WDW at Christmas... suggestions.

[amyren]

Hil. We're excited to visit WDW for the first time during the Christmas season. We'll be at Beach Club Dec 17-23. This will be DD(6)'s eight trip and DS(1)'s forth so in a sense we're veterans but this is our first Christmas trip. I'm looking for unique holiday experiences. We've booked MVMCP but I'm interested to have other unique holiday experiences. Suggestions???

 

[LovesTimone]

Just the atmosphere at the parks can be truly enjoyed, the decorations are so wonderful. At night everything is lit up and just beautiful.. its amazing the details so make sure to really check out everything.

Epcot - In the world showcase has the different Santa's tell the Christmas story in each of there countries. The sing Christmas tree with the guest speaker read the Christmas story out of the bible is touching and the music will blow you away. For us a must do.

DHS - There is the Osborne lights and they make it snow it is so. The synchronizer with the light and music is a Ahhhhh moment. Also look for the hidden Mickeys.

Animal Kingdom - We have been during the holidays, but I only for breakfast with Donald and a safari ride. So really can comment on this park.

Magic Kingdom - The tree on main street makes me cry just seeing it there, the character are dressed up in their Christmas finery. MVMCP which we have yet to go to, is the highlight of the Christmas season.

Resorts - Checkout the Gingerbread house at Grand Floridian - Each of the Deluxe Resorts in the past has had a Display made out of chocolate and candy that is worth seeing, At Boardwalk they had a Chocolate Carousel, and at the beach club there was a snow village, look to find the Mickey and the Gang. I am pretty sure this is ongoing. ( anyone know for sure?)-

Do check out the resorts decorations, each are so different and unique.

DTD or Disney Springs as it going to be called, They have a lot of street performers, as well as local bands, and choruses singing. The Christmas shop has every Disney ornament that you can think of and can be personalize, do this early in the trip, this is very popular and they can have a 3 or 4 day back log.

 

[amyren]

Thanks LovesTimone! Those are great suggestions. That's awesome that there are different Santas in World Showcase telling about their country's Christmas traditions! If DD can learn something new I will not feel that bad about taking her out of school for 2 days
We do plan to do candle light processional. I think DD(6) will like it I'm not sure about our little guy... he'll be 2.
Thanks again we're super excited!!

 

[HFC1969]

We booked the sleigh ride this year...

Haven't done that before... We are also going to try and tour the camp ground and see the decorations people put up...

 

[amyren]

We booked the sleigh ride this year...

Haven't done that before... We are also going to try and tour the camp ground and see the decorations people put up...

ohh that sounds fun! Where is the sleigh ride?

 

[HFC1969]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/holiday-sleigh-rides/


Here is the link...

 

[pgowder]

This tour is fantastic!
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/yuletide-fantasy/

Also be sure to plan some time to tour the resorts. Especially the Deluxe. The decorations are incredible! You can hit 3 on the monorail, then take a boat over to Wilderness Lodge.

Going around World Showcase and hearing all the holiday traditions is great too.

Oh, and don't miss Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

 

[jawa7400]

Osbourne Family Dancing Lights in HS is a MUST! Tour some of the deluxe resorts for their decoration-- Wilderness Lodge is a favorite of ours at Christmas. Do a Christmas tree hunt with your kids-- take a picture in front of all the Christmas trees you find.

The sleigh ride someone else posted about looks awesome and I'll be putting that on our agenda this Christmas!!

 

[myrtleturtle]

Our best memory ever of any trip was the Candlelight Processional. I highly recommend booking the dinner package so you can get a seat.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Love, love, love WDW at Christmas.

Spend time looking at decorations in your resort. Beach Club has a great gingerbread display. YC also has an awesome train display. GF, with its life-sized gingerbread house, is also a must.

Your kids will love the holiday storytellers at Epcot. Prioritize Norway. So much fun! The CP is my absolute favorite event in WDW all year long. It is beautiful and inspiring, especially with a great narrator. Check the list of narrators and plan your CP around one that excited you most if you can be flexible about it. That said, I'm not sure I'd take my two-year-old. It is a long time to be seated and quiet. I'd look in to options for my son. If you do take him, sit on an outer aisle so you can go out easily if you need.

Have PP take a photo if your family at Osbourne. It will be a treasure!

Visit the campsites at FW. Many people decorate their motor homes big time. Haven't done this yet, but it's on my WDW bucket list.

 

[mckelvey72]

So someone brought up the sleigh ride. I looked into that when we went this past December but for the same price here is what we decided to do....

We rented a golf cart for the day. You can pick it up at 1:00 and technically it is not due back til next day but you can turn it in whenever you want. We got the golf cart and spent the day doing activities like fishing, the archery class (if your child is old enough), we rode the cart all around the lodge, played in the sand on the beach. We had an early dinner at Trails End buffet (around 4:30) and then the kids played on the play ground. As it was getting dark we rode around looking at all the xmas decorations at the camp sites, then when it was time we hit the Chip and Dale sing along/camp fire and movie. We roasted smores.

