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

[Disturbia]

I wish they would release park hours at least 70 days beforehand including extended evenings so we can plan ADRs and park days; adding a party night etc. I don’t know which genius thought of releasing park hours with the ADR schedule. Christmas week the Extended Evening hours will vary and could incl AK.

 

[japanese maple]

Heads up Christmas party goers!: (I think this is only for people who can make their 60 days reservations soon)

Guests planning to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party this holiday season can start booking reservations today for some of Magic Kingdom's most popular table service restaurants.

An update on the Walt Disney World website says reservations for party dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant, Cinderella's Royal Table, and The Plaza Restaurant will open today at 2 pm ET.


And here it is on the Disney site:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/cinderella-royal-table/
Check back September 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET to make a reservation at this restaurant during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

 

[Joe Ryan]

89 days....
We made updates to our stay and decided to get in a day early 12/4-12/8 , because why not...HAHA
We are staying at our home resort for the first time Rivera and hope to get Topolinos for breakfast. We have MVMCP booked for the 12/5 party, and for now we are not doing Jollywood nights 12/7. Things can change
Like the post above stated, I wish they show the extended hours earlier than what they currently do.

 

[cattycat2]

The question about HS during Jollywood party night has been a big dilemma for me as well. On the disneytouristblog site he says don’t go to HS on party days because many people will go there earlier for the rides. He did say it may work if you only go for the morning hours and leave… which is what I was thinking about doing.
He also suggested that going in the evening on non party nights is really a great way to get on the rides w/o lines because most people will be gone by then and they won’t return.
Something to think about… he’s the pro and does make some great points. Just wanted to share.

 

[japanese maple]

Added list of character meet and greets for Jollywood Nights to first post!

 

[hsmamainva]

Bought our plane tickets yesterday!

 

[Drewsdad]

Ready to see Christmas decorations

 

[japanese maple]

Just a heads up - I was already able to book our Wine Bar George and Amare reservations through Open Table before our 60 day mark! They have a lot of Disney Springs and Swan/Dolphin restaurants.

Neat!

 

[Three cats]

Just a heads up - I was already able to book our Wine Bar George and Amare reservations through Open Table before our 60 day mark! They have a lot of Disney Springs and Swan/Dolphin restaurants.

Neat!

I tried recently to book Boathouse through Open Table but it’s still too soon. I’m so anxious to start booking things!

 

[japanese maple]

I tried recently to book Boathouse through Open Table but it’s still too soon. I’m so anxious to start booking things!

Amare wasn't available until today! Try and see!

 

[Brian1403]

Hello everyone! Looking forward to some Christmas Magic at Disney. We will be there Dec 21-28, four nights at Beach Club then four nights at Poly. We are sad we are missing MVMCP by a day, but got tickets for Jollywood to make up for it. This is our first time staying Delux, so we are anxiously awaiting the dates for extended evening hours. And hoping for a Christmas miracle that Big Thunder stays open through the holidays!

 

[japanese maple]

Hello everyone! Looking forward to some Christmas Magic at Disney. We will be there Dec 21-28, four nights at Beach Club then four nights at Poly. We are sad we are missing MVMCP by a day, but got tickets for Jollywood to make up for it. This is our first time staying Delux, so we are anxiously awaiting the dates for extended evening hours. And hoping for a Christmas miracle that Big Thunder stays open through the holidays!

Welcome! I added you to the list.

Sounds like a great trip! I'm also crossing everything that Thunder Mountain is open when we go.

 

[japanese maple]

Advice please!

Our trip starts 1 full day and then half day before the others arrive.

Our first day (Tuesday) is planned out. Second day (Wed) we planned to do Garden Grill character breakfast at Epcot, then hang there for a little bit before going back to hotel to meet everyone. Then back to Epcot.

Up until last night I was excited for Garden Grill, even asked a question on restaurant board. But man, it's almost $100 for two people! For breakfast food that I will pick at! And then I started thinking that I didn't realize our first time at MK wouldn't be until Thursday (arrive Monday night) and it would be with everyone else.
We kind of have our traditions at MK that we would miss doing alone. Plus will be first time seeing holiday decorations and I can take a lot of time just meandering. So now we thought our second morning to maybe go to MK, get pictures together at all our favorite photo spots, stroll on Main Street looking at all the decorations, smell the Smellephants and then get an early lunch (noon) at Skipper Canteen. I didn't have that on our list this year and my husband was kind of bummed. Then head back to hotel to meet everyone else and go to Epcot later in the day.

Thoughts? We can meet characters in the parks if we want, probably meet Donald that morning in MK at the Silly Circus thing. (he's my favorite ) My husband is ambivalent, but if pressed I think he would choose the MK/Skipper Canteen option.

 

[PrincessGidget]

@japanese maple
YES.
YES
YES

 

[japanese maple]

@japanese maple
YES.
YES
YES

I'm easily confused.

Yes go with the MK plan? Or Yes stick with Garden Grill?

 

[Three cats]

Advice please!

Our trip starts 1 full day and then half day before the others arrive.

Our first day (Tuesday) is planned out. Second day (Wed) we planned to do Garden Grill character breakfast at Epcot, then hang there for a little bit before going back to hotel to meet everyone. Then back to Epcot.

Up until last night I was excited for Garden Grill, even asked a question on restaurant board. But man, it's almost $100 for two people! For breakfast food that I will pick at! And then I started thinking that I didn't realize our first time at MK wouldn't be until Thursday (arrive Monday night) and it would be with everyone else.
We kind of have our traditions at MK that we would miss doing alone. Plus will be first time seeing holiday decorations and I can take a lot of time just meandering. So now we thought our second morning to maybe go to MK, get pictures together at all our favorite photo spots, stroll on Main Street looking at all the decorations, smell the Smellephants and then get an early lunch (noon) at Skipper Canteen. I didn't have that on our list this year and my husband was kind of bummed. Then head back to hotel to meet everyone else and go to Epcot later in the day.

Thoughts? We can meet characters in the parks if we want, probably meet Donald that morning in MK at the Silly Circus thing. (he's my favorite ) My husband is ambivalent, but if pressed I think he would choose the MK/Skipper Canteen option.

I would 100% go with the Magic Kingdom plan.

 

[japanese maple]

I would 100% go with the Magic Kingdom plan.

Thanks! I annoy myself when I start switching plans almost two months out.

 

[behappyJules]

Thanks! I annoy myself when I start switching plans almost two months out.

It sounds like you are way more excited about the MK plan, so definitely do that!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I would definitely go with the MK. If it is a party day, and if you have park hoppers, then definitely go to MK on Tuesday. MK is less crowded on party mornings then on non-party days.

 

[PrincessGidget]

I'm easily confused.

Yes go with the MK plan? Or Yes stick with Garden Grill?

MK all the way!!