The OFFICIAL December 2014 - Christmas Magic

[jcemom]

So...what plans has everyone made thus far? I can't wait to dig in! Wish I knew when MVMCP was going to be...that would help.

It will most likely follow the same schedule as previous years (by day of the week, not date, of course).

You should see MVMCP scheduled on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday when you are there, excepting Thanksgiving week. They won't have any MVMCPs during Thanksgiving week.

 

[gracerussell]

Thanks!!! I suppose there aren't any parks recommendations/crowd prediction calendars yet for Dec? I've heard that MK is always crowded on a Saturday, no matter if the overall DW crowd level is low.

We just returned from a Christmas to New Years trip, and we had an amazing time! However, I'd like to have smaller crowds if possible

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

never did I think that we would drive down, but when the youngest was just days from turning2, we drove down for a funeral....after that, we knew we could do just about anything(and that was before the nice slim tvs-we had the big one that hung) the drive is nice, we try even at their ages now to break it apart and enjoy....we drive from the NW corner. can usually do it in 2 days. Depending on when we leave is how we plan how far to go each day. Right now we will be wrestling most likely in Fort Dodge and will leave right after-hoping to get to the border or even further the first night. I know we can easily make it from Saint Louis to Florida on a hard full running day. we watch the weather and plan the route accordingly(have driven in the ice-no fun)the amount we save in airfare is more that we can spend down there. plans are to do Disney from Dec22-27 w/5 day hoppers and not sure if we are doing Sarasota or Clearwater for a few relaxing days on the beach. We look forward to seeing all the crazy people that are in cold weather gear as we are in shorts and swimsuits(us Iowans think that even at 50 degrees in December is warm compared to what we have at home)

I know, my kids have no problem swimming after a park day, no matter what the temp is.
I'd think your 2nd day drive will work, don't let the kids drink too much, less potty stops!
We made the mistake one year, heading down on a Friday evening and didn't make hotel reservations for some unknown reason, and we could not find a hotel anywhere in Kentucky. We ended up sleeping a few hours in a rest stop, and I got up and drove us thru the mountains just b4 Atlanta. I don't drive Atlanta. DH took over.
We love roadtrips, and have not flown since our cruise in Jan 09. Kids love entering a new state, we sometimes stop to see things. Grabbed peaches in Georgia last trip.
Airfare for our family would be crazy. (5 of us driving down, my DD18 and her BF are flying on their own, no room for 7 of us in the car!)

LOVE Sarasota and Clearwater. If you end up in Sarasota and have time stop by http://www.mote.org/. It is a bit pricey I believe, we have zoo memberships for Blank, so with the reciprocal program, we get in free to the aquarium.

Can't wait for Nov/Dec, so ready for a vaca to FL now!

 

[jcemom]

Thanks!!! I suppose there aren't any parks recommendations/crowd prediction calendars yet for Dec? I've heard that MK is always crowded on a Saturday, no matter if the overall DW crowd level is low.

We just returned from a Christmas to New Years trip, and we had an amazing time! However, I'd like to have smaller crowds if possible

You're welcome! You could probably start planning based on last year's park recommendations (I like easywdw.com). Again, just base it on day of the week and not date. It doesn't usually change much. I've only been once at the beginning of December, but I'm pretty sure you'll see lower crowds than Christmas - New Year's! It won't be as low as, say, early February or mid September, but it will be an improvement over what you experienced this year -- and you'll still get all the holiday decorations.

 

[rebeccam31]

How fun!! MVMCP is a must for us too, have not done it before. I'm planning about one ADR per day: CRT, BOG, Hoop de Doo, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare. Maybe Pirates and Pals cruise?

What is the Marceline to Magic tour?

I think we're going to try Hoop de Doo for the first time this year, too. I've also heard fabulous things about the Pirates and Pals cruise.

Here's the link to the Marceline to Magic Tour. My daughter is very interested in the life of Walt Disney, so even though it's recommended for older people, I think she'll love it:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/marceline-to-magic-kingdom/

 

[mamaprincess]

I made our reservation at Villas at the Grand Floridian Dec. 28th through Jan. 1st in a standard studio. It will just be the hubby and I. I am so exited because I have never seen the New Year's Eve fireworks and I love the holiday decor at GF and WDW in general. I look forward to soaking in the atmosphere with my sweety.

 

[lilmape]

Count me in! We (DH and I) are planning to take our DD on her first Disney trip Nov 29-Dec 6. She will be 2.5 years. So excited

 

[rileyroo120]

We are considering a trip Nov 30-Dec 6. Hoping there are discounts like the past few years at this time. We were lucky enough to get free dining last yr for our Oct 28-Nov 5 trip. It was so cool to see both Halloween and a bit of Christmas, but I would love to see the castle lit up. Traveling with my DH, DS (8), DD (5), DS (3), planning to stay at AOA family suites.

