Need Ideas for special things to at Xmas!

[Laurafoster]

We are taking my grandparents with us in November and would like to book some special things to make the trip more memorable. There will be 6 adults in the party in total. They have been a few times but this will be the last time they go with us probably so i wanted to do a few things that they have never done!

So far i have booked MVMCP and a Dodge Charger Limo to pick us up from the airport.

I have been looking at the ICE thing at Gaylord palms hotel? Is it any good?

Does anyone have any ideas? It doesnt have to be expensive - just something fun. (Nothing like a segway though - they are in their 70's ) They have already done a firework cruise so we dont want to book that.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We are taking my grandparents with us in November and would like to book some special things to make the trip more memorable. There will be 6 adults in the party in total. They have been a few times but this will be the last time they go with us probably so i wanted to do a few things that they have never done!

So far i have booked MVMCP and a Dodge Charger Limo to pick us up from the airport.

I have been looking at the ICE thing at Gaylord palms hotel? Is it any good?

Does anyone have any ideas? It doesnt have to be expensive - just something fun. (Nothing like a segway though - they are in their 70's ) They have already done a firework cruise so we dont want to book that.

Certanly the ICE at Gaylord is great, cold, but great (Take spare batteries for your camera/camcorder as the cold makes then discharge quicker) The restaraunts there are also themed and worth a visit

Celebration has its Christmas shows with "real" snow, thats good.

Osbourne Christmas lights at Disney MGM

Universals Macys thanksgiving parade, its OK, not spectacular

Grinch Chistmas village at US, my little un like this

 

[wicket2005]

Just visiting each of the parks is special at Christmas time with all their Christmas decorations. We especially liked seeing the Osbourne Lights at HS, seeing the castle at MK covered in crystals, the Macy's Parade at Universal and the Grinch Show. Also Epcot have a Candlelight choir procession and the telling of the Christmas story but not sure if that will be on when you are there.

 

[karriemouse]

Highly recommend the Candlelight Processional - we loved it. The countries around World Showcase have Christmas shows and activities too.

We also enjoyed Ice and spent a while exploring Gaylord Palms afterwards, they also had holiday shows and the Gnome hunt which DDs enjoyed.

Taking the monorail around the resorts is fun - the resorts are beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Osbourne lights are a must see for us also.

 

[aaronandterri]

does anyone know when the ice tickets go on sale ? ive looked but theres no 2009 dates yet

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

does anyone know when the ice tickets go on sale ? ive looked but theres no 2009 dates yet

August

http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/lp/ice/index.html

 

[tony64]

there is a yule tide tour which goes round the resort xmas trees, We've not been on it but you may want to have a look at it.

We are going 21st Nov send us a PM if you fancy a mini meet.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi Laura

You can book a sleigh ride at WL - that might be nice.

We have also had a horse & carriage ride round Celebration.

One Christmas day we booked our meal at the CG & saw the fireworks at MK between courses - that was really nice. Also on Christmas Eve we went to Sea World and watched the Shamu show at night - that was really good as they had added some Christmas songs to it - and it got us feeling all 'Christmassy'!

We never found the time to go - but near Clearwater there are some Botanical gardens that are all lit up at night - that looked really nice and could be twinned with a visit to the beach one day.

Something we also enjoy (sorry to go on) is the small boat ride round the lakes at Winter Garden when you get to see how the other half live! The Amtrak came through when we were there & the kids were throwing quarters onto the track for the train to run over.

Hope you find some memorable things for your family.

 

[Pinky166]

We went in December for the first time & along with all the obvious must do's - MVMCP, Osborne lights etc we enjoyed touring the Deluxe resorts as they have such lovely decorations.

They do a carriage ride at Wilderness Lodge, the carriage is done up like santas sleigh.

We did ICE on our last day - it was great, I have a few photos in my trip report if you want to have a look. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2078808

It is a fab time to go, all the decorations are so pretty.

 

[wayneg]

Can't think of much to add to whats been said so far.
We have been 5 Xmas' now, last trip decided its not worth the hassle doing rides lots of rides, just do fast pass where available, go into the parks but enjoy for the atmosphere and decs. This time also spent a lot of time going around the resorts, Gingerbread house at GF is great, also Gingerbread carousel at Beach club.
Pics of last Xmas here(4 pages) http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/Xmas 08/
Xmas at Celebration here http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/Xmas Celebration/

 

[Ware Bears]

Lovely photos Wayne.

at the standby time for Soarin' ~ I can't believe anyone would wait 280 minutes for a ride.

 

[wayneg]

Lovely photos Wayne.

at the standby time for Soarin' ~ I can't believe anyone would wait 280 minutes for a ride.

Thank you Elaine.
We heard the line exceeded 6 hours just after lunch, I have a 20 min limit usually but increase it to 30 mins at Xmas or Easter, no ride in the world is worth more than 30 mins to me. Xmas is a fantastic time to visit but only if you go relaxed and go with the flow. There are way too many stressed people around at that time of year.

 

[Ware Bears]

We heard the line exceeded 6 hours just after lunch

Xmas is a fantastic time to visit but only if you go relaxed and go with the flow. There are way too many stressed people around at that time of year.

Luckily we're not too fussed about rides ~ we're going to try to do those during our first few days, hopefully before the crowds arrive.

We're really there for the decorations and the atmosphere.

Claire, loved your Ice photos.

 

[Laurafoster]

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

I am definately going to book ICE when the tickets are available and we are going to go to celebration for a visit aswell now. We were already going to Universal but will now plan it to see the things obi mentioned!

We are going on the 28th November and fly back on the 12th December so will hopefully miss most of the crowds but still get all the decs and festive things.

And we will celebrate our wedding anniversary out there this time too! We got married at the Yacht Club so that will be special also.

 

[Laurafoster]

there is a yule tide tour which goes round the resort xmas trees, We've not been on it but you may want to have a look at it.

We are going 21st Nov send us a PM if you fancy a mini meet.

A mini Meet sounds grea! I'll check with the others and send you a PM

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

See you at the airports Laura!

 

[liam1957]

what date are you going 1259218784.jpg

 

[Laurafoster]

We fly out on the 28th November and fly home on the 12th December

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We fly out on the 28th November and fly home on the 12th December

Us too!

any more peeps?

 

[Tony Toon]

Wayneg - loved your photos. We're also planning our Christmas visit and are very interested to see all your ideas. Most of what has been posted is what we had in mind so all the pics are really whetting the appetite. I completely agree with wait times - will not wait any longer that 20 minutes either - and as we won't have any teenagers in tow for the first time there won't be any pressure to do any rides at all. We are going to just enjoy Disney's Festive atmosphere, the parks and hotel decorations etc. and are really looking forward to the Candlelight Processional. DD is starting her year at Epcot next month and had hoped that she might be able to take part in the choir (she is a music student) but it appears that she will be too late as rehearsals have already begun she has learned.