Tell me all about Christmas at WDW

[Freyja]

I´d love to hear from those of you who have celebrated Christmas at WDW. How long were you there? Where did you stay (on site/off site)? Where did you eat? What parks did you do on which days? Did you do anything besides Disney?

DH and I are contemplating whether we can make it to WDW next year

 

[PearlySwan]

^^^ We've never been to WDW during Christmas. Good friends just got back (they went last year during Christmas too). They are regular WDW visitors, but they've never stayed on-site. They can't say enough good things about Christmas at WDW. Only thing is they came back before the 24th as they will attest crowds get increasingly larger as it gets closer to the 25th. We too dream of making it there during Christmas in the future. Have fun planning your Christmas celebration at WDW!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We made our first Christmas visit to WDW last year (2008) and stayed at POR. We did MK (12/21) and EPCOT (12/25). The decorations were beautiful and it was great to be enjoying the FL sunshine while it was freezing back home, but it was INSANELY crowded and we collectively agreed that we would not return again at Christmastime. Of course, as with anything, YMMV.

 

[Freyja]

Thanks for your replies

We were there last year over Thanksgiving and until 12/10. We didn´t do the parks on Thanksgiving though. I´m somewhat torn on the subject of being at WDW over Christmas. Part of me wants to so badly, just to be there during the holidays, escape the stress at home, etc. and the other part of me says "Why waste all this money on the parks, when we´ll go crazy with the crowds".

 

[Freaky]

We spent Christmas in Orlando in 2006 and would go at that time every year if I could

We flew over well before the main holidays, 11th December and stayed through to 27th December and rented a villa in Indian Creek (but it was a bit tired looking and ended up being sold shortly after, so not recommending it).

Having read everyones advice here we headed for the parks before the influx of US visitors and found the parks really quiet up to about the 20th/21st. No waiting at most rides and at that time Expedition Everest was the big new ride in Animal Kingdom so great to get on it without long waiting times. We did go back in for a last go on it on Christmas Eve and that park was incredibly busy - we got there for opening as we only wanted to do this ride and headed straight to it. Well the fast pass was already sold out until 1.30pm!! By the time we returned for our turn the Fast Pass was closed and there were people everywhere! Our advice would be to arrive before the main holiday rush and do the bulk of your parks/rides then. We didn't go to the parks on Christmas Day but did see signs mid morning saying it was closed as it had reached capacity (there was also a LOT of rain that day which didnt help) - mind you I think I would still like to be in Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day sometime (at capacity or not).

Another thing we love to do is go to each of the Disney hotels and see the Christmas decorations - the Gingerbread house in GF is fabulous! We actually had our Christmas Dinner in Citricos at the GF which I would highly recommend as it was one of the nicest meals ever!

We are thinking about trying to go again next Christmas but unfortunately the flight prices from the UK are really high so we will have to see.

Tracey

 

[Freyja]

We spent Christmas in Orlando in 2006 and would go at that time every year if I could

We flew over well before the main holidays, 11th December and stayed through to 27th December and rented a villa in Indian Creek (but it was a bit tired looking and ended up being sold shortly after, so not recommending it).

Having read everyones advice here we headed for the parks before the influx of US visitors and found the parks really quiet up to about the 20th/21st. No waiting at most rides and at that time Expedition Everest was the big new ride in Animal Kingdom so great to get on it without long waiting times. We did go back in for a last go on it on Christmas Eve and that park was incredibly busy - we got there for opening as we only wanted to do this ride and headed straight to it. Well the fast pass was already sold out until 1.30pm!! By the time we returned for our turn the Fast Pass was closed and there were people everywhere! Our advice would be to arrive before the main holiday rush and do the bulk of your parks/rides then. We didn't go to the parks on Christmas Day but did see signs mid morning saying it was closed as it had reached capacity (there was also a LOT of rain that day which didnt help) - mind you I think I would still like to be in Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day sometime (at capacity or not).

Another thing we love to do is go to each of the Disney hotels and see the Christmas decorations - the Gingerbread house in GF is fabulous! We actually had our Christmas Dinner in Citricos at the GF which I would highly recommend as it was one of the nicest meals ever!

We are thinking about trying to go again next Christmas but unfortunately the flight prices from the UK are really high so we will have to see.

Tracey

Thanks Glad to hear you had a great time.
If we manage to pull this off, we´ll be flying in around the 15th-17th and staying in a villa in Indian Creek too. However, we have stayed in this home a couple of times before and know it is wonderful. I think we would skip the parks all together on Christmas Day, and just make it a quiet day back at the villa, or at the beach if the weather allows.
I´m dreaming of a sunny Christmas....la la la la la