Need help - Christmas week events/shows

[ToddnLiz]

We will be at WDW from 23-30 December (first December trip there) and I was wondering - what are the must/should see events during that week (shows/parades/fireworks/etc.) that we should plan around? The only thing I've heard about so far is the Processional. I'll soon be making dining reservations and wouldn't want to have a dinner reservation at the Animal Kingdom Lodge during a night/time when there is a must see event at MK/Epcot/etc. Please include events anywhere at WDW (meaning also at resorts, Down Town Disney, etc.). Also, I'm currently planning to only make reservations for Dinner, but should I also consider making them for some of the lunch time meals as well?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We will be at WDW from 23-30 December....I'm currently planning to only make reservations for Dinner, but should I also consider making them for some of the lunch time meals as well?

Yes, if you enjoy a sit down meal for lunch, you will need to. We have been there three of the last four years during the time you are going and it is very crowded. To enjoy it, we have always make some lunch and all dinner reservations. This is especially important on Christmas Day and Eve.

HBC

 

[MinnieFan]

These are some things which I would highly recommend during your stay:

Magic Kingdom - the Christmas parade, it is very different from the regular parade. Last year it ran 2x a day in the afternoon (I believe it was at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m.) between Christmas and Dec. 31st. The regular parade was back on January 1st.

MGM - the Osborne lights are not to be missed. I believe that this started at 6:00 p.m. each night. We skipped lunch, had an early dinner (around 4:30 or 4:45), then went over to see the Osborne lights and after that, Fantasmic.

Epcot - the tree lighting/Lights of Winter, which I believe is at 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. You already know about the Candlelight Processional, which is great and highly recommended. During the day, you should try to see the storytellers in the various countries. They appear several times a day. You can get a schedule at guest services when you enter the park. DS and DD really enjoyed them.

We did not want to take the time out during the middle of the day for table service lunches. We typically have an early breakfast and a table service dinner. In between, if the kids are hungry, we will just grab a hot dog or something from one of the counter service places. However, if your family would like to have a TS lunch, ADRs during that week are a must.

One more thing - if you are DVC members and have children, you should try the Merry Mixer - they have cookies and cider, and several characters for the kids. (My DD had fun dancing with Goofy and the Reindeer from the MK Christmas parade.) We also saw Minnie and Mickey together in their holiday outfits - adorable!

Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

[ToddnLiz]

Thanks HBC and MinnieFan - this is exactly what I need to know about! Lunch ADRs it it! Hopefully others will add more events.