What did you do on Christmas Day??

[vbarry]

I have decided that I am tired of the holiday hustle and bustle at home and this year we are heading to WDW! (my husband's family does not know this yet!!)

So instead of doing a lot of shopping I am going to do a lot of planning on the DIS!

So for those of you that have gone...what did you do on Christmas Day? I am not going to do a park or at least I do not think so. I am thinking about a late breakfast, loung at the resort and swim (if it is nice enough) Take the girsl to DTD to use their Disney Dollars Santa will leave. Any other ideas?

Also- I am looking at ideas on how you told Santa where you would be that day and if you had Christmas at Disney or before you left or after you came home.

I am soo excited about this trip and want to make it a special trip for my girls since this is our first time away from home during the holidays!

 

[Connears]

We have been for the last 3 xmas days and have NOT gone to any park on the holiday itself. MK has been closed to all guests by 10:30am when we were there, so its not a chice for us. Other parks also have had closings, but you really can't guess about it. 2 years ago we went to CP on xmas eve with great meal at Teppan..really put us in holiday spirit. The next morning we had late breakfast(10:30am) at 1900PF it was wonderful(best food IMHO) and wonderful characters, hit the gingerbread house for goodies after and then went to DTD to shop and relax. Had very late(9:00PM) dinner at CR, just in time to see Wishes..wonderful meal and great view of Wishes. This past year we also had late breakfast at 1900PF(again great), with a visit to the gingerbread house then we went to Gaylord Palm Hotel(about 10 minutes away) to see ICE! which is an indoor ice sculpture show..really amazing, but cold inside(they give everyone a parka!), then we hit DTD and went to the movies. Had a late meal at BOMA to round it off. This year we are missing xmas day, but will be there for NYE and NY Day. We have found NYE to be crazy but manageable at Epcot or DHS, but MK is one that we have avoided. NY Day is a great touring day because everyone is exhausted!

Connears

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Let's see... Christmas at Disney

One year we were all up early and in MK for the Christmas Parade. We left once it was done and went on to enjoy the day at the resort.

One year we spent Christmas Day with family (offsite, we weren't locals then) and went back to visiting the parks the next day.

One year it POURED, lashing, cold rain so we stayed in our cozy one bedroom OKW villa and enjoyed our little gifts for each other, and ate all sorts of yummy food that we had brought with us.

Gifts at WDW... one year we just did stockings with small gifts that would be useful in the parks (small camera for one of the kids, etc.).

One year we brought our gifts, tree, decorations, kitchen sink... and did up the villa just like our home!

One of the fun things we did one year was to go through the WS looking for the least expensive gift we could find from each WS country. We used them as stocking stuffers and we had a great time with them!

 

[tinkrbells]

We have been to WDW several times for Christmas, as recently as 2007. We absolutely love it! While we miss our families, it's nice to have our own tradition, too.

We have always gone to a park on Christmas morning and spent the day, with no issues. We do not rush around, we take it easy. We book a character breakfast for Christmas morning, then head to MGM. The best thing about the parks during the holidays is they have snow machines on Main St @ MK and on New York St in MGM. So when evening comes, you can head to New York St. in MGM for Christmas music, Osbourne Family Lights, and snow. Since we are from up north, it is nice to see snow on Christmas day. Our then 15-mth-old loved the light show. Avoid MK on Christmas Day. That's why we go to MGM.

This year, we will see our family for Christmas, then depart for Disney the following day for New Year's stay. Can't wait!

Oh, almost forgot. We always bring Disney-themed Christmas decorations (lights, etc) to decorate our room.

 

[La2kw]

We slept late, opened presents, and went golfing at Winter-Summerland. We had a light lunch in the room and a ham dinner (using our villa's kitchen) and then went to Ghiradelli's for sundaes after dinner. DD was packed!

 

[Portugal1000]

We have gone to Disney for the last 2 years on 8th December and stayed 3 weeks. (we are from England) We go to the parks for the first couple of weeks whilst staying off site and then go to a Disney Resort on 19th. (Last year SSR and year before FW). Xmas just gone, my son (7 year old) opened his presents, then a leisurely walk to DTD to see a movie. (cinemas are closed in England so it was quite a novelty). Lunch at Wolfgang Puck. Back to SSR for a swim, the weather was glorious. Back to the room to play with all the Star Wars Lego and then off to Chef Mickeys for dinner. Back to the pool at SSR and watched The Santa Clause 3 whilst swimming (again that would never happen in England!)
The year before, pretty much the same except the weather on Xmas day was terrible so no swimming. We are doing exactly the same this year and can't wait.

