Last minute (kind of) December plan - Help pls !!!

[abiksr]

Well, we decided to buy Annual pass and go on a last minute December (2025) trip. Of course most of my favorite resorts are booked. I ended up with the following.

Dolphin - Dec 17-20
BLT - Dec 20-27

This will be our (2 Adults and 2 girls (3,7 yrs)) first December trip. I booked Very Merry Christmas party. What else should I plan? What park or resort are must visit during Christmas. Trying to watch many videos to prepare but not getting some clear direction. We usually travel in summer and might not go back another December. So, don’t want to miss any must do’s. I appreciate any tips and tricks.

Thanks in advance !!!

 

[Disneylover99]

It looks like you’ve got the best of both worlds!

I’d concentrate on visiting the Epcot resorts when you’re at Swan and Dolphin.
You’ll have easy access to HS and Epcot, so that is amazing!
Epcot is our favourite park in December. We love the International festival of the holidays. The holiday storytellers are awesome and really get you into a festive mood.

Once you get to BLT, visit the resorts on the monorail. Also check out Wilderness Lodge. We’ve eaten dinner here on Christmas Day in the past. It just feels so Christmasy. Love it! So choose where you want to be Christmas Day and book an ADR as soon as you are able.

 

[abiksr]

It looks like you’ve got the best of both worlds!

I’d concentrate on visiting the Epcot resorts when you’re at Swan and Dolphin.
You’ll have easy access to HS and Epcot, so that is amazing!
Epcot is our favourite park in December. We love the International festival of the holidays. The holiday storytellers are awesome and really get you into a festive mood.

Once you get to BLT, visit the resorts on the monorail. Also check out Wilderness Lodge. We’ve eaten dinner here on Christmas Day in the past. It just feels so Christmasy. Love it! So choose where you want to be Christmas Day and book an ADR as soon as you are able.

Thank you!!! we have never visited Wilderness Lodge and will plan to visit it this time. Would Christmas Eve and Christmas be better in Magic Kingdom or EPCOT ? Or is it better to resort hop on Christmas day?

 

[Disneylover99]

Thank you!!! we have never visited Wilderness Lodge and will plan to visit it this time. Would Christmas Eve and Christmas be better in Magic Kingdom or EPCOT ? Or is it better to resort hop on Christmas day?

I always say I want to shake things up and do something different, but we always do Christmas Eve at Epcot and dine at the Biergarten. And we do MK on Christmas Day. Typically we go super early in the morning, and head back to our resort late morning to open stockings, swim and go for a nice lunch or dinner somewhere before heading back to MK at night for fireworks. We are creatures of habit. lol.

I don’t think there is a right or wrong. Just do what you think you’ll enjoy.
I think it would be fun to just resort hop on Christmas Eve or day.

 

[abiksr]

I always say I want to shake things up and do something different, but we always do Christmas Eve at Epcot and dine at the Biergarten. And we do MK on Christmas Day. Typically we go super early in the morning, and head back to our resort late morning to open stockings, swim and go for a nice lunch or dinner somewhere before heading back to MK at night for fireworks. We are creatures of habit. lol.

I don’t think there is a right or wrong. Just do what you think you’ll enjoy.
I think it would be fun to just resort hop on Christmas Eve or day.

That sounds super fun !!! Thank you again for your insights.

 

[Fangorn]

Seriously consider the Candlelight Processional in Epcot. Strongly suggest you do a Dinner package for this so you'll get a seat.

Steve

 

[abiksr]

Seriously consider the Candlelight Processional in Epcot. Strongly suggest you do a Dinner package for this so you'll get a seat.

Steve

Thank you. Added it to my list for this year.

Planning to do these:
1. Very Merry Christmas Party - Ticket booked.
2. Candlelight Processional - Will book the package when it becomes available.

On the fence:
1. Jollywood night - With two kids, don't think we will enjoy this event that seems to be better for adults.
2. Fireworks Dessert party at Magic Kingdom - we did it last time in summer and was not super impressed. Not sure it would be much better during holiday (don't have to fight with huge crowd for fireworks spot).

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Obviously only do Epcot and Hollywood studios when staying at dolphin cause of proximity and then MK when at blt plus Epcot is fun to get too also. You will notice a difference once all lower passes are blacked out also

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Also this isn’t last minute at all. The 60 day dinning window hasn’t even opened and it’s still half a school year away.

 

[Marthasor]

I would consider booking Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Ft. W with a horse carriage ride afterward to see the Fort holiday decorations. You can take a boat from the CR/BLT boat dock to the Fort. I would definitely do a monorail tour of the resorts and visit WL as well. When you are staying at the Dolphin, make sure to check out the lobbies at YC, BC and BWI. If you are at BLT on Christmas, it would be most convenient to go to MK. If you would rather avoid the crowds, perhaps do a monorail resort tour with WL and Ft. W added on - perhaps make Hoop Dee Doo your Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner and spend some time at the Fort if you want to avoid the parks.

 

[abiksr]

Also this isn’t last minute at all. The 60 day dinning window hasn’t even opened and it’s still half a school year away.

Very true !! The only thing i missed out was booking resort at 11 month mark. I wished I was able to stay in BWV instead of dolphin.

 

[abiksr]

I would consider booking Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Ft. W with a horse carriage ride afterward to see the Fort holiday decorations. You can take a boat from the CR/BLT boat dock to the Fort. I would definitely do a monorail tour of the resorts and visit WL as well. When you are staying at the Dolphin, make sure to check out the lobbies at YC, BC and BWI. If you are at BLT on Christmas, it would be most convenient to go to MK. If you would rather avoid the crowds, perhaps do a monorail resort tour with WL and Ft. W added on - perhaps make Hoop Dee Doo your Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner and spend some time at the Fort if you want to avoid the parks.

Thank you. Need to check out Hoop Dee Doo. Heard WL lobby is amazing too.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Thank you. Need to check out Hoop Dee Doo. Heard WL lobby is amazing too.

You heard correctly. Boat starts running after 3pm just fyi. Make sure you take them pony riding also if you go there

 

[Marthasor]

You heard correctly. Boat starts running after 3pm just fyi. Make sure you take them pony riding also if you go there

Yes! OP, there is so much to do at the Fort even if you aren't staying there - pony rides, gem mining, canoe/kayak rentals, Chip n Dale's sing along. You can really make a half or whole day of it.