We will be visiting WDW Christmas week 2015 and are looking for tips. We are DW 45, DH 48, DS'S 17,19 and DD 14. It will be our 4th visit and are finally in a deluxe! (AKL) My active 71 year old mother in law will be joining us and it will be her first visit. I will book ADR's and FP at the earliest opportunity and have the ADR's figured out. It is a 6 night 7 day trip ending on Dec. 26th and 2 day USO Hard Rock Dec. 27th and 28th. I definitely want to experience as many shows and parades as possible with my wife and her mom. (All previous trips I did everything I wanted to) The FP area for fireworks, Castle lighting and parades are intriguing. Any information would be an asset in planning this trip!
First off it is the busiest time of the year, should you not come... no way it is doable but you must be prepared, and have alternate options in place just in case.
Transportation - getting to a from the parks will take longer than normal - give yourself plenty of time if you have early ADR's for Breakfast or if park hoping to say Epcot for dinner give yourself plenty of time. At least 90 minutes or more. It seems like a lot but really it will take that long. Get to know the transportation options inside and out.
I strongly suggest park hoppers.
Make your ADR's, super important very seldom is walk up seating anywhere during this time of year. Also I would like to bring up this might be a good way to check out using the dinning plan. During peak times, sit down increase there prices quite a bit, Christmas morning at Chef Mickeys was 50.00 per person, I was so happy that we had the dinning plan, we enjoy DDXDP, and with teenagers this might be cost effective for you.
They do shut the parks down when at capacity, so be prepared and have a alternate plan. ( this is were park hoppers come in handy)
I would get fast passes for mid-day when the parks are the busiest, and use standby for the morning, with your mother in law along she will appreciate it. I personally would not use fast passes for Parades, and firework viewing, lots of great spots to watch from.
There are lots of other things to do - Ice at Gaylord Palms is a big draw, Take time out to check out the resort decorations, especially the deluxe resort have some kind of chocolate or gingerbread displays and you can see if everyone can find the hidden mickeys, Hayride at Fort Wilderness is another option. DTD has lots of free live music as you walk around. Rent a surrey bike and ride around lots of fun.
Planning and more planning is really key..
