Orlando between Christmas and New Year's

[SevenWonkas]

We are heading back to Orlando (for the third time this year!) between Christmas and New Year's. We have Annual Passes, and may do a few things in the parks, but only with FP+ as I know it will be CRAZY down there! We'd focus on things we didn't get to do during our trip last month. However, we may skip the parks all together.

We're trying to figure out else we can do that won't make me want to pull my hair out due to crowds! We're coming down primarily because DH has forced PTO, we were able to get a unit through Marriott Vacation Club, and it's warmer in Florida than Ohio. We'll probably go to 'Ohana once, Resort hop a bit to see the decorations, and maybe DTD. As much as I'd like to see the Harry Potter and Simpsons areas at Universal, we WON'T be going there (with Diagon Alley opening next month, I know that place will be crazy busy too!). We're going to Hilton Head next month, so the beach isn't necessarily a priority for us in December.

Any ideas of family friendly things to do? We'll have our 2-year old, and the grandparents. We'll be staying at Marriott's Cypress Harbour (Grandparents at Marriott's Grande Vista), for reference.

thanks!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Dinner at AKL is always fun, see the animals, enjoy the atmosphere

 

[NinaBella]

Check out Gaylord Palms and ICE!

http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/...ter/christmas-at-gaylord-palms/csyr9pd/ice.mi

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We did an Orlando trip Christmas week 2012. You can read about it here, if you're interested:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3041415

We visited SeaWorld and Aquatica, did a day at Gatorland (in the morning) and an airboat ride (Wild Willy's) in the afternoon, visited ICE! at Gaylord Palms (including decorating gingerbread cookies with Gingy the Gingerbread Man and the Shrek Feast for breakfast) and a variety of other things.

My biggest suggestion would be to try and visit SeaWorld during the Christmas season.....its truly awesome, and all the holiday events are included in regular park admission. Worth every penny!

The special events at Gaylord Palms are also a must-do for a Christmas visit.

 

[SevenWonkas]

Thanks Gina! I just skimmed your TR. Looks like you had a great time! Sounds like ICE! is something we'd like to do! My son may like Gatorland, and this year may be the time to try it because he's not 3 yet!

 

[DonnaL]

So glad to hear someone else say they know how crazy crowded it will be the week between Christmas and New Years! So many people really have no idea just how crowded it does get. You did mention using FP+ if you do decide to attempt the parks at all. Just be aware that most days that week the parks....in particular MK.....will have capacity crowds and if you're not already IN the parks by 10:30/11:00 a.m. you may not get in...particularly since you're not staying onsite....since both closures and reopenings happen in stages...and onsite guests are readmitted before offsite guests. You mention your son is not yet three, so, I would guess that means you use a stroller also. Our grandson was 2 1/2 the one and ONLY time we attempted to go Christmas week and we were staying onsite, so were able to enter the parks about 9:30 a.m.........we left before 11:00 a.m. We were not even able to walk with the stroller ...the crowd level was that bad. As much as I love the Christmas decorations and all the Christmas activities....I will never go during Christmas week again....we have gone in early to mid December several times since then and while crowded it is at least manageable. As another poster has said, ICE is very nice and the Gaylord is decorated beautifully and SeaWorld also has some really nice holiday shows and activities....but, if the weather is cold (as it has been the past few years) it can be very cold at SeaWorld around all the water. We were there a few years ago the week after New Years and it was very, very cold.

 

[SevenWonkas]

Yeah Donna, we went to WDW back in 2002 or 2003 for the holidays. Arrived New Year's Eve (too late for the parks) and stayed 5 days maybe? New Years Day was crazy, and we vowed never to return for the holidays! DH is the one who suggested trying a few FP+....... I figured he'd want to stay far away since he always does the driving! He may change his mind when we get down there, and experience the crazy traffic. We can barely stand the crowds/traffic when typically go as it is, and we typically go when it's low-moderate crowds! So come to think of it, we'll probably avoid DTD like the plague, because traffic there is always bad. I'm sure it's horrendous at the holidays.

