One day, 3 parks... On Christmas Eve?

[leebee]

I'm traveling with DH, who is a Disney-lite kinda guy, so we are only doing a one-day park hopper (also going to Universal and KSC...ouch, my wallet!). I was thinking of doing AK during the day and then over to Epcot to listen to the CP and watch the fireworks show. Do you think it's at all feasible to try and squeeze in a trip to MK to see the afternoon parade? We won't really be too worried about rides, and we don't do M&G, so that eases up the schedule a bit. I'd like to get to AK to walk through Pandora (FoP makes me sick, but if I can get him a FP I'll walk the queue with him), ride the safari (with FP), have "lunch" at Nomad Lounge. Then over to MK in time for the parade, maybe a fast trip on HM and BTMRR if I can juggle the FP times. At Epcot, Soarin' would be nice, but I think probably impossible. We'd be happy just to walk WS, listen to the CP from the back, and see the fireworks show. We are staying at a Disney Springs hotel so have access to FP at 30 days out. I know the crowds will be crazy... but do you think this is feasible? We could also do this on the 23rd or 25th, but I'd kinda like to hear the CP on Christmas Eve...

 

[Alesia]

I wouldn't attempt it simply because transportation is going to take much longer than usual

 

[stsomewhere]

The line for CP will be hours long.

 

[Mousetopia]

Best chance transportation wise is Uber park to park

 

[katherine52478]

I'm traveling with DH, who is a Disney-lite kinda guy, so we are only doing a one-day park hopper (also going to Universal and KSC...ouch, my wallet!). I was thinking of doing AK during the day and then over to Epcot to listen to the CP and watch the fireworks show. Do you think it's at all feasible to try and squeeze in a trip to MK to see the afternoon parade? We won't really be too worried about rides, and we don't do M&G, so that eases up the schedule a bit. I'd like to get to AK to walk through Pandora (FoP makes me sick, but if I can get him a FP I'll walk the queue with him), ride the safari (with FP), have "lunch" at Nomad Lounge. Then over to MK in time for the parade, maybe a fast trip on HM and BTMRR if I can juggle the FP times. At Epcot, Soarin' would be nice, but I think probably impossible. We'd be happy just to walk WS, listen to the CP from the back, and see the fireworks show. We are staying at a Disney Springs hotel so have access to FP at 30 days out. I know the crowds will be crazy... but do you think this is feasible? We could also do this on the 23rd or 25th, but I'd kinda like to hear the CP on Christmas Eve...

I think it will be difficult to get a FOP FP at 30 days, especially for Christmas week (I couldn’t get one for sept at 60 days out!)

Also, you can’t get FP for more than one park ahead of time so I’m not sure that you would be able to get anything for MK day of.

Plus trying to navigate through the crowds during parade time and then WS is a lot for one day!

I would say maybe stick to AK in the morning and then head to either MK OR Epcot.

 

[leebee]

Our Disney Springs hotel is a good neighbor hotel, so I can do FP+ at 60 days, and EMH. If I can't get FoP I'll try for Navi and the safari, and do a throw away (or FotLK) just to be able to try for more FP+ in a different park asap. I realize that trying for FP in the second (or 3rd?) park will be almost impossible, given the crowds. We'll have a car and I'm willing to pay to park, just for the convenience- although Uber might be better; don't they pick up pretty close to the park entrance (except MK?). Can't imagine the crowds on the buses- and I hate the Disney buses anyhow! I don't anticipate actually getting INTO Candlelight Processional, but am hoping to be near enough to hear it (unless I snag a package, which'll blow the idea of MK in the afternoon right out of the water, I bet!).

Ah well. I've never done Disney at Christmas, just wanted to know if "experienced" folks thought 3 parks on Christmas Eve would be possible!

 

[WIll C]

Getting into or out of MK requires going through the TTC unless you take a bus or Minnie Van. Add this into your travel times (parking or Uber). I'd avoid AK if you want to do MK and Epcot. We snagged a dinner reservation for CP just so we can see it and then the fireworks later that night (from our Christmas special package).
I'm trying to avoid doing too much travel on our days because of the crowds. Of course, no good plan survives contact with the enemy.

