Our 1st Christmas Trip - WOW.

[yesdisneyfool]

Back for a very special trip to Disney for Christmas. We arrived on Sunday 12/22 and departed on Friday evening 12/27.

The room at OKW was great #4820 (second floor so I could hang my Christmas lights on the patio and in the windows). This is our first (and not last) time in the area of OKW. We did notice that there were a lot of young (babies to teens) in Disney for Christmas. This was great.

On Monday we went to MGM and the goal was to see the Osborne Lights. What a way to start the Holidays. We waited until about 6:30 and the crowds were lighter.

On Tuesday (Christmas Eve) we started at MK and switched over to Epcot for the CP. This was as beautiful as ever even in the pouring rain, yes it rained. At 3:00 we were the first 3 in line for the 5:00 show. At 4:15 they let us in and promptly at 5:00 the Heavens opened up, but the show went on.

On Wednesday (Christmas Day) our major plan was dinner at the California Grill for 6:00 overlooking the MK and guess what, we got a window seat, what a site and the meal was fabulous as always. We started the day at AK and the crowds were very light.

On Thursday we spent the day at Epcot. During our stay, my daughter came up with this game (based off the show The Amazing Race). That day at Epcot we started our race – it went like this.
On Thursday morning, she divided the countries (some represented more than 1 country) and wrote there names on a piece of paper and placed them in a bowl. Each one of us pulled a country and wrote it down on a sheet of paper and we kept going until they were all gone (we each had 5). The task was to go to your selected country (in the order of picking) and buy a small flag ($3) then have a guest (not CM) take a picture of your with your flag standing by the Holiday Scroll for that country. This was to be done for each of the 5 countries. After completing, you had to go back to the entrance to WS by the BIG Christmas Tree and have another picture taken with all 5 of your flags.

Well needless to say upon entering WS, we all started at the tree and counted 1, 2, 3 go and off we went. As you might guess, yes we did some serious walking all over WS. After completing the journey we all had great stories and fabulous memories to talk share.

On Friday (our last day) we just couldn’t leave without staying the MK. When we got there we went to Exposition Hall and got our AP Red Books (questions to answers from around the MK). This was also very fun and we learned things about Disney and the MK that we never new. At 12:30 we sat on Main Street and waited for the 2:00 Christmas Parade. This was beautiful. The crowds were heavy (due to the beginning of the long Holiday week between Christmas and New Years).

I would recommend Christmas Time to anyone especially the days leading up to and the day after Christmas, any further and the crowds could get overwhelming. This was a very different trip with special memories to share.

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks so much for sharing! Sounds heavenly...

We love the Christmas Season at WDW but we usually go the first week in December. We're afraid of the crowds right at Christmas.

 

[sweetp267]

Great trip report. I always like to hear about other people's holiday moments. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to experience it myself. My wife works at one of the area malls and if you don't know already, from Black Friday to the end of January, you cannot and I mean cannot take your vacation during that time. It just goes with the territory.

I do have a question about your report. You mentioned that you picked up your "red books" at the MK on your last day. Could you elaborate on that for me? Is that a year round perk for AP holders? I am a new AP holder and I am still finding out what perks we are entitled to.

Please let me know. I look forward to your reply.

Thank you

Jon

 

[PamOKW]

Your trip sounds wonderful. Isn't it fun to hang lights on your "home"?

I have a question about the CG. Was it the regular menu for Christmas Day? In the past, they have sometimes had a "special event" with pricing in the $100 pp range.

 

[Desperado]

I do have a question about your report. You mentioned that you picked up your "red books" at the MK on your last day. Could you elaborate on that for me? Is that a year round perk for AP holders? I am a new AP holder and I am still finding out what perks we are entitled to.

Great question.

 

[Doctor P]

Sounds like a great trip. I love Disney at the holidays.

 

[POLLY ANN]

I loved watching the Amazing Race, so what a great idea to do in WS! I would have never thought about doing something like that.

Thanks for sharing your Christmas trip. Someday my family and I will get up the strength to be there during the holiday rush! lol

 

[yasuern]

The game at Epcot your DD came up with sounds liks a lot of FUN - When my 2 kids get alittle older I am going do the same!
I love going to WDW in december(we go the 1st week of) Its so festive and more magical than any other time of year - I am glad you enjoyed your trip - thanks for sharing

 

[MAC3]

Thanks for sharing your special trip report with us. It sounds truly magical! I hope to experience the world during the holidays sometime.

Your report just made it a must do!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Pam there was a special menu for Christmas Day. Apparently it was the same for Christmas eve. $45.00 pp.
Choice of entree: duck, striped bass, beef filet, pork loin, and wild mushroom ravioli.

