Christmas at WDW

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

OK guys (and gals) Hooky needs a little help. We're still 11 months away from our next trip to WDW and we've already started thinking ahead to the next vacation. What I need to know is :-
What is Christmas at WDW like ? How does it differ from a 'normal' spring or summer trip - weather, decorations, parades etc etc.
Given the choice of a peak time visit would you choose Christmas or go during another peak time ?
Thanks for your assistance

 

[i<3disney4ever]

me and my family either go three weeks before xmas or a couple days after jan. 1st and we absolutley love it!!! the decorations are AMAZING!!! i don't think i have any pics on my comp of disney around the xmas time but if i find some i'll def. post them!

 

[SirGoofy]

I was there for Christmas/New Years this year, and I must say it is amazing. The decorations are awsome, OSOL is so cool, and there is fake snow after Wishes every night. It is truely magical. Country Bear Jamboree has a special show for the holidays which is neat, and the VMCP is a nice parade.

 

[bears163]

we are going this year. 105 more days uuuhhhhh can it go slower. i have read many great things about that time of the year. i am amped. wwwoooooottttt. oh and GO FLYERS

 

[phlydude]

The wife and I went last Dec from the 4th through the 11th. It was great. Weather barely broke 80° during the day and 65° at night. Crowds were low and everything looked awesome decorated. Snow in Florida is cool on Main Street and in the Osbourne Family lights area in MGM.
This was the first Disney trip in a while where I didn't feel pressured for any reason or impatient with anyone. The cooler temps had a lot to do with that I'm sure, especially compared to the trip before with my whiney brother and the hurricanes that had gone through while we were there.

GO EAGLES!! GO FLYERS!!

 

[hcswingfield]

The decorations are beautiful, the parades have holiday theming, the Voices of Liberty at the USA pavillion do special holiday music, the resorts are all decked out, there are holiday themed sweatshirts, t-shirts and hats for sale. It's all quite festive and will get you into the spirit!

 

[FantasmicFan]

I was there for Christmas and New Years this/last year too, and It is amazing! The shows and parades are replaced with Christmas shows except Spectro and Wishes! News Years was amazing!! We spent it in EPOCT because MK was packed, so get there early, really early, we were there at 11 and still couldn't get in! Also what lovely is that at the WSC they celebrate New Years in all the countrys and whatever time it'll be, when it was 12 in France it was about 10 in Florida and in the France Pavillian we had Can Can dancing and fireworks!

 

[swimmom]

Definately worth going around Christmas, but if you counld go earlier in the month of December, it won't be as crowded as the week between Christmas & New Years. :xmas:

 

[jvenegas]

I was there for Christmas 2003. Dec. 26 through Jan. 4 2004. It is awesome and more magical than at any other time of year. Even the atmosphere and sorroundings seem different and i've been there during summer and Thanksgiving weekend. You will definitely have a great time.

 

[col]

rock on christmas :xmas: thats when i go.

i read somewhere that in magic kingdom they have fake snow from the entrance leading up to the castle, if that is true that would be amazing!

 

[FantasmicFan]

Yes they had fake snow down Main Street at closing time, just after Wishes! Was Lovely!

 

[ZapperZ]

Just keep in mind that it is their busiest time of the year. We went there 2 years ago and they were breaking all attendence records. It was PACKED and Magic Kingdom was closed for entrance by 2:00 pm.

So if you don't mind the crowds, then I'd say go and enjoy the gorgeous parades and decorations. I have some pictures from that trip and I'll put up in my album later this evening if you want to take a look.

Cheers.

Zz.

 

[MKCP 1985]

As far as weather, it can be variable, but it is not uncommon to be in a light jacket in the morning and in short sleeves by noon, or in the jacket after dark. There have been years when the weather was too cool to enjoy the outdoor pool in late December, but on other years the water was fine. So, pack the swimsuit (if there is extra room in the bag) and cross your fingers.

The Magic Kingdom puts up an enormous Christmas tree on Main Street. The resorts also put up Christmas decorations, and the Wilderness lodge uses that big fireplace to cook chestnuts on the open fire.

 

[Connor002]

my friend was there last christmas, and he sadi it was amazing

the things he like best was that each park had its own tree decorated
i.e.- epcot was futristic and represneting the countries
- AK was decorated with animals ect

 

[Walt Sent Me]

I'll be at the magic Kingdom on Christmas Day!! I'm so excited!!

Does anyone have any tips or must-dos?

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

Christmas is the BEST time to go to WDW!!!

Christmas Day is the most crowded day at WDW in the whole year. If I were you, I would try going a about 2-3 weeks before Christmas like other people were saying. The parks are beautiful and there are hardly any crowds.:xmas:

 

[nmj91385]

It's AMAZING! There are a ton of decorations and the giant xmas trees are a personal fav. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is well worth the money to see the special parade and the snow on main street. It't just a fun time of year to be there and very magical :xmas:

 

[Walt Sent Me]

Thanks for your advice DisneyDellsDude, but I've already made my reservations

I guess I'll see how the crowds are Christmas day and report back to you all. Maybe I'll even post some pics.

 

[Marge10369]

December is our favorite time at Disney World. We try to go the first week of December every year. Decorations are up,everything looks beautiful and the crowds aer pretty thin. In 2003 we were there from the 19th of December through the 4 of January. Did the Candle Light Procession (package), MVMCP, walked Epcot from one end to the other dozens of times enjoying Christmas around the world. Visited as many resorts (Value, MDS & Deluxes) to check out the decorations. We had a itty bitty tree in our room and took one day to "Christmas" shop for each other. Christmas morning there was a Christmas stocking on our door fillied with little nonsense things and candy. Very nice. We spent the day at the resort. Parks way too busy. NewYears Eve at Epcot. Very busy, staked out a spot to watch the midnight fireworks at 10 am in the morning and took turns manning the area. There were four of us so we took shifts in pairs of two. The show leading up to the count down and then the acutal firework display were fantastic. I would do that trip or a form of it again in a heat beat.

 

[RalphieN]

Christmas at WDW is crowded but who cares. It's awesome. There is no better place in the world to spend Christmas. The decorations, the parades, the shows as well as the little touches like snow on Main Street every night make it worthwhile. If you prepare yourself for the crowds, it isn't too bad.

The Candlelight Processional at EPCOT alone makes it worth the crowds.

here are some pics from Christmas 2004:

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=2640