Questions about Christmas trip

[Imgoingplaces]

I'm trying this again, because I can't find my post anywhere

Christmas Week Questions?
I know, we are crazy LOL. But, this year we want to celebrate Christmas in the happiest place in the world.

I know the crwods can be thick, and I just need te be informed and come up with a good plan to deal with this. We have been many times before, so we don't feel like we "need" to see and do it all. We just want to expereicnce that Christmas feeling at WDW.

Here are my questions:

1)We are planning on arriving around the 19th so we will have a few days before Christmas. How are the crowds usually at this time? We were thinking that we may want to get our park days done at the beginning of the trip. Does this plan sound like it could work

2)We usually go during "off seasons." We are used to shorter hours, so what can I expect for December hours near Christmas.

3)Are there times of the day that are less crowded? Mornings, evenings? Since the parks are open later I was thinking everyone can't stay ther all day (can they?)

4)What about parades at the MK. Do they do the special Christmas parade during the day or evening at the MK, and when does this ususally start.

5)We are familiar with MVMCP, and the Candlelight processional, touring the resorts to see the decorations and the Osbourne lights-which I know, will not take place this year What else should we look for in regards to holiday activities? Any not to be missed suggestions?

6)Finally, are DQ and the water parks usually crowded this time of year too?

That's all for now TIA

Jen

 

[southernwingz]

I'd be interested to know the answers to a lot of your questions also since we'll be going two days before you do. We won't be staying through to Christmas though, we're leaving on the 22nd.

 

[ChibiJones]

What worked for us was for MK & MGM was to go late & stay until closing. Those two parks were open until midnight if memory serves. We'd get there around 5-6pm & at that point most of the families were leaving for the day. I don't think we waited more than 20 minutes on any ride & we walked onto alot of them towards closing time.

Christmas Day, we went to AK. We got there around noon (late flight the night before) & went to eat first. We had no trouble getting food & a table. There was only a 20 minute wait for the safari, Dinosaur was 40 minutes and that was the longest line we waited in the entire trip.

We also did the Keys to the Kingdom tour and Candlelight Processional. If you do the CP, go to the show 1st & dinner afterwards. The restaurant was running behind about 20 minutes so we would have been rushed if we had done it the other way around.

We're not parade people so we skipped those. There was a parade at MK going on when we finished with the Keys tour, but MK was packed so we got outta there. We had seen Fantasmic at Disneyland so we skipped that as well & walked onto TOT & RNR.

 

[XStAnt]

Here's what I can answer based on my visit last Christmas (12/20-12/27):

1) While the parks won't be empty, the crowds are very manageable before 12/25. By 12/24 they start to get noticably larger, and by 12/25 they explode. Definitely do the parks between 12/19 and 12/24. Avoid MK on 12/25--it's usually so crowded they don't let new guests in after mis morning.

2) Parks will be open much later during this time (except perhaps AK). I believe MK was open to 11:00 pm or midnight most nights that week. The parks also often open earlier than usual. Sometimes they don't announce the earlier time until 1 or 2 days before.

3) If you're staying on site take advantage of early entry. You can get a lot done those first few hours. You may want to take a mid day break when the crowds get really large in the afternoon, especially after 12/25. The crowds will thin out later at night as many kids are put to bed or simply tire out.

4) I don't believe they have any special Christmas parades at this time. I believe the "Christmas Parade" is actually taped a few weeks earlier and shown on TV on Christmas Day. However, the regular parades often run twice a day at this time. Check the schedule when you arrive at the aprk.

5) I think some of the restaurants have a special dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (I'm not 100% certain about this). No matter where you eat, make a PS if you want to do a sit down meal. This isn't just for Christmas Day and Eve, make a PS for meals the entire week.

This past year at Epcot they had people in costume at each country telling how Christmas is celebrated in their country, etc. At the UK pavillion, the had three comic performers retelling "A Christmas Carol" using audience members. It was a riot!!

6) I can't really answer this question but Typhoon Lagoon is usually closed for refurbishment in December.

I hope this info helps.

 

[XStAnt]

Here's what I can answer based on my visit last Christmas (12/20-12/27):

1) While the parks won't be empty, the crowds are very manageable before 12/25. By 12/24 they start to get noticably larger, and by 12/25 they explode. Definitely do the parks between 12/19 and 12/24. Avoid MK on 12/25--it's usually so crowded they don't let new guests in after mis morning.

2) Parks will be open much later during this time (except perhaps AK). I believe MK was open to 11:00 pm or midnight most nights that week. The parks also often open earlier than usual. Sometimes they don't announce the earlier time until 1 or 2 days before.

3) If you're staying on site take advantage of early entry. You can get a lot done those first few hours. You may want to take a mid day break when the crowds get really large in the afternoon, especially after 12/25. The crowds will thin out later at night as many kids are put to bed or simply tire out.

4) I don't believe they have any special Christmas parades at this time. I believe the "Christmas Parade" is actually taped a few weeks earlier and shown on TV on Christmas Day. However, the regular parades often run twice a day at this time. Check the schedule when you arrive at the aprk.

5) I think some of the restaurants have a special dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (I'm not 100% certain about this). No matter where you eat, make a PS if you want to do a sit down meal. This isn't just for Christmas Day and Eve, make a PS for meals the entire week.

This past year at Epcot they had people in costume at each country telling how Christmas is celebrated in their country, etc. At the UK pavillion, the had three comic performers retelling "A Christmas Carol" using audience members. It was a riot!!

6) I can't really answer this question but Typhoon Lagoon is usually closed for refurbishment in December.

I hope this info helps.

 

[Imgoingplaces]

That gives me a place to start planning. I think I can come up with a plan that really works for my family, and helps me plan a great holiday vacation for them.


Any other opinions are always appreciated

 

[eleanor]

We ate at the YC for dinner christmas day aand they had turkey with all the trimmings. I would think that a lot of the restaurants would have traditional meals.We found that the crowds were very heavy christmas day ,but people poured in on the 26th. Anything you can do before the 25th you should do.

 

[dvc guy]

The other posts have given you some great advise. We have been at WDW over Christmas the last five years.

Parks will be some what quiter till the 24th. The morning of the 25th should be OK in the mornign and then watch out for the crowds, they will be massive till 1/3.

Take advantage of EE if possible, you wiil
be able to get a lot done in that hour. Last year they added an extra hour to the parks about 1 week in advance. Keep an eye on the web site so you will know before you go.

The best advise here is to make your PS EARLY. Without a PS you can forget about eating any type of sit down dinner.

The parks are magical and it is a very special time of year. With the long hours, MK should be open 9 to Midnight after the 25th. Take your time to see all the special stuff, and remember that you will not get to see everything.

Try this web site for last years hours .
www.wdisneyw.co.uk/dec.html

 

[disneyterri]

If you have small children you should go to Downtown Disney and have their picture taken with Santa. It's a great picture and a nice experience.

We were there last December and it was beautiful. You'll love that time of year.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I think someone metioned this in another post but I would definetly try and see some of the storytellers from each of the countries in the World Showcase. I'm trying to remember them all but so far I only come up with Pere Noel, Monkey King, Kris Kringle, and of course Santa Claus. There is also a woman storyteller but I can never remember her name. This is a wonderful experience and one I'm looking forward to very much. I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[TonyS20]

We left on Dec. 20 last year and you could begin to tell a difference on the 18th and 19th. Prior to that, the parks were fairly empty.

I would suggest touring the resorts - Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk Inn were our favorites. Every resort is decorated and they are magnificant!

If tours interest you, I would see if you could take the Yuletide Tour. It was very informative and it was interesting to see how everything gets decorated for the holidays!