Would you spontaneously take your family to WDW for $1800 for Christmas?

[DisneyFive]

No

Save that money and make your next trip extra special.

-Dan

 

[jennywren5]

We're doing it! We decided last month to surprise the kids with the trip Christmas morning, leaving Dec. 30 and staying until Jan.7. We will catch the end of all the Christmas decor and have New Year's at MK. Doing a split stay at Dolphin and AOA. We were able to get all the Fast Passes we wanted as well as BOG, Ohana, Kona, Sanaa... can't wait! Gotta get out of the snow. I say go for it!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I also can't imagine spending 6 hours in the car on Christmas, to go stand in wall-to-wall crowds for 3 days. My kids would also revolt if we opened presents on Christmas and then just left. As big of a fan as I am of Disney, I don't need my Christmas Magic infringed upon by Disney Magic. Maybe one day when the kids are older (they're almost 5 and 8 now) we'll travel on Christmas (but never to Disney!) but now the only place we want to be at Christmas is in our own home.

 

[ariane37]

I priced out a trip last night that would included leaving on Christmas Day and staying through Sunday. Three day park pass. We would drive - 6 hours.

Oh, to be able to drive for only 6 hours and be in WDW! OP I know you've made your decision already but I had to say that

And for the record, even though if I lived that close I'd be going SO much more often, sadly my vote would be a "no" in this case. The holiday decorations are beautiful and we loved seeing them on our late Nov. trip a couple years ago. However, the ONE, and ONLY one time of year you will never find me in the parks - the week between Xmas and New Year's

 

[bookgirl]

I priced out a trip last night that would included leaving on Christmas Day and staying through Sunday. Three day park pass. We would drive - 6 hours.

HS, MK, and Epcot.

Without food it was about $1800.

Would you do it?

We JUST went in September.

It would totally go on a credit card and get paid back with taxes! Hmmmm.

Of course, it would not be the "responsible" thing to do.

I wouldn't but not because of money.

Christmas is crazy busy (ADR's, FP, General bodies in the park, park closures) so I wouldn't plan a trip at that time of year 6 months out much less 6 weeks out.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I'm gonna give you a glass-half-full and half-empty approach. Let's start with the half empty and end on a good note.

Half Empty
- It's going to be very crowded
- By now, there will be very little FP+'s available
- Finding a good ADR will be close to impossible

Half Full
Seeing as you went in September, the Disney bug won't be biting quite as hard. My family goes once a year - during Christmas. We start to get the "itch" the day we return home to the cold NY temps... but realistically, we really start to get the itch around August. By Christmas, we're ready to go. We want to ride and see everything. For you, you've already seen and done everything in September. Who cares if you can't get on 7DMT? You actually have a step up. You could take the time to explore the resorts and see the decorations and all..

Look, the FP+ and everything will most likely be gone, but Christmas at Disney is so much more than the rides. My family argues 80% less at Disney , they've really stepped up the food during the holidays (Holidays Around the World,) and so much more! I'd recommend going during Christmas, but make it an untraditional trip. See the resorts, tour the nooks and crannies of Disney, etc.

Check out my free guide book at survivedisxmas.com. It talks a lot about FP+, etc. but also how to beat the crowds. It can really come in handy for someone planning a last-minute trip!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Considering that flights alone to Orlando for my wife, daughter and myself are a minimum of $2000 (if I'm lucky and book on a seat sale, or a year in advance), yeah, $1800 all-in for a last minute trip sounds pretty darn reasonable to me.

And yes, the crowds will be insane, but a bad day at Disney is exponentially better than a great day anywhere else.

 

[BlondeAppetit]

You are all so smart - like little angels and devils sitting on my shoulders.

It would not be a crazy financial hardship and I would put it on my handy dandy Disney Visa....so that is kinda like saving money too. :

I think it would be magical to see the surprise on their faces on Christmas morning when we told them where we were going - well...my older daughter's face actually...the baby would be like - What? Give me a box and some tissue.

So, as much as the castle looks SOOOOOO pretty with Elsa's lights....I think that this is a surprise that I can plan for in the future.

As a previous poster mentioned...maybe when they are a little older.

So....back to planning our Labor Day 2015 trip!

For now, I will watch this and cry in my Swiss Miss: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...de-video-series/?CMP=SOC-FBPAGE20141107165901

 

[KimBean]

I think $1800 with more planning and at a less crowded time could get you a much better and LONGER vacation. That is a lot of money for just lodging and tickets for 3 days.

 

[KimBean]

Considering that flights alone to Orlando for my wife, daughter and myself are a minimum of $2000 (if I'm lucky and book on a seat sale, or a year in advance), yeah, $1800 all-in for a last minute trip sounds pretty darn reasonable to me.

And yes, the crowds will be insane, but a bad day at Disney is exponentially better than a great day anywhere else.

LOL! I guess it is all perspective huh? We once did a 7 day trip for $2500.