It was a fabulous day an the golf cart rental was around 70.00. So just another suggestion. We gave the golf cart back later that night and headed via bus back to WL.

 

[amyren]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I’d love to do one of the tours but I don’t think it will work out this trip with our little guy. A day in a golf cart sounds fun! I may add that if I drop a day at the parks but so far we’re doing a park every day.

Here's our plan so far...

Dec 17 - Arrival day - We will get to “the world” late bc we are checking DD out of school around lunch (so that she will not be counted as absent). Normally we leave Atlanta between 5 & 6am and arrive at WDW around 1 pm. This trip we will not get there until the evening so we probably will not have time to do anything except maybe check out the Christmas displays at BC & YC

Dec 18 - morning MK evening HS with dinner at Sci Fi at 8. I booked a late dinner hoping to see the 6:30 fantasmic before dinner but now I'm wondering if we should skip fantasmic and see the Osborne family lights before dinner bc I don't have another evening at HS planned... or maybe we’ll have time for both depending on what time it gets dark.

Dec 19 – morning check out Christmas displays at other resorts! I’m kinda over DTD but we’ll probably stop by there for lunch unless it’s nice enough to swim. If so I’m sure the kids will want to go to the pool in the afternoon. You just can’t beat Stormalong Bay! Evening – MVMCP!

Dec 20 – morning AK – afternoon / evening Epcot - Late lunch at Via Napoli booked with candlelight processional package. Can anyone tell me how the package works? I understand that we have reserved seating but for which show time? Do we get to pick or will it be assigned to us? I think DD will like CP, DS not so much. He’s into music though so he may sit through it. He is totally addicted to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so I could always throw his headphones in my bag and let him watch an episode on my phone during the show =) If we hit an early CP we may be able to go back to HS if we miss Osborn Family lights on the 18th.

Dec 21 – Morning open to any park – evening Epcot dinner at Teppan Edo with friends.

Dec 22 – Morning open – late lunch Akershus– evening carriage ride at ft Wildreness before taking boat to MK for our last night.

Whew. That’s what I’ve got so far. Not bad considering I didn’t book until Thurs!
I guess I’m spending a lot of time at Epcot but I’m really excited to see the Christmas decorations at World Showcase. Plus we can walk to Epcot from our resort. I may re-arrange our last day. I can’t decide if I want to do Akerhus or not. I’m really only doing it for sentimental reasons. DD used to love it and she asked me if we could do it again this trip. I know one day she’ll outgrow the princess stage but not yet so I’m holding onto it!!

Thanks again for the suggestions! Any other little hints or ideas would be great. OHHH and what are your favorite holiday photo ops? Obviously it will be too late for Christmas cards but I'd love to get some special pics of my littles.

 

[HFC1969]

So someone brought up the sleigh ride. I looked into that when we went this past December but for the same price here is what we decided to do.... We rented a golf cart for the day. You can pick it up at 1:00 and technically it is not due back til next day but you can turn it in whenever you want. We got the golf cart and spent the day doing activities like fishing, the archery class (if your child is old enough), we rode the cart all around the lodge, played in the sand on the beach. We had an early dinner at Trails End buffet (around 4:30) and then the kids played on the play ground. As it was getting dark we rode around looking at all the xmas decorations at the camp sites, then when it was time we hit the Chip and Dale sing along/camp fire and movie. We roasted smores. It was a fabulous day an the golf cart rental was around 70.00. So just another suggestion. We gave the golf cart back later that night and headed via bus back to WL.

We suggested the sleigh ride and I just think we found what to do before the sleigh ride. Thx!

 

[Doylemom22]

We will be at the BC Dec 21-28 (following Dec17-21 @ CSR for an ESPN Basketball tournament with our DD). I never imagined that I would get to spend Christmas at Disney so I am, needless to say, excited!!!!

This is our 3rd trip to WDW but we have always gone in April and have stayed at POFQ & POR. We figured with going at Christmas we would go all out and stay deluxe and we really wants to be in the Epcot area.

The sleigh ride sounds perfect!

Has anyone attended the Christmas Eve Mass at Mary Queen of the Universe? We are Catholic and want to ensure we keep the focus on the meaning of the celebration for our children. I am wondering how busy the mass is and how early we should plan to arrive?

 

[Doylemom22]

While I am at it... What have others done for a tree in room?

I am hoping to order one online from Walmart and have it for us to put up in our room at BC. I will bring a few special items from home as well.

I think the Disney Florist option is a little overpriced for me.

 

[mahrens77]

Following, as we are in the same boat. Great suggestions!

 

[staceyrhood]

If you have a car you could venture over to Celebration one evening. From the Saturday after Thanksgiving thru New Years Eve it "snows" every night. Santa is there also, sleigh rides, a train for the kids, carolers, and even a skating rink! The event will be listed on www.celebrationtowncenter.com
Have a great trip!

