Tell me some "magical" things to do for Christmas and New Year's in Disney.

[D L and K's Mom]

I was feeling very sad and depressed that we had to cancel our Disney Cruise in July, but I am happy that things worked out and we were able to make reservations to go to Disney over Christmas and New Years!! YEAH. I know we are very fortunate to be able to be going at all. I know it is early BUT I want to make as many plans now as I can before "BABY TIME" in July. I am finding I have less and less energy as time goes on and I would love to get some ideas for the trip. Anyone have any great restarants they ate in? Any things we "HAVE TO DO". We are going to be a group of myself, DH, DD -12, DS- 14 (in a wheelchair) and new baby (Surprise!!) 5 months. We will be staying at the Swan/Dolphin. Did anyone do anything off of Disney property? Any restaurants in Orlando or Celebration? We will have a van. How far in advance do we buy tickets for the candlelight procession??How about The Mickey's Magical Christmas Parade? Did you take advantage of any of the dinner packages etc. Ok tell me everything so I can start planning!! Thanks in advance.

 

[ReneeDisney]

I would love to know too! I just booked today the BC from 12/28-1/04/04 and am very excited. I want to start planning- would love more info!

 

[travelbug]

We were down at Christmas/NYE time this past year, and will be again this coming Christmas. You will love it! It is absolutely beautiful with all the Christmas decorations.

We did not book any packages, so I can't be of any help there. But here are a couple things we did that we enjoyed. One evening, we went resort hopping after having dinner at Trail's End Buffeteria at Ft. Wilderness. We visited the Poly, the GF, and WL, to check it out in general and especially to enjoy the Christmas decorations. That was great fun! The GF was especially gorgeous. They have a life size gingerbread house in the foyer. We took a monorail ride too just for fun, and got to sit up with the driver. While we were riding toward the MK, the fireworks went off. What a view!

Do not miss the Osborne Lights at MGM. They are incredible.

We did not get tickets for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, but we did stand in back by American Adventure to listen for a little while. That gave us a good taste of the program, and satisfied our interest in it. Then we moved on.

We also enjoyed the lobbies of BWV and BCV where they had special "tabletop scenes" made by their chefs. One was made entirely out of chocolate, and the other was made out of something else that I can't remember (sugar? gingerbread?)

Have fun anticipating your holiday trip! I know we are looking forward to being back.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Gingerbread......Chocolate!!! YUM!!! Sounds wonderful. I am looking forward to seeing the hotels decorated for the holidays.

 

[Grumpy92]

The holidays at WDW are a wonderful time to visit.
First realize that you are also going during the busiest week of the year as well. So plan accordingly and be flexible.

Parks will fill to capacity on many of the days you will be there so staying at a Disney resort is definitely has an advantage. It also allows you to take some breaks during the day and return to the resort. The busiest days will be xmas eve, xmas day, nye and nys day.

1. Resort Tour: Take time to visit the various Disney resorts. Each is decorated with decorations that match their theming. Even the guest at FW go all out decorating their campsites with lights, annimated characters and music. We enjoy the GF, at 4pm the CMS sing carols in the lobby followed by the band and pianist. They might even have roasted chestnuts or you can have tea.

2.CP is a must see. It is the best show at WDW. They start booking the Dinner pkg in late Sept early Oct. I would suggest this as it cuts out waiting in a long line and you get reserved seating.

3. Osbourne lights. You have never see so many xmas lights in your whole life. Incredible!! Lighted every evening starting just as the sun has set and you get to see Fla snow. We usually have dinner in the studios and meander over.

4. MK Tree Lighting Ceromony: Everyday at 5pm in Town Sq. Your heart will flutter with patriotism as the flag is lowered to the Natl Anthem and presented to a Vet or Service Man/Woman. Afterwards a special show is presented to light the MK xmas tree. Only thru 12/25.

5. Holidays Around the World. Enter WS to xmas music that plays in time to a lighted covered bridge and a huge xmas tree. Each country as their version of Santa who tells stories from their homeland. Dont forget to get your new mousekeeters picture with Santa at the American Pavillion. Santa will also make appearances on xmas eve in the lobby of each of the Disney Resorts.