 

[Networth]

Personally I do spontaneous trip to different places once a year, but a quick trip to WDW when crowds are 10+++, would pass.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I would vote "no" on the trip if you would have to put it on a credit card. If you had the disposable income, I would say go for it.

 

[kirstenb1]

No, but I'd never ever go at Christmas.

OP, think about the crowds. Now think about pushing a stroller through the crowds. Think about the crowds JUST to get to the parks: the busses, monorail, boat. I can't even think about the line to get into the parking lot (we always drive to WDW, so we have our car with us).

Your kids are so young, you could still go literally anytime, and not worry about missing big kid schoolwork. I would think about going in Feb or March just to get away from winter.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

we had the same idea a week ago," hey screw it, lets to to Disney for Christmas" said my husband and I say "heck ya".
but then reality set it that we could not afford Disney and Christmas with our families Christmas events, celebrations etc and we decided no. The thought of
crowd level of 10
no Ohanas,
my three year crying cause a line is too long, softens the blow.
We were at Disneyland in September but like we all know its not Disney World.
We are also taking my three year old to Sea World San Antonio for his 4th birthday. Its only a 4 hour drive, we can handle it.

 

[Aurora0427]

Nope.

A. Its too crowded.
B. Its TOO crowded.
C. ITS TOO CROWDED.
D. I would never spend money that I don't have on something as unnecessary as an impulse vacation. And then spend more money that I don't have for months of interest charges.

This. Exactly

 

[BlondeAppetit]

we had the same idea a week ago," hey screw it, lets to to Disney for Christmas" said my husband and I say "heck ya".
but then reality set it that we could not afford Disney and Christmas with our families Christmas events, celebrations etc and we decided no. The thought of
crowd level of 10
no Ohanas,
my three year crying cause a line is too long, softens the blow.
We were at Disneyland in September but like we all know its not Disney World.
We are also taking my three year old to Sea World San Antonio for his 4th birthday. Its only a 4 hour drive, we can handle it.

A girl after my own heart!

 

[kathy884]

I wouldn't go because of the crowds. // Between Christmas and New Year's is the worst. If it was earlier before the Christmas crowds I'd do it in a heart beat. If it were after the Christmas crowds, sure.

Between Christmas and New Year's though is wall to wall people -- insane -- just gets to you after a while. // And you went at a low crowd time in September.

Is there another time you could do it?


(I've been down this time of the year five different times to meet up with extended family. And it is really and truly crazy. It's way too much for DH, and I wouldn't go subject him to that again.) // Note though I am doing a mini trip Dec. 13 and leaving Dec. 18th before the massive crowds start rolling in. And I'm just spending around what you are spending too. (point for flights, relatives picking me up, parents springing for condo -- just some tickets and food expenses really).

 

[davedmaine]

I priced out a trip last night that would included leaving on Christmas Day and staying through Sunday. Three day park pass. We would drive - 6 hours. HS, MK, and Epcot. Without food it was about $1800. Would you do it? We JUST went in September. It would totally go on a credit card and get paid back with taxes! Hmmmm. Of course, it would not be the "responsible" thing to do.

No way . Too crowded.. Save the tax money for another time

 

[BlondeAppetit]

Well....after my holiday hopes were squashed like a sad roasted chestnut on the streets of NYC, I decided to plan an alternative:

Drive up to Asheville, NC....Black Mountain actually....and do the Polar Express. Santa, hot cocoa, Christmas pjs....on a train!

It is also the Black Mt. Christmas Parade - which is totally old school and charming. Picture dancing waffles wearing antlers along-side the Waffle House Float and old-fashioned firetrucks. It is awesome.

The kicker....I asked my girlfriend for advice on inexpensive hotels in the area and she said that she could pull there 1980's totally retro and rockin' camper into the driveway of their cozy little mountain house (that is busting at the seams with kiddos!) and we could stay there. So redneck. And amazing. [insert Christmas Vacation quote here] I may have to buy my DH a fuzzy hat.

So....it's no Disney...but it will be memorable.

 

[kathy884]

Well....after my holiday hopes were squashed like a sad roasted chestnut on the streets of NYC, I decided to plan an alternative:

Drive up to Asheville, NC....Black Mountain actually....and do the Polar Express. Santa, hot cocoa, Christmas pjs....on a train!

It is also the Black Mt. Christmas Parade - which is totally old school and charming. Picture dancing waffles wearing antlers along-side the Waffle House Float and old-fashioned firetrucks. It is awesome.

The kicker....I asked my girlfriend for advice on inexpensive hotels in the area and she said that she could pull there 1980's totally retro and rockin' camper into the driveway of their cozy little mountain house (that is busting at the seams with kiddos!) and we could stay there. So redneck. And amazing. [insert Christmas Vacation quote here] I may have to buy my DH a fuzzy hat.

So....it's no Disney...but it will be memorable.

Sounds awesome! And Disney will be there for you for a future trip, and you can factor in crowds and pick your best time to go.