Tell me about Christmas

[JENR]

I have just planned my first DVC stay for Dec 6-13th at BCV. This is our first time during Christmas season. (well we went once but it was like ten years ago and I don't remember much). We always go in Oct during MNSSHP. We decided to try something different this year. So tell me what is going on? What not to miss? I know I heard about a gingerbread house at the GF. What resturants to dine at during that time? Tell me all you know. Thank you.

 

[yasuern]

Don't miss Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the MK on certain nights during that time of year - its a sep.tix(like MNSSHP) but its worth it.

Be prepared for the shortest lines you have ever seen - its a wonderful and relaxing time to go.

ALso bring layers to dress in because in December the weather although usually dry can have days that don't get out of the 50's.


If you have time/car - try to go to as many resorts to see how beautifully they have decorated for the Holidays. Our favs are GF, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge and AKL.


In Epcot in the world showcase each country has their traditions of the season - very interesting and entertaining.


The MUST NOT MISS - at DHS(MGM) are the Osborne Family Festival of Dancing lights - allow yourself enough time to really enjoy this - a few walks around and look for the many hidden Mickey's within the lights.

Also take the time to see the special Holiday shows and parades in the parks that offer these - they are wonderful!


As far as where to eat - sorry we usually just go to a quick service eatery - hopefully others will have a lot more info for you.

Again you are going IMHO the best time of the year - you will TRULY enjoy your trip

Sue

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you celebrate Christmas, I think the Candlelight Processional is a must see, but we are adults and haven't brought our DGC to it yet, so maybe it's something to wait for.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Definitely Candlelight Processional for those who are Christian, and we LOVE touring all the resorts to take in the holiday decor. Almost every one has some sort of gingerbread house, and that is always fun too. We find the gingerbread creations at Beach and Yacht to be the best. Oh, and we LOVE the decor at both WL and AKL!

If you have little ones along, don't forget to catch all the versions of "santa" in each of the countries of Epcot.

 

[Coach81]

We're headed to Disney for the first time for us this Christmas!!! We are very excited!!

 

[drusba]

Adding to above. Your MK outdoor stage show takes on Christmas theme and thus is something you won't see other times of year, Country Bears also changes to a Christmas show. Decorations are everywhere, parks, just outside parks, resorts, and it is all impressive. As far eating, it is not really different from other times of year so choose what you usually like. And just to give another vote: do not miss Osbourne Lights at the Studios.

 

[JENR]

Are the Osborne lights something you need to get tickets for?

Also the candlelight processional, do you need to get tickets for that?

 

[chalee94]

Are the Osborne lights something you need to get tickets for?

nope - they are set up at the hollywood studios.

Also the candlelight processional, do you need to get tickets for that?

i think there is a dinner package which includes seating at the little epcot auditorium i think, but you can still stand and watch from farther away for free. someone else will know for sure...

 

[bwvBound]

re: Candlelight Processional
i think there is a dinner package which includes seating at the little epcot auditorium i think, but you can still stand and watch from farther away for free. someone else will know for sure...

You pretty much nailed it. There are typically three price levels of the dinner package each with multiple restaurant selections. The package includes dinner and "early seating" (special, shorter queue) for a specific date/time presentation.

If you forgo the package, there is a longer queue for seating after the "special" queue(s) have been emptied.

 

[elliotps932]

nope - they are set up at the hollywood studios.



i think there is a dinner package which includes seating at the little epcot auditorium i think, but you can still stand and watch from farther away for free. someone else will know for sure...

thanks for the info!

 

[lisah0711]

Subscribing! Thanks for the good info. We are going for our first Christmas trip this year for eight nights, the last of which is Christmas Day. I am getting a little scared about the crowds then but everyone is prepared to get out early and do what we can knowing that we can't see everything.

For some reason lately I am really excited about this trip, which is a bit silly because I have a Disneyland trip coming up first in December (I love my DVC!)

 

[WALTSAGOD]

The mornings can be kind of chilly with shorts, but then the sun comes out, and you'll be fine.

The parks are dead, most rides have no wait, the long lines will be about 15 minutes. This is an AWESOME time of year to go.

 

[ILuvTigger]

Great thread!

This year we will be celebrating our first Christmas (first week in Dec) at "home". My family of 4 (ded 2 bedroom at Kidani). We also invited some of our family to join us for 5 nights/6 days. They will have seperate rooms (mil, fil, gmil, sil, her dh and their 3 small children in a 2 bedroom, and my sister, her dh (who is my dh's brother, yes we are married to brothers ), and their 2 children in a studio. I was just asking dh what the dates were for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. I can't wait!! Dh and I went to MNSSHP last Oct, we had a ball. I can't wait to find out more great things to do for our Christmas trip.

 

[Coastie]

We're doing just the opposite... we spent this past Christmas in a BW GV with family. Now my wife and I are going in October for MNSSHP! A belated 25th anniversary "honeymoon" getaway. We can't wait! My wife has always wanted to visit during Halloween.

 

[ccigliano]

We have been going in late November / early December for the last 11 years and absolutely love it. It is truly the most magical time of the year at Disney with all the special shows and events. Christmas Around the World at Epcot is so educational for kids to learn how other cultures celebrate the birth of Christ. The Candlelight Processional (EP) is very moving with a reading of the Christmas Story from Luke's Gospel, the 50 piece Disney Orchestra and a 400 member chior, I get chills just thinking about it. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights (DHS) gets better every year. The resorts and parks are decorated to the nines and be sure to visit the Grand Floridian for the lifesize gingerbread house and Wilderness Lodge for its decorations. I can't wait to go in early December with my family - we have a dedicated 2 bedroom at the WLV and my sister, BI and two nieces are coming for the first time. For me it has truly become a Christmas tradition.

 

[jpmom97]

We will be there at the same time! We went 3 years ago and it was great! No crowds, great weather. I sure hope it's the same this year!

 

[thelionqueen]

This will also be our first December @ WDW. We have gone to MNSSHP for the last 8 years and to be honest, I don't know how I'm going to manage Halloween night without it....BUT....that being said we are truly looking forward to our first trip "home" (BLT) and some new experiences!!

We are definitely doing MVMCP and checking out the resorts, I really can't wait. I just hope my family gets through October with me missing MNSSHP

 

[WALTSAGOD]

The mornings can be kind of chilly with shorts, but then the sun comes out, and you'll be fine.

The parks are dead, most rides have no wait, the long lines will be about 15 minutes. This is an AWESOME time of year to go.

I forgot to mention, the decorations are all up, and the parks look amazing!

 

[mamabear2]

Mid-December is a great time to go...less crowds than usual, beautiful decorations. Don't miss the Candlelight Processional (get a dinner package), and enjoy the gingerbread houses thoughout the world (Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, and Beach Club have great ones!). Be sure to catch Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party too. Have fun!

 

[danielle782001]

You will find some really wonderful decorations at other resorts...We made a point to visiting some of the deluxe resorts...We like to make ADR at a resort that we want to see...I stayed at WL...Their decoractions are so beautiful...The GF is also some place to see...BC and Ploy are also really nice.