OK DVC Experts..Need best things to do @WDW over Christmas

[ScottNBecky]

First off let me say that you guys on this board are so valueable with your information and have helped me and my family out so much already (we just found this site a few weeks ago).

We are taking our daughters to Disney Dec. 18-23, 2004. Since most of you DVC members have probably traveled to Disney over the holidays can you give me any neat things to see that are unique @ Christmastime (special parades, or hotels etc..)

We just became DVC members and will begin our travels using DVC next summer, (staying @ Pop over Christmas-since already planned and cheap), but have only been at WDW during the summer and Spring break.

I look forward to hearing any fun things you guys have done on your vacations. Thanks in advance, Scott

 

[NCRedding]

Do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at MK.

See Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Listen to Cast in Bronze and watch the tree lighting.

See the Osborne lights at MGM

Vist GF and WL to see the amazing decorations.

You've picked a great time to go, though, expect that the crowds will get heavier later in trip, so be prepared.

 

[ceejay13]

I also vote for MVMCP and the CP. We already have our tickets for this year's MVMCP. I would also recommend the CP and dinner package. You get much better seating at the CP and of course dinner. The CP gives me goose bumps every time I see it. We always resort hop to see all the decorations. That is definitely one of my favorite things to do. There is also a special Yuletide Fantasy Tour. It is our favorite time to visit the "world".

 

[Eeyore2003]

Listen to Cast in Bronze

What is "Cast in Bronze"????

 

[ScottNBecky]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah what is the Cast Bronze? And in your opinion see the CP first then dinner or vice-versa. We will miss Mickeys Very Special Party, it ends Dec 17.

Do you walk through the Osborne Festival of Lights or is it a parade? And what is, Yuletide Fantasy Tour? I have never heard of it. Thanks guys.

 

[kathleena]

I think Cast in Bronze is the group that plays sometimes at Epcot - they have that very large instrument with all the bronze bells. Darn I can't remember the name of it. There are only a few in the world. He wears padded gloves on his hands and keeps them in a fist to hit the keys, which in turn move the mallets to hit the bells.

 

[kathleena]

Ah it's a carillon.

http://www.castinbronze.com/

 

[ScottNBecky]

Cool thanks Nancy. hey how do you get the countdown to WDW to appear uunder your posts? THanks, Scott

 

[snyderla]

Hey, ScottNBecky, we live just 90 miles north of you up 74 & over on 80 east. To get the countdown clock, go to the tech forum & there are instructions there.

There is a DIS member/ WDW lover in Bettendorf IA that DH & I met a couple of years ago in the AP lounge at EPCOT...glad there are so many of us!

 

[MrShiny]

Be prepared for any kind of weather. In 2001, it was low 60's in the morning to upper 70's, in 1999 it barely broke 50!

The parks will be very uncrowded during that time. Tour the hotels and see the decorations - especially the gingerbread house and the tree at GF and the tree at WL/ Each resort has it's own tree and little gingerbread village (the aforementioned GF has the biggest, but the BW is neat too).

There is a specail backstage tour only given for the holidays.

 

[gjw007]

Hi;

Most of the major items have been mentioned. A couple other things to consider. At Epcot, the characters will arrive in a bus just outside the lake and do a song-and-dance routine (times are listed on the park information sheet). They then pose for pictures and sign the character books that the kids sometimes have. Downtown Disney will have various choirs performing during the evening. You can also go over to Universal where their characters have a song-and-dance routine as well. You will enjoy Disney at Xmas time. I do.

As some of the posts mentioned, be prepared for a variety of possible weather conditions. One year it got down to the lower 20's. The orange growers were all trying to ensure that their harvest was not ruined. At other times, it has been in the mid-70's. Either way, if you stay for the fireworks during the evening, bring a sweater or light jacket. It feels cold during the evenings while standing around watching the fireworks or evening presentation.

 

[buckylarue]

Originally posted by gjw007
Downtown Eisney will have various choirs performing during the evening.

Just had to say how scary that looked to me..."Downtown Eisney"...

 

[ScottNBecky]

Thanks for the info guys. Should be a fun time. snyderla my wife went to Iowa so we are very familiar with the drive through the QC's. Just found this board a few weeks ago and its great.

 

[ScottNBecky]

Thanks for the info guys. Should be a fun time. snyderla my wife went to Iowa so we are very familiar with the drive through the QC's. Just found this board a few weeks ago and its great.

 

[NCRedding]

The Yuletide Tour is a "back stage tour" that takes you into some of the parks and resorts to hear and see how the decorations are done at WDW. I think the age limit is 16 and up though.

The Osborne Lights are to be walked through, not a parade. I am not sure how they will be set up though, since MGM is renovating the area where they were in 2002.

We've always done the dinner first and the later CP, but I think this year I'm going to switch the order around. Seems like the earlier shows had dinner at times that weren't convenient, but I'm not really sure.

 

[Cobra B.]

Originally posted by MrShiny
Be prepared for any kind of weather. In 2001, it was low 60's in the morning to upper 70's, in 1999 it barely broke 50!

Yes, it does get cold in Florida. Sometimes it even snows on Main Street.

 

[ScottNBecky]

Thanks NC and I gotcha Cobra.

 

[lisajl]

My kids loved all the different Santas at Epcot. We saw quite a few walking around, but they got their photo taken with the Canadian Santa. He had on a flannel shirt and the traditional Santa coat and pants. He also had a big walking stick...made the kids stick out their chests,"Look like men boys, we're Canadian!"

Loved it!!!

Lisajl

 

[gjw007]

LisaJ:

I had almost forgot. The various nations at Epcot will have different holiday presentations as well. The Norwegian and German (I believe) story-tellers were also good.