Need some Disboards reassurance!

[daisybeetlebug]

Hello! We are going for our surprise Christmas birthday trip in 9 days!! We have been really looking foward to it and secretly buying thermals etc etc behind the kids backs! We have been to DLP many times before but never at Christmas so were really looking forward to capturing the Christmas markets and atmosphere etc.
However reading posts about the Park being at full capacity and being packed out has me slightly worries now-we knew it would be busy -we have done DLP in bastille day crowds so can cope with busy and we are not worried about doing loads of rides but just worried now that its not going to be an enjoyable experience for the kids.
Anyone who was there from 20th onwards last year have any happy stories to tell!!

 

[britchic4]

Hello! We are going for our surprise Christmas birthday trip in 9 days!! We have been really looking foward to it and secretly buying thermals etc etc behind the kids backs! We have been to DLP many times before but never at Christmas so were really looking forward to capturing the Christmas markets and atmosphere etc.
However reading posts about the Park being at full capacity and being packed out has me slightly worries now-we knew it would be busy -we have done DLP in bastille day crowds so can cope with busy and we are not worried about doing loads of rides but just worried now that its not going to be an enjoyable experience for the kids.
Anyone who was there from 20th onwards last year have any happy stories to tell!!

We're going on the same day but have never been at Christmas before - hoping it isn't too horribly packed but determined to enjoy it and make the most of EMH. I think early nights and early mornings might avoid the worst of the queues.

 

[daisybeetlebug]

We know it will be packed on the 20th when we arrive but like you we plan to make most of EMH.
When we have been before in summer Just before park closing time has been great for getting on fantasy land and discovery land rides as walk ons-but thing it may be a bit cold for the little ones to do that this time.

Main things we want to do are, see santa , mickeys winterwonderland show,see the snow on main street and xmas markets etc.
Will just have to do as much as we can early and make sure we preset Goofy for a wake up call!!

 

[britchic4]

Those are the main things we want to do too along with Auberge (unfortunately I don't think my daughter could bear to go to DLRP without going here!) which is booked for Saturday evening, Steakhouse brunch, and main rides Buzz, POTC and Thunder Mountain. Sure we can manage those at least, and spend a bit more time exploring Adventureland and the area around Woody's Roundup which has changed a bit since the children were there in May. Also it may seem like nothing but the Pocahontas play area is open this time and was closed the whole week we were there in May so that will kill the odd half hour!

 

[Demonica]

Hello! We are going for our surprise Christmas birthday trip in 9 days!! We have been really looking foward to it and secretly buying thermals etc etc behind the kids backs! We have been to DLP many times before but never at Christmas so were really looking forward to capturing the Christmas markets and atmosphere etc.
However reading posts about the Park being at full capacity and being packed out has me slightly worries now-we knew it would be busy -we have done DLP in bastille day crowds so can cope with busy and we are not worried about doing loads of rides but just worried now that its not going to be an enjoyable experience for the kids.
Anyone who was there from 20th onwards last year have any happy stories to tell!!

Hi

Don't know if I was one of the posts you'd read, I did say in it I was glad we didn't have the kids with us! The friday we arrived was very calm, we got on quite a few rides but the weekend was manic.

My tips would to use those EMH if you're staying at a Disney hotel, you can always return for a late breakfast if you dont like eating breakfast early. Eat at odd times. We had lunch around 11am, by midday everywhere was packed and all tables taken. Brace yourself for big queues and use fastpass where you can. If you don't want to watch the parade everyday then its a good time to go on rides as queues are shorter. If you want to watch the parades get yourself some hot drinks and settle into a good spot early.

Hope that helps a bit and that it isn't as busy as it was for us last month x

 

[hildasmuriel]

I went on 20th December last year for 4 days......and I'm going again this year, so that should tell you that it is bearable. We went with the attitude that we probably wouldn't get on many rides, but that we wanted to soak up the Christmassy atmosphere (or go 'atmosphere sucking' as my dtr called it!). Actually we got on lots and lots of stuff and even the Saturday was okay - even though it was the opening day of TOT.
The Sunday was swamped, I must admit, but we just watched the shows and took our time having a character meal and still managed to enjoy it.

Hope to see you there!

