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

[hsmamainva]

Have they mentioned the times for the Frozen Holiday Show at the castle yet for non-party nights? I believe it was 6:15 & 8:15 last year?

 

[docindigo76]

Likely staying in the GDT at Coronado Springs with MVMCP on Thursday Dec. 5th. We plan to take it easy this trip, but at the same time these days should allow us to enjoy all our favorite things. We are really looking forward to it.

Change of plans--now staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, still Dec. 2nd-Dec. 8th, with MVMCP on Thursday Dec. 5th. Really looking forward to seeing how AKL is decorated for the holidays! And crossing fingers we are able to score a partial savanna view (I asked nice, I hope it comes to fruition!), but it will be an enjoyable resort for us all the same.

 

[Disturbia]

Hours are there this morning!

AK extended evening hours on 12/25

 

[japanese maple]

Have they mentioned the times for the Frozen Holiday Show at the castle yet for non-party nights? I believe it was 6:15 & 8:15 last year?

I haven't seen anything yet! When I see hours I will update first post and let you guys know!

 

[japanese maple]

Change of plans--now staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, still Dec. 2nd-Dec. 8th, with MVMCP on Thursday Dec. 5th. Really looking forward to seeing how AKL is decorated for the holidays! And crossing fingers we are able to score a partial savanna view (I asked nice, I hope it comes to fruition!), but it will be an enjoyable resort for us all the same.

Updated!

It's our first time staying there! Very excited.

 

[docindigo76]

Updated!

It's our first time staying there! Very excited.

Our first time staying there too! If we like it (I'm sure we will)--would definitely consider it next year as well.

 

[Nikkimouse44]

From the Disney Parks Blog announcement:

"Here’s what’s included with your meal:

• At Spice Road Table: 2 small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older)
• At Other Participating Restaurants: An entrée and dessert, or a full buffet (where applicable)—as well as a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older)"

The list of restaurants:

Biergarten Restaurant
Chefs de France
Coral Reef Restaurant
Garden Grill Restaurant
La Crêperie de Paris
La Hacienda de San Angel
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
(same-day dining packages only)
Rose & Crown Dining Room
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
Tutto Italia Ristorante
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

No prices yet, which is frustrating. I'm hoping for Biergarten - I like the menu at Spice Road Table but it doesn't seem like quite enough food after a full day of walking? Especially for the price ($55 last year, probably more this year).

We have reservations at Biergarten so I’m hoping to change it to a candlelight res!!! I’m happy it’s included I was worried it wouldn’t be

 

[JBelle19]

I am getting antsy about booking our dining on Monday. We aren't interested in the Candlelight Processional dining package...is it going to be difficult to book just a regular dinner at one of the Epcot restaurants, no package?

We won't be able to do the new premier pass, but do plan on doing LLMP and LLSP...do you guys think it will be very hard to get additional times on our park days?

Also, one more question...I see special menu items at places for Halloween. Are those only for during the Halloween party? So, any special menu items I see when the Christmas menus come out, are those only during the Christmas party and Jollywood nights hours? Or if there is, for example, a special "Halloween Party" sandwich that is currently available at Pizzerizzo, is that there all day, like for lunch?

I"m so anxious, we have never been during Christmas. We check in December 20th. We are doing AK morning/Epcot afternoon evening 12/21, Hollywood Studios 12/22, and Magic Kingdom 12/23. We check out on Christmas Eve.

Thank you!

 

[japanese maple]

I am getting antsy about booking our dining on Monday. We aren't interested in the Candlelight Processional dining package...is it going to be difficult to book just a regular dinner at one of the Epcot restaurants, no package?

We won't be able to do the new premier pass, but do plan on doing LLMP and LLSP...do you guys think it will be very hard to get additional times on our park days?

Also, one more question...I see special menu items at places for Halloween. Are those only for during the Halloween party? So, any special menu items I see when the Christmas menus come out, are those only during the Christmas party and Jollywood nights hours? Or if there is, for example, a special "Halloween Party" sandwich that is currently available at Pizzerizzo, is that there all day, like for lunch?

I"m so anxious, we have never been during Christmas. We check in December 20th. We are doing AK morning/Epcot afternoon evening 12/21, Hollywood Studios 12/22, and Magic Kingdom 12/23. We check out on Christmas Eve.

Thank you!

