Just booked christmas/new year 2014...any tips/advice

[linre]

We have, after a lot of deliberation booked our hols from 25th dec - 4th jan next christmas. We have read a lot od warnings that it is mad, crazy and some even saying don't bother at this time of the year. Unfortunatley due to mine and hubbys work its really the only time we can go so have booked So we are really after any advice/tips/good reports of trips at the busiest time of the year....Thanks

 

[wayneg]

Being in retail I can't fly before Xmas day, we have been 5 times either flying 25th or 26th Dec.
What you have read is correct. Biggest crowds of the year, 30 mins to do a 10 min car journey, lines for everything. 30 mins just for a burger on New Years Eve. See pics below for Soarin line at 4hrs 40mins, we heard it topped 6hrs by early afternoon.
We have also arrived at the airport with car rental companies running out of cars. Had to get taxi then go back next day to get car.

Thats the bad side of a Xmas trip. Now the good, its the most magical time to be there.
Just enjoy the parks without doing the rides. Take time to visit all the resorts, Grand Floridian Ginger bread house, Beach club Carousel etc. All the resorts are great to look around at Xmas.
Getting into the parks at opening is a must, get any rides done before the crowds get in around 10-11am. Try eat at odd times and avoid the lines.

Every year we say never again but you soon forget the silly lines and remember the magic of a Xmas trip. Its worth it.

 

[pampat]

We have also arrived at MCO to find no cars! Thought that was just our misfortune!

On the really busy days (Xmas Day, NYE) if you are not in the parks by 10.00 a.m. you run the risk of not getting through the gates! Happened to us, but we stay off site, so no guaranteed entry.

Pam

 

[crabbie1]

As much as I love disney I could never go at this time. Have flown back on xmas eve and the crowds from the 19th onwards got busier and busier. Our last day we were out of MK by 10.30. Shoulder to shoulder walking . Not a nice feeling for us. Yes its christmas but going in december anytime for me is just as magical with hardly any crowds up till mid december but with all the decorations and christmas spirit.

Others will disagree and I know people have to go due to work and school hols and if you plan to do what you want to ;get there early you will hv a fab time. Just be prepared not to do everything as quickly as other times.

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

My mum is a teacher so we are restricted to school holidays. Weve been at xmas twice before, this xmas will be our third time.

We love it. We would go every xmas if we could afford it. Yes the lines are mad, but like wayne said, enjoy the xmas atmosphere and the magic. Utilise fastpasses and eating early/late meals to avoid peak times.
Sometimes you might just have to miss the headliner ride... in 2010 Toy story mania hit 300 minutes. Obviously, we skipped it, but it gave us a reason to go back!

X

 

[mackay_j]

The other side of the coin here- We go xmas a lot and love it - Yes it can be manic however, if the weather turns it can end up being one of the quietest times as the Floridians do not do cold. - Last year it rained and was cool (not cold) on the 28 and 29th - we had no queues at all in busch gardens infact we stayed on some of the top rides.
However, if the temps dip too low some of the rides are off - a few years ago no big rides were for most of the day at seaworld- so have back up plans for below 5oC days- mall/ 3D cinema/ ICE/ disney hotel tours are ours


Tips-

Make sure and take warm clothes we have had days were the temps do not go much above 4oC all day and below zero after dark (- Layer up it will be cold in the mornings and at night time. Hats and gloves may be required (and we are from scotland). However it could also be 75oC-
Look up Gaylordpalms hotel - for xmas day meal - very christmassy with the ICE(google this for images), ice skating and a xmas concert- only extra charge is go do ICE.


Fire works viewed from the polly beach on NYE - a must for us . If you are not booked in a disney hotel then I recommend booking diner at the polly hotel about 8.30 - that way you will be allowed in to park here- police will patrol the queue into the hotel car park that night and you must have your reservation on you to be allowed in.

Tour the hotels -grand Floridian, polly, animal kingdom & yacht all have amazing Xmas decorations to see - google images - gingerbread house, carousel - this is a good escape if the parks are too busy.


Have fun- I' still thinking about it for Xmas 2014 but we will probably have 2 DDs at uni then - so they may be draining us of our holiday resources so not jumped to book yet but getting very tempted.

 

[linre]

Thank you so much for replying you have made me worry less and feel like i am not as mad as some are making out! I'm a teacher and hubby is a farmer so we only have christmas that we can be off together!

We have booked the art of animation resort as we were told about the new fast pass plus which should guarantee some of the bigger rides of crazy days?

Has anyone been to discovery cove this time of year? We would love to take our daughters to swim with the dolphins but will it be too cold to enjoy?

I never even thought about fireworks at a hotel beach....does that mean we can catch a bus there and avoid the masses in the parks?

 

[wayneg]

I would wait until you get there and decide on Discovery Cove. We have been at Xmas and had great weather but other times had to de-ice the car every morning. Its not something we would do at Xmas but it has to be 90+ to get me in the water.

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

Thank you so much for replying you have made me worry less and feel like i am not as mad as some are making out! I'm a teacher and hubby is a farmer so we only have christmas that we can be off together!

We have booked the art of animation resort as we were told about the new fast pass plus which should guarantee some of the bigger rides of crazy days?

Has anyone been to discovery cove this time of year? We would love to take our daughters to swim with the dolphins but will it be too cold to enjoy?

I never even thought about fireworks at a hotel beach....does that mean we can catch a bus there and avoid the masses in the parks?

In 2010, DFi and I did Discovery Cove in December. We had a lovely day, we wore short wetsuits for the dolphin swim but had a life jacket for the rest of the day. It was about 70°F. However other days it was 35°F, and rides were closed; it was the coldest winter theyve had in 21 years though!

We do like to stay offsite so we have a pool, which we have used almost everyday and go to the water park once during the 2 weeks. X

 

[Tink1987]

It's a great time of year to go - yes it's busy but MK on Christmas Day is just magical. As you already realise that it will be busy that is half the battle! Just relax and enjoy the beautiful decorations and don't go with the expectations that you will be able to walk onto rides etc and you should be fine!!

Sorry I know that's not really a touring tip but I just think if you know what to expect you can't be disappointed.

 

[disney2014plan]

We've only ever been at Xmas (although never done Xmas day in the parks), so have nothing to compare to, but we went with the mindset of aiming to get on a few rides, but mostly enjoying ourselves and soaking up the atmosphere. Discovery cove has been done in December too

You'll have a great time I am sure!