 

[BDL]

Just to give everyone a heads up... Delta and US Air have now opened their booking for Dec flights. I prefer JetBlue, myself. But if you like these airlines or they are most convenient, you can check out their rates and seating availability.

 

[jimjenkids]

I know, my kids have no problem swimming after a park day, no matter what the temp is.
I'd think your 2nd day drive will work, don't let the kids drink too much, less potty stops!
We made the mistake one year, heading down on a Friday evening and didn't make hotel reservations for some unknown reason, and we could not find a hotel anywhere in Kentucky. We ended up sleeping a few hours in a rest stop, and I got up and drove us thru the mountains just b4 Atlanta. I don't drive Atlanta. DH took over.
We love roadtrips, and have not flown since our cruise in Jan 09. Kids love entering a new state, we sometimes stop to see things. Grabbed peaches in Georgia last trip.
Airfare for our family would be crazy. (5 of us driving down, my DD18 and her BF are flying on their own, no room for 7 of us in the car!)

LOVE Sarasota and Clearwater. If you end up in Sarasota and have time stop by http://www.mote.org/. It is a bit pricey I believe, we have zoo memberships for Blank, so with the reciprocal program, we get in free to the aquarium.

Can't wait for Nov/Dec, so ready for a vaca to FL now!

love mote marine! there is a discount with our Omaha Zoo pass as well... I made the mistake and was driving on the way home through Atlanta-NEVER again! DH drives there for us too! now to hope for good driving weather and for the time to fly by. Disney cant come soon enough!

 

[lilmape]

Oops! Duplicate post...

 

[Redarrow5150]

Just booked today for December 24-30. We stayed at WDW at Christmas time three years ago and loved it! Don't care about the crowds just the atmosphere and decorations make it awesome!

 

[Tiramisu]

Just to give everyone a heads up... Delta and US Air have now opened their booking for Dec flights. I prefer JetBlue, myself. But if you like these airlines or they are most convenient, you can check out their rates and seating availability.

I have to wait for JetBlue if I fly out of Bradley, where you get a choice of exactly one direct flight to MCO each morning. Not sure if I want to go home for the weekend before we leave or just fly out of JFK. Decisions...

 

[jimjenkids]

Kids' saving started-figure that is all we do for Xmas for them on the years we go to Florida-cash works for them. then the DD asks for new Disney stockings with "stuff" when we are there. I think I can do that(just may look to order stockings and bring them with-sure IF I can find them now they will be cheaper) figured if we start now they will each have a good chunk of cash by the time we leave($25 a month to each until we leave should get them at least $300) they can do as they want with it but I do however put $50 on a Disney card from Target-this way they have to spend that at Disney-and are NOT allowed to sell it for cash to their sister! I have one boy that would rather save all his cash-vacation time included-so we make him spend some of it!

 

[becnbrymom]

We are going on a big family stay Dec 2nd-9th. It will be the first time that my parents, my brothers family of 5 and my family of 4 have taken a vacation togther and pretty much a first time trip for my brothers family as none of them have been since before Animal Kingdom opened!!

 

[becnbrymom]

Just saw that there's a FB group for Dec 2014. Loved the October 13 group. Sent a request to be added.

 

[saysib]

We booked our flights this week Found a great deal so just went ahead and booked. So excited!

Only downside is we now fly in Thanksgiving. I'm from the UK so have no idea what we will be arriving to Help!

 

[jcemom]

We booked our flights this week Found a great deal so just went ahead and booked. So excited!

Only downside is we now fly in Thanksgiving. I'm from the UK so have no idea what we will be arriving to Help!

I haven't had a Thanksgiving day flight yet myself (but I might this year). I have heard the airports are pretty quiet that day. Being a national holiday here in the U.S. it isn't a big day for travel. I think the day before and the Sunday after are probably the big travel days, IMO.

 

[nataliej_vk]

I just went in sept. 2013 but felt like I was missing something i normally go in December so going dec 2014 to make up for it!!!! Not sure if I want to go the first or second week! Any advice? I've gone the last 2 years the 2nd or 3rd week!

 

[PrincessHeather'sMom]

Hi! I haven't read all the posts yet, but I had to join the fun! My DD and I are making tentative plans for December 13-20. We like to stay at POFQ. She/we are waiting on some news that will affect whether we go or not, but we are still making plans. It is part of the fun! We should know for sure before April. (The wait is going to kill me!) We haven't been during Christmas-time since 1999. We really want to experience that again. Besides, she doesn't remember it! She was only four!