What to research for Christmas Trip

[misskari]

Hello - Our family of 3 is planning a 2026 Christmas season trip. What are some things we should pay attention to this year to help us plan for the best trip next holiday season?

For example, I'm looking at prices for MVMCP & Jollywood Nights, and planning a small % increase for next year's prices to budget for. But what else? We will be staying DVC, and are open to any resort. I know Wilderness is super popular, but at 7 months, we probably won't get that.

I just want to be sure I've done my research well this year, but am unsure what to scope out.

 

[CarolynFH]

Follow some of the holiday-season threads here, such as the Epcot Festival of the Holidays thread for information about activities such as the Candlelight Processional and the Holiday Storytellers.

Are you a DVC owner? If so, book your home at 11 months, to be sure you get a place to stay for the dates you want. Then at 7 months you can look at what's available and modify your reservation to a different resort.

If you're not a DVC owner and plan to rent points, I'd try to book your rental at 11 months with an owner at the resort you want. From about mid-September through Marathon Weekend in January is the most popular time for DVC bookings. The first week of December is the most popular week of the year, followed by Christmas week and then by the second week of December, so if that's when you want to visit, be ready to book at 11 months. At 7 months, it can be difficult to get more than a couple of nights in a row, especially at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[jimmymc]

MVMCP and Jollywood get very pricey the week before Christmas. Early to mid-December is a good time to go for crowds, especially during the week.

Getting Wilderness Lodge DVC rooms is hard even at 11 months for early December. Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom also look great at Christmas.

Pay attention next September for the Candlelight Processional announcements, including dining packages if you're interested in those.

That's about it for special Christmastime planning. Everything else is standard Disney planning.