***Official Planning Thread -DECEMBER 2024 - Welcome all!***

[japanese maple]

My Hubby and I will be there 12/15 - 12/21. Staying at the Wilderness Lodge.
Can’t wait!! We will be celebrating our 42nd anniversary

Welcome and Happy Anniversary!

 

[Smileybug]

Thank you so much

 

[Three cats]

I wonder how much longer it’ll be before we get any Candlelight Processional details?

 

[Iguanago]

Hi
Apologies if this is not the right way to add a comment to this thread?

My daughter and I are headed to WDW Dec 14-20 for her 21st Birthday. We have not been to the parks for at least 8 years and are both excited and a bit apprehensive. So much seems to have changed, some say not for the better. I am really happy to have found this forum of planning info and fellow visitors!

 

[AussieFan8]

Hi
Apologies if this is not the right way to add a comment to this thread?

My daughter and I are headed to WDW Dec 14-20 for her 21st Birthday. We have not been to the parks for at least 8 years and are both excited and a bit apprehensive. So much seems to have changed, some say not for the better. I am really happy to have found this forum of planning info and fellow visitors!

Have a wonderful time! We celebrated my daughter's 21st birthday in December a couple years ago at WDW and it was very special and memorable for both of us. I hope it is the same for you!

 

[japanese maple]

Hi
Apologies if this is not the right way to add a comment to this thread?

My daughter and I are headed to WDW Dec 14-20 for her 21st Birthday. We have not been to the parks for at least 8 years and are both excited and a bit apprehensive. So much seems to have changed, some say not for the better. I am really happy to have found this forum of planning info and fellow visitors!

Welcome to the thread! Let me know if you'd like me to add a hotel to you dates on the list.

 

[Disturbia]

Hi
Apologies if this is not the right way to add a comment to this thread?

My daughter and I are headed to WDW Dec 14-20 for her 21st Birthday. We have not been to the parks for at least 8 years and are both excited and a bit apprehensive. So much seems to have changed, some say not for the better. I am really happy to have found this forum of planning info and fellow visitors!

I always read the recent trip reports to cheer me up. Mammoth club/Ear Scouts usually have some great videos on YouTube on how to. A lot has changed but there are many things that have improved (newer rides, restaurants, shows, experiences). The restaurants still have the Disney Magic. The newer CMs are getting better at customer service so there is hope.

Do have some down days to do a resort crawl/activities (we love going to Fort Wilderness and doing a Christmas carriage ride). There are several enchanted extras (some open midnight 60 days ahead):

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/new-mixology-class-dates-at-the-edison-in-disney-springs/

You can order a special cake from Daisy cakes Orlando. They did a great job on my cake (they deliver to Disney resorts/restaurants).

https://www.disboards.com/threads/official-disney-cake-chatter-part-v.3558085/page-208

Holiday celebrations do happen on non MVMCP days closer to Christmas (park closes at 6 pm to regular guests) as well (parade and fireworks). If you’re staying at a deluxe resort HS or AK might get an extended evening

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-christmas-ultimate-guide/

 

[chiburple]

Hi
Apologies if this is not the right way to add a comment to this thread?

My daughter and I are headed to WDW Dec 14-20 for her 21st Birthday. We have not been to the parks for at least 8 years and are both excited and a bit apprehensive. So much seems to have changed, some say not for the better. I am really happy to have found this forum of planning info and fellow visitors!

Disney is still wonderful, I promise! You'll read a lot of complaining online - that's just the nature of the internet and I think would be true regardless of what Disney did or didn't do. So long as you're prepared to be flexible, I'm sure you'll both have a Magical time!

 

[japanese maple]

Double digits!!!!!!!!

 

[japanese maple]

Ugh, I hope we start getting some holiday stuff details soon!

I'm pretty sure I make dining reservations on 10/4. Do you guys have all your places picked?
Here's our trip plan, minus ride reservation stuff (I'm typing this out for my benefit also, so I remember ):

Monday - me and my husband hopefully land at MCO around 10 pm and check into Hyatt Orlando. Then I wander empty airport taking pictures!

Tuesday - car service picks up two of us at MCO Hyatt and takes us to AKL at 10 am. Then either we check in, unpack, eat lunch at hotel and then head to Animal Kingdom just to see holiday decorations, maybe shop and do animal trails (or do AK first if room isn't ready). Then at night we are going to Disney Springs for the Christmas Tree Scavenger hunt and pizza at Pizza Ponte! Then have a drink at Victoria Falls at hotel before bed.

