staying offsite at Christmas 08

[kokomos]

We usually stay on site and DH says he will take us to Disney next year for Christmas We might invite his sisters family to join us if they do we would probally stay at Windsor Hill or somewhere simular.

That being said how bad/hard is it staying offsite at Christmas?

Thanks
Wanda

 

[lisajl]

We stayed offsite 2005 and it was pretty easy for us.
It was a quick drive from our hotel.
The only problem we encountered were the crowds at Disney.

I always insist on getting there early...every park.
Good thing I did, MK was at capacity and had to start turning people away.
So, go early, have a great time. I love it during the holidays!

Lisa

 

[kokomos]

I guess were back to staying onsite. I have a 4 yr old that will still need naps , hopefully if we leave the park we will be able to re-enter.
Im sure ill change my mind 100 times in the next year.
Thanks for your response

Wanda

 

[spiceycat]

even staying onsite at WDW can't guarantee you the MK on Christmas.

they say some park - not all the parks.

so if you really want to go to MK for christmas and Epcot or Studio won't work - then be prepared to stay.

that say you can see the fireworks from the MK - at CR, GF, Polyn, FW, and WL.

offsite the DD hotels (the higher the better) can also see them.

epcot fireworks can be seem at the Epcot resorts, bc, yc,bcv, bwi, bwv and CBR and Pop Century.

 

[riu girl]

spicey, what are your thoughts on stay off-site but getting into the MK mid afternoon on Dec 24th?
I read the thread on the theme parks board and it lists when the parks had a stage 4 closing and each was on the 25th or after but staying off-site, I would be affected by earlier stages of closings and was wondering if on the 24th that may be an issue at MK?

 

[spiceycat]

each Christmas WDW parks get more popular.

So don't count on it.

Now after dinner - when several people have left. Yes you can probably get in the MK.

that say when you arrive at the parking lot - if they don't let you in - guess what it is full.

the parking lot fills up before the parks. so you might go to Epcot, park the car, then take the monrail back to the MK and then try to get into MK.

but no guaranteeds. the mk closes at midnight both nights, Epcot closes at 9:30 but EMH on 25th will make it close at 12:30am. MK has early morning entry - so if you are staying onsite it opens at 7:00am on Christmas

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for the info.

 

[gqchicago]

Make those reservations for offsite housing EARLY!! It's not too soon to make them now, or in the next few months even if you want to be able to pick from the best available places, Xmas and Easter / spring break fill up VERY EARLY!!

 

[mareed]

Make those reservations for offsite housing EARLY!! It's not too soon to make them now, or in the next few months even if you want to be able to pick from the best available places, Xmas and Easter / spring break fill up VERY EARLY!!

I agree with this! We booked a home 2 months ago for XMAS 2008.

 

[Brian Noble]

Within a single development, homes of very similar quality/furnishing will be priced significantly differently. The less expensive are the first to book, and a year in advance is certainly not too early.

 

[kokomos]

Looks like were going to stay offsite after all, I found a 4br villa 220.00 cheaper than one prefered room at the ASMo. Looks like we may have another family join us so we will need alot more room to spread out. As for DIsney we havent decided yet , we may go with Orlando Flex pass but I will still visist the resorts to see all the decorations there.

 

[alexcturner]

Last year, after having Christmas lunch at the Gaylord and ICE, we spent the evening at MGM studios. No trouble at all getting in and a fun evening!