Urg - change in vacation plans

[gracelrm]

We were planning a trip December 2013 starting on Dec. 18 - 23rd. It was to be our first Christmas trip since 2004. DH and I are both teachers and our calendar was going to allow us to leave on the 17th to get several days in before Christmas. Yesterday, we find out there's going to be a calendar change Now, we won't be able to fit a trip in before Christmas, so we're looking at after Christmas and have some questions.

When do they begin to remove Christmas decorations?

How far past Christmas day do they have the special Christmas parade at MK?

Would the crowds be so high that we wouldn't enjoy the parks? We usually go in early to mid June, so are used to crowd levels of that size.

TIA

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Would the crowds be so high that we wouldn't enjoy the parks? We usually go in early to mid June, so are used to crowd levels of that size. TIA

The crowds and the wait times are horrendous! But for us that doesn't matter because we do go so frequently so we don't wait, we go back to the resort, follow the extra late or early park opening, etc.. For you, not since 2004, probably different.

I know the Osborne Christmas Lights at DHS, last day is Jan 6th, so the decorations are probably about the same time!

 

[twinklebug]

We were planning a trip December 2013 starting on Dec. 18 - 23rd. It was to be our first Christmas trip since 2004. DH and I are both teachers and our calendar was going to allow us to leave on the 17th to get several days in before Christmas. Yesterday, we find out there's going to be a calendar change Now, we won't be able to fit a trip in before Christmas, so we're looking at after Christmas and have some questions.

When do they begin to remove Christmas decorations?

They should be up until about the 5th.

How far past Christmas day do they have the special Christmas parade at MK?

Editing my response: my daughter diagrees... I thought that when we were there, the last Christmas parade was on Christmas day. She says no, it was running the day after also.

Would the crowds be so high that we wouldn't enjoy the parks? We usually go in early to mid June, so are used to crowd levels of that size.

This really comes down to how you tour - mornings are very manageable. Afternoons are packed. We've been often enough that we sit back, enjoy the environment and let the crowds pass us by. One thing can be said about Disney at the holidays, although it is more crowded, people in general are in a more relaxed, happy state than say they are in August.

 

[gracelrm]

We are planning on going Dec. 30th - January 4th - I guess that means no Christmas parade That won't be a deal breaker, but will certainly make me sad.

We generally go early to be at parks at rope drop, so maybe we could get a few hours in on the 30th or 31st then hopefully have a more leisurely visit after the 1st.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are planning on going Dec. 30th - January 4th - I guess that means no Christmas parade That won't be a deal breaker, but will certainly make me sad.

We generally go early to be at parks at rope drop, so maybe we could get a few hours in on the 30th or 31st then hopefully have a more leisurely visit after the 1st.

Were you able to get a room?! If so, great!

The MK has their NYE fireworks on both the 30th and 31st and we have always gone there for the 30th and Epcot for the 31st, but this year, we're going to DHS on the 31st because we've never seen their fireworks and have heard they are great!

Enjoy your holiday!

Also, the CP usually ends on the 30th. We've actually been able to go to that show and then head over to the MK on the 30th. The CP is really our favorite part of the Christmas holidays at Disney.

 

[mousefan1972]

The last Christmas parade is Dec. 31st.

 

[gracelrm]

Bobbiwoz - we are planning the trip for next year - Dec. 2013, so we'll make our reservations in January.

If Disney keeps the same schedule each year - it sounds like we could see the Christmas Parade on the 30th and go to the CP on the 30th as well. That would make me very happy to be able to do both of those and see decorations all around the parks and resorts.

Now - time to decide if we want to get the discounted PAPs before December 31st.