! I will by making my 3rd Thanksgiving trip with the kids ( hubby doesnt go on this trip with us). I absolutely LOVE looking down Main Street towards the castle with all of the Chirstmas garland strung across the street. But my absolute FAVORITE thing is.... walking down Main Street at night in the snow. It is absolutely beautiful!!! I We did 2 parties last year and the snow is my favorite part!! I just found out for our 2rd trip that if you sit on main street for the parade at the party, it snows for the parade. We watched the parade TWICE and both times in the snow on Main Street. I cant WAIT to get back there this year. Hurry up November!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We love Disney at Christmas (only when it's slow not when it's crazy). It is a little strange being around Christmas decorations in 80 degree weather but the shows and decorations are amazing and MVMCP can't be missed when it's snowing in MK! The second week of December is my favorite time to go.

 

[mansionfan]

I wanted to know how many of you have been during Christmas, and was it absolutely wonderful?

Disney with a Christmas theme.............it's AMAZING! Holiday music in the parks, decorations...something you have to experience.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

The main reason we love MVMCP is because it's the only time MK is open late during the "value" season. And it gives us more time to ride the rides.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I can't answer your question about Christmas week itself. I think it would be fun,but now that my kids are in "college", I've come to realize that there may be SOME Christmas in the future as they grow and have families of their own, that we may celebrate Christmas as a family early/late and DH and I might be "alone" on Christmas itself, that's the year I go to DW for Christmas!!! Otherwise, I LOVE Christmas at home.

BUT the last two years we've gone first week in December and it's definitely my favorite time. We went last year in July and October also, and I also think Disney was made for Christmas. It's gorgeous, the Candlelight Processional is beautiful, the decorations are stunning, I love it. But again, I can't say about the week of Christmas itself.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

There is nothing better than Disney at Christmas. We were there in 1997 to celebrate my DS 1st birthday on the 17th and stayed until the 22nd. There were hardly any crowds during the time we were there. The crowds,however, were picking up as we were leaving. The decorations were AWESOME!!! We hated to leave and come back home. I have told my DH that when we the kids are older I would love to be at Disney on Christmas Day.

 

[PamNC]

It is absolutely magical! I recommend that everyone try it at least once. We don't go every Christmas because we like to be home during the holidays...the "holidays" being the Friday after Thanksgiving through 12/31. So, it's hard for us to leave our home during that time. But, we have 3 times, been to Disney and absolutely loved it. The resorts are beautiful, the parks are too! We particularly like going around to the different resorts and checking out the decorations - the gingerbread houses, the chocolate carousels, the huge trees! It's all so beautiful. Plus, the candelight processional is so moving. Then, there is Osbourne Spectacle of Lights...which I don't like as much now that Residential street is gone. We did MVMCP once, and I may be the minority but I think that's over-rated. For the price.

Oh - don't forget the little things. Like the sleigh ride from Wilderness Lodge.

PamNC

 

[erinz]

First of all, YES!!! it is totally gorgeous and magical at Disney during the Christmas season!

Second, go anytime EXCEPT the week from Christmas to New Year!

Unless you don't mind HUGE, HUGE, HUGE crowds!!!

 

[donmil723]

We went to WDW last year in mid-December and while we enjoyed MVMCP, the Candlelight Processional, Osborne Lights, and all of the beautiful Christmas trees and other decorations at the parks and resorts, I don't think we'll go back again at that time of the year. At least not for a long time. We had very cool temps the week we were there and I don't really like being out in the cold. If I could guarantee it would be 75-80 degrees while I was there, I would go back in a minute. But, since we can't, we'll stick to the times of the year it is usually warmer.

That said, I think everyone who loves Disney should go during the Christmas season at least once.

Donna

 

[dgaston]

We're going for our fourth Christmas week this year. Yes it is incredibly crowded, and we use TourguideMike to help us survive. But since DH teaches and has limited time per school schedule, and I can convince my CA brother to bring his family, we have a wonderful time creating special Disney, family, and Christmas memories at WDW. We stay off-site at Windsor Palms and this helps us feel more relaxed than in the parks!

 

[MDM]

We are thinking about our first trip, Dec. 18-23. Exactly how crowded is crowded? We have been on the 4th of July and the last week of August and it was crowded.

MDM