Value season guest wants to experience the week before Christmas

[DznyDreams]

Planning my first ever trip to the world at Christmastime. . . December 19th - 26th.

Are some of the MVMCP offerings a part of the regular park happenings during this week? (I know about the parade....anything else?)

Since I'm a value/regular-season visitor, can any of you offer some advice to prepare me for the major shock of holiday season crowds? When do the crowds actually get HUGE?

My family and I are seasoned WDW veterans, so we won't "die" if we can't "do it all." I just really want to spend Christmas Eve and Day at the Wilderness Lodge! (Sounds like heaven, to me, but am I kidding myself?)

Thanks!
Diane

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Sounds like a dream to me!!! Since you have been to the parks and seeing everything is not a big deal then I would go and just enjoy myself. There are other things you can do when it is too crowded.Do something else than go into the parks on Christmas maybe. Plan to do some things around WL since that is what you are dreaming about.

 

[CPer'sMom]

You will love WDW at Christmastime We have made three Christmas visits to the world, going almost the same exact dates that you are going. By checking in on the 19th you'll be able to get the value season rate for your entire stay ~ great deal!

We've found that the first few days are basically crowd-free, especially if you go to the parks early and take advantage of fast-pass for the more popular rides. The closer you get to Christmas Day, you'll notice more & more people at the parks every day. We NEVER go to any park on Christmas Day ~~ way too crowded!!

Disney is so magical during Christmas. Make sure to visit some of the other resorts to see their decorations ~ most all of them have a spectacular gingerbread display made by their chefs. MGM has the Osborne lights. This last Christmas Epcot's Illuminations had a special holiday ending which was fantastic. The special Christmas events that happen during the MVMCP are presented daily in the MK after the partys are done.

Since you going for the overall Disney Christmas experience and won't be stressed if you don't do "everything" you have the perfect mind-set to absolutely have a wonderful vacation.
It is our very favorite time of the year to visit.

 

[shannon1219]

We went this past december 16th thru the 22nd. It was one of the most wonderfull trips we have ever taken. The decorations and the Christmas spirit make even extra magical. The crowds were pretty heavy but they were managable. The closer it got to the 25th the more crowded it got.

 

[sunny04]

We have been at Christmas twice...here are my tips and suggestions for making it a great trip.

Since you are going at a time that MVMCP will be going on and about to end, I suggest you don't pay the extra money. It ended this year on the 17th - we went, and then on the 18th everything they had offered "special" was done during regular hours. You will be able to see the same shows, parade, decorations, etc. for free the week of Christmas.

The crowds will get busier and busier as you get closer to Christmas. When we were there on Christmas Day, we went to MGM instead of trying MK. It was pretty empty most of the day there....definitely avoid MK on this day, as it closes down full to capacity.

Depending on the ages of your children, etc, they offer a wonderful tour called the Yuletide Fantasy Tour which we did this past Dec. They take you around to Epcot, MGM, MK and the Christmas Warehouse showing you decorations and how things are done. Your children have to be 16, but it's really an awesome tour.

While at Epcot, try to see as many of the Santas as you can...they are really neat to hear how the holidays are celebrated in other countries --- don't miss Norway's gnome, he's adorable.

MGM's Osbourne Spectacle of Lights is really fun and it "snows" on you while you walk around looking. Don't go immediately when they turn on the lights or you might get trampled!

DON'T MISS the Candlelight Processional! It's at Epcot and they have guest readers come and read the Christmas story from the Bible. In between verses, they have a choir which sings Christmas songs. It's awesome, but busy. Sometimes there are long lines just for stand-by, so I strongly recommend the dinner package. Then you just walk in.

Illuminations this year did a special holiday ending that was the most amazing fireworks spectacle you will ever see...make sure to stick around for this after a day at Epcot if you can.

Check out the big hotels. The major hotels do major decorations! They all have huge trees, and then some. The Grand Floridian has a life-size gingerbread house (real gingerbread) that you can buy gingerbread from....delicious gingerbread IMO. The Boardwalk does creates a candy Boardwalk Amusement Park. AK Lodge creates an edible African marketplace, and I believe Beach Club has the life-size, rotating gingerbread and candy carousel. Amazing creations....sitting there waiting for you to come and see!

Hope some of this info. helps! Christmas is a wonderful time to go....just be prepared for the crowds and you will have no problems. Have a great trip!

 

[DznyDreams]

Thanks guys! Now I'm REALLY psyched!

 

[njtighe]

We are going to be there the same dates It is our first Disney Christmas to. We have done Halloween a couple of times but I am really excited about Christmas there I just know it is going to be great.

 

[twojo21]

wdw is fabulous at christmas time! we have gone mid-late november & the week before christmas, make sure to do mickey's very merry christmas at magic kingdom *seperate ticket/special event* and it is so much fun, the parade, cocoa, snowflakes on mainstreet & late night riding is great! the parade is also held during regular hours but not the extras ie complimentary cocoa, etc. also do the candlelight processional at epcot which is just enchanting. we did the dinner candlelight package & i would recommend it. we also liked the christmas around the world with the different santa/christmas stories and took many a picture under the snowflake archway to ws. also the deluxe hotel decorations are wonderful, i love the large christmas trees & chocolate villages.

holiday rates *which are similiar to peak rates, are december 21st - 31st*. as for the crowds magic kingdom & epcot was extremely crowded the last few days of our trip december 14-21st, but other than that fairly typical value season crowds. the wilderness lodge is great during the cool months with its big fireplace & hot tub.

have a great wdw trip!

 

[ckckc2000]

we're going during that time too we can't wait!!We are staying until the 22nd-then off to see family for the Holidays in North Carolina-can't wait-can't wait

 

[Martha7]

We're going from the 16-23, and then off to Texas to see the family. How far out can we book the candlelight processional package? Is it 90 days like the Fantasmic dinner package? Thanks!

 

[anditoo72]

Sunny04 "Check out the big hotels. The major hotels do major decorations! They all have huge trees, and then some. The Grand Floridian has a life-size gingerbread house (real gingerbread) that you can buy gingerbread from....delicious gingerbread IMO. The Boardwalk does creates a candy Boardwalk Amusement Park. AK Lodge creates an edible African marketplace, and I believe Beach Club has the life-size, rotating gingerbread and candy carousel. Amazing creations....sitting there waiting for you to come and see!"

When do they put these up? We are going the week of Thanksgiving are we going to early to catch these decorations?

 

[Maude4Disney]

We are also going during the same timeframe - the 16th - 27th. Is the CP package a necessity? or is it possible to see this w/out the package? Also, since the things from MVMCP are in MK after the parties - do they start the day after the last party or is there a day or two in-between before they start? I see the last MVMCP is on the 20th and we're trying to decide if we should do a party or just wait til things are in the parks, but that's getting pretty close to Christmas. Thanks!