Dining - I'm not sure but unless it's a super popular restaurant I don't think you will have problems.

Pass - the newest pass is so expensive and so limited it shouldn't affect wait times at all. At least during this pilot period.

Some special items for Christmas will be available all day and some will be party exclusive. So kind of have to wait until menus come out and they will specify.

 

[Artygal90]

I am getting antsy about booking our dining on Monday. We aren't interested in the Candlelight Processional dining package...is it going to be difficult to book just a regular dinner at one of the Epcot restaurants, no package?

We won't be able to do the new premier pass, but do plan on doing LLMP and LLSP...do you guys think it will be very hard to get additional times on our park days?

Also, one more question...I see special menu items at places for Halloween. Are those only for during the Halloween party? So, any special menu items I see when the Christmas menus come out, are those only during the Christmas party and Jollywood nights hours? Or if there is, for example, a special "Halloween Party" sandwich that is currently available at Pizzerizzo, is that there all day, like for lunch?

I"m so anxious, we have never been during Christmas. We check in December 20th. We are doing AK morning/Epcot afternoon evening 12/21, Hollywood Studios 12/22, and Magic Kingdom 12/23. We check out on Christmas Eve.

Thank you!

I just looked at the weekend I’m going in early December, and there’s still decent dining availability at Epcot. Le Cellier and Space 220 are unavailable, Teppan Edo only had a late seating left, but the others were all open especially if you can be flexible about time. I think you’ll be fine especially if you hop on right when your booking window opens!

 

[JBelle19]

Thanks y'all. Le Cellier is specifically what we would like, but, we have a backup plan of Garden Grill. Fingers crossed. I'll be on to reserve as soon as my booking window opens Monday morning.

 

[japanese maple]

Phew. Paid off trip. We always just make the deposit and then wait until close to due date to make the rest of payment.

I always feel slightly nauseous spending that amount at once!

 

[AussieFan8]

I currently have a Fantasmic dining package reserved for our trip. When I booked it, it said it was for "Fantasmic-First Show". I assumed that they always say this even if only one show is scheduled in case they add a second show. However, I see now in MDE that there actually is a second show scheduled for that date. Does anyone know if they ever drop the second show once it's on the schedule? If we can count on a second show, I plan to drop the dining package. I may wait until a couple weeks out and see if the second show is still listed, but I wondered if anyone knew if they ever drop shows from the schedule.

 

[japanese maple]

Here is a new Holiday Guide!

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/your-ultimate-holiday-guide-for-everything-walt-disney-world/

 

[OldDisFan]

Our trip is during the second week of December. I like the planning and anticipation in addition to the trip itself. (Although I may not like the planning as much if I don't get the candlelight processional dining that I want.) Anyway...I was thinking of doing early checkin to our resort just to do something. However, we once took an offered upgrade and we also had to cancel one year. Does early checkin complicate either situation?

 

[japanese maple]

Our trip is during the second week of December. I like the planning and anticipation in addition to the trip itself. (Although I may not like the planning as much if I don't get the candlelight processional dining that I want.) Anyway...I was thinking of doing early checkin to our resort just to do something. However, we once took an offered upgrade and we also had to cancel one year. Does early checkin complicate either situation?

Do you mean checking in online now? It won't make any difference in either one of those situations. That's just so you can get a text with your room if it's ready before you get there I think.
Although to be honest, that's never happened to us. Lately it seems either someone is there with an iPad to greet us when we walk in the door or we go to desk to see if room is ready.

 

[table88]

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

The Carnival area will close January 12 with the rest of the land closing January 25 (source: AK Coordinator)

 

[chiburple]

The Carnival area will close January 12 with the rest of the land closing January 25 (source: AK Coordinator)

Does the rest of the land include Dinosaur?

 

[behappyJules]

Finally reached Day 60 and was able to make our first dining reservation this morning! We are having a late breakfast at Boma the morning after we arrive. Now, because of the split stay (AOA/POP), I have to wait until tomorrow morning to make the rest, but I'm super excited that we've finally gotten to this point!

 

[Disturbia]

Does the rest of the land include Dinosaur?

It’s (the Dinosaur ride) not closing until later in 2025.

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tropical-americas/news/14oct2024-disneys-animal-kingdom-announces-first-dinoland-u.s.a.-closures-for-tropical-americas-project.htm#:~:text=The first wave of closures,set for January 12, 2025.