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

[cattycat2]

I made a standalone post but thought I'd ask here too, since we're all planning around party season....what are we doing about Hollywood Studios? Are you planning to avoid Jollywood nights? Specifically going ON Jollywood nights despite more crowds for Fantasmic? Avoiding Hollywood Studios on Magic Kingdom party days, since all the non-partygoers need to show up somewhere? Splitting up your strategy over multiple days (e.g. close out the park one night, rope drop on a different morning)?

This park has the most new *stuff* to see and lots of popular rides that get long wait times very quickly! It's hard to figure out how to fit most of it in on a 3-day trip.

I'm RD Hollywood Studios the day of a Jollywood party(leaving early) , then going on a Thursday p.m. of a non party day. I figured on that Thursday, some people will attend Mickey's party at MK and some people will attend the CP at Epcot. This is the first time I've had to deal with all these parties and/or events.

 

[Artygal90]

I'm RD Hollywood Studios the day of a Jollywood party(leaving early) , then going on a Thursday p.m. of a non party day. I figured on that Thursday, some people will attend Mickey's party at MK and some people will attend the CP at Epcot. This is the first time I've had to deal with all these parties and/or events.

Good thinking. I wish we had a non-party evening to go to! Our options are Friday or Saturday to fit all our DHS stuff in.

 

[hsmamainva]

We have only one day at each park so we are avoiding party nights at MK & HS just to maximize our time in the park. We are planning on buying Multipass so hopefully that will help to keep us moving on the rides!

 

[japanese maple]

I made a standalone post but thought I'd ask here too, since we're all planning around party season....what are we doing about Hollywood Studios? Are you planning to avoid Jollywood nights? Specifically going ON Jollywood nights despite more crowds for Fantasmic? Avoiding Hollywood Studios on Magic Kingdom party days, since all the non-partygoers need to show up somewhere? Splitting up your strategy over multiple days (e.g. close out the park one night, rope drop on a different morning)?

This park has the most new *stuff* to see and lots of popular rides that get long wait times very quickly! It's hard to figure out how to fit most of it in on a 3-day trip.

Disclaimer - DHS is my least favorite park.

We are going to arrive to Jollywood Nights around 5 or so (hoppers) and then that with the party will probably be our only time there? We may go back during our last day for a bit, but not sure. For us, I think that's more than enough to get everything we want to do there done.

There are so many parties and deluxe extra hours during December, I'm not even going to attempt to try and figure out crowd levels. Just going to pick whatever park I want to go to and deal!

 

[AussieFan8]

If it were me and I were paying $$$ to stay at a deluxe resort with EEH, I definitely would be taking advantage and going to AK that afternoon and evening. So yes, I would guess it would make it slightly more crowded than normal. But if it works best with your plan, I can't imagine it would make a *huge* difference in crowds. After all, the pool of guests at the deluxe resorts is much smaller than the pool of guests who could take advantage of Extra Magic Hours back in the day.

What would you do on that day instead of AK?

Sorry - I should have clarified that we can't take advantage of the AK EEH because we already have Jollywood Nights tickets. I am also hoping it won't make a huge difference in the crowds.

 

[Disturbia]

We only have one day planned for AK, and it's the day with EEH. Trying to decide if that will make AK more crowded in the afternoon and maybe we should switch to another day. We are not rope droppers.

A lot of free dining+park hopper offers were released for Dec. I would bank on the morning being pretty low crowds as people hop to spend the evening at AK.

 

[Disturbia]

Disclaimer - DHS is my least favorite park.

We are going to arrive to Jollywood Nights around 5 or so (hoppers) and then that with the party will probably be our only time there? We may go back during our last day for a bit, but not sure. For us, I think that's more than enough to get everything we want to do there done.

There are so many parties and deluxe extra hours during December, I'm not even going to attempt to try and figure out crowd levels. Just going to pick whatever park I want to go to and deal!

DHS ends up being the most stressful park for us as well; we will be only going once on our 10 day trip.

1. Lack of shade (except GE)
2. Lack of seating for a break
3. Maneuverability with double stroller
4. snack carts don’t open on time
5. Lack of space for younger kids to runaround in
6. Lack of rides for younger kids
7. Park closes earlier vs other parks

 

[Disturbia]

Does anyone know if horseback riding at Fort Wilderness is open on 12/24 and 12/25?

I can’t see the hours but need to plan ADRs and enchanting extras. I know carriage/sleigh rides are not open on 12/24. I’m considering not going to MK on 12/25 and switching our resort day.

 

[Disturbia]

Also does Epcot have extended evening on 12/25 and AK on 12/26?

 

[japanese maple]

Does anyone know if horseback riding at Fort Wilderness is open on 12/24 and 12/25?

I can’t see the hours but need to plan ADRs and enchanting extras. I know carriage/sleigh rides are not open on 12/24. I’m considering not going to MK on 12/25 and switching our resort day.

Also does Epcot have extended evening on 12/25 and AK on 12/26?

I don't see the dates yet but will report back here as soon as I do! Should be soon!

 

[Disturbia]

I don't see the dates yet but will report back here as soon as I do! Should be soon!

I can see park hours through 12/22, so will know in 3 days I suppose.

But won’t be able to see enchanted extras until booking day (would be great if someone within their booking window can check).

 

[Shuffmans325]

AOA 12/3-12/11 Excited to go to the Candlelight processional for the first time!

 

[japanese maple]

AOA 12/3-12/11 Excited to go to the Candlelight processional for the first time!

Welcome! You are on the list!

 

[japanese maple]

Epcot deluxe hrs Monday 12/23.

Also I read that Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks will be shown for day guests from 12/21-12/29, but I can't find it "officially". I'll add when I do.

 

[japanese maple]

I can see park hours through 12/22, so will know in 3 days I suppose.

But won’t be able to see enchanted extras until booking day (would be great if someone within their booking window can check).

I can only see enchanted extras for my stay, not any dates after, sorry!

 

[Disturbia]

If paint the night returns to Disneyland could the Main Street Electric parade return to WDW. Again wishful thinking

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2024...mail&utm_campaign=blog&utm_term=&utm_content=

 

[japanese maple]

We dodged a big one!!!!!!!

Thunder Mountain will be closing for a year long refurbishment, but doesn't close until 1/6/2025!!!

Phew!!!!

 

[japanese maple]

And most of Dinoland will still be open in December! Get on TriceraTops Spin one more time! Closures there also begin in January.

 

[MermaidMommy]

If paint the night returns to Disneyland could the Main Street Electric parade return to WDW. Again wishful thinking

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2024...mail&utm_campaign=blog&utm_term=&utm_content=

With the new nighttime parade coming next summer, I doubt they’d go to the trouble of bringing MSEP back for just a few months.

 

[cattycat2]

And most of Dinoland will still be open in December! Get on TriceraTops Spin one more time! Closures there also begin in January.

I saw that about Thunder Mountain---my favorite ride!! So happy!!