Need help for planning Dec dates...

[KATIESMOMMY]

I thought we had our trip all planned out and all and now DH is rethinking the whole plan--(EEEKKKKKKKKK)
Ok here is our problem--originally the trip was supposed to be Dec 25-Jan 2, after reading these boards I convinced DH to see if he could possibly take his Christmas break the week prior. Well there evidently was enough pixie dust floating around that his work agreed .OK--so we now can leave anytime after Dec 16 but must be back sometime on Dec 26 so he can go back to work the 27th. My question is this--we want to take advantage of value season so checkin before Dec 19 and am concerned with what air travel will be like returning, but he is really concerned with the Christmas crowds. I was thinking maybe arriving Dec 18 ( I really want to take DD to the Christmas MVMCP) and leaving on the 26th, but have maybe thought about leaving maybe on Christmas day itself wont be so bad travelwise. Any suggestions?? Anyone been there the week prior? And when do you think all they Christmas people will start to arrive? Thanks everyone! Dh and I have agreed to read over the replies from this and decide from that--(will get him
hooked to Dis yet! lol)
Btw it will be DH 42 myself 37 and DD who will be 2o months then. Other family members may also be going but nothing concrete yet--

 

[mareed]

I was at WDW in 2004 from Dec. 16 - 31, and I'll try to answer some of your questions. We had some of our group staying for a shorter time, and they flew home on Dec. 26 and were able to get a good flight at a good price. We did check into having them fly home Dec. 25 and I think there were fewer flights available that day, but they were also at a good price because I think most people don't want to fly that day. We wanted them to stay with us through XMAS, so returning home the day after worked best for us. Our flights were with Southwest.

Regarding crowds... It was definitely more crowded the 2nd week than the 1st. But don't expect really low crowds the first week - just lower than the peak XMAS to New Years week. We heard of MK closing many days during the 2nd week, but don't think we encountered this at all the first week. I think you're definitely making a wise decision in switching to the week before XMAS.

About the MVMCP... I believe all of the MVMCP events will be running during regular park times the week you're there, so I don't think attending MVMCP would be a priority. Also, the XMAS parade and other shows will be during the day rather than later at night which I'd think would be better with a small child. We had AP's so even though we could have attended the last MVMCP in 2004 we didn't because it would have cost us extra versus seeing it for "free" during regular park hours.

I was leading a group of 12, most of whom were with us from Dec. 19 - 29, and I will say I had fairly detailed plans in place which allowed us to avoid the worst of the crowds. I highly recommend TourGuideMike for the busy XMAS weeks as I did find useful information there that helped with my planning. You can search the boards here for more information about TourGuideMike. Definitely make PS for meals during this week.

Perhaps most importantly of all - we did enjoy our trip! While it was busy, we said that we would definitely go back again at XMAS time because we enjoyed the special decorations and shows, and with children in school, we're limited to school holiday and can't go in early Dec.

That brings up another point... Since you're not tied to school schedules, could you possibly go earlier in Dec? May not be an option with DH's work, but you could then attend MVMCP to see the special XMAS parade/shows and enjoy the XMAS decorations, but with much lower crowds.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions. We go back next Wednesday! We love it!

 

[gurleym]

my suggestion as far as airfare goes just keep checking the fares you have 9 months before you go. that is what we are doing, going Dec. 10th-18th. also don't forget about frequent flier miles if you travel with work some hotels also offer them for staying with them. My husband travels with work and it will probably save us from paying for 1 ticket. Also plan a budget you will find lots of ways to save when you know it is for a WDW trip.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Bump

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

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Regarding crowds... It was definitely more crowded the 2nd week than the 1st. But don't expect really low crowds the first week - just lower than the peak XMAS to New Years week. We heard of MK closing many days during the 2nd week, but don't think we encountered this at all the first week. I think you're definitely making a wise decision in switching to the week before XMAS.

About the MVMCP... I believe all of the MVMCP events will be running during regular park times the week you're there, so I don't think attending MVMCP would be a priority. Also, the XMAS parade and other shows will be during the day rather than later at night which I'd think would be better with a small child. We had AP's so even though we could have attended the last MVMCP in 2004 we didn't because it would have cost us extra versus seeing it for "free" during regular park hours.

I was leading a group of 12, most of whom were with us from Dec. 19 - 29, and I will say I had fairly detailed plans in place which allowed us to avoid the worst of the crowds. I highly recommend TourGuideMike for the busy XMAS weeks as I did find useful information there that helped with my planning. You can search the boards here for more information about TourGuideMike. Definitely make PS for meals during this week.

Perhaps most importantly of all - we did enjoy our trip! While it was busy, we said that we would definitely go back again at XMAS time because we enjoyed the special decorations and shows, and with children in school, we're limited to school holiday and can't go in early Dec.

That brings up another point... Since you're not tied to school schedules, could you possibly go earlier in Dec? May not be an option with DH's work, but you could then attend MVMCP to see the special XMAS parade/shows and enjoy the XMAS decorations, but with much lower crowds.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions. We go back next Wednesday! We love it!

Thanks for the reply. Changing dates is impossible- we were lucky to get the week prior versus week after- DH is a trcuk driver that delivers to companies that manufacture mobile homes and they are shut down the week of Christmas so that is usually when company allows it- or the week of July 4th.
So you are saying that MVMCP is just going to be a repeat of what is normally done for the holidays>? I thought it was supposed to be differnt
We were hoping it would be a little less crowded the week prior-am still holding hope. Thanks for the great info!

gurleym my suggestion as far as airfare goes just keep checking the fares you have 9 months before you go. that is what we are doing, going Dec. 10th-18th. also don't forget about frequent flier miles if you travel with work some hotels also offer them for staying with them. My husband travels with work and it will probably save us from paying for 1 ticket. Also plan a budget you will find lots of ways to save when you know it is for a WDW trip.

Neither of us have ever flown (hard to believe isnt it>?) so we dont have any FF miles. But we definately have been budgeting--maybe a little too much? LOL thanks for the reply!

 

[mareed]

So you are saying that MVMCP is just going to be a repeat of what is normally done for the holidays>? I thought it was supposed to be differnt
We were hoping it would be a little less crowded the week prior-am still holding hope. Thanks for the great info!

Yes, I'd say 90% of what's at the MVMCP is what is shown during regular park hours the 2 weeks of XMAS. The 10% is the "free" cookies & cocoa, and "complimentary" photographs. Just buy your own treat and get a picture done, and I think you can duplicate MVMCP without spending the extra money. I believe the XMAS parade is shown at 8:15 & 10:40 for MVMCP as opposed to early afternoon during XMAS weeks. The XMAS show at the castle, Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas, and Belle's Enchanted Storytelling is also shown during regular park hours.

If you're going to be there from just after Thanksgiving to around Dec. 17, then the only way to see the special XMAS shows is to attend MVMCP. If you're there after Dec. 17, you'll see it all during regular park hours.

I've not actually been to MVMCP, so my info is base on what I've read. Perhaps someone who has been will have a different perspective on it.

And yes, it will be a little less crowded the week before XMAS compared to the week between XMAS & New Years, so I think you've definitely done a great thing in switching the timing of your trip.

Have fun!