My Christmas/New Years Trip Schedule. Tips Appreciated.

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Hi everyone! I am traveling to Walt Disney World for the first time over Christmas-New Years. I have been to Walt Disney World many times, so I know how to plan for a normal day usually. I just don't know if my plan below is going to be a good one considering the crowds that are usually at Disney Theme Parks this time of year (I used to live near Disneyland). A couple of notes about my decisions below. My Dad and I added a Disney Cruise on the Magic before this trip that leaves out of Miami and we had to add an extra day to our WDW vacation to accommodate for that. We are also "show" people, so we like to use our fastpasses for certain shows. We also don't mind waiting 2+ hours for a spot for parades/fireworks/shows. That is what I based my schedule around, so the fastpasses might be early in the morning or spread out, because they are the only fastpasses I really plan on using that day. Thanks in advance for any tips that you might recommend.

Dec. 23rd: Hollywood Studios/Disney Springs

· Check-in at All-Star Sports
· Bus to Hollywood Studios.
· FASTPASS: Star Tours – 5:10 p.m.-6:10 p.m.
· Dinner: Pizza Rizzo (can change)
· FASTPASS: Tower of Terror – 6:25 p.m.-7:25 p.m.
· FASTPASS: Fantasmic – 7:25 p.m.-7:45 p.m. (Show starts at 8)
· Bus to Disney Springs

Dec. 24th: Animal Kingdom – opens at 8 a.m. (EMH from 8 a.m.-9 a.m.)/Magic Kingdom – closes at 11 p.m.

· Bus to Animal Kingdom
· Show: Festival of the Lion King – 10 a.m.
· Check out of All-Star Sports
· Taxi to Polynesian Resort
· Check in at the Polynesian Resort.
· Lunch: Capt. Cook’s at Polynesian
· Monorail to Magic Kingdom
· FASTPASS: Splash Mountain – 2:05 p.m.-3:05 p.m.
· Show: Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – 3:30 p.m????? (If I magically get a later time for Ohana)
· Monorail to Polynesian
· Dinner: Ohana: 4:00 p.m.
· Monorail to Magic Kingdom
· Show: Frozen Holiday Wish – 6:30 p.m.
· FASTPASS: Big Thunder Railroad – 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m.
· FASTPASS: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 7:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
· Get a spot for the fireworks.
· Show: Once Upon A Time – Time TBA
· Show: Holiday Wishes – 9:00 p.m.

Dec. 25th: EPCOT – opens at 9 a.m./closes at 10;30 p.m.

· FASTPASS: Spaceship Earth – 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
· FASTPASS: Mission Space – 10:25 a.m.-11:25 a.m
· FASTPASS: Test Track – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
· Lunch: (can change)
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 1:15 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 2:00 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 2:45 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 3:30 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 4:15 p.m.
· Dinner: Via Napoli: 5:00 p.m. (8:15 Candlelight Processional show)
· Show: Candlelight Processional – 8:15 p.m. (Jodi Benson narrating)
· Show: Illuminations – 10:30 p.m.

Dec. 26th: Hollywood Studios – opens at 9 a.m./Animal Kingdom – closes at 8 p.m.

· Bus to Hollywood Studios
· FASTPASS: Tower of Terror – 9:55 a.m.-10:55 a.m.
· FASTPASS: Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster – 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
· Lunch: Backlot Express (can change)
· FASTPASS: Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular – 12:45 p.m.-1:05 p.m. (Show starts at 1:15 p.m.)
· Bus to Animal Kingdom
· Show: Festival of the Lion King – 4 p.m.
· Dinner: Tiffins: 5:00 p.m.
· Show: Rivers of Light (if open by then).
· Bus to Polynesian

· Bus to Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower.
· Top of the World Lounge? – if Rivers of Light is not showing
· Holiday Wishes – 9:00 p.m? – if Rivers of Light is not showing

Dec. 27th: Magic Kingdom – opens at 8 a.m. (EMH – 8 a.m.-9 a.m.)/Hollywood Studios/EPCOT – closes at 12:30 a.m. (EMH – 10:30 p.m-12:30 a.m.)

