What to do on Christmas Day?

[Crazy4Disney43611]

Hello all we will be going over Christmas and we have no plans of what to do Christmas day. We are not sure if we want to wake up early to go to a park or not, so I was hoping someone could give us some ideas of things that have worked for you in the past. Our party consists of My in-laws, sis in-law, son who is 5 and my wife and myself. Also does anyone kno if there is anything "diiferent or special" that happens on Christmas Day inside the parks. Thanks for all your help!

Sean

 

[mom2d&b]

We spent 1 Christmas in the MK and never will again. Now if we are at WDW on Chrsitmas Day it is our "down" day. We hang at the hotels and downtown Disney. The MK is packed on Christmas Day.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

We went to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas last year. We woke up early and went there for the opening ceremony, which began at 7:00. We had lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern, and they had a special Christmas menu. After that we watched the Christmas parade and went back to our room to relax because it was extremely crowded by 1:00. We went back later that evening to watch the fireworks. The MK stays open really late near Christmas day - I think it was open until 3:00 in the morning. We had a great time and I would definitely go back.

 

[crazelion]

I use that time as down time make use of the pools and go Downtown Dinsey. I would a call ahead at restaurant to eat some where that day. Or to Animal Kingdom as my park day.

 

[maryjean]

We two are going to MK for our first Christmas day visit.We were told if your going to MK on Christmas day or Christmas EVE you should go early as they sometimes fill to capacity then they stop letting people in.

 

[kev97rach]

We were in Disney the week before Christmas 2 years ago, so this is our 1st time during Christmas! From reading all the tips on here, we have decided that if we do go to a park on Christmas Day, it will be Epcot in the morning, ride the monorail to see the resort decorations like the Gingerbread House in Grand Floridian, etc., then we are heading to Downtown Disney for the rest of the evening and we have tickets for Cirque De Soleil that night! We leave Friday morning and I can't wait!!! Plus, my 2 kids have no idea yet! They are getting surprised when they wake up Friday!!! It has been really hard keeping this a secret for 2 months!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We went to the Magic Kingdom on Christmas last year. We woke up early and went there for the opening ceremony, which began at 7:00. We had lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern, and they had a special Christmas menu. After that we watched the Christmas parade and went back to our room to relax because it was extremely crowded by 1:00. We went back later that evening to watch the fireworks. The MK stays open really late near Christmas day - I think it was open until 3:00 in the morning. We had a great time and I would definitely go back.

We are going to the MK for the first time on Christmas Day. We are prepared for the crowds and just taking it easy. ADRs were made in June (CRT breakfast, Tony's Lunch, LTT dinner) & we don't plan to leave the park to make sure we will be there for dinner ADR.
What time do you suggest being down for the buses to be there for Rope Drop? we are staying at ASSp. I am hoping to be at the pare at 6:30 or shortly there after. Are we completely crazy???

 

[maryjean]

Nope we getting there early to we have stuff planed at MK that day and want to make sure we get in.

 

[Magical09]

We went for x-mas last year. We stayed at the Beach club and swam in the pool during the day. At night time we went to see the Osborne lights and it wasn't that crowded. We got a great picture with the whole family under the lights

 

[wdwluver]

We went to the MK on Christmas day in 2006. It was unbelieveably crowded. I was glad we had park hoppers that year, or I would have been sorely disappointed.

When I say crowded, I mean CROWDED. Picture mainstreet when everyone is exiting the park after the parade. It was that way everywhere.

Never again. Of course, if everyone is afraid to go to MK on Christmas day, it might actually be a good time to go...

 

[RMulieri]

Avoid the MK like the plague.I went and it was wall to wall people 120 mins wait time for rides and nowhere to move.Plus , the Mk generally closes its gates due to capacity, so leaving the Mk and then trying to get back in for an adr was a nightmare.I won't go at all over Xmas anymore.If I did i would avoid the parks and make it a down day.

 

[Crystal824]

If you go to a park on Christmas Day, I would get up early and go. In the past, MK and Epcot fill to capacity early on (usually less than an hour after opening).

 

[toverly]

If you decide to avoid the parks on Christmas day you might want to check out the Ice! show at the Gaylord Palms Hotel. I don't know if tickets are available they will probably sell out but, it was the highlight of our trip last year. Check their website. The same day we went there we played putt putt at the Disney courses. That was fun too.

 

[Dawn414]

Ok...now you guys are making me rethink...my intention was to be at MK BRIGHT AND EARLY Christmas morning. We are only staying about half the day anyway because we're heading to my parents' house (so. FLA)...but I guess my questions...

1) What time is the parade? (Because I think it would be really cool to see the parade on christmas day at MK).
2) if the park opens at 7am, what time do you get there to have at least an hour or two of 'fun' before you want to scream?
3) What time do the buses start running for a 7am opening?

Thanks all! Happy Holidays!
Dawn

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Ok...now you guys are making me rethink...my intention was to be at MK BRIGHT AND EARLY Christmas morning. We are only staying about half the day anyway because we're heading to my parents' house (so. FLA)...but I guess my questions...

1) What time is the parade? (Because I think it would be really cool to see the parade on christmas day at MK).
2) if the park opens at 7am, what time do you get there to have at least an hour or two of 'fun' before you want to scream?
3) What time do the buses start running for a 7am opening?

Thanks all! Happy Holidays!
Dawn

1) Parades are at 12 and 3:30
2) We are planning to be at the bus for 6 am!
3) I understand they start running an hours before the parks open...6 AM...maybe earlier???

 

[Dawn414]

ok so the one that is on tv at 10am is a pre-recorded one? Just curious...We've hit most major holidays, but this is a first for us for Christmas. And if it is that insane, I'm going to have to plan the day accordingly.

Thanks.
Dawn MCG

 

[Jenny-momof3]

The one at MK on TV was recorded beginning of December.

 

[Dawn414]

well, SHOOT...that doesn't seem right! I knew some of the 'stuff' was pre-recorded, but didn't know the whole dang thing was. Sheesh.

Is the parade on Christmas anything special then or is it basically the same parade you'd see at MVMCP?

Thx.
Dawn McG

 

[Dawn414]

I realize this is after-the-fact at this point, but wanted to share my opinion having now done Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day...

If you're going to go...GO EARLY...we were there at 6:30 for a 7am opening. Long story short, we had all of Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Adventureland and Frontierland done by about 10:15. At that point, we started walking toward MainStreet and it was like a flood gate at open. I swear up to that point, you'd never have known it was Christmas Day. It was INSANE in that area. We had only planned on spending a short time there anyway because we were driving down to my parents house. As we left, we saw busloads...and I mean BUSLOADS (the big DisneyCruise/Magical Express) buses of people being dropped off...LINES of cars waiting to get in. Jaw dropping to say the least. Now, to each his own, but I would NEVER have gotten there at that time. Unless you're just going for ambience and parade, it just doesn't make sense to me to have to deal with that many people in one place at one time. So...would I do MK again on Christmas Day? Sure I would...but you can also bet that I"ll be amongst the first in line so that my stress level stays in the Christmas spirit. Happy new Year all!

Dawn McG