thinking of going christmas/new year advice neaded

[paulh]

We are thinking of going to WDW next Christmas/new year would like a few pointers like which park would be best Christmas day (we will be staying on property at broadwalk or beach club). How full and busy will the parks be? What is the average price for a flight at that time of year should we book it in advance or leave it until the last minute.Also do the Americans push the boat out a New Year like we do?
Regards PaulH

 

[WDWfan uk]

Magic Kingdom is really busy on Christmas Day ... many people have reported that it was so full they wish they'd chosen a different park.

It will be interesting to see how this Christmas pans out - so keep your eye on the boards ..... both at New Year and Christmas the parks can fill and you can find that after about 11.00am, they are not allowing any more guests in.

Out of the four WDW parks, Epcot can absorb crowds the best ..... and if you are staying at the Beach Club or Boardwalk certainly the most convenient for you. Epcot is a great choice for New Year's Eve as you can go round World Showcase celebrating with each country as their New Year arrives - in UK that will be 7.00pm

Another alternative would be the Universal parks - I know Janice chose Universal Studios over the WDW parks for the eve of the Millennium and didn't regret it!

Disney rates will be high - December 20th - 31st is Holiday Season, the highest rate band they have.

As I say, keep a look out for trip reports and posts regarding this Christmas and New Year - last year was quite soon after Sept 11th and although they were busy, it did affect the overall attendance.

 

[paulh]

thanks for the info as for the resort we will be using our dvc points so it is only flights we have to price and as we are going in may and having a car then and will be visiting outher places then we will not be hiring a car for the christmas hoilday
Regards paulh

 

[Janice]

Hi Paul

How I wish I was going again at Christmas time

It will be very busy - all parks will be heaving, I would suggest you choose your park for the day - get there early and plan to stay all day. New Years eve too - it has been known for the Magic Kingdom to be full to capacity by 11am - once that is reached no more guests are allowed in due to safety issues.

It is truly a fab atmosphere though - and yes, the Americans do push the boat out too for New Years.

I would seriously look into booking your flights as soon as you can. I wouldnt chance there being any last minute deals available. They do get booked up very fast.

Hope this helps............we spent Christmas Day at Busch Gardens and New Years Eve at Universal Studios - both were pretty amazing days and will never ever be forgotten.

Have fun.

 

[paulh]

As we have finally calculated our points for next year (also going in may 2 weeks) our points allowance only allows us to stay at the BV from the 22/12 to the 02/01 which I would prefer as they always have a lot going on that side of lake like entertainers ect dw would like to go to BCV but as it has to be over 100 degrees to get her near the pool as to poolhopping I know the dvc are not allowing it at BCV but has anyone got away with it this Christmas.

It will not be so bad as we will be at BCV for a week in our may visit .As regards lock outs at the parks we used to hear that when you stayed on property they would ask you which park you would like to visit on Christmas day this was so they could calculate the possible demand for each park and then limit the offsiters coming into the each park.

We will be going to Magic Kingdom on Christmas day but after the parade go back to the hotel using the monorail to ecpot then walk through ecopt (we have park hoppers left)to the international gateway then on to our hotel as I think this would be a lot nicer than being packed on to the meat wagons sorry buses to get back to our hotel for Christmas lunch ( do they do Christmas pudding with white source overthere).

Then when showed ect go back to Magic Kingdom the same way. And at new year Go to epcot watch some early firworks and go over to MGM watch fantasmic and a midnight watch sorcery in the sky ( i think that is on at the new year )as that is one of my faverate displays

Regards Paulh

P.s.
Youngest ds (7) is quite concerned that if we go that Father Christmas will not be able to find us and he will get no presents