 

[Tink415]

We've spent 2 Christmas Days at WDW.

Both times I checked a boxed slim 6ft tree as luggage and used one suitcase for decorations, stockings and a few gifts. Was very easy. I told my kids, Santa knows how to find you, don't worry My kids opened presents from mom and dad before we left for WDW We also got a little dressed up for Christmas eve & day, made it a little more special.

2004 Christmas eve WL had Santa, Mickey and Minnie in the lobby. We had a nice dinner at the YC steakhouse. It poured Christmas day and was cold. We opened presents from Santa, had a nice room service breakfast in our WL room, and around 10am my youngest DD and I went to Magic Kingdom for a few rides. We got to visit with all 7 drawfs and a few other characters. We only stayed a couple of hours because of the rain. Later we had dinner at WCC and there was a special skillet for Christmas dinner with a yule log for dessert. Wonderful day but I wished it hadn't rained!

2005 Christmas eve we had breakfast at AK at Donalds breakfst, POR had cookies and punch in the afternoon, and Santa in the evening. I can't remember were we had dinner, I'd have to look at the pictures! Christmas morning we opened presents and had a late breakfast at Boatwrights. We went to the MK around 4pm and finally got a beautiful family picture in front of the castle (I'd been trying for years!)..the lighting at that time was just right. We had dinner at LTT w/ the characters, it was nice. Then we went over to Fort WIlderness and took a carriage ride around the camp grounds. It was really fun! I was a little worried about being able to get in MK for dinner, but it wasn't a problem.

I'd love to do a stay over Christmas again and probably will! But honestly, my kids prefer Christmas at home with all the relatives, so I have to work on them!

You'll have a great time, enjoy the planning!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We went miniature golfing, hit the movie theater in DTD, dinner in our villa, watched the parades on TV.

 

[minnieeaves]

We are off to Disney for Christmas this year, we have been in Dec and Jan before but this will be the first time we will be there on Christmas Day - I am sooooo excited Reading all your stories is making me even more excited. We are staying at the GF and are planning on going to the MK (i don't mind that the whole world will also be there!!) very early Christmas morning and then depending on the weather relaxing round the pool in the afternoon and then having a nice meal at one of the on site restaurants - haven't decided which one, still have a few months before ADRs need to be done.

 

[vbarry]

Thanks everyone for your great stories and ideas. It sounds like everyone has really enjoyed their Christmas stay and that makes me feel much better. I was a little worried about taking our family away for the holidays...but now I feel much better! We will wait a little while to tell the inlaws!

Going to MGM sounds like a good idea unless the weather is warm...then I think we will just go to the pool and maybe rent one of those cabanas they have been talking about at the GF. Whatever we do...I am sure it will be fun and I will be glad to spend Christmas just relaxing with my kids instead of running around crazy trying to make it special for everyone and then feeling totally exhausted!

 

[ms mouse]

We were there last year for Christmas. We actually went to MK Christmas day. Although we were told that the park had closed around 10, it didnt feel that busy. We did everything we normally do and had a great time. Whatever you do, plan it early ADR's go fast. My family loved it so much we're going back this year.

 

[tgropp]

Lucky you. Since our children our grown up and have other commitments that prevent them from going away over Christmas for a while, we can only go before Christmas and spend Christmas with them at home
Over the years we have gone to the MK and watched the early morning Christmas parade, but I am pretty sure that they do not do that anymore on Christmas morning. It got very crowded. The last few times we would go to AK since it was never crowded on Christmas day. We would stay there till 1 and then go back to the WL were we would stay, go up to the 2'nd or 3'rd floor beside one of the fireplaces and open gifts and have a glass of wine. If the weather was nice we would lay by the pool and then around 5 we would go to Epcot were we had ADR,s and then attend the Candlelight Processional on Christmas night. We went to the CP on Christmas Eve one year but we missed all the hotel activities. Enjoy Christmas. You are with your family. This will be your childrens best memories

 

[daisyduck123]

Christmas breakfast: had breakfast with Lilo & Stitch at 'Ohana's.

