Surviving Christmas at Disney questions

[dsanner106]

We have looked at every date possible over the next year, and Christmas time is all that works for us. We hadn’t been to Disney since pre-covid and never around the holidays. Our plan is Dec 28-Jan 4.

I know it will be insanely busy! We will do all we can with rope drop and genie. Any other tips? Also I’m debating on the dining plan, or just food in general.

Do you think it’s better to schedule sit down table service everyday to get a break from the madness? We used to enjoy scheduling meal at different resorts, to get to enjoy the other resorts. Is this a good plan? Or is it better to stay in parks all day and just deal with crowds and eat on the fly?

Open to any and all tips/ideas!

I should say we are a group of 5 with older kids. 21,17,13. So I don’t think they will care much about character dining.

Thanks

We have done this before and you just need to be patient and not expect short lines and you will manage just fine. We scheduled just a couple sit down dinners and tried to mobile order or do walk ups for the rest. We stayed in the parks primarily and used Genie plus and purchased a couple LL s. Being flexible with your touring plan and taking advantage of short lines helps.

 

[Maddie1986]

We were there for Christmas in 2014 and 2022. In 2014, the temperatures were lovely. So, I expected similar temperatures in 2022, but it was quite cold on some of the days, dropping to the 20's and 30's in Fahrenheit. So, if you have some flexibility with packing clothes in your luggage, prepare for the possibility of colder weather than you may expect in Florida.

In 2022, we booked Raglan Road for Christmas Day dinner. We waited exceptionally long past our reservation time to be seated (well over an hour) and the food was not that good. I was really disappointed because Raglan Road is a treasure, but not on Christmas. So, my suggestion is that if you are booking dining on Christmas Day, maybe don't book a hot spot location in Disney Springs. I think someone else said it on the first page, but Disney Springs was extremely chaotic the whole week, more than the parks.

And, like everyone said, be prepared to purchase LL and Genie+ every day. Just factor the highest price point for Genie+ into your budget.

 

[Eastern]

I know that 'you know' it will be busy, but imagine gridlock. This will happen several times during your trip. January 1st is your best day to go early as people are up late for NYE. You have until about 11am to get things done relatively normally. The rest of the time it's generally insane. You will need G+ every day, and that's coming from someone who has never purchased it.

That being said, it's a fun time if your expectations for 'getting things done' is low.

 

[luisov]

Christmas at Disney will be busy but magical. Use rope drop and Genie+ to manage crowds. Sit-down meals can give you a break; resort dining is a cool idea for variety.

 

[jtopp]

Should be less crowded after the first. Mobile ordering will be the way to go.

 

[Disturbia]

If you could move your trip to 12/21 you can get free dining (and park hopper) covered for your trip if you have the Disney Visa card. Jollywood is offered until 12/21. I priced our trip if we moved it to 12/28 the price would be the same without the discount because resort rates are lower (so you’re not loosing much).

Christmas fireworks and parade (free version) last until 12/29. 12/30 and 12/31 MK has special NYE fireworks twice a day. Watching from the Poly beach is no longer allowed (only resort guests allowed and they need a special band).

Be prepared for crowds and long waits (monorail took 40 mins waiting with a double stroller).

If staying at Deluxe resort, guest got Epcot and AK on that week last year (AK was 12/28 so book early flights).

Multi passes/single passes would have to be booked 7 days prior. Pricing and strategies are still up in the air.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We have looked at every date possible over the next year, and Christmas time is all that works for us. We hadn’t been to Disney since pre-covid and never around the holidays. Our plan is Dec 28-Jan 4.

I know it will be insanely busy! We will do all we can with rope drop and genie. Any other tips? Also I’m debating on the dining plan, or just food in general.

Do you think it’s better to schedule sit down table service everyday to get a break from the madness? We used to enjoy scheduling meal at different resorts, to get to enjoy the other resorts. Is this a good plan? Or is it better to stay in parks all day and just deal with crowds and eat on the fly?

Open to any and all tips/ideas!

I should say we are a group of 5 with older kids. 21,17,13. So I don’t think they will care much about character dining.

Thanks

I would definitely do TS daily. We usually do early parks til 3p, go back to resort, dinner, and then Disney Springs or back to parks late.

 

[StarCruzer]

Unfortunately they cut MK EEH last December. Only Epcot was offered.

It’s still a good opportunity (who doesn’t LOVE an extra ride on guardians ), but Epcot isn’t a great EEH park to knock out rides. Too spread out and they close off World Showcase between Ratatouille and Frozen. MK and HS work best in those extra situations where it’s alot closer to bop from ride to ride.

Ohh, interesting! we're planning for December and never even considered that EEH might be cut.