Info Please on Christmas @ WDW

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Hi all! We just decided to plan Disney for Christmas this year and I have a ton of questions...I've searched a bit and read some other threads but I wanted to ask some specifics here.

Our dates look to be arriving on Dec. 23rd staying through Jan 3rd...we have timeshare so probably not going to be staying on-site this time. It will be a larger group - two families..myself,hubby and ds(5) dd (4), along with brother-in-law's family with dd(13)dd(5)&dd(3)

Will I be able to see all the Christmas stuff these dates? I read that MVMCP usually is done before the 24th but I can still see the parade those dates correct? And how about the Christmas shows? Night Before Christmas with Mickey & gang, etc.....is that only at the MVMCP?

Then all the things at Epcot..CP..is that only up until the 25th? How about the Santas at the Epcot countries - how long are they around?

I am very excited about this trip but there are some specific "Christmas" things I want to do and I'm a bit concerned now that our dates will be too late for these.

I would so appreciate hearing from anyone who just went as well as those who have gone past years.

Please Please...any and all info will be great!!

Dawn

 

[runwad]

Wow they have different Santa's in Epcot, that's cool I didn't know that, we'll be there 12/15 thru 12/22...getting out of there before it gets too crazy.

 

[mamacatnv]

We just returned from a trip 12/29/05-1/5/06. The decorations were in full force and gorgeous when we arrived. We noticed along about the 3rd & 4th they started to come down. The Gingerbread house at GF had a sign on it that it would be on display thru the 31st of Dec. We went to the last performance of CP on 12/30 - something I would highly recommend as it was fantastic! The crowds were crazy, bumper to bumper people but the atmosphere was very festive although the Christmas Music started to get to us along about the 2nd or 3rd of January as it was played over and over everywhere we went. We will be returning on 1/1-9/07, we decided to bypass the New Years crowd on our next visit but will still have a few days of the decorations.

Remain patient and you will have a great time!

MamaCatNV

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

So how about the Christmas shows/snow and fireworks...will those be going on the week of Christmas? I know our first trip this past year was in June and it was so awful hot and busy that I think I can take the busy without the heat in December!

I am a planner so it should be fun getting it all organized!

Keep the advice coming...Thanks so much!!

Dawn

 

[mamacatnv]

We attended the CP w/ the dinner package, saw the Osborne Lights complete with the falling snow, Illuminations had an additional ending that was done thru NYE, then after NYE the show was shorter, same with Wishes at MK.

We did not see any of the parades, I guess were just not parade people, no one wanted to cop-a-squat and wait it out.

The Epcot Tree Lighting ceremony was over on 12/25 or so we were told and I am not sure when the last MVMCP is, but due to the EMH's CHristmas - NYE I don't think they had it past Christmas Eve if it wasn't over even earlier.

The various resorts had their holiday displays up thru New Years(Maybe longer, we toured them on NYE). We did see and hear some of the Christmas Stories from the Santa's in World Showcase. The multitudes of Christmas merchandise was available the whole time we were there.

I think it is a great time to be at WDW, there is a festivness in the air that is contagious, although since we have only been at the Holidays we don't know any different.

MamaCatNV

 

[Nana Sue]

We have been here now for six weeks. Our kids and grandkids joined us for Christmas and New Years. The parks are super crowded but the music and decorations are worth a trip down to see. MVMCP ended on Dec. 22 but the parade continues so except for the free hot chocolate and cookies you won't miss anything once that ends (except spending the extra $30 to go). The parade at MK is fantastic so don't miss it! In fact all the parades have Christmas added but the MK one is wonderful and exactly the same parade as during the MVMCP. Also as has been written the Epcot and MK fireworks have special endings. Also, do not miss the CP at Epcot, it was magnificent, as well as the Osbourne lights. Snow is falling in that area for the lights as well as on main street in the MK. The decorations are outstanding! There huge Christmas trees everywhere and they must have had a zillion poinsetta plants everywhere. Ir's been interesting to see them all dissapear to be replaced by petunas, pansies, and other spring flowers. All in all, it's a wonderful time to be here in spite of the crowds (and unfortunately lots of rude, pushy people.)