 

[Regina]

We had the 8:30 seating at the CG on Christmas night. It was hands down the best meal that we had. I had the duck, and it was excellent. Our server, Eric, was outstanding, and we had a table right by the windows. When Fantasy In The Sky was performed, I wanted to pinch myself. I couldn't believe how perfect everything was.

The $45.00 did not include tax or gratuity. While there, I saw the NYE flyer. Get this, it was $500.00 per person. It was noted that the price was the same for adults and children.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

DVCReg - we were there at the same time!!! The party of 12 with one wearing a Santa beard!!! I agree - everything was perfect (especially the red wine!)

 

[WDWguru]

Originally posted by dvcreg
While there, I saw the NYE flyer. Get this, it was $500.00 per person. It was noted that the price was the same for adults and children.

Probably to discourage people from bringing young children. With that price tag, I would assume it was designed to be an elegant, adult affair. Rather than say "no children allowed" :gasp:: not at DISNEY!), they simply made it impractical to bring them. I wouldn't have been offended by them saying "no children" as I don't have any, but it sounds like they handled it well and likely accomplished their goal.

 

[AKemel]

I would recommend Christmas Time to anyone especially the days leading up to and the day after Christmas, any further and the crowds could get overwhelming.

Is Christmas week considered to be less crowded than New Year's week? We were in WDW 12/28/02-1/3/03 and it was very crowded. New Year's eve day we got a FP at 11:00 for Living with the Land and the return time was 8:00 p.m.

Just curious about the crowd levels. We went last year at the same time; next year we are considering Christmas week.

 

[Jen D]

Thanks for the great report. My daughter announced yesterday "I want to have Christmas at Disneyworld-- can you put a Christmas tree in the hotel room?" I would LOVE to do Christmas at WDW and am always encouraged by reports from people who have a good time in spite of the considerable crowds. California Grill for Christmas dinner is a great choice!!

On an off topic note, sweetp267 wrote

My wife works at one of the area malls and if you don't know already, from Black Friday to the end of January, you cannot and I mean cannot take your vacation during that time. It just goes with
the territory.

I know! My sister has worked in retail for years and years and now sells frou frou cosmetics at Saks Fifth Avenue. We NEVER see her for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Lately we've started visiting her occasionally for holidays, but she has to work a lot. It's tough!

 

[tiggerguy2000]

Iwas also at disney 12/20-01/03 and the rain on xmas eve and new years eve was a little bit of a downer but we made the best of it. We had the processional dinner package xmas eve eating at nine dragons which was very good and then listened to gary sinese do the reading.I was not happy with the way they hold seats for VIP's and stars that dont show leaving rows of seats under the covering empty . Paying extra for the package was not worth it. I got the same seat as everybody that paid nothing.I picked the wlv to stay at because of the theme.It was more of a christmas feeling for me.We enjoyed our stay at christmas and can say i was with mickey on christmas and new years but the crowds was more then expected.New years day they had 50,000 inside Magic kingdom while they say it only holds 40,000.My next stay i would like alot less crowds so i could go on more then 4 rides in a day.
tiggerguy2000 ºoº ºoº

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Hey, sorry for not getting back yesterday, I had to go help out at another office all day. Well:

Sweetp267 - the red book can be picked up in the MK at Exposition Hall. The book contains questions about the different lands in the MK. They give you a clue and the search begins. Some are easy and some we still have to find. (we will complete our book on our next trip).

PamOKW - as mentioned CG had a set price and menu. Thanks for posting DisneyHumbug & dvcreg.

AKemel - we found that the few days before Christmas was light to moderate but Friday 12/27 at the MK was very crowded. Therefore I would think the New Years Week would be the most crowded of the two.

Jen D - We brought a 2 ft artifical tree complete with decorations for the table and a few strands of lights for the patio and windows...we were not alone, OKW had lots of decorations in the villas.

 

[Regina]

Disney Humbug, were you the ones at CG who were wearing tree garland?? I remember someone from that party with a Santa Beard.

We were at the table by the window to the immediate right of the lounge chairs.

I also brought lights to decorate our balcony at OKW. Too bad I forgot an extension cord.

Yes, it's crowded, yes, the weather can be iffy, but it is extra special to be in WDW during the Holidays.

The best part? Not having a bill for the room at the end of the stay.

 

[kem330]

Yeah Regina- now if I can do something about our $2000 in restaurant charges!

 

[dvc guy]

Great report .
We were at OKW from 12/21 - 12/26.
Went to MGM on the 24th and just got Fantasmic in before the rain came in a BIG way. We got soaked to the bone, had to peel the clothes off.
This was our 4 th holiday trip and they just keep getting better.
We were home 2 days my DS asked when we were going back so he could ride SM.