Just Planned A December Trip - would love advice!!!!!

[Lothlórien]

Be sure to Visit the following resorts so you can see the Christmas decorations:

• Grand Floridian
• Beach Club
• Boardwalk
• Wilderness Lodge (not to be missed)
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Yacht Club
• Contemporary

Things to do only offered at Christmastime:

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
I would NOT say that this is a "not to be missed" event. For the ticket prices and limited special offerings, you are really paying for special fireworks and a Christmas parade. However, if you can afford to go, it is fun.

Huge Christmas Trees
Every park (and some of the resorts) have huge Christmas trees where you can get pictures taken in front of.

Sleigh Ride through Fort Wilderness
I have never done this, but it is popular among guests and in years past it has booked up quickly.

EPCOT
If you enjoy fairy tales, which obviously you do since you are going to Disney , they have storytellers in EPCOT throughout the countries where they share that country's custom for Christmas.

 

[Lothlórien]

Also, I forgot to mention.... the dance parties in Disney Studios are a BLAST!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Thanks everyone!!!

BASED ON YOUR FEEDBACK AND THE FACT THAT WE SCHEDULED A SPRING BREAK TRIP, I DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO TRY AND DO IT ALL. I AM GOING TO FOCUS ON THE MOST "CHRISTMAS-Y" ACTIVITIES.

THIS IS MY REVISED SCHEDULE! THOUGHTS???

Friday:

Travel Day

MVMCP

Saturday:

11am Breakfast at Kona - out of pocket

Tour the monorail resorts

4pm - HDDR

Chip and Dale's Campfire Singalong

Sleigh Ride around Ft. Wilderness

Sunday:

Magic Kingdom - this is a party day, so good for touring

PPO Be Our Guest - out of pocket

11:30am - Liberty Tree Tavern

3pm - Parade

Head to Epcot via monorail

5:40pm - Garden Grill with Candlelight Processional Package

8:15 - Candlelight Processional

Holiday Illuminations

Monday:

PPO Akershus and then do all of the new Frozen activities

Head to Future World, rides, then head back at lunchtime to enjoy storytellers

Walk or boat to Boardwalk area for midday break and get ice cream, etc. View the trees at the Epcot resorts.

5pm-ish take monorail to MK, boat to Wilderness Lodge

6:20pm - Dinner at Artist Point, view Wilderness Lodge decorations

Head to MK for evening activities (in 2015, the parade was at 9pm and 11pm and Wishes at 10pm)

Tuesday:

9:45pm - Breakfast at Boma, view the AKL decorations

Head home!

 

[Tucker24]

The wilderness lodge has great decorations inside as well as grand floridian. the contemporay and poly not as much. If visi to santa is on agenda go there at 4 on the day of the party when you can gain entry. He doesn't stay for super long because he has to get ready for the parade. I think you can also visit santa at epcot but I'm not sure. Don't know if you were interested in the memory maker but you can get some really great pictures of the family and christmas theme

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'm not sure if anyone said this, as I have not read all the replies. If you can take the time to watch the EPCOT fountain at night. We happened to be walking by when the "show" started and it's all set to Christmas music. It was so awesome!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

The wilderness lodge has great decorations inside as well as grand floridian. the contemporay and poly not as much. If visi to santa is on agenda go there at 4 on the day of the party when you can gain entry. He doesn't stay for super long because he has to get ready for the parade. I think you can also visit santa at epcot but I'm not sure. Don't know if you were interested in the memory maker but you can get some really great pictures of the family and christmas theme

Yes! My kiddos would love to meet Santa! Thanks for the hints!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

I'm not sure if anyone said this, as I have not read all the replies. If you can take the time to watch the EPCOT fountain at night. We happened to be walking by when the "show" started and it's all set to Christmas music. It was so awesome!