 

[jacknsally19]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I’d love to do one of the tours but I don’t think it will work out this trip with our little guy. A day in a golf cart sounds fun! I may add that if I drop a day at the parks but so far we’re doing a park every day.

Here's our plan so far...

Dec 17 - Arrival day - We will get to “the world” late bc we are checking DD out of school around lunch (so that she will not be counted as absent). Normally we leave Atlanta between 5 & 6am and arrive at WDW around 1 pm. This trip we will not get there until the evening so we probably will not have time to do anything except maybe check out the Christmas displays at BC & YC

Dec 18 - morning MK evening HS with dinner at Sci Fi at 8. I booked a late dinner hoping to see the 6:30 fantasmic before dinner but now I'm wondering if we should skip fantasmic and see the Osborne family lights before dinner bc I don't have another evening at HS planned... or maybe we’ll have time for both depending on what time it gets dark.

Dec 19 – morning check out Christmas displays at other resorts! I’m kinda over DTD but we’ll probably stop by there for lunch unless it’s nice enough to swim. If so I’m sure the kids will want to go to the pool in the afternoon. You just can’t beat Stormalong Bay! Evening – MVMCP!

Dec 20 – morning AK – afternoon / evening Epcot - Late lunch at Via Napoli booked with candlelight processional package. Can anyone tell me how the package works? I understand that we have reserved seating but for which show time? Do we get to pick or will it be assigned to us? I think DD will like CP, DS not so much. He’s into music though so he may sit through it. He is totally addicted to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so I could always throw his headphones in my bag and let him watch an episode on my phone during the show =) If we hit an early CP we may be able to go back to HS if we miss Osborn Family lights on the 18th.

Dec 21 – Morning open to any park – evening Epcot dinner at Teppan Edo with friends.

Dec 22 – Morning open – late lunch Akershus– evening carriage ride at ft Wildreness before taking boat to MK for our last night.

Whew. That’s what I’ve got so far. Not bad considering I didn’t book until Thurs!
I guess I’m spending a lot of time at Epcot but I’m really excited to see the Christmas decorations at World Showcase. Plus we can walk to Epcot from our resort. I may re-arrange our last day. I can’t decide if I want to do Akerhus or not. I’m really only doing it for sentimental reasons. DD used to love it and she asked me if we could do it again this trip. I know one day she’ll outgrow the princess stage but not yet so I’m holding onto it!!

Thanks again for the suggestions! Any other little hints or ideas would be great. OHHH and what are your favorite holiday photo ops? Obviously it will be too late for Christmas cards but I'd love to get some special pics of my littles.

Personally, I think the Osborne Lights at HS is FAR FAR better than Fantasmic. So I would recommend spending the time there instead... especially if you frequently go to WDW. Its probably my favorite thing during the holidays. I think the extra time at Epcot is a good use of your time - the storytellers are wonderful and we love listening to them. My DD loved it at the age of 1 and 2, which I would never have expected! I would totally skip DTD and just relax after your resort tour until the Xmas party. ENJOY!!!

 

[amyren]

Thank you all for the wonderful ideas!!
I added one thing to our itinerary. It's not Christmas related but I booked DD at BBB at 5 on the night of the party. She's never done BBB and this way she can be all decked out for MVMCP. I was going to surprise her but I couldn't help it and I kinda told her about it. I am hoping to find a Frozen dress to take for her as an early Christmas present.

While I am at it... What have others done for a tree in room?

I am hoping to order one online from Walmart and have it for us to put up in our room at BC. I will bring a few special items from home as well.

I think the Disney Florist option is a little overpriced for me.

We drive from Atlanta so if we have room in our SUV I'm hoping to bring a small 3' tree that I usually keep in my DD's room. It's our "Disney" tree anyway

If you have a car you could venture over to Celebration one evening. From the Saturday after Thanksgiving thru New Years Eve it "snows" every night. Santa is there also, sleigh rides, a train for the kids, carolers, and even a skating rink! The event will be listed on www.celebrationtowncenter.com
Have a great trip!

Wonderful suggestion! We will have our car and I'd love to check out Celebration.

Personally, I think the Osborne Lights at HS is FAR FAR better than Fantasmic. So I would recommend spending the time there instead... especially if you frequently go to WDW. Its probably my favorite thing during the holidays. I think the extra time at Epcot is a good use of your time - the storytellers are wonderful and we love listening to them. My DD loved it at the age of 1 and 2, which I would never have expected! I would totally skip DTD and just relax after your resort tour until the Xmas party. ENJOY!!!

Ya I'm currently thinking that we'll spend time at Osborne Lights and skip Fantasmic this trip. Unless we end up at HS another evening. I'm not sure that DS would really like Fantasmic anyway but I'm sure he'd love the lights! I think he'd like the storytellers at Epcot if DD is into it as well. I'm so excited for our trip!!

 

[lanie1138]

Following, we will be spending our first trip at WDW over Christmas. Thanks for all the suggestions!