 

[robinb]

I think it's do-able. I would book the Pandora ride, the Safari & the throw-away FP as early as possible. I'm not sure if you'll need to tap into the 3rd throw-away or if it can just expire for you to get your 4th. I would check if you can get Soarin' as your 4th, but if you can't I would pick something in the MK. Have your lunch in AK and then head over to the MK. Personally, I would stick with Disney transportation. The MK parking lot will be closed by the time you try to park hop and the traffic may make an Uber difficult. IIRC they set aside a lane for the buses. Once you see the parade (the reindeer are my favorites!), I would then monorail over to Epcot.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Our Disney Springs hotel is a good neighbor hotel, so I can do FP+ at 60 days, and EMH. If I can't get FoP I'll try for Navi and the safari, and do a throw away (or FotLK) just to be able to try for more FP+ in a different park asap. I realize that trying for FP in the second (or 3rd?) park will be almost impossible, given the crowds. We'll have a car and I'm willing to pay to park, just for the convenience- although Uber might be better; don't they pick up pretty close to the park entrance (except MK?). Can't imagine the crowds on the buses- and I hate the Disney buses anyhow! I don't anticipate actually getting INTO Candlelight Processional, but am hoping to be near enough to hear it (unless I snag a package, which'll blow the idea of MK in the afternoon right out of the water, I bet!).

Ah well. I've never done Disney at Christmas, just wanted to know if "experienced" folks thought 3 parks on Christmas Eve would be possible!

Where are you staying? I would not recommend driving your own vehicle around WDW that day and attempting to park in any of the theme park parking lots. I would use the DS hotel's transportation to the parks (if they have it) and using Disney transportation to park hop if you decide to do so. If you use uber to MK, ask them to drop you off at the CR entrance and walk over. Or, splurge and use Minnie Vans as they have access to the park bus lanes.

The area surrounding CP in WS will be jammed that night (think lines through the America pavilion area into Japan and Italy). If you want to hear it, I would highly recommend booking a CP package. I don't know if hearing it from the back is really an option on Christmas Eve. I really can't stress how crowded it will be and how much traffic there will be around all of WDW this day.

I, personally, would narrow this down to two parks if possible and use Disney transportation as much as possible. I know you hate the buses, but they will have quick access in and out of the park bus areas, whereas private cars will be lined up just to get through the parking entrance kiosks.

 

[Alesia]

Best chance transportation wise is Uber park to park

I completely disagree. I would take the bus

 

[robinb]

The area surrounding CP in WS will be jammed that night (think lines through the America pavilion area into Japan and Italy). If you want to hear it, I would highly recommend booking a CP package. I don't know if hearing it from the back is really an option on Christmas Eve. I really can't stress how crowded it will be and how much traffic there will be around all of WDW this day.

I agree with this. The CP on Christmas Eve is going to be VERY busy! Coral Reef is available at 3:55. You can also look at late breakfast or early lunch instead and skip Nomad.

 

[3threebabies]

I am pretty sure we did 2 parks Christmas Eve last year; we did at least 2 parks everyday except for 12/23. I know we ate at Akershus for breakfast 12/24, and then I do not remember until dinner at Artist Point. We at minimum did Epcot and MK. I know for certain we did 3 on Christmas Day. However, we stayed at Yacht Club, so we always walked to Epcot. We split between walking and boat to DHS. Also, Christmas Day MK had 6 am EMH, and we got a very early head start. We also didn’t do AK that day, so we didn’t have 2 parks with a bus.

Christmas Day, we bused to MK for 6 am EMH. That was our most difficult bus wait of the entire trip. We got to YC bus stop around 5:30 and scanned into EMH about 6:40. We got a last minute ‘Ohana breakfast reservation the night before and left MK around 8 taking boat to Poly. Our fp+ that day were for DHS, probably starting around 9:30/10, so we took bus from Poly. We either walked or took boat from DHS to YC for afternoon rest and pool break. CP dining package was Teppan Edo at 4:30 for the 8:15 show. It was very doable in our case, but YMMV. It helped a lot that we were within walking distance for 2 of the 3 parks.

 

[leebee]

We are staying at Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Palace, and they do have park buses. I never thought about the traffic, but these are totally valid concerns, so we'll take Disney transportation. I'm thinking that maybe 12/23 is a better option, as much as I'd like to be there for Christmas Eve. Hmmm... maybe I can talk DH into tickets for MVMCP on the 22nd, hahaha! We are also going to Universal... wonder if that'd be a better choice for Christmas Eve. OR maybe we really should just do AK and Epcot.