WDW at Christmas

[rbgorbet]

Hello all,

We are in Sarasota this Christmas, and will be taking our 4 1/2 year old daughter to WDW. She is dying to meet Cinderella!

I have a recollection that I went 4-5 years ago with wife, brother, and sister-in-law on Christmas day, and that it was less busy than at other times. We had planned on doing the same this time, but were told that we were crazy, that the 25th was nuts at WDW.

Does anyone have suggestions around 25th when the park may be less busy than otherwise? 24th? 26th? Or is it just as busy all the time?

Also:

- suggestions of where to focus our visit for a 4 year-old with only 1 day...

- we will be meeting up with Grandpa and Great-Grandma for the evening parade; where and how does one "meet" at WDW?!

Thanks,
Rob.

 

[karebear1]

WDW at Christams is OUTRAGEOUS! No matter where you go- it'll be crowded, but especially at MK! Unfortunately- that's probably where you'd want to focus your attention if you are trying to plan where your 4 yo DD would have the most fun. Trying to get through Fantasyland in the MK is a joke with a stroller- you can hardly get through them on two feet! Maybe you could try going to AK during the day- I would imagine that would be the least crowded, plus there would be lots f animals etc. for the little one. Then go back in the evening to MK for the parade you want to see. You can meet in the courtyard in front of Cinderella's Castle at the MK where the statue of Walt and Mickey is, or meet at the Guest Relations building as you enter the park. Don't forget to get there EARLY- I'm sure people will start sitting down and saving their places for the parade at least 2 hours before it actually starts. GOOD LUCK and have a great time!

 

[rbgorbet]

karebear1,

Thanks for the...er...encouragement.

So it's gonna be pretty crazy, huh? I wonder why my memory is so bad. Or maybe it wasn't Christmas day, but some day around Christmas.

Is there any day in that period that is better to visit? Is the 15th _more_ crazy than, say, the 24th or 26th? We're quite flexible.

Oh, and a question about the parade...my grandmother will be there ~90 years old; are there any special arrangements we can make (wheel chairs, special seating, can you bring in those folding camping chairs, etc.)??

Thanks,
Rob.

 

[karebear1]

Rob- if you can arrange to go the 15th I would go for it! That would be perfect! You'd avoid the HUGE crowds at Christmas week and still see all the decorations etc. I checked to see what was happening at MK that night (it's a Monday) - at 3:30pm is the Share a Dream Parade, 6:00pm is Spectro Magic Parade (this is the one you really want to see) and at 7:00pm is Wishes Fireworks. You could see all of them that day and not hit the crowds!
Wheelchairs can be rented at Guest Relations- On entering MK look to your left- it's that Town Hall building - go in there and they can arrange a wheelchair for you. THere have electric and reg. wheelchairs. HOWEVER- I've read that if you are staying at a WDW resort , you can actually get a wheelchair from the resort at no cost- it's at least worth looking into. There are special areas for Wheelchair areas at the parades- ask where they are at Guest Relations, but be sure you get the with plenty of time to burn- they still line up early- especially for Spectro. I guess if you wanted to bring the folding chairs you could- but I have never seen them. Most people just sit on the curb. The courtyard outside of Cinderellas Castle is surrounded by benches. You could sit in the curb and benches and have grandma in her wheelchair and you'd all be comfortable, and have good seats. Just make sure grandma is by the curb (but on the sidewalk) for the parade, as people will stabnd to see it when it comes. Sit on a bench that is directly across from the castle or when looking at the castle to the right of it (towards Tommorrowland) as the parade route comes down Main St., past Tommorrowland and into Frontierland.
Your grandma will love Spectro magic- it is the most beautiful parade..... and good for you for taking her! Hope this helps. ANy other questions just let me know- I'll do what I can to help.

 

[rbgorbet]

Thanks very much for the research, karebare1!