· Monorail to Magic Kingdom
· FASTPASS: Jungle Cruise – 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
· FASTPASS: Big Thunder Railroad – 10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
· FASTPASS: Space Mountain – 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
· Lunch: Casey’s Corner
· Get a spot for the parade.
· Show: Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – 3:30 p.m (Main Street)
· Bus to Boardwalk Resort.
· Dinner: Flying Fish: 5:00 p.m.
· Boat to Hollywood Studios.
· Show: Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – 9 p.m.
· Boat to EPCOT.
· Show: Illuminations – 10:30 p.m.

Dec. 28th: Magic Kingdom – opens at 8 a.m. (EMH – 8 a.m.-9 a.m.) and closes at 11 p.m.

· Monorail to Magic Kingdom
· FASTPASS: Haunted Mansion – 11:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
· Lunch: Columbia Harbour House
· FASTPASS: Big Thunder Railroad – 12:35 p.m.-1:35 p.m.
· Get a spot for the parade.
· Show: Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – 3:30 p.m (By Castle)
· Hall of Presidents
· FASTPASS: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 4:10 p.m.-5:10 p.m.
· Dinner: Be Our Guest: 5:50 p.m.
· Top of the World Lounge – Go there at 7:30 p.m. or after dinner.
· Holiday Wishes – 9:00 p.m.

Dec. 29th: Animal Kingdom – opens at 9 a.m./EPCOT – closes at 10:30 p.m.

· Bus to Animal Kingdom
· FASTPASS: Dinosaur – 9:25 a.m.-10:25 a.m.
· FASTPASS: Festival of the Lion King – 10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. (Show starts at 11 a.m.)
· FASTPASS: Expedition Everest – 11:35 a.m.-12:35 p.m.
· Lunch: Nomad Lounge
· Bus to EPCOT
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 2:00 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 2:45 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 3:30 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 4:15 p.m.
· Dinner: Rose and Crown: 5:00 p.m. (8:15 Candlelight Processional show)
· American Adventure – 6:45 p.m.
· Get in line for the Candlelight Processional
· Show: Candlelight Processional – 8:15 p.m.
· O Canada
· Show: Illuminations – 10:30 p.m.

Dec. 30th: Magic Kingdom – opens at 8 a.m. (EMH – 8 a.m.-9 a.m.) and closes at 2 a.m. (EMH – 12 a.m. – 2 a.m.)

· Monorail to Magic Kingdom
· FASTPASS: Peter Pan’s Flight – 10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
· Lunch: Columbia Harbour House
· FASTPASS: Splash Mountain – 12:10 p.m.-1:10 p.m.
· FASTPASS: Big Thunder Railroad – 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
· Get a spot for the parade.
· Show: Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – 3:30 p.m. (Frontierland)
· Hall of Presidents, Mickey’s Philharmagic, People Mover
· Show: Frozen Holiday Wish – 6:30 p.m.
· Dinner: Casey’s Corner (can change)
· Get a spot for the fireworks.
· Show: Holiday Wishes – 7:30 p.m.
· Show: Once Upon A Time – Time TBA
· Show: New Years Eve Fireworks – Time TBA

Dec. 31st: EPCOT – opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m.

· Monorail to EPCOT
· FASTPASS: Spaceship Earth – 9:05 a.m.-10:05 a.m.
· FASTPASS: Living with the Land – 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
· Lunch: Teppan Edo: 11:00 a.m.
· FASTPASS: Frozen Ever After – 12:35 p.m.-1:35 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 2:00 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 2:45 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 3:30 p.m.
· Show: Voices of Liberty – 4:15 p.m.
· Dinner: Lotus Blossum Café (Can change)
· Get a spot for Illuminations (both shows).
· Illuminations – 6 p.m.
· Illuminations New Years Eve Fireworks – Time TBA?

