Never been to Disney at Christmas

[juligrl]

What should I not miss? We're going December 10-17 and this will be my first time during the holidays.

Anybody know when they release December hours? I've got to schedule dining reservations soon and I like to have an idea of park hours before I do that.

 

[Pirate&Princess]

Keep checking wdwinfo.com, the have the hours through October right now, and should be coming out with November and December within the next two months.

 

[nessz79]

What should I not miss? We're going December 10-17 and this will be my first time during the holidays.

Anybody know when they release December hours? I've got to schedule dining reservations soon and I like to have an idea of park hours before I do that.

Not to miss: Candlelight Processional at Epcot with a celebrity narrator, full choir, beautiful lights, and nativity story. Holidays around the world at Epcot w/ storytellers for each country (Santa, Papa Noel, 3 Wise Kings, etc). Christmas tree lighting at Epcot. The beautiful lights at Epcot.

I haven't been to the other parks during Christmas, so I'll let the others speak up about that.

Good luck on the December hours, though...

 

[james'mommy]

We love the mvmcp. DH loves it so much that he pouted last year because we went to the halloween party instead.

 

[JimR24]

I agree about tree lighting and MVMCP. I would also make it a point to see the Osborne lights in the Studios. They are very cool.

 

[DisneyFans-Poage]

Not to miss: Candlelight Processional at Epcot with a celebrity narrator, full choir, beautiful lights, and nativity story. Holidays around the world at Epcot w/ storytellers for each country (Santa, Papa Noel, 3 Wise Kings, etc). Christmas tree lighting at Epcot. The beautiful lights at Epcot.

We will be down there right after Christmas, do you know who the storytellers will be?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Keep checking wdwinfo.com, the have the hours through October right now, and should be coming out with November and December within the next two months.

The park hours are supposed to be put up six months out. The November hours should have been posted on May 1 and the December hours were supposed to be posted June 1. If you look over at the Theme Parks Planning board you will see a couple of threads over there about the subject. Everyone is pretty much in an uproar that they have not been posted and the CMs can't seem to give anyone a straight answer as to why. My ADR dates open up on June 15 and I am really hoping that the calendar situation has been resolved by then and that the park hours will be posted. I have made tenative touring plans and an ADR schedule by using previous years December park hours.

 

[Taja]

Lack of December park hours being felt here, too! My ADRs open tomorrow morning! I'm using 2007 data and hoping for the best!

In addition to the parks, schedule some time to visit the deluxe resorts. All of the resorts are decked out in holiday finery, but the deluxe resorts are--well, deluxe! *LOL* The monorail loop is easy, and the EPCOT resorts aren't bad (more of them, though--be sure to include S&D).

The EPCOT tree lighting and...hmmmm...I never can remember what it's called--when they turn on overhead canopy lights at the end of the tree lighting ceremony--are pretty spectacular. You do have to be prepared to stand around for some time to be able to see the performance for the ceremony. If you don't particularly care about seeing that, you can take up residence in the vicinity about 20 minutes or so before the event begins.

 

[LoveKermit]

Evening at MK, even if not MVMCP. Still have snow and CMs dressed in winter coats.

Agree with the Deluxe Hotel tour. GF for the Gingerbread House is a MUST! The chocolate display at YC/BC is great too. If I remember, they do a boardwalk theme. BWI has cookies, but that may only be on Christmas Eve. I think AKL does something similar. That's all been on the Travel Channel.

We ate dinner at Cali Grill on Christmas Eve. That is a special place to eat, IMO.

Osborne lights is also a MUST! It doesn't take that long--15-30minutes, so you can plan ADRs accordingly.

Also, at EPCOT, each country has their version of Santa. We took a picture with the American Santa, but if you're of a certain nationality, it's a chance to see the other traditions.

At AK, they do a holiday version of their everyday parade.

As I ramble, basically you'll find something unique at each park. The hotels go all out as well. It's amazing.

I'm jealous. Enjoy!

 

[nessz79]

We will be down there right after Christmas, do you know who the storytellers will be?

Allears usually posts this when the packages for CP come out.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Another one here going at Chistmastime. We are doing Dec7-13 and I get to make adrs within the next few days. Would be nice if they posted their Dec hours so I know what ADR's to make when. I didn't know they hadn't posted them....been away.

We are probaly only doing 2 Adr's this time since we don't have free dining. We are definelty doing Princess breakfast in Epcot. Never done that before. Not sure what other one yet. We hav done CP 3 times and CM 2 times. I may have to book something new!

ANy suggestions for a good character one?

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

So glad someone posted this question - we are going 12/9-12/16!! I just have one question - around what time does it get dark in December. I mean, I know here in Jersey its around 5.30/6.00, but is it different in Florida because its warmer?? Don't laugh at me if this is a really dumb question!!!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

So glad someone posted this question - we are going 12/9-12/16!! I just have one question - around what time does it get dark in December. I mean, I know here in Jersey its around 5.30/6.00, but is it different in Florida because its warmer?? Don't laugh at me if this is a really dumb question!!!!!

You are in the exact same time zone as Florida and the sunset should be just about the exact same.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Another one here going at Chistmastime. We are doing Dec7-13 and I get to make adrs within the next few days. Would be nice if they posted their Dec hours so I know what ADR's to make when. I didn't know they hadn't posted them....been away.

We are probaly only doing 2 Adr's this time since we don't have free dining. We are definelty doing Princess breakfast in Epcot. Never done that before. Not sure what other one yet. We hav done CP 3 times and CM 2 times. I may have to book something new!

ANy suggestions for a good character one?

Characters meals we have liked (other than CP, CM and Akershus which we love too) are:

1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian w/ Cinderella and Friends Buffet
O'hana Breakfast with Lilo and Stictch at Polynesian
Garden Grill at Epcot with Mickey and Friends served "family style"
Cinderella's Royal Table (of course) Cinderella is in the lobby for pictures
and the Fairy Godmother and the mice do a little sing and dance number
during dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern with Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale served "family style"

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Characters meals we have liked (other than CP, CM and Akershus which we love too) are:

1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian w/ Cinderella and Friends Buffet
O'hana Breakfast with Lilo and Stictch at Polynesian
Garden Grill at Epcot with Mickey and Friends served "family style"
Cinderella's Royal Table (of course) Cinderella is in the lobby for pictures
and the Fairy Godmother and the mice do a little sing and dance number
during dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern with Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale served "family style"

Thanks for the suggestions. I may look into ohana and liberty tree. We were supposed to eat at liberty tree one year and we changed it to something else. Maybe this year!

 

[juligrl]

Another one here going at Chistmastime. We are doing Dec7-13 and I get to make adrs within the next few days. Would be nice if they posted their Dec hours so I know what ADR's to make when. I didn't know they hadn't posted them....been away.

We are probaly only doing 2 Adr's this time since we don't have free dining. We are definelty doing Princess breakfast in Epcot. Never done that before. Not sure what other one yet. We hav done CP 3 times and CM 2 times. I may have to book something new!

ANy suggestions for a good character one?

Liberty Tree Tavern was our favorite on our last trip and is our must on this trip - I'll bet it's really neat dressed for the holidays!

Thank you everyone for all your great replies. This totally helps me in my planning. Now, if only they'd get those hours out...