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Holy Cow!!! Six Weeks! Now that's what I call a vacation! Thanks for the tips Nana Sue...so the shows also at MK...Night before Christmas with Mickey and others can still be seen the week between Christmas & New Years?

I can't wait...I'm totally prepared for the crowds but I LOVE Disney so Christmas there just has to be Magical!!

Other tips & advice welcome!!!

Dawn

 

[MICKEEP]

That is the busiest week of the year but the parks are also open very late so you should take advantage of the late evenings.

As far as the MVMCP goes: It traditionally has ended a few days before Christmas. BUT you will not be missing anything all the shows and parades are done during normal park hours beginning the week before Christmas. It is not worth buying tickets to MVMCP during the week before Christmas.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Thanks..that is what I've been getting out of most threads that once the week of Christmas is here the shows/parades are what MVMCP shows as well.

Would love more suggestions and advice from WDW Holiday Vets!!

Dawn

 

[MICKEEP]

Would love more suggestions and advice from WDW Holiday Vets!!

Dawn

Use this site to determine which parks you should go to on each day:
http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

We followed their suggestions and never really waited more than 20 minutes for any ride the week before Christmas. They suggested that you avoid MK and EPCOT on Christmas day (That's pretty much a no brainer) but they said MGM would be a good park to go to that day. We went to MGM Christmas evening and was surprised at how empty the park was. The stands for Fantasmic were barely 1/3 full.

 

[msklcassidy]

Crowded...YES! We were there at Christmas - New Year's 2 years ago (2003-04) and either I'm a lot older (lol) or the crowds were nuttier than ever! NYE at Magic Kingdom was an absolute mosh pit! Forget about standing infront of the castle for fireworks at midnight...it's not possible (particularly with 3 kids).

With that said, would I do it again...you bet! I love the holidays at Disney. The CP is fabulous. In 2003 we saw Gary (Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump) Sinese and this year we saw John (Uncle Jesse from Full House) Stamos. There were both wonderful!

Make a point of seeing the decorations at the resorts. The GF gingerbread was incredible and the Carousel at the Yacht and Beach Clubs was awesome. My favorite, though, was the train village at the Boardwalk.

Osborne Lights...wow!

Here are my best tips. Plan, plan, plan! Make ADRs for everyday -- or be prepared to wait a long time for counter service. In particular make ADRs for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and NYE or you'll get very hungry. So many people don't make ADRs for those days and then they're surprised when there's only counter service with a 1 hour wait!

If you're not staying on property get there VERY early. In 03/04 NYE all the parks were closed before Noon due to reaching "maximum capacity." Only those staying "on property" are going to get in after a certain point in time and even they may not get it (our friends were turned away from MGM this year at 6 p.m. -- and they were staying at the Swan.)

I recommend staying on property if you can so you can take advantage of those Extra Magic Hours. Otherwise, be prepared to wait 2+ hours to ride Space Mountain and the other "popular rides." The fast passes run out too (they were out of them by noon for Soarin a couple times when we were there).

Snow flies every night on Main Street and at Osbornes. Don't miss Illuminations -- they have an "extra" piece at the holidays that is just great.

Let me know if you have any questions and happy planning!

 

[MinnieFan]

If you're not staying on property get there VERY early. In 03/04 NYE all the parks were closed before Noon due to reaching "maximum capacity." Only those staying "on property" are going to get in after a certain point in time and even they may not get it (our friends were turned away from MGM this year at 6 p.m. -- and they were staying at the Swan.)

I recommend staying on property if you can so you can take advantage of those Extra Magic Hours. Otherwise, be prepared to wait 2+ hours to ride Space Mountain and the other "popular rides." The fast passes run out too (they were out of them by noon for Soarin a couple times when we were there).

This is an excellent point. On 12/28/05 MK was closed by 9:00 a.m. It was also closed early on 12/31. I also heard of this happening at MGM.

There is nothing like WDW at Christmas time - you will love it!

