What do you guys do at WDW on Xmas Eve?!!

[Debs Hill]

We are planning a trip to WDW for Xmas for the first time in 2008......most likely at OKW. What do you like to do on Xmas Eve day/evening? Are there any special events? What about dining?!! Exactly how crowded are the parks during Xmas/New Year week?!!
Debsxx

 

[wdw1972]

There may be some special events - it's been a while since I was there at that time. It will be absolutely MOBBED - beyond anything you can imagine. When I was there before 10am there was over a 180 minute wait at Test Track! It will literally be shoulder-to-shoulder in every park by early morning, and expect the MK to close by 11 or noon more than once that week. Last year the MGM parking lot filled up & guests arriving by car had to park at Epcot! Don't expect to do as many attractions as you'd normally do, as many will have 60 minute or longer waits (expect over 2 hours for biggies like Soarin, Expedition Everest, etc).

Good luck!

 

[Doctor P]

Except for Xmas Day and NYE we have found the crowds heavy, but tolerable. Xmas Day and NYE are beyond belief. We go to Epcot on Xmas Eve and do Candlelight Processional.

 

[ksoehrlein]

We go to Epcot on Xmas Eve and do Candlelight Processional.

We did this as well last year. Just be sure you have ADRs for the CP package! We took the monorail over to Epcot at 3 PM and I had to choke back a scoffing noise when a husband in our compartment offered his wife her pick of World Showcase TS restaurants to dine in that evening. He then described the old kiosks that used to be under Spaceship Earth and how they'd use them to make a ressie for that night.

We had planned an early bedtime after the 5:45 CP. Well, the kids fell asleep at CP and then got their second wind later that night. We were staying at the Contemporary, so we moseyed over to the MK and had a great time closing the place. It was so wonderful wishing each other Merry Christmas at midnight, as we headed down Main Street with the "snow" falling on us. Such a magical Christmas memory!

We knew Christmas Day would be a crowded nightmare, so we visited family in south Florida instead. Sorry I can't help there. Have fun planning your trip!

 

[javamom]

The link in my signature is to my Christmas 2006 Trip report.

We booked the Candlelight Processional Dinner package at Le Cellier for Christmas Eve. It was wonderful!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I cannot think of anything more magical on Christmas Eve than the Candlelight Processional. It was truly one of the best things I have done anywhere, in or out of WDW at Christmas time.

We have been that time frame (well actually coming in on the 26th to January 8) and it is extremely crowded. However, we did get quite a bit done and we are not morning people. Most days we didn't get to the parks until late afternoon. We just went knowing that for major attractions the fastpasses would be gone and the waits not worth it. So we did things that don't have long waits, the shows, the parades, TTA, COP, things like that. We also did the EMH at MK one night until 4:00 a.m. By 1:30 we had the park to ourselves and it was heaven. I must say exiting the MK at 4:00 a.m. was a bit surreal. I highly recommend Tour Guide Mike. He has a holdiay survival section and even though I have many trips to WDW under my belt, I use him every time. By following his advice, we never encountered a park closed to capacity even though it did happen during our stay. We just knew which parks to go to on what day. ADR's are a must and be aware that having an ADR will not guarantee your entry to a park if it is closed. Even something prepaid like a CP package. So do make sure you either get to parks at opening or use a TGM or UG type plan (I prefer TGM) to help you make the right choices.

I say its a wonderful time to go. I was glad it wasn't my first visit and that I knew what to expect. But the long hours, lovely decorations, ambiance and our realistic attitude about what we would be able to accomplish, made our trip great. I hope we get to go again someday and I'll want to do Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve for sure when we do!

 

[Debs Hill]

Thank you so much for all your replies so far, it's extremely helpful!
We are trying to decide whether to stay at OKW or BWV...................we love OKW but wondered whether BWV would be more christmassy and would have more going on ( we have a 7 yr old). Does anyone know what happens at each resort?

Can you have your room decorated for your arrival? Does anyone know how much this would cost!!??

Sorry for all the questions!!!!!
love
debsxx

 

[jade1]

When it comes to attractions for XMAS/NY weeks, recommend a few early AM arrivals and knock a bunch out, otherwise do a couple FP's per day and assume that's about it. The night shows are great and some nights extended, that atmosphere is sensational, the weather is fabulous (compared to MN anyway), the parks hours are long, the resorts are beautiful. It's always been a great time for us.

Also recommend you open MK up NY day-it was very quiet until about 10AM.