 

[dooledoo]

We went on the 24th December last year and left on 28th. Xmas eve was alright, busy but not manic. The parade in the evening was packed but we saw it okay. Xmas Day was very pleasant.

As suggested, make use of the EMH but just be aware that not too many things are open so the 2 hours of EMH might be a time to do rides first and then have breakfast once you have done them. Boxing day onwards just got busier and busier. By lunchtime you are wasting your time trying to do anything or eat anywhere, unless you eat early. We tend to have breakfast as early as we can and then we are ready for lunch at 11.30. We spent the afternoons either going for a swim or shopping at nearby La Vallee and then coming back in the evenings to the parks which are lovely as everything is lit up and christmassy

We are going again this year on the 22nd so it can't have been too bad

 

[gcmcmsa]

We know it will be packed on the 20th when we arrive but like you we plan to make most of EMH.
When we have been before in summer Just before park closing time has been great for getting on fantasy land and discovery land rides as walk ons-but thing it may be a bit cold for the little ones to do that this time.

Main things we want to do are, see santa , mickeys winterwonderland show,see the snow on main street and xmas markets etc.
Will just have to do as much as we can early and make sure we preset Goofy for a wake up call!!

We are just back and when Frontierland opened at 10 (we had been in for the EMH) there was a stampede (no lie) for the gate. They nearly knoced the woman down who was removing the rope. Adults dragging kids and other adults, all running to what I thought was to see Santa. We stood back & I just said to DD that we would walk and that I wasn't going to be knocked down or knock someone down just to be 1st in the queue.

When we arrived at Santa we were about 4th in the queue , yeah, the running and stampeding was for Thunder Mountain, not Santa. (when I saw the kids being dragged, I presumed it was for Santa) So if you go to the the entrance of Frontierland (stand to the side) for 10am, pick up a fast pass for BTM as you pass, go straight to see Santa, if you're out quickly enough, go ride BTM with your Fast Pass & you will make the first show of Mickeys Winter Wonderland (excellent by the way) at 11 as it's right next to it. Grab a hot choc while you are waiting as it's coooooooooold.

 

[mummyal]

We'll be there just before you (18th) and to be honest, I share the same attitude as hildasmuriel. I'm not expecting to be able to go on many rides. We just want to soak up the Christmassy atmosphere and enjoy the shows and the parades (although I HAVE TO go on Big Thunder Mountain!).

Cathy - will look out for you at the Steakhouse. What time have you booked for? We'll be there at 12.30pm. *Off to find a pic of you now* lol.

 

[hildasmuriel]

Ooooh we want to do the brunch as well.

 

[britchic4]

I THINK we booked for 12, but I can't immediately find the piece of paper I wrote the times of my bookings on and I don't have time to have a proper look for it at the moment, life is that manic! Barring California Grill, the Steakhouse Brunch is our favourite meal, and ticks the boxes for the children being a character meal too. Since the parks will be packed out that day we're planning to take our time and stuff our faces (!) so that we won't want much to eat in the evening. Might even take our first ever trip to McD's at DLRP.
Hmm, I'll have to take a pink carnation with me or something!
Hildasmuriel have you booked, because last time we were there people were getting turned away from the brunch.

 

[mummyal]

I THINK we booked for 12, but I can't immediately find the piece of paper I wrote the times of my bookings on and I don't have time to have a proper look for it at the moment, life is that manic! Barring California Grill, the Steakhouse Brunch is our favourite meal, and ticks the boxes for the children being a character meal too. Since the parks will be packed out that day we're planning to take our time and stuff our faces (!) so that we won't want much to eat in the evening. Might even take our first ever trip to McD's at DLRP.
Hmm, I'll have to take a pink carnation with me or something!
Hildasmuriel have you booked, because last time we were there people were getting turned away from the brunch.

I was thinking of grabbing McD's in the evening as well before we hop on the train home.

 

[hildasmuriel]

I haven't booked yet - like you I am sooo busy with real life that the date has crept up on me. Must do that in next couple of days.

 

[britchic4]

If you book for 12 there aren't that many people there and you have lots of characters to yourself....
DH was salivating over the steak (carved in front of you) last night....

 

[hildasmuriel]

All booked up now. 12 o'clock on the Sunday.

 

[britchic4]

See you in the queue!