What MUST I know when planning a Christmas trip to WDW?

[mom2boys]

other than it will be crowded - trip will be in 2007 or if we are lucky, 2006.
Boys will be 12 & 14 (or 11 &13) by then. Need to know which shows/events are not to be missed; dining suggestions; ....

 

[ksoehrlein]

I'm curious too.

Someone on another thread said that Tour Guide Mike was invaluable in helping them avoid crowds. I've never used it before (or felt that I needed to, thanks to all the advice I've read here) but I'm considering it for the trip I'm hoping/planning for late Dec. 06.

 

[handicap18]

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Make all dinner/character meal reservations right at the 180 day mark to make sure you get the places and times you want. Make note of the times of all the parades and there is also the Osbourne family Spectical of Lights at MGM.

 

[jwfla422]

If you decide to see the Osbourne Lights, plan to go right after Fantasmic starts so it won't be as crowded, but if you don't want to battle crowds on the way out, try to hang around there or have dinner at Mama Melrose or another restaurant that's opened past 7:30 (after you walk thru).

We saw the lights 2x by having dinner at 6:00 or so at Mama Melrose and then strolled through a very uncrowded light display however this past time when we left the park our timing wasn't too good because Fantasmic was letting out when we decided to leave, although many came to see the lights after, many left and people were pouring out of the park. The boat launch line was all the way around the fence. We walked back to the Swan and only saw one boat headed toward MGM, so we even beat the boat and it took us 15-20 min to walk.

Next time I would try for a late ADR and see the lights at 7:00 or so and then when Fantasmic lets out I'd have dinner

 

[budbeerlady]

We were there 10-17 and it was great, very non-busy. We did MVMCP and walked onto the rides. And we loved the osbourne lights, that was really cool.

 

[chris7]

We're just back (Dec. 17-26). We had an absolutely fantastic trip. Did everything we wanted with no problems. I really believe the thing that made our trip was being at the parks well before opening every morning. It wasn't tough for us because we are all morning people, but I can see how it might be difficult for others. We did Osbourne lights twice, including Christmas night and they're spectacular. We were there about 6:30 each time and it is really crowded, but that's what I expected so it wasn't a big deal. If you go to just look and amble up the street it really doesn't matter how crowded it is. You eventually will make it all the way up the street and you just stop and work your way around when a group has stopped in the middle of the street to take a group photo.

 

[HappyLawyer]

some days are cold, bring warm clothes, hats, gloves, etc..

 

[prestonsmomma]

Just subscribing since we are going in Dec 2006.

 

[JohnNJ]

I'm curious too.

Someone on another thread said that Tour Guide Mike was invaluable in helping them avoid crowds. I've never used it before (or felt that I needed to, thanks to all the advice I've read here) but I'm considering it for the trip I'm hoping/planning for late Dec. 06.

Your TourGuideMike.com subscription is good for 60 days after your trip ends, even if it's 2008. Plus there's a money back guarantee.

TGMike updates the site regularly because he is in the parks every week (sometimes every day). He has special touring tips for crowded times of the year, like Christmas, and for holiday parties like MNSSHP or MVMCP. And there's a forum full of friendly helpful Disney nuts that can help with your planning.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Just got back from our first WDW Christmas (17-26). It wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be. I didn't really start noticing a big crowd until Christmas Eve afternoon at Epcot. We did not go to the parks on Christmas. We had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and did notice the very large crowd trying to get into the Magic Kingdom that day. We did MVMCP on the 18th. It drizzled on us during the party, but it was still fun. During the week, we walked on most rides or only had a 5-20 minute wait. Anything over 20 minutes, we used fastpass. Be prepared for all kinds of weather. We had showers, sun, wind, clouds. It was chilly part of the week and warmer the other part. We went from pants/long sleeves/jackets to shorts/t-shirts. Make reservations for any dining that you plan to do. Many people were being turned away without reservations. The most important thing to do is PLAN AHEAD! Have fun!

 

[cesarcabrera]

Couple of things, since we always go to Disney during Christmas...

1. Bring both warm and light clothing: The weather changes a lot during Christmas in Orlando, specially in january. One day may be very cold (40's), and the next day be on the 80's. What we usually do, is bring light clothing, jeans, and a jacket we can put over our t-shirt if it happens to be cold.