Wednesday - me and husband will be getting breakfast at Garden Grill around 10, then hopefully get on Remy and Spaceship Earth before heading back to meet my brother and sister who will be arriving. Then after they are settled we are headed back to Epcot to eat at the Festival Booths and ride Living With The Land with Christmas lights (yay!) and other rides too hopefully.

Thursday - Boma breakfast. Then everyone does their own thing for a bit - think we will head back to AK because it's my favorite park. Grab lunch at Satuli. Then maybe pool if warm enough or just relax at hotel. Then head to MK around 4:00 - get there around 4:30 for MVMCP! Since we have hoppers I do plan to buy us all an LL for Tron before party starts. Maybe even buy MPLL to get on Tiana before party too if I can get a reservation. Also, I need corn dog nuggets. Need.

Friday - Animal Kingdom all day and this time finally with rides! Then we are having dinner at Amare at Swan Reserve around 7:30. Then just back to hotel for drinks at Victoria Falls. Actually maybe look at all the Crescent Lake hotel decorations after dinner.

Saturday - breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno (mmmmm, breakfast pizza). Then walk around boardwalk hotels to see decorations, or take a ride on Skyliner to see Riviera, grab an iced coffee there and then ride Skyliner to DHS to get bus back to AKL. Relax at hotel and then dinner at Ale & Compass at 5 and then on to Jollywood Nights! I don't plan to eat a lot at dinner, but sister wanted a sit down before party.

Sunday - Epcot day! Guardians this day and whatever else we can get on. Shop around World Showcase. Only other plans today are dinner reservations at Wine Bar George.

Monday - Animal Kingdom again (sister leaves next day) or whatever she wants. Boma at 5 and then I think me, husband and brother will head to DHS for the night.

Tuesday - MK. Take advantage of low crowds on a party day, then take boat over to Wilderness Lodge. Dinner at Whispering Canyon when MK closes to eat and see tree!

Wednesday - last full day. Open plans, play it by ear!

Thursday - home and start planning Dollywood trip in 2025!

Let's see all your plans!!!

 

[chiburple]

Ugh, I hope we start getting some holiday stuff details soon!

I'm pretty sure I make dining reservations on 10/4. Do you guys have all your places picked?
Here's our trip plan, minus ride reservation stuff (I'm typing this out for my benefit also, so I remember ):

Monday - me and my husband hopefully land at MCO around 10 pm and check into Hyatt Orlando. Then I wander empty airport taking pictures!

Tuesday - car service picks up two of us at MCO Hyatt and takes us to AKL at 10 am. Then either we check in, unpack, eat lunch at hotel and then head to Animal Kingdom just to see holiday decorations, maybe shop and do animal trails (or do AK first if room isn't ready). Then at night we are going to Disney Springs for the Christmas Tree Scavenger hunt and pizza at Pizza Ponte! Then have a drink at Victoria Falls at hotel before bed.

Wednesday - me and husband will be getting breakfast at Garden Grill around 10, then hopefully get on Remy and Spaceship Earth before heading back to meet my brother and sister who will be arriving. Then after they are settled we are headed back to Epcot to eat at the Festival Booths and ride Living With The Land with Christmas lights (yay!) and other rides too hopefully.

Thursday - Boma breakfast. Then everyone does their own thing for a bit - think we will head back to AK because it's my favorite park. Grab lunch at Satuli. Then maybe pool if warm enough or just relax at hotel. Then head to MK around 4:00 - get there around 4:30 for MVMCP! Since we have hoppers I do plan to buy us all an LL for Tron before party starts. Maybe even buy MPLL to get on Tiana before party too if I can get a reservation. Also, I need corn dog nuggets. Need.

Friday - Animal Kingdom all day and this time finally with rides! Then we are having dinner at Amare at Swan Reserve around 7:30. Then just back to hotel for drinks at Victoria Falls.

Saturday - breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno (mmmmm, breakfast pizza). Then walk around boardwalk hotels to see decorations, or take a ride on Skyliner to see Riviera, grab an iced coffee there and then ride Skyliner to DHS to get bus back to AKL. Relax at hotel and then dinner at Ale & Compass at 5 and then on to Jollywood Nights! I don't plan to eat a lot at dinner, but sister wanted a sit down before party.