Then went back to AKV & hung out by the pool until dinner.

Christmas dinner: Chef Mickey's

 

[Kevin355]

On Christmas Eve, watched the Epcot fireworks.

The MK was packed by 10:30A on Christmas Day, so we went to Animal Kingdom. Spent about 3 hours there, went to DTD...spent less time but significantly more$$$, but well worth it. Went to the Magic Kingdom about 6:00PM, and stayed the rest of the day there. We watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks, watched Tinkerbell fly from the Castle to the shops along Main Street USA...she is much braver than me, then walked under the fake snow...beats shoveling the real stuff.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We've done Christmas at Disney several times so here's what we did last year.

Christmas Eve
-> Candelight processional (dinner at LeCellier)

Christmas Day
--> Breakfast at 'Ohana
--> Hung out in Tomorrowland and spent way too much money in the arcade
--> Dinner at 'Ohana with a window seat to watch the fireworks
--> Ran around like lunatics at EPCOT for evening EHMs

 

[IMDORY]

We were in WDW for Christmas 2006. It was by far THE best Christmas we have ever had as a family. I would do it every year if DH would say yes! We stayed home this year-but we will be back for Christmas this year.

I packed a pre-lit 4.5' tree with some decorations and stockings stuffed in the box-checked it as a piece of luggage with the airline-arrived via ME in our room-no problems. We brought in the little table from our WL patio and set the tree up on it in the corner by the mirror area-it was very pretty and a great nightlight too.

Santa-no worries there-he knows were to find you! PLUS-we saw Santa in the WL lobby on Christmas Eve and DS sat on his lap-so he knew we were there.

Gifts-I didn't bring any gifts with me. I went to DTD the arrival night for about 3 hours by myself and did all of the Christmas shopping while DH and DS set up the tree in the room, ate room service dinner, and went to bed early. Biggest "obstacle" for me was making sure to find gifts that I wouldn't have to ship back home. I have shipped items home in the past-but just didn't want to have to deal with it on this trip. Not a problem-found plenty of great gifts. I packed some childs sissors and folded wrapping paper(this may be a good idea if you like things wrapped as I didn't see wrapping paper for sale at DTD) and wrapped everything the next day while DH and DS went to the pool for an hour and hid everything in bags in the top of the closet.

Christmas morning-we got up, Santa had visited, we opened gifts and ordered room service, DH and I had mimosas -yum. I bought a bottle of Iron Horse Cuvee in the WL gift shop the day before-it is really good. You can get it through room service-but be prepared to pay double...we called our familes at home, DS played with his toys and loved them all. We then headed down to the pool swam for a few hours and then went back up to our room-DS played with toys some more-we sat on the balcony and listened to the beautiful WL Christmas music in the background. Took a nice nap then headed to EPCOT around 5 or so. Walked around WS, ended up in Canada for our 8:50 LeCellier reservation. This was the earliest I could get and tried for months to get an earlier time-turns out it was a great time. We were the last seating and the restaurant started to thin out a bit, which was nice and we had a wonderful dinner-our server was awesome! After that we did a few EPCOT attractions and headed back to WL by midnight.

Probably one of my favorite days ever....

Our plan for this year is pretty much the same except I'm not sure if I want to try to get a TS ADR or just snack around WS this time.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

We actually leave on Christmas day and spend our day driving home. The MK is always crowded and closes, so we don't even waste the extra day of being there. Plus, we get in with my relatives cast member admission and his main gate is blocked Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve we normally eat at Liberty Tree for dinner and spend our day in the MK.

Have a great trip!

 

[vbarry]

IMDORY- Thanks for the ideas. It sounds like you had a nice relaxing day...just what I would like to do. Hope it is warm enough to enjoy the pools!! The DTD shopping sounds like an excellent idea. I am so very excited!! It cannot get here quick enough!

 

[Sher]

I just want to say that we went to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas day in 2006 and it was not crowded in the morning. We were able to do all of Fantasyland with no waits. We figured that a lot of families were probably doing the traditional Christmas thing in their resort rooms.

It's a good thing that we got so much done because at the end of the parade it started POURING! and we were soaked to the skin (literally) and exhausted by the time we fought the angry mobs to get out of there. We had made reservations for the Candlelight Processional that night and after naps all around we headed over to Epcot and LeCellier. It was a nice day full of memories.

Sher