We unfortunately can't go on the 15th; we are arriving
in Sarasota on the 18th. Why was the 15th special? Is
it just the combination of the things that are going on that
evening? Where do you look this stuff up? I'm a newbie.

...Oh...I see why you said the 15th. My typo:
"Is the 15th _more_ crazy than, say, the 24th or 26th?"
I meant the 25th... ooops.

Thanks so much for the advice on the wheelchair and location.
I'm sure it will help immensely!

Rob.

 

[karebear1]

Rob- I went to www.disneyworld.com and click on parks and resorts at the top then clicked on park hours on the left column. You should be able to find any and all park hours there. To find what parades etc. are happening , click on the events button in the date you want to go. Have you ever been to WDW before?

 

[chirsty'smom]

This is our 2nd Christmas at WDW and I would spend EVERY Christmas here if possible!

It's crowded BUT if you are smart and plan ahead you'll be fine. We are taking our 4 1/2 yr old (his 3rd trip) and NOT going w/ a stroller. Start off early, break in the afternoon and go back til closing or so.

I am not a big parade fan nor could I even imagine sitting holding a spot for 1 1/2 - 2 hours with my 4yr old just to watch a parade.

So, we take advantage of the parade times - lines are shorter and we hit those rides that we love. We skip the 8pm parade and enjoy toontown (hardly anyone's in line for the characters).

I never thought a 30 min. wait time for a ride at WDW is bad
and we'll be there for 4 days so what we miss 1 day we can hit another.
- for us Christmas doesn't get any better than when you spend it with "THE" Mouse!

 

[rbgorbet]

Hey...thanks again.

I did find that web site eventually, and we had decided to go on the 19th (first day after we arrive in FLA) to avoid the Christmas holiday week (any idea how to find out when schools let out in the US?)

But then I looked at events and I see that the park closes at 6pm on the 19th, because they're having a Christmas Party (sold out) from 7-10, and that SpectroMagic doesn't start until the week after. So now I think we might go on the 22nd...

This is complicated! I'm feeling like I should have been planning this for months already...

I have been before, yes. But the last time I was there was 9-10 years ago. It was Christmas time, either the 24th or 25th, and my recollection was that the lines were quite short. But that was a while ago.

Thanks again for all your help. I will come back with more questions, I'm sure!

Rob.

 

[rbgorbet]

For those who have seen SpectroMagic (or other Disney parades, I suppose...)

- is there a "best place" to see this from? we have 2 people who are interested in nothing but the parade, and would probably be willing to sit for 2 hours to hold a spot.

- is it feasible for two adults, one in a wheelchair, to hold a parade-viewing spot for 3 other adults and a 4 year old (5 adults total)?

- are there "evening passes" for those who are just coming for SpectroMagic?

Patty, you mentioned "taking a break" in the afternoon: is there a place for "down time" within WDW, or do you stay at one of the resorts, or actually leave the park?

Thanks again!
Rob.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The worst part about going on Dec 25 is that the park could close to non-resort guests in the morning because of occupancy, so unless you were there when it opened, you might not get in.

If your great-grandmother is in a wheelchair, I'd try to get a spot for the parade in one of the wheelchair locations. There is one on the circle near the Town Hall. You just need to get there early. Another by the Hall of Presidents by the big tree.

I don't think for this time of year there are any "evening passes" as you called them. Only one day-one park passes.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Merry Christmas rbgobert
Hope your vacation/holiday goes well. I also look forward to reading a trip report and finding out how great-grandma (90 years young) and grandpa enjoy WDW. Mom (83) is going with us in August and she has not been there since 1985. My sister and I were there last summer and know how much things have changed in the last 15-18 years. Sorry I have never been to WDW at Christmas time but I understand the decorations are beautiful Someday I hope to be able to go and see them.
Have a wonderful holiday!

 

[Buckleybunch]

Christmas time at WDW is very crowded but in my opinion very magical. We were down there last year and I wished I was back there this year. We will be for 2004.
To actually "meet" cindy is hard thee days.
Good luck
Linda