Sunday - Epcot day! Guardians this day and whatever else we can get on. Shop around World Showcase. Only other plans today are dinner reservations at Wine Bar George.

Monday - Animal Kingdom again (sister leaves next day) or whatever she wants. Boma at 5 and then I think me, husband and brother will head to DHS for the night.

Tuesday - MK. Take advantage of low crowds on a party day, then take boat over to Wilderness Lodge. Dinner at Whispering Canyon when MK closes to eat and see tree!

Wednesday - last full day. Open plans, play it by ear!

Thursday - home and start planning Dollywood trip in 2025!

Let's see all your plans!!!

Looks like we’ll be at MVMCP the same day! (12/5)

We’re starting the trip at Universal first, then switching to Disney 12/4 (Disney Springs planned for that day). MVMCP the next day, followed by Epcot on Friday and AK Saturday morning. Finally Jollywood nights Saturday night and flying home Sunday.

 

[Disturbia]

Ugh, I hope we start getting some holiday stuff details soon!

I'm pretty sure I make dining reservations on 10/4. Do you guys have all your places picked?
Here's our trip plan, minus ride reservation stuff (I'm typing this out for my benefit also, so I remember ):

Monday - me and my husband hopefully land at MCO around 10 pm and check into Hyatt Orlando. Then I wander empty airport taking pictures!

Tuesday - car service picks up two of us at MCO Hyatt and takes us to AKL at 10 am. Then either we check in, unpack, eat lunch at hotel and then head to Animal Kingdom just to see holiday decorations, maybe shop and do animal trails (or do AK first if room isn't ready). Then at night we are going to Disney Springs for the Christmas Tree Scavenger hunt and pizza at Pizza Ponte! Then have a drink at Victoria Falls at hotel before bed.

Wednesday - me and husband will be getting breakfast at Garden Grill around 10, then hopefully get on Remy and Spaceship Earth before heading back to meet my brother and sister who will be arriving. Then after they are settled we are headed back to Epcot to eat at the Festival Booths and ride Living With The Land with Christmas lights (yay!) and other rides too hopefully.

Thursday - Boma breakfast. Then everyone does their own thing for a bit - think we will head back to AK because it's my favorite park. Grab lunch at Satuli. Then maybe pool if warm enough or just relax at hotel. Then head to MK around 4:00 - get there around 4:30 for MVMCP! Since we have hoppers I do plan to buy us all an LL for Tron before party starts. Maybe even buy MPLL to get on Tiana before party too if I can get a reservation. Also, I need corn dog nuggets. Need.

Friday - Animal Kingdom all day and this time finally with rides! Then we are having dinner at Amare at Swan Reserve around 7:30. Then just back to hotel for drinks at Victoria Falls.

Saturday - breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno (mmmmm, breakfast pizza). Then walk around boardwalk hotels to see decorations, or take a ride on Skyliner to see Riviera, grab an iced coffee there and then ride Skyliner to DHS to get bus back to AKL. Relax at hotel and then dinner at Ale & Compass at 5 and then on to Jollywood Nights! I don't plan to eat a lot at dinner, but sister wanted a sit down before party.

Sunday - Epcot day! Guardians this day and whatever else we can get on. Shop around World Showcase. Only other plans today are dinner reservations at Wine Bar George.

Monday - Animal Kingdom again (sister leaves next day) or whatever she wants. Boma at 5 and then I think me, husband and brother will head to DHS for the night.

Tuesday - MK. Take advantage of low crowds on a party day, then take boat over to Wilderness Lodge. Dinner at Whispering Canyon when MK closes to eat and see tree!

Wednesday - last full day. Open plans, play it by ear!

Thursday - home and start planning Dollywood trip in 2025!

Let's see all your plans!!!

You could do a Topolinos breakfast on one of those days. If it’s around 11 am it can double as lunch.

I might have mentioned this already, but do check in around 11 am to the Hyatt MCO on their app. (Late flight note alone doesn’t help.) They can give your room away if you’re delayed.

I wish they would post the extended evening hours, but they probably won’t until Oct.

 

[japanese maple]

You could do a Topolinos breakfast on one of those days. If it’s around 11 am it can double as lunch.

I might have mentioned this already, but do check in around 11 am to the Hyatt MCO on their app. (Late flight note alone doesn’t help.) They can give your room away if you’re delayed.

I wish they would post the extended evening hours, but they probably won’t until Oct.

Yes you did mention that, thanks!

