It has always been on our "bucket list" to go to Disney to see the Christmas decorations. We got a magical rate at the Polynesian, which was also on our "once in a lifetime" to do list. Staying on the monorail was amazing and the convenience of the Poly made this trip a transportation breeze. The monorail did go down one morning but we were headed to Epcot and saw it stuck at the TTC with the windows out of the cars. That was interesting.
We knew going into this trip it would be very crowded and we would possibly not ride everything more than once as in past trips. We were there for the decorations, resorts, and family time. We did spend time visiting resorts to see their decorations.
We did make rope drop each day and had hoppers which made a huge difference. If you go at Christmas plan to be at MK by 6:45. We rode all of fantasyland (including stand by 7DMT) and some of tomorrowland before 8am when the park officially opened. We were also able to ride Splash and Big Thunder multiple times each before 9am.
MK was definitely slammed by 11am and that's when we scheduled our FP+ for. We used it for the mountains so we could ride those multiple times. Did not attempt to get 4th fast passes as we were tired and ready to rest by 3pm. Headed back to the resort and swam and napped until heading out to dinner and fireworks from our beach.
Epcot was also slammed by 11am each day. We were there by 7:45 and the park was already open. We did TT standby (walked right on) and had FP+ for Soarin. We were able to ride everything we wanted and finally saw all of the movies in the countries. Again, back to our room by 4:00 before heading out for dinner and Osborne lights or Illuminations.
Same plan of attack for DHS. Got there by 7:45 and park already open. DH and DS's did RNR as standby with no problem. Had FP+ for TSM right at 9:00 as that line gets crazy long, even for FP+ holders. Rode Great Movie ride, saw Indiana Jones show and then back to TOT for our FP+ and Star Tours. Muppets had 15 minute wait which we joked was insane (when is it ever over 5 min wait?). But even that as easy peasy and we were in and out. Men rode RNR single rider with no issue.
AK also opened at 8. Got there around 8:10, walked onto Dinosaur, Primeval whirl, and EE. Used our FP+ for the Safari, then back to EE for FP+. DH and DS's rode Rapids and then we rode EE one more time. Standby was still only 30 minutes by 11am. Saw the Lion King show at 11 (got in line at 10:50) and then headed out to lunch at Beaches and Cream and then the Poly to rest. We did AK on Christmas day intentionally as we knew MK would be a zoo and it was. MY DS was also sick with a bad cold so we just hung out in our room and watched tv for the night except to pop down to see fireworks from the Poly beach. Giving him that afternoon to lay in bed made a huge difference in how he felt.
Overall, we had no transportation issues. We walked right onto monorails and buses and got from point A to point B with ease which surprised us bc of the time of the year. Yes the parks were insane by lunch and lines ridiculously long. But we knew that going in, used rope drop and FP+ strategically and planned nice afternoons by the pool each day which was actually a refreshing change from our go til you fall over touring at less crowded times.
I probably won't go back at Christmas as this was a "once in a lifetime" trip. I teach so we have to go in summer or school vacation weeks so crowds are the norm for us at Disney. I think if you have only gone during non-peak times you'd be shocked at Christmas. For us it was just another August day only not so darn hot. : )
We knew going into this trip it would be very crowded and we would possibly not ride everything more than once as in past trips. We were there for the decorations, resorts, and family time. We did spend time visiting resorts to see their decorations.
We did make rope drop each day and had hoppers which made a huge difference. If you go at Christmas plan to be at MK by 6:45. We rode all of fantasyland (including stand by 7DMT) and some of tomorrowland before 8am when the park officially opened. We were also able to ride Splash and Big Thunder multiple times each before 9am.
MK was definitely slammed by 11am and that's when we scheduled our FP+ for. We used it for the mountains so we could ride those multiple times. Did not attempt to get 4th fast passes as we were tired and ready to rest by 3pm. Headed back to the resort and swam and napped until heading out to dinner and fireworks from our beach.
Epcot was also slammed by 11am each day. We were there by 7:45 and the park was already open. We did TT standby (walked right on) and had FP+ for Soarin. We were able to ride everything we wanted and finally saw all of the movies in the countries. Again, back to our room by 4:00 before heading out for dinner and Osborne lights or Illuminations.
Same plan of attack for DHS. Got there by 7:45 and park already open. DH and DS's did RNR as standby with no problem. Had FP+ for TSM right at 9:00 as that line gets crazy long, even for FP+ holders. Rode Great Movie ride, saw Indiana Jones show and then back to TOT for our FP+ and Star Tours. Muppets had 15 minute wait which we joked was insane (when is it ever over 5 min wait?). But even that as easy peasy and we were in and out. Men rode RNR single rider with no issue.
AK also opened at 8. Got there around 8:10, walked onto Dinosaur, Primeval whirl, and EE. Used our FP+ for the Safari, then back to EE for FP+. DH and DS's rode Rapids and then we rode EE one more time. Standby was still only 30 minutes by 11am. Saw the Lion King show at 11 (got in line at 10:50) and then headed out to lunch at Beaches and Cream and then the Poly to rest. We did AK on Christmas day intentionally as we knew MK would be a zoo and it was. MY DS was also sick with a bad cold so we just hung out in our room and watched tv for the night except to pop down to see fireworks from the Poly beach. Giving him that afternoon to lay in bed made a huge difference in how he felt.
Overall, we had no transportation issues. We walked right onto monorails and buses and got from point A to point B with ease which surprised us bc of the time of the year. Yes the parks were insane by lunch and lines ridiculously long. But we knew that going in, used rope drop and FP+ strategically and planned nice afternoons by the pool each day which was actually a refreshing change from our go til you fall over touring at less crowded times.
I probably won't go back at Christmas as this was a "once in a lifetime" trip. I teach so we have to go in summer or school vacation weeks so crowds are the norm for us at Disney. I think if you have only gone during non-peak times you'd be shocked at Christmas. For us it was just another August day only not so darn hot. : )