Thanks for the feedback! I love the "little things" on a trip that make it even more special! Yes! We will make time for this too! Thank you!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

The wilderness lodge has great decorations inside as well as grand floridian. the contemporay and poly not as much. If visi to santa is on agenda go there at 4 on the day of the party when you can gain entry. He doesn't stay for super long because he has to get ready for the parade. I think you can also visit santa at epcot but I'm not sure. Don't know if you were interested in the memory maker but you can get some really great pictures of the family and christmas theme

Thank you! I agree based on what I have read. I have never been to Kona before for breakfast so I thought we could eat here, then go to Grand Floridian and explore the gingerbread house, etc. Lastly we could head to Contemporary so we could boat over to Fort Wilderness. I am saving the tour of Wilderness Lodge for our Artist Point day!

 

[Quellman]

We are staying at Pop Century. Friday - one night stay and then Sat-Tues with Free Dining.

Tentative Agenda:

Friday:

Travel Day - easy drive from SC - arrive about 3pm.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party -
Counter Service Food, Snacks
Fast Passes - Space Mountain, SDMT, and ????
Stay late!

Saturday:

Sleep in!!!!!.....which means 8am!

Disney Springs???
Trying early lunch at T-Rex????
Head back to Pop
Freshen up

Monorail tour/Wilderness Lodge

4pm - Hoop Dee Doo Revue (out of pocket)

Chip & Dale Campfire Singalong

Sunday:

Magic Kingdom - arrive for morning show, in general....low crowds bc tonight is a party night

Animal Kingdom - lunch time - Flame Tree BBQ lunch - Fast Passes - Safari, Kali River, Evening Show/Jungle Book (maybe do Tusker House instead of GG???)

Monday:

Epcot -
8am Prepark opening breakfast at Akershus
Elsa/Anna Meet and Greet
Fast pass for Frozen Ever After and ??????
Rides
Late lunch at Garden Grill or eat at Sunshine Seasons or WS
Watch 5pm Candlelight Processional from outside theatre
Snack
Head to Hollywood Studios
Enjoy a little Star Wars stuff
Maybe the Star Wars dessert party if it is offered?????
Star Wars fireworks

Tuesday:

Check out

Boma breakfast or another suggestion?????? We can drive to AKL before heading home, so transportation is not an issue.

Head home!

I know that it would make sense to do a Tusker House TS dinner with special seating for evening show but I really wanted to try Garden Grill. Thoughts? My family could handle two TS in one day. Thoughts? ***Upon further review - TH is sounding more logistically practical and a better value with show seating - TBD.

Thank you in advance for your time!

BASED ON YOUR FEEDBACK AND THE FACT THAT WE SCHEDULED A SPRING BREAK TRIP, I DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO TRY AND DO IT ALL. I AM GOING TO FOCUS ON THE MOST "CHRISTMAS-Y" ACTIVITIES.

THIS IS MY REVISED SCHEDULE! THOUGHTS???

Friday:

Travel Day

MVMCP

Saturday:

11am Breakfast at Kona - out of pocket

Tour the monorail resorts

4pm - HDDR

Chip and Dale's Campfire Singalong

Sleigh Ride around Ft. Wilderness

Sunday:

Magic Kingdom - this is a party day, so good for touring

PPO Be Our Guest - out of pocket

11:30am - Liberty Tree Tavern

3pm - Parade

Head to Epcot via monorail

5:40pm - Garden Grill with Candlelight Processional Package

8:15 - Candlelight Processional

Holiday Illuminations

Monday:

PPO Akershus and then do all of the new Frozen activities

Head to Future World, rides, then head back at lunchtime to enjoy storytellers

Walk or boat to Boardwalk area for midday break and get ice cream, etc. View the trees at the Epcot resorts.

5pm-ish take monorail to MK, boat to Wilderness Lodge

6:20pm - Dinner at Artist Point, view Wilderness Lodge decorations

Head to MK for evening activities (in 2015, the parade was at 9pm and 11pm and Wishes at 10pm)

Tuesday:

9:45pm - Breakfast at Boma, view the AKL decorations

Head home!

Re: Your updated plans. Instead of midday break for icecream and the trees at the EPCOT resorts, I wouldn't want to reenter EPCOT and then walk to the front, to catch the monorail, and then another monorail, and then a boat. Just take a bus to MK from one of the resorts. You'll be able to exhaust a lot of things at EPCOT with two visits to the park, and the younger one may get burnt out on listening to the story tellers all day.