Topolino's was vetoed this trip. My husband wanted Garden Grill, I wanted Trattoria Al Forno and we all wanted Boma!

 

[cattycat2]

12/9 Monday /Contemporary/ Head to HS Eat QS-- Dinner at Steakhouse 71
12/10 Tuesday MK/Early Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern/Resort-rest/MVMCP-return 3:30
12/11 Wednesday HS/ Lunch at Sci Fi/ Dinner at Ohana's/Resort Hopping
12/12 Thursday Epcot/ Eat QS/ Dinner at Garden Grill or San Angel/Epcot
12/13 Friday MK/Eat QS AK-hopefully EEH- Dinner at BOMA


This can change depending on EEH to AK.

 

[ChereeCA]

Hi! I just booked a December trip for my husband and I. First trip without the kids! We will be staying at CSR Grand Destino Dec 5-11! I'm having so much fun reading all the posts. Its been over 10 years since my last Disney visit so I have lots to catch up on !

 

[japanese maple]

Hi! I just booked a December trip for my husband and I. First trip without the kids! We will be staying at CSR Grand Destino Dec 5-11! I'm having so much fun reading all the posts. Its been over 10 years since my last Disney visit so I have lots to catch up on !

Welcome! You are on the list.

We loved our stay at Gran Destino! Barcelona Lounge has great coffee/pastries in the morning for breakfast and Dahlia Lounge has great lounge food if you want a small dinner. Plus it's just gorgeous.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm pretty sure I make dining reservations on 10/4. Do you guys have all your places picked?

We just got back from WDW and have two restaurants that we ate at for the first time and want to eat there again in December. We had a good lunch at The Plaza in MK and will eat there for lunch in December. We had a good lunch at Prime Time in HS but will eat dinner instead of lunch next time. Boatwrights at POR was a disappointment this time. Rain Forest Cafe at Animal Kingdom was terrible, and we will never eat a meal there again. Although drinks and an appetizer is a possibility. Boathouse at DS and San Angel Inn at Epcot were both very good.

My sister-in-law is planning to buy an annual pass for this trip, which will make the trip a lot more fun. All four of us will have APs and we will hop all over the place.

 

[japanese maple]

We just got back from WDW and have two restaurants that we ate at for the first time and want to eat there again in December. We had a good lunch at The Plaza in MK and will eat there for lunch in December. We had a good lunch at Prime Time in HS but will eat dinner instead of lunch next time. Boatwrights at POR was a disappointment this time. Rain Forest Cafe at Animal Kingdom was terrible, and we will never eat a meal there again. Although drinks and an appetizer is a possibility. Boathouse at DS and San Angel Inn at Epcot were both very good.

My sister-in-law is planning to buy an annual pass for this trip, which will make the trip a lot more fun. All four of us will have APs and we will hop all over the place.

Rain Forest Cafe at Animal Kingdom does have a really cute outdoor bar I want to try though. But I agree, probably not for a meal! And they have an entrance to AK from there that never has lines! You can walk and enter through there even if the bar isn't open.

 

[PrincessGidget]

Rain Forest Cafe at Animal Kingdom does have a really cute outdoor bar I want to try though. But I agree, probably not for a meal! And they have an entrance to AK from there that never has lines! You can walk and enter through there even if the bar isn't open.

And the Landry GC’s at Costco make a stop at RFC a no brainer for drink/app/AC break.

 

[Disturbia]

Rain Forest Cafe at Animal Kingdom does have a really cute outdoor bar I want to try though. But I agree, probably not for a meal! And they have an entrance to AK from there that never has lines! You can walk and enter through there even if the bar isn't open.

Rainforest cafe had the greasiest food we’ve ever had on property. If you have one locally, it’s really not worth the time or money. It was a one and done.

As for other places, we have the free dining plan (10 TS credits) and will probably stick to our favorites although we will have to hit non park restaurants (avoiding signature dining)

Day 1 travel QS (flight delays often no ADRs)
Day 2 AK Tusker or Boma
Day 3 DS Breakfast with Santa (prepaid!); EET by Manet (QS?) and Ohana
Day 4 HS Roundup Rodeo or Sci fi
Day 5 MK 1900 park fare
Day 6 no park Boma
Day 7 Epcot (food booths) STK71
Day 8 HS Hollywood & Vine
Day 9 no park Topolinos breakfast
Day 10 MK BOG (2 credits)
Day 11 QS check out