Ideas for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day?

[janeyb]

Hi there,

This will be our first trip to WDW actually over the Christmas period, we have been before a few weeks before the 25th and also arriving on the 26/12 however this will be a first for us to actually be there on the day itself.

For those of you that have been over Christmas what did you do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? From reading previous threads over the years I understand that the parks will be full to capacity and we would need to get there for opening if that's the route we decide to take.

What are the other parks like? Has anyone headed to SeaWorld over Xmas Eve/Day?

With three children, one of which is a baby we are thinking that it may be best to avoid the parks altogether instead of fighting the crowds but what could we do to still make it feel really Christmassy for the children?

In the past we have visited all the resorts and looked at all the trees and gingerbread houses etc which was fun. I'm guessing that Downtown Disney will be a nightmare trying to park.

I was thinking that on Christmas Day we could maybe get up, open presents then maybe head to DTD for breakfast then return to the condo and either make Christmas dinner with the children getting involved or go somewhere nice to eat.

Where would you suggest booking to eat on Christmas Day if that's what we decide to do?

When we arrive, I'm thinking of heading out to buy a tree and some cheap decs to decorate the condo, has anyone ever done this? I'm guessing I'll be able to pick up a tree and decs cheaply in somewhere like Walmart. I just want to make it as special as possible for the children.

Any ideas to help me with the planning of this trip would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[queendisney]

Have you ever been to ICE at the Gaylord Palms Hotel?

http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2012/11/ice-at-gaylord-pams-2012/

it looks like it would be good to visit.
We still haven't been but keep meaning to

 

[scoobydooby]

A few years ago we did this.

Xmas Eve. Hit Epcot for rope drop. I think it opened at 8am. Got loads done before lunch then went to see the candlelight Processional with the meal ticket. The park was people soup when we got out of here so we just people watched for a bit. Back to the hotel for a rest at the hotel then a late ish dinner at Chef Mickey's. Very busy but very fun.

Christmas Day we paid for crowd control and went to Discovery Cove. Got lucky with highs of 70 degrees. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare preceded by drinks in the Grand Floridian lobby. This was fab. They had a live band playing carols.

But Boxing Day was the BEST. DH and DS decided they would not brave a park. MK opened at 7am and me and DD got there for 6.30am. We entered the park at 7am with 53 other people only (I counted). That day we did so much before the masses arrived at 9am and picked up fast passes the whole time too. We visited 22 attractions by 2pm. The park was saturated with people by this point but we had enjoyed a terrific day. My DD still talks about riding Big Thunder 4 times without getting off at park opening.

My best advice for Christmas week is to get up very early. Also check park opening times carefully as most do not seem to notice the 7am openings. These were not EMH.

 

[A Small World]

My first 2 trips to WDW were over Christmas but several years ago. The children were approx 3, 6,7 at the time

The first year we spent the day at Typhoon Lagoon to have Christmas on the beach and then went back to the hotel restaurant for a meal in the evening (we were staying off site)

The 2nd year the weather was slightly cooler so we spent Christmas Day in Epcot as we decided it would be quieter than MK. We enjoyed travelling the world on Christmas Day by visiting all the countries - we had lunch in Mexico (we hadnt reserved we just walked up and got a table for half hour later) and then enjoyed afternoon cakes in France

Both years we took a few small presents for the children to make up a stocking and they opened them in the room in the morning but apart from that we didnt do anything else that we would have done had we been at home (tree, decorations in the room etc)

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

I've been twice over Xmas. In 2006, on xmas day we were heading to MK when we changed our mind last minute as it was pouring down with rain. So we ended up hitting the bargain shops on the 192 and I-drive etc before popping into Ponderosa for dinner.

In 2010, xmas eve we visited Epcot, got there around 11, did FutureWorld then caught the monoraik to Chef Mickeys. Xmas day we went back to epcot and covered world showcase, finished off the rides and ate at CSs.

Thie year, we have my 2 cousins who will be 8 & 4 and their parents, so we thought wed have a quiet one... swimming in the villa, opening a few presents, possibly playing mini golf, and then check out somewhere for tea (Grandad hopes Ponderosa again!).

One tip re presents: dont wrap them before you go. If you have wraped presents in your case they will probably ask you to open thm!!

