NOW BOOOKED! Anyone Flown Out Xmas Day?

[wils]

Still investigating options as we'd like to go to WDW this year but we are on a tight budget and don't really want to take DD out of school (as she only starts this year and we'll probably need to do so for our trip next year!)

I've noticed flight prices are quite reasonable for Christmas Day (and it would be a cool surprise for DD) but I was just wondering if anyone has done this and how they found the service etc.

Thanks

 

[gilld]

I haven't but my friend has and she said it was fantastic. Sevice was amazing, food good and MUCH cheaper! Go for it.

 

[Madjock]

I haven't either I'm afraid Jo but I wouldn't hesitate to do it (and that's from someone who loves her Christmas traditions ).

 

[Goofey's Girl]

Haven't done it but go for it...for cost alone...just think how far that will go once you're on holiday...

one warning...if you're travelling to airport by car no problem but careful if using trains, coaches even taxi's...my mum went to a wedding once on boxing day and trains were awful.

You could wrap alot of little cheap gifts in your bag and let your daughter open them once every hour to keep her going.....

have a great time, it will be the best xmas ever.

 

[AliceGardner]

one warning...if you're travelling to airport by car no problem but careful if using trains, coaches even taxi's...my mum went to a wedding once on boxing day and trains were awful.

Agreed, you could have a REAL problem if you are relying on public transport. Although (if you aren't driving) you could go to the airport on Christmas Eve - public transport is good on Christmas Eve (although could be busy).

Planes tend to be quite quiet on Christmas Day (Boxing Day is a different matter - they are packed). You will probably get a "turkey" choice for dinner, but not much else that is special or Christmasy - so, as Goofey's Girl suggested, take your own Christmasy fun.

I would fly on Christmas Day - going on holiday and flying can be the best gift you can get anyway.

Alice

 

[gordonandjackie]

Hi wils

We flew out on Christmas Day 2004. Unfortunately we couldn't get an internal flight to London so we had to leave on Xmas eve. We flew United Heathrow to Washington then Washinton onto Orlando Int. To be quite honest I wouldn't do it again on Christmas Day. Too much hastle thinking of what presents were suitable to be hauled to Orlando and back. If you could leave from home on Christmas morning I may think about it. The only good thing is you get an extra 5 hours of a christmas!!! I would either go just before or just after. Probably just after as the crowds on Christmas week are exceptionally busy!! but if you want to be there for Christmas obviously go a couple of days before. My kids were 6 & 4 then. United didn't do anything special for Christmas on their flights. Who were the flights with? Our " Santa" presents were $$$$ and jammies, towels, games for plane, etc. For the bigger things they got a letter from Santa saying that they were too big to leave in London and that he had left them at home for when they got back. At least they still had the excitement of what presents were left at home for them.

Hope this helps

Jackie

 

[wils]

Thanks guys.

I am currently looking at BA flights which come down a lot to fly Xmas Day itself. There are cheaper deals which aren't direct but with a 5 year old and a 2 year old - I don't think so

We'd probably be able to drive down on the day or maybe look at staying at an airport hotel the night before. I'm not too worried about the present thing or the food and as we have started collecting stocking fillers already I could easily wrap a bag of goodies for their carry-ons.

Going to sit down and go through it with DH tonight when the kids are in bed.

 

[AliceGardner]

If you get a good deal, I would go for it. The airport should be a lot quieter on Christmas Day, if you approach it with the right frame of mind it should be a good day to travel (less crowded, less stressy).

Personally I would do most of the Christmasy things (like most of the presents, seing family etc) on 23rd/24th December, then travel up to the airport on Christmas Eve and start your trip then - stay in a nice hotel and have a nice relaxed start to the trip. It would be a "different" type of Christmas, but it culd be a lot of fun.

(and, if I could, I would ask someone to come around and take the Christmas decorations down whilst you are away - don't like coming back to Christmas decorations a couple of weeks after Christmas...)

Alice

Thanks guys.

