Planning for our Christmas trip!

[leebee]

We are going to Disney for Christmas! Crazy, but fun. I'm trying to figure out a park-day strategy. We'll have 4 day park hoppers with 5 possible park days: Dec 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. My tentative itinerary is outlined. Does this make sense?
Sun 12/22- Epcot or HS (or should we do MK for lower crowds due to MVMCP?)
Mon 12/23- HS or MK
Tues 12/24- Epcot or MK
Wed 12/25- No park- maybe celebrating the holiday with a friend in Cocoa Beach
Thur 12/26- AK

I'd appreciate input from folks who've been there, done this over the holidays!

 

[kniquy]

A little bit of information which might be helpful with planning is to know whether or not you are staying on property and the make up of your traveling party. It is very different planning for those with little ones vs an older group who can handle the park commando touring.

I would pick one of my MK days for a party day -- it does tend to be a little less crowded because people do want to get full day in at that park, so you could do MK on 12/22 RD until the afternoon. From there hit Epcot for the evening -- it is a monorail ride from the TTC.

you are going at a very busy time so if you can squeeze in some park time on the 25th then it might be helpful for your planning - an extra day in the parks is at least 3 more FP to help in your planning even if it means you RD a park and leave by noon.

you might also want to look at getting a touring plans subscription. I have found the planning tools there invaluable. It helps create a flow to the park so that you are not planning a FP or ADR on opposite ends of the park.

Also once you have your park days pretty much nailed down I would start booking ARD's. Even if you don't intend on doing a lot of TS meals it can be a very nice break from the crowds. So book now and cancel if you change your mind. You are already well into the 180 day window. Epcot has the candlelight processional going on during your time, well worth getting the candlelight processional dining package so that you can get a seat without waiting hours in line.

 

[leebee]

A little bit of information which might be helpful with planning is to know whether or not you are staying on property and the make up of your traveling party. It is very different planning for those with little ones vs an older group who can handle the park commando touring.

Good point, sorry! It's just DH and me, staying at ASMu. Tickets are park hoppers and we'll have an upgraded dining plan (DDP, NOT the free QS).

I didn't think about the CP dining packages. We've done CP before and love it, but I am also happy to just listen from the rear if I can't find a package or don't want to spend the credits. We don't usually get park hoppers BUT they are part of the free dining package and really, at this time of year, I think it's worth it to be able to hop if a park gets stupidly crowded. I love fireworks but if we go to MK on a party day we won't see them... but I can always hop back, or maybe snag a late-night Narcoosees reservation and watch them from there. I guess it's time to think about ADRs.

 

[kniquy]

I guess it's time to think about ADRs.

Seeing that you not set in stone your park days what you can do is book multiple reservations for each day. What this entails is to book say a lunch at 12:00 in one park and then you can book another lunch for the same day at another park -- I believe the times can not be any closer than an hour and 15 minutes so your next lunch could be booked at 1:15 or 1:30. When you do this is gives you a little flexibility so if park hours change or plans change when it comes time to book FP. Once you solidify your park days then you just cancel the ADR's you don't need.

As for the CP -- we figured we needed to eat anyways so it just gave us better seats. We paid OOP but i do believe it requires 2 TS credits so it might not make sense.

 

[cgattis]

I think if I ever decide to brave that most crowded week, I’m going to go into the park ON Christmas Day! I doubt it will ever happen, as we like to be “home for Christmas” (but like Elvis says it LOL), but if I go, I’m going BIG! Plus we did discover every single thing except IHOP closed in Cocoa Beach on Thanksgiving Day, so unless your friend is cooking, you might be disappointed there. Let us know how it goes!!

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Plan on big crowds. Enjoy the Christmas decor. Relax. Eat and drink. Have fun.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I've done this week before and we'll be there the same week as you this year. I don't get usually get hoppers, but since we had to get them with FD last time we went Xmas week and this time, I think they are helpful to have if the park you are in is too nuts and you want to peace out, or if you can only get an ADR in one park on a certain evening but want to visit a different park that morning. My strategy last time was 2 full park days, one resort rest day, and then 2 more full park days, and I am attempting to do that again as I have 2 small kids and the rest day helps everyone feel more sane. We RD every day and take advantage of EMH morning hours when available, take a midday break, then hop to another park for dinner. If you go to MK on the 23 or 24 you can see the MVMCP Christmas parade in the afternoon without having to have gone to the party, likewise Elsa freezing the castle and the Christmas fireworks. I have never seen the Festival of Fantasy parade or Happily Ever after so we are attempting MK on the 21st. I think AK on the 26 is smart, but it also won't be bad on the 25 (compared to MK and HS).

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Rest day is a great idea. I might try to plan it for a day warm enough to swim

 

[citygirl27712]

I've been there twice at Christmas. The key I find to enjoying it is to avoid the MK on Christmas Eve and Day. If you are going to a park on Christmas Day, go to Animal Kingdom. The crowds are more spread out there. Have fun! I'll be there Dec 14-22.