Hope that helps xx

 

[Chilly]

We arrived in Orlando on Christmas Day 2009. After checking in we headed to MK and got in no problem. We ate counter service then the plan was to watch the fireworks but I became unwell so sadly had to leave.

 

[Ware Bears]

We were there for Christmas 2009.

We spent Christmas Eve at Animal Kingdom then just relaxed in the hotel pool in the evening.

Christmas Day was spent at Magic Kingdom - not my choice but my DH's, he insisted! Although I couldn't get over how quiet the park was - think it must have been because it was raining first thing in the morning which it kept doing on and off and this must have kept people away. We started with an early breakfast at Crystal Palace then had a very late lunch at Tony's where we were seated in the conservatory and had a partial view of the Christmas parade. Loved the parade! We'd already watched it at MVMCP and again that very morning but I loved it!

I think we left about 5pm, just as it was getting dark and went back to the hotel. Our DDs didn't want to come out again so we left them watching TV and DH and I went for a wander round Celebration which made for a very relaxing evening although I can remember feeling homesick (dogsick!) when I saw people with their dogs!

We'd been to ICE at Gaylord Palms a couple of days earlier and thought it great.

Regarding the tree - don't know what day you arrive but don't leave it too late to get one! When we'd stayed at DLP over Christmas I'd taken a really cheap tree I'd bought for a couple of quid in Tesco but didn't bother taking one to WDW as I'd assumed we'd be able to get an equally cheap one in Walmart. Not sure whether we'd left it too late as we'd been on a cruise so didn't start looking until the 23rd but couldn't find anything less than 6 foot (too big for one hotel room) and under $40. I wished I'd taken a Tesco cheapie again!

 

[Minniesgal]

I have read so many bad Restauarnt reviews for christmas day that we have certainly decided that when we finally manage to do christmas we will do our own Christmas dinner in the villa.

 

[Tony Toon]

I am kind of reluctant to recommend things that we have enjoyed as I know that tastes are different but we went to 1900 Park Fare at The Grand Floridian for breakfast on Christmas Morning and wouldn't hesitate to do it again - a magical way to start Christmas, particularly with children.

 

[mackay_j]

Have you ever been to ICE at the Gaylord Palms Hotel?

http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2012/11/ice-at-gaylord-pams-2012/

it looks like it would be good to visit.
We still haven't been but keep meaning to

I would vote for ICE at gaylordpalms- Very Christmasy. The have a whole lot of other things going on there too. We booked lunch at the boat restaurant and then did ICE and while waiting in queue for ICE they had Carol singers on a stage. After that you can wonder about looking at the crocs (they have childrens treasure hunts and other stuff gong on) etc before they have a larger concert in the evening - Even had drummer and keyboard players suspended from the glass roof. Great show - sort of a rock/pop carol/xmas theme. with lazers etc. You can eat a three different restaurants on site - Boat one (cheapest and also the only one left when we booked in oct). Buffet type spanish one - main xmas themed one which looked very good and there is also an Australian themed expensive steakhouse. As well as the activities I mentioned they usually also have outdoor ice skating- but it looks quite small.

Over Xmas hols we would also usually go down into celebration and watch the 'snow' have a drink and take a horse and cart ride.

Tour the resorts looking for all the special xmas stuff - gingerbread house/ choc carousel etc

Then New Year on the Polly Beach- a must for us!

 

[mackay_j]

Re the tree- We just take a 4 ft one with us - we have 4 cases and only ever need 2 for clothes that leaves 2 for xmas presents (half of which will be clothes ad stuff they can wear/use out there- luckily I have teen girls - so they like new clothes) and for tree decorations we use gold xmas gift tags very light and gold ribbon. We even take our crackers with us (the ones you put together) as they are flat pack and light. Also means I can put a surprise ticket in them for a show/ park they were not expecting to do - DC one year/ surf rider tickets another etc.
This year they actually thought we weren't going to florida, so they found out on Xmas day by pulling a cracker with a clue that started them on a treasure hunt through the house back to the tree where they found a xmas tree decoration of a cruise ship and a present under it of a whole itinerary including 1. busch gardens - 3 nights / 7 nights cruise (which stopped at island with there new born cousin they hadn't seen yet and excursions to amazing places for all the other stops /2 nights orlando . Also wrapped up were 2 cases half packed with new clothes and a stopwatch giving them 40 mins to add anything else they wanted- you should have seen them run

 

[janeyb]

Thank you so, so much everyone!! You have all given me SO many idea's for things to do! Now I have too much choice, I'll never decide!! Luckily we are there for three weeks so hopefully I will be able to fit in quite a few of the ideas that you have come up with.

