Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Hello everyone I will be visiting WDW in December and will be there for the christmas holiday. Have only been in Summer so not sure what to expect. Can fellow WDW fans provide any advice? Thanks
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Expect summer-like crowds without the heat, and parks and resorts decorated for the holidays. Also special parades and other events, some of which are extra and above regular admission,, such as the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Thanks, will Arrive on December 19th and staying until Dec 31st. Major Disney activity between 20th-30th Dec. Is it true the parks close early if full around 12pm?
Originally Posted By danyoung It's true that the parks will close to new guests if they're full. And it's true that the week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest week of the entire year. Plan on doing attractions during your first few days, and then do mostly shows and big people eating attractions during the post-Christmas time. Take time to visit the hotels - they all do wonderful decorations, ginger bread houses, etc. Epcot's IllumiNations show has a special holiday tag that's really spectacular! And of course don't miss the Osborne Festival of Lights (or whatever they're calling it these days) on the New York backlot in Disney's Hollywood Studios - totally incredible!!!
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Thanks danyoung, expected it to be packed out. We were originally going in July but had a few complications so xmas it is, already counting days. Love illuminations so thats good news. Is the Gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian? any other resort highlights, do the parks open later than normal?
Originally Posted By danyoung There's a HUGE gingerbread house at the GF. There used to be a gingerbread house competition among hotel chefs, but I don't know if they're still doing that. The parks will be open the same kind of hours as in the summertime, like opening at 8 or 9am and the MK closing at 11pm or midnight. I believe that Epcot moves IllumiNations to 9:30pm for the entire season.
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 thanks for that, as we are staying outside the world im assuming taxis/buses are still operating,lynx buses etc?
Originally Posted By dshyates Also check out the Wilderness Lodge. They do a great job with the Christmas decorations. The Christmas Season is my favorite time of year to visit WDW. Although I usually go sometime during the first week in December. It is less crowded and still decorated for the Holidays. Since I am now a local, I think I will do the "Celebrate Your Birthday" thing since my B'day is Dec. 27th. Maybe I'll see you there.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss On your previous trip(s) did you also stay off-property? It sounds like you're not renting a car. Personally, I think it's a must if you're not staying at a Disney resort.
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 That sounds great, I did my birthday at WDW last year and would have been doing so this year but (as stated above) am no longer going in July. Must be quite good to be a local, am in UK (exactly 4,375 miles) quite sad that I know that but my home town is twinned with Tampa, so just worked out the extra mileage. My birthday at WDW was my favourite ever, couldn't believe I was there!
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Have visited WDW five times, never stayed in a Disney resort but would love to, always IDrive.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer You are hitting WDW at the best time. Getting there before the 22nd you will find minimal crowds and be able to do all the major attractions with little wait time. Then, from the 23rd on, the crowds will get bigger until Christmas day when they reach unimaginable proportions. So, from the 23rd on plan on seeing the shows and parades and not a lot else. Do make reservations at whatever restaurants you want when the window opens (I think its currently 90 days but that changes frequently) and make reservations for the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package. You will love it. My biggest advice though is to avoid MK on Christmas Day -- don't even think of going there. We do WDW for Christmas every year and have tried many different combinations of parks for the holidays but my one steadfast rule is to never set foot in MK on Christmas Day. It is miserable. We do AK which is usually the least crowded of the parks, or Epcot which is crowded but big enough to handle the crowds without making me feel crushed. OR you can do what we are planning this year which is to spend Christmas Day visiting the other hotels and relaxing by the pool (if the weather cooperates which is a distinct possibility)
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Thanks for that, I was thinking Epcot but AK sounds a great idea.
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Are any attractions closed over xmas? I was wondering if they open up Wonders of Life as they didn't last summer. I assume that all rides operating would avoid huge bottlenecks everywhere?
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Also check out the Wilderness Lodge. They do a great job with the Christmas decorations.*** I also love the Christmas decor at the Boardwalk, another must see imo (if you're there for dinner or a stroll or whatever, make a point to stroll through the lobby to look around even though it's slightly out of the way).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Then, from the 23rd on, the crowds will get bigger until Christmas day when they reach unimaginable proportions.*** I dunno about "unimaginable". Any 320 minute posted wait times around Christmas in Orlando? There have been just such waits around my neck of the woods recently (I'm not bragging..it totally sucks lol). But yeah, it will for sure be busy. However, the Christmas vibe at WDW is fantastic and you can have a great time just hopping around and taking it easy (hit all the rides you care about early in the trip, then it won't matter), and hopping in lines whenever they look short...plus you can take the time to check out the hotel decorations and the Disney Village stuff and all that too! You'll have a blast. Enjoy!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Thanks for that, I was thinking Epcot but AK sounds a great idea.*** DAK in the daytime, then hop over to Epcot for dinner and the evening shows. (do any of the restaurants feature special holiday menus? for some reason, I'd imagine having Christmas dinner in the U.K. at Epcot would be kinda neat...sort of a "harry potter" vibe lol...PLUS if you time your reservation well you can see the fireworks from the restaurant!) Oh wait. You're FROM the U.K. Nevermind.
Originally Posted By libertysquare76 Thanks anyway,lots of good ideas there. I ate at the Rose and Crown as it was way back when i went to Epcot as a kid, can't really remember it apart from the fact that service was better, food was cooked properly and the place was clean, A truly large slice of Disney magic as no UK pub can tick any of those boxes. Never been to the Boardwalk but will do so now I think, perfect excuse. Thanks Mr X
Originally Posted By danyoung > I was wondering if they open up Wonders of Life as they didn't last summer.< They've gone ahead and gutted the Wonders of Life pavilion. It's only used as a meeting place now, and never opens with the attractions it used to have. It's a real shame, too, as Cranium Command was one of the best shows in the park!