I also think BOG Breakfast, Liberty Tree Lunch, and Garden Grill dinner, is a lot of food. Drop the lunch, and just make it light in my opinion.


Re: your fast pass plans. Make sure you consider the height of the 3 year old specifically. 7Dmine train might be out of reach barely. Space Mountain certainly will be.
I have done Kali river in december and not gotten very wet, you may not be so lucky. So just prepare for that and again- height restrictions.
Good Fastpass use for EPCOT includes Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and Seas with Nemo (at least for the younger set).

Sounds like you guys will have a wonderfully fun time!

 

[Tucker24]

the barnstormer ride is a nice roller coaster for the kids too. and dumbo has a nice indoor plat area as well

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Re: Your updated plans. Instead of midday break for icecream and the trees at the EPCOT resorts, I wouldn't want to reenter EPCOT and then walk to the front, to catch the monorail, and then another monorail, and then a boat. Just take a bus to MK from one of the resorts. You'll be able to exhaust a lot of things at EPCOT with two visits to the park, and the younger one may get burnt out on listening to the story tellers all day.

I also think BOG Breakfast, Liberty Tree Lunch, and Garden Grill dinner, is a lot of food. Drop the lunch, and just make it light in my opinion.


Re: your fast pass plans. Make sure you consider the height of the 3 year old specifically. 7Dmine train might be out of reach barely. Space Mountain certainly will be.
I have done Kali river in december and not gotten very wet, you may not be so lucky. So just prepare for that and again- height restrictions.
Good Fastpass use for EPCOT includes Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, and Seas with Nemo (at least for the younger set).

Sounds like you guys will have a wonderfully fun time!

Great point about transportation! That sounds like a more efficient plan!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Be sure to Visit the following resorts so you can see the Christmas decorations:

• Grand Floridian
• Beach Club
• Boardwalk
• Wilderness Lodge (not to be missed)
• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Yacht Club
• Contemporary

Things to do only offered at Christmastime:

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
I would NOT say that this is a "not to be missed" event. For the ticket prices and limited special offerings, you are really paying for special fireworks and a Christmas parade. However, if you can afford to go, it is fun.

Huge Christmas Trees
Every park (and some of the resorts) have huge Christmas trees where you can get pictures taken in front of.

Sleigh Ride through Fort Wilderness
I have never done this, but it is popular among guests and in years past it has booked up quickly.

EPCOT
If you enjoy fairy tales, which obviously you do since you are going to Disney , they have storytellers in EPCOT throughout the countries where they share that country's custom for Christmas.

Fantastic suggestions. Thank you for all of your great advice!!!!!!!

 

[BlondeAppetit]

We went last year after Thanksgiving. My kids (3 and 6) LOVED the Epcot storytellers. We only has a chance to see 3 (possibly the best 3) and missed a little of the last one because he started early. If you only see one make sure it's Norway. The biggest disappointment of the trip for my kids was not being able to see more storytellers. We are going back same time this year. Outside of Soarin we will spend the rest of the time in the World Showcase soaking up the entertainment. Also, the holiday treats are the best. Loved the hot caramel kiss drink!

I can't wait!!!! Thanks for your advice!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Me too!!! All my life, lived North of HTFD!

I love December in WDW. The resorts are stunning, the parks decorated. I agree that if possible you should spend time in Epcot enjoying the storytellers, and try to see Illuminations. The final piece that is added on is a favorite of mine, and one I see at least once every December visit.

FW is awesome. There is a wagon ride that will take you all over the campground, It is about $8 PP and is well worth the cost. The campgrounds are decorated so the trip is fun.

I did not see any Epcot resort hopping. If you can fit that in, I would. I would take that over DS to be honest. The lobbies of each Epcot resort have displays that are incredible, and are decorated beautifully.

Southeastern CT shoreline here!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Its been several years since we have been there in December. Can anyone tell me the hours for the story tellers? I seem to remember it was from around noon to 5. Trying to make sure we see all the story tellers this trip.

Here is the schedule from last year... As someone else said, it's difficult to go in order.

http://allears.net/tp/h_epcotstorytellers.htm

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Here is the schedule from last year... As someone else said, it's difficult to go in order.

http://allears.net/tp/h_epcotstorytellers.htm

Thank you!