Old Key West at Christmas

[kshabare]

We've been to Disneyland after Christmas. I've never been away for Christmas before. We'll be at OKW with DVC, courtesy of my in-laws. Merry Christmas to us! However, what the heck do you do that day? Do people send gifts down? I'm thinking Santa can just leave things under the tree. Okay - so what about food? Do ya'll just cook up your turkey or go out?

Any comments are greatly appreciated.

Kim ºOº

 

[CarolA]

If you want a "home cooked"meal without the hassle pre-order Xmas dinner from Publix. I used to do this for my Grandmother. You just pick it up Christmas Eve and warm everything up. Worked great! (There was no way she could have stood the mess and confusion of people cooking in her apt.)

 

[Connears]

We have stayed at OKW for Christmas once and New Year's once. For x-mas we brought our small tree and lights(we drive) and also decorated the window(many porches have lights ans wreaths). We did not make a dinner but chose to eat at MK at LTT which was very festive! we opened gifts there and Santa (all dvc members staying there with young children got one) even left a stocking filled with Mickey Lollipops on our door in the am for our 6 year old!
Connears

 

[Deb & Bill]

Last year we ordered a turkey dinner from Goodings, picked it up on Christmas Eve and cooked it on Christmas morning (fully cooked turkey, took quite a while to fully heat it). We brought our small Christmas tree (about 4.5 feet), ornaments and lights. We strung lights on the balcony (don't forget the extension cord). We opened all our presents in the morning. We also brought a wreath for the door (and a wreath hanger).

 

[Thmacs]

We were at OKW last Xmas. I have mixed reveiws. The resort was great, but the parks were a nightmare. We go to WDW frequently and having to deal with the volumes of guests that arrive for Xmas is just not our style. We also felt there was an increase in the rudeness level of guests at this time. I guess I understand, everyone is very focused on thier own enjoyment and unconcerned with what is happening around them. That said, we did have a nice holiday. I got a small lighted tree form a nearby Target, I brought the gifts I had for the kids, my SIL that was with us sent hers ahead and they were waiting for us when we checked in. I did get a turkey dinner from Publix and it was very good. The closest Publix was barley 10 minutes away and it was exactly what we wanted for Xmas dinner. We did not go to the parks on Xmas day except to get the Xmas day pin, and to see Illuminations that night. We did the CP package on Xmas eve and as luck would have it the 8pm performance ws rained out. My only reccomendations for a Xmas trip would be to have a well laid out plan, but be willing to be flexible. Up until Xams eve the parks had been crowded but tolerable. The decorations are breathtaking, and definelty worth the trip. We will be going back to WDW at Christmas time, we will just never plan on having a holiday there again.

 

[lizzie64]

This is exactly what I was thinking for our next trip. We are a family of 6 so we are strongly leaning towards a 2bedroom at OKW. I didn't know if the parks were even open on Christmas. DUH!!

Thanks for the info on the dinners, that's a great idea

 

[tinkfan]

We spent Christmas/New Years 1999 at OKW in a 2 bdrm. We brought lights and strung the on the balcony. We bought a small tree at walmart and brought most of the kids gifts with us. They also had a note from Santa saying he had left some things at home for them.( like a bike , lol )
We thought about getting the pre-made dinner from one of the grocery stores, but at the last minute decided to see if we could get PS for Liberty Tree. We did and it was a great experience on Christamas EVE. Right after dinner we walked out and had a perfect view of the Speical Christmas edition of MSEP. I know it is gone now, but it was great.
Christmas morning after taking our time opening gifts we headed over to the MK for Breakfast at Tony's. I can't remember if we even had PS, but we didn't have a terribly long wait either way.
I just had to walk down Main Street on Christmas Day. The place was already getting packed and we just took in a little atmosphere and left. We were fortunate to be there for 2 weeks so we just took the parks in bits and pieces and didn't fight the crowds. It was very Magical. I would spend another Christmas there anytime. Right now we are booked for the special 10 day Christmas cruise in 2004.

 

[kshabare]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and opinions. I like the Goodings idea. The countdown is 149 now and I'm warming to the idea now. Getting excited. I usually do try and go to WDW with the fly-by-the-seat-of-your- pants mentality. Last time we were there was 2000 for 3 days so we didn't do Epcot. This time my son will be 9 and I think he's learned alot about the world to enjoy it more.

I'm psyched to hear Santa is around WDW and the kids get a stocking from them too. We're going to leave gifts at home and tell him Santa can't deviate from his route. Of course he always does but you can't have them getting disappointed. The trip is a gift alone!

Kim