6. Yultide Tour, Adults Only, but it is the best. You visit three parks, a resort and the xmas warehouse. Along the way you will learn about the various holidays and how they decorate WDW.

7. MVMCP, Popular event and a must for many guest who visit at this time of year. Special ticket, call in advance.

8.Dining, I suggest that before you arrive you make PSs for xmas eve, xmas day, NYE and Nys day. If you wait until you arrive your choices will be limited, think fast food. Full service restaurants will book quickly so do this about Oct. All the restaurants will serve some version of the tradional xmas dinner.
Faves: Yachts St, Cal Grill, Artist Pt, Flying Fish, Brown Derby

Weather: I have spent many xmases at WDW and the weather various every year. One year we about froze on NYE with temps in the low 30s/20s. The last two years we got a few days in the 70s, beautiful and then it would rain and turn cold. So be prepared for both types of weather.

I have listed a great website that gives a run down of Holidays at WDW. http://wdwig.com/holiday.htm

See you there.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thanks for all the great ideas. Does anyone know when the schedule comes out for the readers for CP (I know this is WAY to early) If I remember correctly it is in Oct???? Nov?????Thanks

 

[Grumpy92]

Usually the narrators are set by the first of November.
Keep an eye on this site as they are good at updating the list when it gets closer.

http://wdwig.com/h_cpfaq.htm

 

[aurora19]

MVMCP - just a reminder - the last night is the friday BEFORE Christmas - but that's ok because starting Saturday the mid-day parade is the Christmas parade and MK changes its entertainment schedule to the holiday entertainment.

I agree that CP is worth getting tickets to (an absolute must if you are there XMas/NY week). No matter who the narrator is - the show will be wonderful. Be advised that tickets for that week often sell out before the narrators are announced!

Other must see decorations - Coney Island made out of Chocolate at the Boardwalk Inn - The full sized 4-horse carousel made out of Chocolate at the Beach Club Inn. Each hotel decorates their trees/garlands with a unique theme (generally related to their overall theming) so most of the resorts are worth seeing!

We have eaten at a few of the chain restaurants at Crossroads plaza - the food is no better/worse than moderate restaurants within Disney property but they are MUCH cheaper. (Last trip 8 of us ate at Chevy's Fresh Mex for about $70 and the food was good Mexican - more tex-mex than fancy) Also - it may be familiar food - which is sometimes a good thing at the end of a trip when novelty wears off.

Off Disney visits: On our last trip (12/02) we took a drive to the Kennedy Space Center (we actually saw the Columbia being brought out to the launch pad) - it is a great place to visit and it is just about an hour to the east of Disney.
We also spent a day at Sea World - we could have spent another morning there but the weather did not cooperate. (Your one day entry there gets you another days entry within one week) Because of all of the sit down shows, Sea World is great to visit when your legs are tired of touring.
We also did a driving tour of Celebration in the rain.

 

[dvc guy]

Have to agree with Grumpy92. We were in WDW last christmas. Make your PS way in advance or you will be eating fast food.
We spent Christmas day in Epcot and it was very busy but you could walk around. We has PS at San Angel for dinner. A woman in front of me asked if she could wait for dinner and the CM said full. She then asked could she come back in an hour and he repeated full for the entire night.

The good news is the parks will be open late. We were in MK on 12/26 and by 10 PM the park was pretty quite.There was NO line for SM I guess because it was 55 degrees at the time.
I made all my PS around park hours and parades/fireworks. 2 weeks before we arrived they added hours and changed times. Keep an eye on the web site for hours, they can change.

It is a magical time, slow down and see all the special stuff.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thanks for all the info. I am getting very very excited. We dont go for a long, long time but....we are going and that is all that counts. We will be there for 10 days so I expect to just take it slow and let the kids moods be our guides. I am thinking that this will be a very interesting trip a 14 year old a 12 year old and a 5 month old.........oh my ....than again ...life is going to be very interesting once this little one shows up. Thank you again for all the wonderful info. I will definitly check out the site with the readers and will be sure to get tickets early. I can't wait to see all the Christmas decorations. Thanks again