I hadn't thought about Celebration. We visited for the first time a few weeks ago and I loved it there.

Also Gaylord Palms and ICE and dinner sounds a must. I must book that ASAP.

Thank you again, all your ideas are very much appreciated.

 

[Camac]

We did a Segway tour of Celebration which lasted for almost two hours during which time we saw close up of all the beautiful houses and rode through conservation areas with lots of wildlife. The residents greeted us with waves and Happy Holiday wishes. We had a lovely Christmas lunch in the Celebration Hotel while carols were played on a piano.

We also spent two Christmas Days at Discovery Cove, the first time was very cold and the second time there was a massive thunderstorm!

 

[Elise79]

Last year we where there is week before Christmas and went out and bought a Xmas tree as we wanted our room to feel like Xmas. We got a pre-lit 7ft tree from Target (I think - I know it wasn't Walmart or Publix) and it cost us $70. It was perfect as it had enough lights it didn't need decorating.

 

[duffdo]

I went for Xmas/New Year in the Millennium. It was amazing. Xmas day, we headed for MK and NYE was EPCOT. My one outstanding memory was the fireworks, especially the NYE ones. I would love to go at that time of year again

 

[Chilly]

I went for Xmas/New Year in the Millennium. It was amazing. Xmas day, we headed for MK and NYE was EPCOT. My one outstanding memory was the fireworks, especially the NYE ones. I would love to go at that time of year again

Agreed the NYE fireworks are A-MAZ-ING!

We watched Wishes from the Poly beach. If you want to see both you can she the Wishes fireworks on the 30th as well as they text them, then do Epcot on NYE.

 

[PJB71]

We have been lucky enough to of been going at Christmas time for the last 13yrs and honestly wouldn't want to go at any other time of the year.

Our christmas's have changed with DDs ages. When they were younger we used to have the morning in the villa opening present, quick swim, Christmas music etc then take them to the contempary to chef mickey for brunch. Spend a few hours in the hotel (cocktails for me) the'd spend some time on the beach, in the arcade, wander round the shops etc before heading back to to villa around tea time stopping off at Walgreens for the start of the bargains!!!

Now they are older we just have a lovely lazy day in the villa. Opening presents, swimming (lots of bucks fizz) Christmas music, play in the games room then have a great big BBQ for tea (not a sprout in sight)

We have never visited a park on Christmas Day so can't comment of how busy they are, but always visit Christmas Eve. Last year we did AK morning before if got too busy then headed over to Epcot in the afternoon.

What ever you decide to do I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time & who no's we may even bump into one another

 

[disney2014plan]

Are you staying in a room or a villa ?

If in a villa and not on DDP, you might consider that most of the big supermarkets like Publix do a "Xmas dinner in a box" - a prepared turkey, tubs of mashed potato, veg etc. Although you still have to cook it yourslef, it's much quicker than cooking a normal Xmas dinner, and lets you all sit together as a family.

of course, there is always the magic of dining in the park with no washing up afterwards!!

 

[daipp]

We have a Christmas Day tradition and that is to watch the Disney Christmas Day Parade (pre-recorded) on TV in the morning.

David

 

[queendisney]

We have been lucky enough to of been going at Christmas time for the last 13yrs and honestly wouldn't want to go at any other time of the year.

Our christmas's have changed with DDs ages. When they were younger we used to have the morning in the villa opening present, quick swim, Christmas music etc then take them to the contempary to chef mickey for brunch. Spend a few hours in the hotel (cocktails for me) the'd spend some time on the beach, in the arcade, wander round the shops etc before heading back to to villa around tea time stopping off at Walgreens for the start of the bargains!!!

Now they are older we just have a lovely lazy day in the villa. Opening presents, swimming (lots of bucks fizz) Christmas music, play in the games room then have a great big BBQ for tea (not a sprout in sight)

We have never visited a park on Christmas Day so can't comment of how busy they are, but always visit Christmas Eve. Last year we did AK morning before if got too busy then headed over to Epcot in the afternoon.

What ever you decide to do I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time & who no's we may even bump into one another

I have never ever wanted to go at Christmas, but now I do That just sounds perfect to me