Christmas @ WDW Ideas

[fivetexans]

We are heading to WDW Dec 17-23. It will be our first time there for Christmas... and really looking forward to it.

I'm wondering if anyone who has Christmas experience would have any ideas of things that would be great to do.

- We already have tickets for the Very Merry Christmas Party on 12/19.
- We are planning on visiting Epcot (12/20) and Studios (12/22).
- We plan to visit some other resorts to see their Christmas decorations.
- We plan on spending some time at Downtown Disney.

Other than that... anything that is a must do... I would appreciate the advice.

Also... is it possible to order a Christmas tree for your room?

Thanks,

Rich

 

[rkelly42]

It is possible to order a christmas tree, it is not very big and is a little pricey. I believe you can check out the WDW florist for that. Also a must visit resort is the Grand Floridian. Other things to do Osborne lights at DHS, Candlelight processional at Epcot and going around world showcase listening to the different christmas storytellers is always nice.

 

[Mammymouse]

Just be prepared to spend extra time to do everything-rides, food, etc. because the two largest crowd times are Christmas week and Easter. The decorations in each hotel are a must see and a good down time experience. The different "gingerbread" displays always have some hidden Mickeys to find and have a sign telling you how many, but not where. As mentioned in the previous post the Osborne lights are great and also on top of my list. We did the Mickey party in 2006 and it is much better now, so that will be fun too. All in all great time to go, except the crowds. It does get cold when the sun dips in December (sometimes in the 50's) so bring a heavy sweatshirt or jacket.

 

[enoe01]

Just take your time and enjoy all the parks and decorations. Make sure to visit at least the monorail resorts and check out the decorations. The Osborne lights is a must do as well! Do remember that it does get chilly in the early mornings and the evenings so prepare for that with a light jacket/sweat shirt. Have a great trip!!!:xmas:

 

[rkelly42]

Oh yeah, forgot about the weather. It is very unpredictable during that time of year, it could be cold,cool or warm. Just make sure you pack for anything and def. check out the weather before going.

 

[Horizons1]

If you have time go over to Fort Wilderness, the campground. Guests staying at the resort will decorate their tents and RVs in Christmas lights. Also, the campfire sing-along will be showing Christmas movies and singing Christmas songs. That is a very fun event to attend.

 

[rlm919]

sleigh ride at fort wilderness... horsedrawn carriage made up like a sleigh takes you through the campgrounds.

 

[danpam1024]

Stop by the wine shop in the Germany pavilion and get some hot mulled spiced wine:slurp:. Also the lighting ceremony of Cinderella Castle is a MUST! Love the MVMCParade...Once upon a Christmas time (singing).....:xmas:

 

[PixyDust]

I always take Christmas lights when I visit in December and hang them on the balcony. Its festive, but its also fun to be able to pick your room out as you come driving up. :xmas:

 

[danpam1024]

^^^^^
we do that too! Window stickies fit in luggage well:xmas:

 

[JohnLocke]

Just be prepared to spend extra time to do everything-rides, food, etc. because the two largest crowd times are Christmas week and Easter. The decorations in each hotel are a must see and a good down time experience. The different "gingerbread" displays always have some hidden Mickeys to find and have a sign telling you how many, but not where. As mentioned in the previous post the Osborne lights are great and also on top of my list. We did the Mickey party in 2006 and it is much better now, so that will be fun too. All in all great time to go, except the crowds. It does get cold when the sun dips in December (sometimes in the 50's) so bring a heavy sweatshirt or jacket.

I've never really found it to be really crowded on my two times down there, with the exception of Christmas Day and the day after, Christmas Eve wasn't too bad and everything before that wasn't really bad at all.

For things to do down there, other than going to see the Osborne Lights, the World Showcase at EPCOT has some pretty neat things. The Candlelight Processional is pretty neat, if you can get in to it, and I think it's always kind of interesting to see some of the presentations given by the different countries' "Santas".

 

[Lisalyn]

Hi Definitely Osborne Lights at Disney Hollywood Studios...it's a must do for me and DD every year. You'll love the lights, music, and "snow" LOL It's truly magical. And definitely stop by the Grand Floridian. They have an absolutely beautifully decorated HUGE Christmas tree in the lobby and a life size Gingerbread House that is just as magnificent! Make sure to try a "shingle" or two! VERY yummy and not too expensive.:wave:

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

We'll be down there the same time as you and it'll be our 6th time during the holiday season. We've found that the crowds the week before Christmas were generally tolerable; not very crowded at all. As posted above, Christmas day @ MK is a madhouse but since you'll be gone before then it's a non-issue for ya.

Osbourne Lights are our favorite attraction and I recommend that you be prepared for a very packed environment since it's so popular. I don't mean pushing and shoving but at times it's shoulder to shoulder and weaving and bobbing while strolling thru it.

 

[fivetexans]

Thanks for the advice everyone! We will be able to hit all the parks except Animal Kingdom... so we'll get to see the Osborne lights and the World Showcase for Christmas. Really looking forward to it.

We've seen the Travel Channel specials on the Grand Floridian at Christmas, so that was on our agenda too. Visiting the "Monorail Resorts" is very good advice... visiting one, hopping on the monorail and going to the next.

We will be staying at Kidani Village, so I don't think we can do Christmas lights from our balcony, but we can definitely decorate the room with some lights and the window stickies is also a great idea.

I had also forgotten about the weather. Thanks for the advice on that.

Looking forward to it all... only about 70 days away now!!

 

[enoe01]

Dont forget to see the Lights of Winter....... ohhhhhhh wait Disney killed that two years ago now..... Blast you TDO:fork:

 

[harryk]

Did Christmas last year - Never again.

I had heard that the crowds were larger during this period - but I never believed that they would be that large. 90 minute waits at most of the MK rides.

Haunted Mansion line ended at the riverboat!!

Still though - we had a grand time - but shall never go that week again.

Have fun - and get ADR's...

 

[Mukta]

Stop by the wine shop in the Germany pavilion and get some hot mulled spiced wine:slurp:.

Now this is my kind of tip! This is the first I have heard of this and I can't wait to try it in December. Thanks for the info.