 

[Boopuff]

Looks like a well thought out plan of attack! We traveled the same time frame a few years ago. Just a footnote: be prepared for HUGE crowds at EPCOT on New Year's eve. Plan your spot for Illuminations EARLY! Good luck!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My only advice is to perhaps checkout of all stars before you head to AK on Dec. 24. I would give Bell Services your bags and ask them to transfer them to Poly. That way you can simply go from AK to Poly without going back to all stars.

I really don't think you will be able to watch the MK parade and make it to Flying Fish on time. Along with the crowds comes a lot of traffic. We stayed at BWV at Christmas last year and it took twice the time to get from the resort to MK than it normally does.

I would check to see if there were closures in MK on Christmas Eve last year. You may not be able to get in in the afternoon or leave to go to O'hana and go back.

 

[Disneylover99]

Your plans look great! I see you enjoy the Voices of Liberty. Have fun! We're going to try and catch a show on New Years Eve as well.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Thanks everyone for your quick comments!

My only advice is to perhaps checkout of all stars before you head to AK on Dec. 24. I would give Bell Services your bags and ask them to transfer them to Poly. That way you can simply go from AK to Poly without going back to all stars.

I only have it that way if my Dad doesn't want to go to AK with me. He usually likes to sleep in a little bit. it will probably happen how you said though. I never knew Bell Services transfers luggage. Do they really do that? Would we still have to check-in at Poly?

Your plans look great! I see you enjoy the Voices of Liberty. Have fun! We're going to try and catch a show on New Years Eve as well.

I am a huge fan of the Voices of Liberty! I have never heard their Christmas sets before. I'll just sit in the American Adventure for hours and listen to every performance. I'm a musician/singer, so they really appeal to me. If you go in during one of the times above, you will most likely see me!

be prepared for HUGE crowds at EPCOT on New Year's eve. Plan your spot for Illuminations EARLY! Good luck!

I plan on staying in the same spot that we get for the first show for the midnight show as well. Do you know when the midnight show typically begins? Would it be around 11:45 p.m? Disney still hasn't put it on their website to my knowledge.

 

[MrsIncredibleNY]

I love that you're seeing Holiday Wishes 4 times. I wish my kids weren't so little. I'll be there that week too so I will be reading everyone's thoughts!

 

[soniam]

12/30: MK NYE Fireworks @ 11:48pm
12/31: Epcot NYE Illuminations @ midnight

I noticed you are staying put on 12/30 & 12/31, which is a good idea. I am a little concerned about all of the traveling between parks and hotels for meals on some of the other days. This will be our first visit during this time, but I suspect there just won't be any days that are less than 10.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I love that you're seeing Holiday Wishes 4 times. I wish my kids weren't so little. I'll be there that week too so I will be reading everyone's thoughts!

Yeah. I'm excited to see it. We're DVC members so two nights we are going to see it from the MK. The other two nights we are going to go to the Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower to see the 180 degree fireworks in action! I hope you have a great vacation!

12/30: MK NYE Fireworks @ 11:48pm
12/31: Epcot NYE Illuminations @ midnight

I noticed you are staying put on 12/30 & 12/31, which is a good idea. I am a little concerned about all of the traveling between parks and hotels for meals on some of the other days. This will be our first visit during this time, but I suspect there just won't be any days that are less than 10.

The only thing that really worries me is Christmas Eve, but I'm prepared to do other things if the park closes to capacity. Everyone I have seen has said the MK hasn't closed to capacity since New Fantasyland has opened, so I'm still hopeful. I'm also prepared to change my plans. When I go to Flying Fish (which is now my favorite restaurant on Disney property), I could easily skip the parade if I feel like it will take me longer than an hour to get to the Boardwalk.