Which park would you do (between the two listed) for Christmas eve??

[disneyfool_1202]

Happy almost fall everyone! My mom (who is retired) decided she wanted to take us and my kids (her teenage grandchildren) to Disney as she hasn't gone with them since they were 2 and 4 years old. We are leaving December 21st and for the firs ttime ever spending the Chrismas holiday somewhere other than home. Since my husband and I are DVC members and the kids are so familiar with Disney, it really is home away from home. They are comfortable there, so what better a place?
Anyway, we only have 5 days and my parents are not spry young adults. Mom is 74 with minor mobility issues and my step dad has no mobility issues, but he's 87. Needless to say I am getting them both ECV's to make their lives (and min) easier. We decided since we truly only have 5 full days we would do only 2 parks - Epcot to see world showcase decorated for Christmas, and Hollywood Studios because my kids and my husband and I have all been dying to get to Galaxy's edge. I figured avoid the park Christmas day as we leave for home the morning of the 26th so we made nice dining ressies for Disney Springs and will spend a nice day strolling there in a festive atmosphere.
But for Christmas eve where do we go - Hollywood Studios OR Epcot?
*I have tentatively grabbed dining ressies for wherever I could get them but I can change them or we can just get counter service. We are not big foodies. I'd like to hear your opinions on thoughts about Christmas eve.

 

[bopper]

Suggest subscribing to https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/crowd-calendar
That will be a SUPER busy times

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Mmm... I'm not paying $15 to look at crowd patterns but thanks for the idea.
We aren't about doing it "all" (as in the entire park) as reality is we go back every 2 years. If we don't we lose out as we invested a lot into our DVC membership. So when we go we pick the "what do we really want to focus on in these two parks) and then that's it. I'm just trying to figure out which one people may prefer for Christmas eve and why. Mostly because I can't decide!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think it depends on what you want to see and do. DHS upped their Christmas game a few years ago with new decorations and it's really pretty, IMHO. EP, however, has a whole holiday festival going on and is more "festive", IMHO. I, personally, would probably choose EP as it tends to absorb crowds better than the other parks. One suggestion, if you aren't attending CP that evening, go to FW while the CP shows are going on. I've found during Christmas week, WS is pretty jam packed during CP performances and pre-performance when people line up to see the shows.

Just a word of caution, DS gets just as busy as the parks during Christmas week. We were there on Dec. 26 a few years ago and it was as packed as MK. We could barely move.

 

[Disneylover99]

I love Christmas Eve at Epcot!
We do the storytellers around WS and dine at the Biergarten. It feels very Christmasy.

 

[deedubb]

I would do Epcot and do the Candlelight Processional with a dining package. We did this 2 years ago and it just seems so right to do this on Christmas Eve.

 

[leebee]

We are going to Disney at Christmas (12/21-12/27) but it's not really a "Disney" trip. I am looking at a 1 day PH or 2 day base tickets. I want to go to Epcot for Christmas Eve. The CP packages are sold out, but I am hoping to be within earshot to at least hear the story and the music. Just can't decide whether to do the 1 day PH and spend the day at AK, then hop to Epcot, or do the 2 day base tix (so one day at AK, one at EP)... but I REALLY want to do Epcot WS on Christmas Eve. Still torn, though, as it would be nice to do a CP dining package. Sorry I can't be more help... I have a similar dilemma to yours!

 

[delgrec]

We are having the same debate. We aren’t interested in candlelight processional. I wish there would be a frozen ever after dessert party that night but it isn’t likely. I am thinking that if there is a jingle bell jam dessert party we will do that and DHS will win the debate. But if not, I’m just not sure. I appreciated the point above that Epcot absorbs crowds better.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I'd probably go with Epcot...although MK would be epic as well. But its true that epcot absorbs crowds way better than MK for example. Id probably do Epcot.

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

For Christmas Eve, I'do epcot. It has a lot more Christmas stuff going on than HS.

 

[MissionMouse]

We would do Epcot, based on your two options. Last year, we did AKL and moved over to MK for dinner at Be Our Guest on Christmas Eve. Christmas we started at Ohana, went to MK early entrance and escaped as crowds became a river of people to the castle. Took well over an hour to get to Afternoon Tea at GF (highlight of the day for everyone). Back to BC for Christmas swim, then to Epcot for dinner at Chef deFrance. Did Candlelight Procession on the 23rd

 

[reluctantredhead]

We also did EP and the CP on Christmas Eve last year, and it was magical! As others have said too, EP is larger and can handle large crowds better, plus there is Festival of the Holidays going on, which really adds to the Christmas spirit. But on the other hand, we are big fans of the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam at HS, and last year we did that, along with the JBJB dessert party and Minnie's Holiday dine at H&V on Christmas day. I agree with the PP who said HS has upped its Christmas game recently...I find the vintage decorations so charming! We are booked to repeat the same plan this year (EP on 12/24, HS on 12/25) and will be at WDW 12/20-12/27 (similar to your dates), but honestly I think either HS or EP would be great for Christmas day as long as you have an ADR booked somewhere (to escape the crowds and have a guaranteed place to sit and rest for a while) and FP+ booked as well.

Enjoy! I know people say it's super crowded this time of year, but 2019 will mark our 4th Christmas trip, and we've always had a fantastic time and managed to accomplish everything we wanted to...for us, the key is planning and having a patient and positive attitude! It's not for everyone for sure, but I think if you go in with a good plan and the right expectations you can have a magical time.

 

[TinkSassy]

We do Epcot on Christmas Eve and book a dining package for CP. It is like going to service back home for us and then we have the holidays festival to enjoy on the way out for the night.

 

[GPC0321]

I haven't been on Christmas Eve (will get the chance next year), but we went the 17-20 in 2017, and experienced all the Christmas stuff in MK, EP, and HS. I would say Epcot with a dining package for Candlelight Processional would be a perfect Christmas Eve. We'll be there in 2020, actually on Christmas Eve and Day for the first time ever, and I'm already thinking that Epcot will be our Christmas Eve destination with Candlelight again. It's not to be missed, IMO. In 2017, we stayed for IllumiNations with the special holiday tag at the end (Let there be Peace on Earth), and it was so awesome (I loved IllumiNations regardless, but the holiday tag was icing on top). Of course it'll be Epcot Forever this year, and no idea if there will be any special holiday addition to it for the season.

That said, Hollywood Studios is one festive, jolly place at Christmas too, though in more of a hustle and bustle kind of way. We loved the Jingle Bell Jingle Bam dessert party. It was soooo "Christmasy" and fun. Totally different vibe than World Showcase and Candlelight though, of course.

I'd choose Epcot though. Epcot is more "O Holy Night" while Studios is more "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" LOL!

 

[jaiminee krikit]

I would do Epcot and the Candelight Processional. That was honestly one my favorite things I've ever done at a Disney Park. It was so moving and beautiful. We did it on Christmas Day our Christmas trip and it was perfect. Also with how busy it's going to be, Epcot is good for larger crowds. Definitely try to get the dining package, so you don't have to wait in line hours to sit to see the show. That and a Christmas Eve dessert party at MK were the smartest things we did that trip.