I am currently looking at BA flights which come down a lot to fly Xmas Day itself. There are cheaper deals which aren't direct but with a 5 year old and a 2 year old - I don't think so

We'd probably be able to drive down on the day or maybe look at staying at an airport hotel the night before. I'm not too worried about the present thing or the food and as we have started collecting stocking fillers already I could easily wrap a bag of goodies for their carry-ons.

Going to sit down and go through it with DH tonight when the kids are in bed.

 

[Soprano]

How much of a saving do you make?

 

[wayneg]

We have flown twice Xmas Day. Once from Gatwick, Did it in 3 hours from Leeds, nothing on the road. but once we got into the Airport it was crazy I could not believe how many people fly Xmas day, took over 1 hour to check in with Virgin. Other time from Manchester again drove so no problems.
Flights were just like any other I have been on with Virgin, no spare seats.
Once you are there use a good car hire company they run out of cars Xmas day and Boxing day, We used Alamo one Boxing day and they had none left had to wait 24hours before they got us 1. They did pay for Taxi to Allstars and back to airport next day but it ruined our first day having to use Disney transport and eat in foodcourt.
If you have never been at Xmas be prepared for mega busy, just imagine every hire car in Orlando is out on the roads so expect a 15 min journey to take 30. Lines in the parks are longest of the year 120mins+ on popular rides. Places to eat are very busy. You have to use past pass system well, get in early eat at different times to the masses.
Thats all the bad stuff out of the way now the best part, its the most magical time to be at WDW, worth every bit of the stress and hassle. Everyone should have at least one Xmas visit to WDW.

 

[Camac]

We have spent two Christmases in WDW and are also thinking of flying back on Christmas Day (2008) to cut down the costs. It is virtualy half price to fly on Christmas Day compared to the week prior to 25th Dec.

Yes, the parks are busy but you can avoid the crowds by getting in early and being a bit clever - Magic Kingdom is packed on Christmas Day but early on Boxing Day has a very low crowd level.

Read all the guide books and take advantage of the advice from the experienced Disers here and you will have a great Christmas holiday.



Camac

 

[tartangirl]

We're flying out from Edinburgh on Xmas day .

It was either fly out then or not go due to the cost so easy decision for us.

I am a bit worried about the car hire company running out of cars so I asked Dollar who assure me that by booking a car I will have one reserved and they will not run out as they dont book more cars than they have.

 

[wils]

Thanks for all your advice and comments - we are going for it

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Wonderful news, Happy planning

 

[Disney owl]

Great news that you've booked enjoy your planning

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Excellent news. Happy planning.

 

[nattyk]

Congrats - we are trying to decide if to do xmas as well - we went this year (March) and were there for ds bday and had b'fast at chef mickey and now dd1 wants to spend her bday in disney which is on the 22nd Dec!!!! and have b'fast at the castle!!!! we are thinking maybe next year - I know it is going to be busy - but want to do it as least once, but would mean going before the 22nd which means it will be pricey!!! and as a family of 5 it will cost as a fortune!!! oh well as i say to dh all the time, it is only money and you can't take it with you when you are gone!!!

nat

 

[Lisash]

We flew from Gatwick Christmas Day 2005. It was fine and I'd do it again anytime my only warning would be to be prepared for longer than usual queues at check in (I presume they have less staff than normal working) and the fact that food etc options at the airport are a bit limited as many of the outlets are closed. If you go out for dinner when you arrive in Orlando be prepared for a wait of about an hour for a table. We did get a turkey in flight dinner and to make it that bit more special I took some christmassy chocolates etc for the kids to have while watching their in flight films just to keep in the Christmas spirit. Have a great time

 

[islandmum]

we've done christmas day travel .... its brillliant!!

I remember getting our pressies, doing breakfast and then taking a couple of things with us and driving off to the airport. Was so exciting looking through windows as we passed thinking .... we;re off to the sun and watching others in their houses - it was great!

service was always good, staff really cheery and the atosphere excelent. Also was very quiet, a really good day to travel.