Please tell me about your Christmas time trips!

[JESW]

Yes, we KNOW that it will be crowded, but we have been fortunate to go several times so we don't need to do everything and we don't go commando. Our spring break in 2006 will be around Easter so we'll get to experience BOTH the busiest times of the year!

DS10 will be in 5th grade soon and it's getting tougher to take him out of school and DH doesn't like summer. We have been in April, May, June, September, October and November - what can we expect in December? Is there any chance of swimming? There have been times in November where we have swum (swam?) and then other times when it was quite cold.

My biggest fear is having to fly when there is a chance they will have to de-ice the plane! But, we went last November 13th and we were the first plane out that DIDN'T need to be de-iced....who knew?

Christmas is on Monday so we would like to go down Tuesday the 26th and stay until January 3rd. I last rang in New Years in front of the castle back in 1976/1977 when there was only the Magic Kingdom. I was a teenager and we were listening to the band Starbuck (Moonlight Feels Right) and it was so cool.

Thanks!

Jill

EDIT - ALso wanted to ask if there is any chance of getting an AP rate for that time??

 

[danny1649]

To visit WDW in my opinion,all the holiday live shows,parades,decorations and happy spirit of the folks visiting.If you will arrive early and use Fast Pass I think you will be able to more attractions than you think even with the heavy crowds.The weather is good for touring and most Disney pools are heated but when you get out the air temp can give you a real chill so swimming is a hit or miss at this time of year.If you are planning on some Disney sit down dining you should make PS's for those meals ASAP because with crowds being very heavy it is hard to get a seat in sit downs.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Jill, I LOVED my Christmas trip to WDW in 2003. It was just me and my mum and we had the best time.

Like you, we had been several times so were not too concerned about doing commando style. We were actually there from Dec 24th and left on the 31st so I can't comment on the new year's eve stuff. We did other things when the parks were too busy - like a sleigh/carriage ride at Wilderness Lodge, Cirque de Soleil etc.

Yes those parks are crazy busy, but just get to the parks early, use fast pass for the rides you really want and most of all take in the atmosphere. It is wonderful and everyone seemed so happy, guests as well as CMs.

I highly recommend seeing the Candlelight Processional. It was absolutely the highlight of my trip. We saw it on Christmas Eve and it was amazing. I have the whole thing on video (and bought the CD!!) and watched it at home this past Christmas.

Louise

 

[Connears]

We have been to WDW for the past 3 christmas-newyear's week and will be returning this year also. It is a wonderful time to go, but not if it is your first trip. We are veterans ans are able to structure our touring to include flexiblility and enjoyment of the holiday fun along with our favorites. The crowds are huge, but FP and strategy will get you by. Just go and have a ball! With the right attitude, you wond't regret it!
Connears

 

[JESW]

Thanks for all the advice so far! Anyone else????

Connears...I am from Natick, graduated from NHS many years ago and now live about a half-hour from there but still go back to the area a lot. (Bought my van at Natick Honda..)

Jill

 

[bytheblood]

It was enjoyable, because it was Disney, but I will never do it again. We visited December 19th-26th and the crowds were not unbearable at all. The only ride we had a terrible wait for was Pooh's Hunny Pots. Fourty-five minutes and so not worth it.

The decorations were nice, the crowds were not heavy at all, MVMCP was nice and the parade was wonderful.

What I might suggest the most is regarding clothing. Bring sweats and wear your short under them. It was chilly in the mornings and very chilly in the evenings. During the day, it was nice and warm. So, we removed our sweats during the day and just hung them over the strap of our bag we carried. Very easy.

 

[TomD]

We went 12/25/04-1/1/05. We had a great time and it was our 1st time going during that time frame.

I was expecting huge crowds and it was beyond what I imagined. We used FP for everything we could. We used EE for rides without FP and surprisingly got the majority of what we wanted to do accomplished during EE.

we are headed back 12/4 this Yr I want to see what a slow time is like

 

[bornwiththeears]

We went at Christmas (16th trip but 1st at that time of the year) a few years ago (with adult children) The 26th was grea. The decorations were beautiful and it was a wonderful day. Crowds picked up on the 27th - but still enjoyable. Each day the crowds grew and by the 30th we literally had to walk in the direction of the moving crowds. I would still go again. Like someone in a previous post said - not a good time for a first visit to the world - but if you just want to enjoy the season it is great.

 

[cleophus12]

We have visited WDW at all times of the year, but this past Christmas was our first Christmas visit. Having been warned about the crowds, I went with a different agenda than usual. Someone on these boards suggested going with the goal of getting the things you can only do at Christmas done first. Make those top priority. Then everything else is just gravy. Surprisingly, with the help of FP and the parks being open later, we were able to do everything we wanted to do and then some. You sort of have to approach the visit with a different mindset. Know you will have to wait in lines when you don't have the FP, and just be prepared to do it. Don't plan too much in a day. And do wear layers (cool mornings, warm afternoons, cool nights). As for New Year's Eve, we also took advice from these boards to pick a park and stay in it that day. Don't try to park hop--you run the risk of the park being closed. We stayed in Epcot on Dec 31 all day until the midnight fireworks and had plenty to do. Again the long lines occupied some of our time. We had a great day, and even tho the park was crowded, Epcot is big enough that we never felt like it was wall to wall. Find a bench and rest in the afternoon, make a nice PS for dinner, and get ready to camp out for a place to see the fireworks. I'm not sure I will go back during the holiday rush again, but we do hope to return in early December to get us in the Christmas spirit.

 

[lindsey]

We have been twice during Christmas week - 2000 and 2002. We left both times on 12/30. In 2000, we did not do CP package and waited through one performance to have seats for 2nd performance. 2002 we booked the CP package for Christmas Eve and walked straight in, much better - except for the rain. In 2000 and 2002 they opened all parks early for resort guests. In 2000 we went to EPCOT and rode TT 3 times straight. DS is not a morning person, so this was the only reason and time we used the early hours. In 2002, we booked the Keys to the Kingdom Tour for DS 16th birthday. That was great because MK is usually the busiest and we were able to walk right on some of the rides and had lunch waiting for us. You can't do or see it all in any trip, so you decide what is the most important for each trip.

With our extended families growing, it's hard to go back Christmas week.

Like a previous post, we are going first of Dec this year - DS in college and will not be going.

 

[zurgswife]

We went Christmas/New Years 2003/2004 and we loved it all. The decorations were awesome...the extra Christmas stuff like Candlelight Processional made it extra special. The crowds were heavy..we did early entry at MK when we went because by 11:30 everyday MK was a zoo...

But I definately would do it again. Also if your Spring Break matches with Easter it will give you a warm up...We did an Easter/Spring Break for the first time every...I have never never seen crowds as bad as there was 2 weeks ago...all the parks had very heavy crowds...So, Christmas will sort of give you your sea legs so to speak for your Easter trip..

And yes it was very warm the second week there...after Christmas which fell on Thursday... It hit 80's the entire next week...but it is a chance that it will be in the 50's like the week prior

 

[brtls5]

We are also going this year the week after Christmas. I'm very worried about the crowds. I hope things go well.