Regarding Sea World, how unbearable are those crowds? I think our son would enjoy some things there, but not lines to wait for things if it's also crazy busy (for Sea World, at least). We haven't been to Sea World since we were kids.

We went to WDW back on 2009 or 2010 a couple days after NYE. It was cold. We wore all the layers we could, and still froze. We went back a few weeks later for the MLK weekend and were back in tshirts! Luckily with the full Marriott villa we'll have space to pack multiple clothing options for the different types of weather, and to wash them throughout the week.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Regarding Sea World, how unbearable are those crowds? I think our son would enjoy some things there, but not lines to wait for things if it's also crazy busy (for Sea World, at least). We haven't been to Sea World since we were kids.

Christmas morning at SeaWorld was divine. Low crowds, walk-on everything, absolutely perfect! We arrived before rope drop and it was awesome. You can see from many of the pics in my trip report how empty the park was early on in the day. Crowds picked up somewhat by afternoon (though it was no where near shoulder-to-shoulder) and we were glad we had our Quick Queue passes (because we hate waiting for anything!!), but the park could still have been enjoyed without them.

Later in the week, it was VERY busy. Not our cup of tea, but we still managed to enjoy many of the park features (like Dine With Shamu and the holiday marketplace). That day, we didn't arrive until almost noon which was our most obvious downfall. Being rope-droppers will get you much further than anything....and Quick Queue is a must for that time of year if you plan on enjoying the coasters or other rides.

All that said, SW absorbs the crowds much better than most of the other Orlando theme parks, particularly since they offer a nice combination of shows, exhibits and rides. Their shows can seat A LOT of people at one time. Just remember to get there early (during Christmas week, 45 minutes to an hour) for a really good seat unless you purchase reserved seating (again, well worth it if you want to maximize your time).

We found SW to be far more bearable during Christmas week than DTD. I think many of the folks who couldn't get in to the parks (due to closures) or couldn't stand the crowds there migrated to DTD to spend the time. It was sooooo busy!!

 

[Grumpy92]

Disneyquest, AMC movies, spend a day at FW, resort hop, Splitsville.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

You could go to the Blue Spring State park and see the manatees, the boat trip there is pretty good too

We also like to go to Celebration to have something to eat and see the Christmas decorations. They have 'snow' on Main Street which the kids love.

 

[SevenWonkas]

Great ideas Mrs. Doubtfire, thanks! I remember seeing a youtube video some years ago of the "snow" in Celebration. We of course have snow in Ohio, but it'd be nice to have "snow" without the freezing weather.

 

[kathy884]

Christmas morning at SeaWorld was divine. Low crowds, walk-on everything, absolutely perfect! We arrived before rope drop and it was awesome. You can see from many of the pics in my trip report how empty the park was early on in the day. Crowds picked up somewhat by afternoon (though it was no where near shoulder-to-shoulder) and we were glad we had our Quick Queue passes (because we hate waiting for anything!!), but the park could still have been enjoyed without them.

Later in the week, it was VERY busy. Not our cup of tea, but we still managed to enjoy many of the park features (like Dine With Shamu and the holiday marketplace). That day, we didn't arrive until almost noon which was our most obvious downfall. Being rope-droppers will get you much further than anything....and Quick Queue is a must for that time of year if you plan on enjoying the coasters or other rides.

All that said, SW absorbs the crowds much better than most of the other Orlando theme parks, particularly since they offer a nice combination of shows, exhibits and rides. Their shows can seat A LOT of people at one time. Just remember to get there early (during Christmas week, 45 minutes to an hour) for a really good seat unless you purchase reserved seating (again, well worth it if you want to maximize your time).

We found SW to be far more bearable during Christmas week than DTD. I think many of the folks who couldn't get in to the parks (due to closures) or couldn't stand the crowds there migrated to DTD to spend the time. It was sooooo busy!!

Sea World is always out go to park for Christmas day too when we're in the Orlando area! So festive and lower crowds than other days during that busy week there.