2. Start of January is your best time... At least its the way we've come to realize... We try to do all of our "out of park" stuff during the last week of december, and then hit the parks on January... We've been able to go on top rides again and again with hardly any lines...

3. Depending on your desire for crowds, you may want to avoid Christmas Eve on a park... We tried to receive the new year on MGM last year, and we decided not to do so... You could barely walk, and we got to believe that it was more painful than fun... So we left to our hotel... A friend did the same on MK, and he did mention that it didn't feel as crowded, probably because of the size.

4. Certain shows at the parks can't be missed... You must try to see Fantasmic at MGM, Wishes (or whatever firework show they have on) at Magic Kingdom, and Illuminations on Epcot.

5. If you want to enjoy most of the parks, you MUST get yourself some ponchos... These are very easy to carry on a backpack, and will save you from getting soaked on a cold day while riding Splash Mountain at MK, or Atlantis on Sea World. On a related note, it hardly ever rains during this period, but if it does, it gets pretty miserable...

6. If your kids like basketball, and you don't have a local NBA team where you live, then a game may be a good idea... I live in Puerto Rico, so every time we fly up there on Christmas try to hit the Christmas day game of the Magics...

7. Make our dining reservations on the 180 day mark, not later... It gets pretty busy at the main restaurants, and it is better to be safe than sorry...

8. Waterparks are not a crazy idea, specially if you run into a "warm" day... All the pools at the parks (at least Disney waterparks) are heated, so as long as you bring a change of clothes, you'll be fine...

9. Must try Planel Hollywood... I tell everyone that they must... Being quite honest, and being an Emeril's fan... I wasn't as impressed with the food on Emeril's (Universal), as I was with the food at Planet Hollywood (Downtown Disney)... Ribs have to be tried...

10. Other hints for parks, which apply no matter when you go:
- Before going to any park, decide on what rides you want to see the most, and go there as soon as you enter the park. For example, on MGM, Rocking Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror.

- Use your FastPass smartly. Use them on the rides you want the most.

Let us know what your experience is in visiting Disney, if any, and if you are planning to stay on or off site...

Take care, and hope this helps...

Cesar

 

[Lulu's Mom]

I am planning our Dec 2006 trip and I have made myself a spreadsheet were I lay out our days and activities/events we want to do and see. I also made a list of dinning possibilities for the days so when it gets closer I can narrow them down. Some of the things that I can not wait to see are:

1. The Santa's at the WS.
2. Tree Lighting Ceremnony at Epcot. I have heard that there is one at Magic Kingdom as well but I can not find any info on it.
3. Candle Light Processional - given that DD cooperates or we get a sitter
4. MVMCP
5. Osbourne Lights
6. Seeing the decorations at the resorts
7. Possible sleigh ride at WL.

There just seems to be so much to do and see that I think our nine days there will not be enough... maybe I can sneak another day in

 

[OurDogCisco]

I second tourguidemike but only if you follow his advice!

We'll be there after Christmas. I'm gonna follow some of the tips I got from this thread already. Thanks for the advice and keep them coming.

Tina

 

[Pumbaa_]

Candlelight processional is wonderful, very moving. If you plan on seeing it either xmas eve or xmas day, book the dinner package and have a few choices for restaurants. Certain restaurants book very quickly for the CP package.

ADR's are very important to book. Plan ahead and call when you first can.

Stay (if you can) at one of the resorts where you can either walk or monorail to a park. The Epcot resorts are lovely and easy to get to MGM and Epcot.

It will be crowded! Go early if you can, take breaks. If there is rain, go out then! We were there xmas 2004 for the weekend and it was cold and rainy! We were able to do so much since it kept the crowds down alot.

Call Disney floral and have a xmas tree in your room. They will have one decorated for you and sent to your room. Or ship a tree to yourself at the resort.
Bring xmas lights for your window/balcony. Nice touch.

Most importantly, have a ball!

