Reservation recommendations for Christmas

[disney_dreamer77]

Hi all! Long time lurker but I finally scheduled our first visit to Disney World. My daughter (20) and I will be going to Disney World on December 19-26th. I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for restaurants or other places that you really loved to eat at while at Disney World. I would love to find a great place to eat at on Christmas night. I'm not on a dining plan and we aren't picky so I would love to read all your suggestions! I know it may be hard to make reservations this late so I'm making a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C hahaha! Thank you all!

 

[smitty0705]

We went at Christmas a few years ago and had our Christmas dinner at the Grand Floridian 1900 Park Fare. The stepsisters may not be a traditional Christmas dinner but we LOVED it!

 

[Lynne G]

My kids are 16 and 20 and like German food, so we are doing a candlelight breakfast in Garden Grill, then dinner at Biergarden. Spending the day in Epcot. That wil be our Christmas Day.

I would try to go to the kind of restaurants you enjoy. All will be open for the holidays. Also, if you cannot get a time or place you want, keep trying. Also, the closer you are, the more chance someone will cancel their reservation.

We will be there 21 to 28. Love that time of year. All the decorations and holiday shows, plus everything is open because of the crowds.

I hope you have a great vacation.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Where are you staying? Do you have park plans for that day? I would recommend eating somewhere that will be easily accessible from where you will be around dinner time. Traveling around WDW on Christmas day, unless it's by foot, and ESPECIALLY by bus or car is really difficult as the traffic is horrendous. We were there on Christmas Day 2015 and stayed at BWV. We went to EP briefly (walked there) and then had dinner at our resort at Trattoria al Forno. It was fantastic. No crowds and great food. If you could give us some details on what your plans are for that day, we could give you some more detailed suggestions!

 

[Harambe]

I agree with others that you might plan to eat at a resort, rather than in the parks on Christmas day if you think you would be bothered by crowds. I know that the Grand Floridian is supposed to be beautiful, with the Gingerbread house and all. So maybe a dinner or lunch there would be fun! But if you have your heart set on going to a park for Christmas, I think you need to plan on getting there are rope drop and staying (I don't think you would be able to park-hop to another park as all the parks will probably be filled up early). Once you pick the park, just see if you can find any TS restaurant that has a ADR available - go for off times!

 

[fla4fun]

I don't go on Christmas Day very often, but I did a couple years ago and I booked my Candlelight Processional dining package for that day. I had an early meal, rode my three FP rides, went to the theater for the show, and watched Illuminations. It was a very nice day!

 

[NYCgrrl]

We've reservations @ VA for the Eve and Brown Derby for Christmas Day. Best approximation of our normal at home experience I could find assuming the FL part of the man's family aren't coming.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Also book your meals asap as Christmas dining has been available for a while and restaurants will fill up.

 

[disney_dreamer77]

Thank you all for your input. We have worked it out to be in the Magic Kingdom early on the 25th and never leave because I'm sure we probably wouldn't get back in. We did get reservations at Tony's Town Square but I'm not sure that we are 100% interested in Italian food. Anyone know of a good restaurant in MK where you can see the fireworks?

 

[billy1]

As it is Christmas day you will find it very difficult at this stage to have a choice. We are going 15 to 30 December and we booked all of our meals at 180 days out. It is just such a popular (and I know busy) time of year; we always do Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (26th - as we call it in the UK) first of all and then work our other reservations around those days.

My suggestion would be that if you want MK, find what you like and book immediately so that you are not disappointed.

 

[Lynne G]

I am not sure you can see the fireworks well from any of the MK restaurants. If you really want to see the fireworks, I'd book a Dessert Party,even with the Plaza Viewing one, you get a good view of the fireworks. I think the Plaza Restaurant is better than Tony's, as it has sandwiches and some hot entrees, and ice cream. You'd be right near the castle there. I would go to Allears or other to see generally the food they are serving. We try to choose restaurants that all will like something. At least now you have determined where you will be on Christmas. And I agree, MK may have closures during Christmas Day. That's one of the reasons, why, even though we'll have park hoppers, we're just going to stay in one park for Christmas.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you all for your input. We have worked it out to be in the Magic Kingdom early on the 25th and never leave because I'm sure we probably wouldn't get back in. We did get reservations at Tony's Town Square but I'm not sure that we are 100% interested in Italian food. Anyone know of a good restaurant in MK where you can see the fireworks?

You can't see the fireworks from any MK restaurant. CRT has a limited view from the windows, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a "view". As PP pointed out, if you want a great fireworks spot, book the dessert party with plaza garden viewing. Or, book California Grill or Narcoosee's which both have great views of the MK fireworks.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Thank you all for your input. We have worked it out to be in the Magic Kingdom early on the 25th and never leave because I'm sure we probably wouldn't get back in. We did get reservations at Tony's Town Square but I'm not sure that we are 100% interested in Italian food. Anyone know of a good restaurant in MK where you can see the fireworks?

If you had your druthers what kind of cuisine would you prefer?