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Some great advice - Thanks! I have read different threads about the park being closed...what did you all do for NYE while there? I know we'll want Christmas Eve/Day at some park but I wasn't sure what to do for NYE? Did either of you go to Universal? How is their Christmas/New Year's stuff?

Thanks again and keep that advice rolling!

Dawn

 

[Nana Sue]

We had read that the parks were unbelieveable on NYE, many of them closing entrances early as they had reached their capacity. As we had young grandchildren in our party we didn't want to deal with that. We ate dinner at Spoodles and spent NYE at the Boardwalk. There was a real festive mood there and lots going on. There was even a deejay teaching line dances on that green in front. We had a great time.

I would recommend making dinner reservations ahead of time for every night you are going to be there as the restaurants were packed and not taking any walk-ins.

 

[susieq76]

Did 12/25/04-1/3/05. It was beautiful- the decorations were just terrific- the "storytellers" in Epcot were such a blast and the Hoop Dee Doo was the best Christmas dinner ever. We did the Candelight Processional *Gary Sinise was our speaker ) and it was so wonderful I can't put it words. That being said- you will never see me there at this time of year again. No way Jose. We'll be there the 2nd week of December when its not a madhouse.

The crowds were swarming EVERY day in EVERY park. The MK was closed to everyone by 11:00am all days except two while we were there. We went to Epcot on NYE (they have a special tent thing you can have dinner in) and the fireworks were phenominal- we were lucky afterward we took the boat by the UK and got a bus back to ASMusic from there and it only took us an hour. My SIL- who was staying off site in her timeshare- it took 4 1/2 hours to get out of the parking lot. Just too many people for me. I like to take a break in the middle of the day- with these crowds you just can't.

One thing that did save us was that I am anal and had my PS seatings done 90 days out for all our days. Otherwise there was no shot at getting into a restaurant. Make sure you do this!!!!

Good Luck and have fun.

Sue

 

[mamacatnv]

For NYE we opted to not go into a park - to much chaos with our 7 yr old. We went to DTD, had lunch at Earl of Sandwich (very yummy) shopped and then headed off to tour the hotels with their decorations. We ended at FW for the campfire singalong, then a boat ride back to MK and dinner at our hotel. We are not huge NYE partiers here at home so this was a great way for us to spend the day. Other than not getting the free hats & noisemakers we didn't miss anything.

Whatever you do, be ready to be patient and take your time, it was a great experience. We have weathered 2 trips to WDW between Christmas and New Years. The Millennium Celebration was the busiest but so worth it. When people ask: Where were you at the Turn of The Century? We have a great
answer!

We are planning to return on January 1, 2007, we have decided to skip the huge holiday crowds next year and keep our kids out of school a couple of extra days to pull it off, once every 5-6 years at NYE is enough for us.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

You guys are scaring me!!!!! I am prepared for crowds but I (my kids) would be heartbroken if we couldn't get into a park! We do have a timeshare and will be staying off-site so that unfortunantly will dictate some of our travel choices.

Which resorts could you do dinner and see fireworks from there on NYE?

I will of course do PS's because I am a "crazy" planner!

Thanks and more advice welcome!

Dawn

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

For those who have done Christmas/New Years time..did you do ADR for two meals a day every day? I read another thread that lines for counter service could be like 2 hours and to have Table Service plans made just in case...

What does everyone think about that?

Also, would Chef Mickey's be a good NYE choice?

Keep those ideas/suggestions coming!!

Dawn

 

[susieq76]

I only did one sit down meal a day- but thats all I could afford You probably won't have time for two sit downs in one day anyway- the lines are quite large so an extra sit down meal= a less ride or two.

The lines for Counter Service were long but not an hour- more like a good 15-20 minutes to order. Long for CS- but not undoable.

They do the fireworks twice on NYE- once at like 9pm and once at Midnight. You could eat at Rose and Crown at 8:30pm & see the show from there. Good Luck.

BTW- ADRs for this period are not the product of an overplanner- they are a neccesity less you eat CS or off property every day.

Sue