 

[goodferry]

We just got back (Dec 14-23) and I have a few suggestions;
1. The crowds really grow as Christmas approaches. Our first day there was a 20 minute wait at 4:30 for Soarin, on our last day it was 120 minutes. Go as early in the month as you can, unless you are set on being there for Christmas.
2. See the shows, they are all fabulous!
3. Subscribe to Tour Guide Mike, his advice is invaluable, we NEVER waited more than 10 minutes for anything, even on the 23rd.
4. Bring warm and cool weather clothes, the weather is soooo erratic
5. The Candlelight Processional was absolutely amazing. We saw Marlee Matlin sign the naration and it was very moving.
6. MVMCP is soooo worth it!
7. Make your dining reservations early, early, early. We saw sooo many really angry guests trying to get a table.
8. Liberty Tree Tavern and Crystal Palace were lots of fun, Alfredo's was wonderful for the CP dining package (definitely would do that again)
9. Bring four times more film/memory cards than you would for an ordinary disney trip, there is so much more to photograph.
10. Visit the resorts to see the gingerbread houses, especially the Grand Floridian, it is spectacular!
11. Enjoy your family, it's Christmas! We did MVMCP one night followed by the CP the next, and I wish we had left the next day because that was the absolutely perfect combination.

 

[ksoehrlein]

Although I'm not the OP, thanks for all the good advice. (I'm going to remember to subscribe this time!) We're planning to go after school lets out; this year, their first day off was Dec. 21 and next year's schedule hasn't been released yet but I think it will be the 21st or 22nd. DH doesn't want to be away for more than 4 or 5 days, so we'll probably check out and drive home on the 26th.

Anyway, I'm debating staying at the CR, concierge level. We've never done concierge before, but I'm thinking it would be good "insurance" in case plans change from what we thought 180 days ago and we need to switch ADRs. I think during Christmas week, we'll need extra help with that kind of thing. Although I first dreamed of the GF, I'm leaning toward CR so that we can simply walk back from MK and not deal with the boats, buses, or monorail -- and their associated wait times and crowds -- late at night.

Is a Christmas tree in the room necessary? My kids are still little; they'll be 6 and 3. I choked a little when I saw Disney Florist's prices, however. Would the concierge lounge have a tree that we could put presents under first thing in the morning for the kids to find? DH and I are giving them the trip and nothing else, but I don't think Santa gets off that easy!

So many details to think about; I'm glad we've got 360 days or so.

 

[EAP'sDAD]

Me and DW have decided that next year we will take the three kids to Disney for Christmas. We plan on telling them we are going to visit relatives in Florida and not tell them until we see the gates to Disney. I have a few question and I hope I can get a few ideas. first I was planning on having a tree in our room does anyone know how much Disney will charge for one. Also we are planning on having the Santa presents sent down will bell services hold onto these for us until Christmas eve. Also is realistic to see CP on Christmas eve, I plan to do the dinning package does this sell out quick. Any help would be great.

 

[poohlover]

I'm subscribing also...just gave my family a "gift" of a trip for next year...our 25th anniversary is on Dec 27th!! I want to be there for that, but we may begin the trip that day. We have gone Thanksgiving week...comparisions anyone?? I'm a little worried about the crowds, but I am excited also!

We may have a group of 9...if we bring my oldest DD's BF...otherwise just 8...are they still doing grand gatherings? Anything we would "get" out of doing it that way??

 

[Magic Man]

Thanks to all for the advice. We have been 3 years in a row during June, but next December will be our first time for Christmas. We plan on arriving around the 16th and leaving for home around the 22nd. We want to be around our own hearth for Christmas, but want to see the decorations Mickey style.
Disney wife is in charge of planning and does a fabulous job. I just bring my patience and go along for the Magic! (and carry most of the stuff she and the kids don't want to pack!)

 

[goodferry]

We were not there for Christmas, but I did order a small Christmas tree (prelit) online and had it shipped to our resort. I packed a box with ornaments and stuff I didn't want to have to bring on the plane (ie princess dresses and shoes) and shipped that down ahead of us also. The kids loved the tree and it made for a perfect nightlight for the little ones who were not used to sleeping in a strange place. The trees from the Disney Florist are extremely expensive IMHO.
We stayed in the Polynesian concierge and they were able to help us alot with pre-planning. However, once we were there, most of the popular restaurants were full, it didn't matter if you were a concierge guest or not. They were able to get us into the Luau or Hoop dee doo, but Le Cellier was completely booked for dinner our entire stay, for example. (There was a tree in the lounge at the Polynesian, by the way)
As far as transportation issues, as the crowds increase, Disney bumps up the buses, boats, etc. Over 10 days we waited maybe 10 minutes once and we had to stand on a bus twice, if I remember correctly.