Using TGM The Week After Christmas

[tarheelmjfan]

My DSis called & said some of my family will be coming to visit the week after Christmas. They want to take my DNiece to WDW a couple days. Not that week!!! I'm going to attempt to steer them toward UO instead. Staying onsite there helps with the mob. She mentioned not wanting to pay that much for a hotel, so we'll have to see how that goes.

Anyway, has anyone used TGM that week? Did it help you to navigate the parks a little easier? IMHO, none of the rides are worth an hour wait. I'm hoping to come up with a manageable solution that we can all agree on.

 

[glass slipper girl]

I've used it the week between Christmas and New Years twice and we didn't wait more than 15 minutes for anything! Makes a TREMENDOUS difference! The "survival guide" is worth the cost all by itself. I went being extreemly worried about going at that time and we had such a great time that we didn't hesitate to plan another trip the next year for that same week. There's something "extra magical" about being there for the holidays! I wouldn't hesitate to do it again....but only with TGM to guide me.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I've used it the week between Christmas and New Years twice and we didn't wait more than 15 minutes for anything! Makes a TREMENDOUS difference! The "survival guide" is worth the cost all by itself. I went being extreemly worried about going at that time and we had such a great time that we didn't hesitate to plan another trip the next year for that same week. There's something "extra magical" about being there for the holidays! I wouldn't hesitate to do it again....but only with TGM to guide me.

Thanks for the input. 15 minutes sounds a whole lot better than what I was imagining. If we go, we'll definitely be using TGM.

I hope you don't mind, if I ask some more specific questions.

1. Did the parks ever fill to capacity that week for onsite or offsite guests?

2. I know MVMCP is over by then. Are the shows & parade from the party offered during the day?

3. Do they offer the CP package at Epcot, during this week?

4. Did you eat at LTT? Was Mickey & Minnie dressed in their holiday attire? How about any of the other restaurants?

5. We've been a few times, during the 1st of Dec. Do you know, if there's anything else that makes this week different from earlier in the month?

I think that's it for now. That's enough, huh? TIA for your help.

 

[vsimeone]

I have never used TGM but I will try to answer these from our numerous visits during the week after Christmas!

I hope you don't mind, if I ask some more specific questions.

1. Did the parks ever fill to capacity that week for onsite or offsite guests?

I know this happens on NYE. MK closes as early as 11am. I don't think there is as much of a problem at EPCOT as it is a larger park.

2. I know MVMCP is over by then. Are the shows & parade from the party offered during the day?

I have never been to MVMCP but I don't believe that any of the parades are repeated during the day. I could be wrong. Someone else may answer this better.

3. Do they offer the CP package at Epcot, during this week?

We have gone to CP on Christmas Eve and plan to attend again this year on Christmas Eve. I believe the program goes until 12/30 (again, don't hesitate to correct me if I'm wrong!)

4. Did you eat at LTT? Was Mickey & Minnie dressed in their holiday attire? How about any of the other restaurants?

We ate at LTT on NYE in 2004. The characters were all in their "colonial" attire as opposed to holiday attire.

5. We've been a few times, during the 1st of Dec. Do you know, if there's anything else that makes this week different from earlier in the month?

We have only ever been to WDW at Christmas, Easter and summer (school breaks!) so I am not sure if there is anything "extra" that they don't have earlier in the month.

I think that's it for now. That's enough, huh? TIA for your help.

I don't think I gave much information but I hope it helps a little bit!

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[glass slipper girl]

1. Did the parks ever fill to capacity that week for onsite or offsite guests?
Yes, buit following TGM's advice in the Survival Guide gives you detailed advice on the least crowded parks for each morning and night. This is NOT THE SAME as a general "on Monday go to the MK, on Tueday go to AK etc" type of thing that you find in various books but rather customized for this travel time and updated if Disney changes park hours or EMH schedules. We always follow that advice and have found it to be right on every time we use it (Christmas week or not). While it is not uncommon for one or more park to close at capacity for at least a few hours each day, it usually does not happen in the parks TGM recommends as least crowded.

2. I know MVMCP is over by then. Are the shows & parade from the party offered during the day?
Some are, some aren't. The Christmas parade, yes. The Castle Show, yes but not Mickey's Twas The Night Before Christmas (or at least I didn't notice it...maybe it was and I just didn't see it!)

3. Do they offer the CP package at Epcot, during this week?
Yes.

4. Did you eat at LTT? Was Mickey & Minnie dressed in their holiday attire? How about any of the other restaurants?
We haven't done LTT but we did do Donald's Breakfastasaurus and the characters were dressed there. "Santa Goofy" is at Chef Mickey's too.

5. We've been a few times, during the 1st of Dec. Do you know, if there's anything else that makes this week different from earlier in the month?
We did Christmas week of 2003 and 2004 and then did 12/1 - 12/11 in 2005. Park hours are longer (midnight closing at MK every night) with 2 Spectros every night, 3 showings of Fantasmic every night. That is the big thing I can think of. We felt like there was an extra dose of magic being there for Christmas and New Years.

I am serious when I say I wouldn't hesitate to do this again with TGM's help. No wait over 15 minutes, most under 10 and finding a spot for Fantasmic and Spectro without waiting on the curb for hours on end!