Christmas

[jmcdougall]

We have been to disney 20+ times but never Christmas week. Our son in law should be home from deployment by Christmas and my daughter wants to surprise him with a trip for them, their 3 children and my husband and I. I know this is the worst week to go but that's when she wants to go. Any comments from people who have done this? We will be staying on grounds. Any suggestion would be welcome. thanks, janine

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

Not really any more decorated than any other day during the Christmas season just a much much more busy.

 

[rob45]

Wear a good deodorant. Get to the parks early cause they fill up fast. Very very crowded. Good luck. Please thank your son-in-law for his service, i salute him.

 

[Tom 55]

We have been to disney 20+ times but never Christmas week. Our son in law should be home from deployment by Christmas and my daughter wants to surprise him with a trip for them, their 3 children and my husband and I. I know this is the worst week to go but that's when she wants to go. Any comments from people who have done this? We will be staying on grounds. Any suggestion would be welcome. thanks, janine

I had the same thought last year. I had been to Disney World in the spring, summer and fall but never Christmas time. So we were there the first week of December 2012. My suggestions are. Look into "Shades Of Green" as a place to stay. It is for service members and families only. Located right near Grant Floridian. You have to go to " Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party". Even though it is an extra ticket. The parade with the toy solders and the snow falling was well worth it. How they light the castle is amazing. Each hotel has Christmas decoration so go and visit all. The Grand Floridian and Wilderness lodge looked beautiful. There are times the parks reach full capacity and they stop letting guest in if they are not staying at one of the Disney properties. To deal with the crowds use the Next Gen fastpass that is just being rolled out now as much as possible. From someone who grew up in Boston area even winter in Florida I did not wear a jacket. It was not to bad going on the wet rides. It just took longer to dry.

 

[DisneyJoe]

If you can go before December 25 at all, do it, the crowds will be less.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party only runs from mid November until December 20 or 21 or so. I believe then that the parade from that party is shown every night until the end of the year.

 

[bluejasmine]

We spent Dec 16-22, 2012 in WDW and loved it, a bit more crowded then in Sept when we usually go but not as bad as I thought I was going to be..Osbourne Lights were really amazing, I love seeing all the Christmas decorations. They say the actual worst week is between Christmas and New Years..

 

[tsaintc]

Words cannot even describe how busy the entire 'World gets from Christmas Day until after New Years. We have done it twice (just this past Dec/Jan). You HAVE to get to parks at 'rope drop' to have a chance to ride anything. Once lunch time hits, expect 100-200+ minute waits most attractions. You know it is bad when the posted wait time for JII is 45 mins and the line extends out of the building (much like it did every day back in the 80s).

It is most definitely not for the faint of heart.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Go a bit earlier in the month and avoid the much crowded time. The closer to Christmas the more crowded it gets. Get tickets for Candlelight procession, it's well worth the money. Make time to visit the decorated resorts. Get your son in law to take part in the flag retreat ceremony. Have a fantastic time together

 

[rufio]

Oh my gosh, it is SO busy during Christmas week! We were there over Christmas for our wedding last December. We got there on I think the 15th or 16th and it wasn't very busy at all, totally doable! But our wedding was the 22nd. When we got back to the parks on the 23rd it was a madhouse and remained that way until we left right before New Year's. NEVER again!

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I will pipe in that of the many trips I take to WDW yearly I would NEVER go during the Christmas week -- the crowds in early December through mid december are some of the lightest of the year, so its a fantastic time to go. By the 18th or so the crowds are starting to pick up with probably about 80-90% capacity day to day -- by Dec 23rd and on through January 2, you will have 100%+ capacity every day with frequent tiered park closings by late morning early noon. Lines are unmanageable. If you aren't worried about the lines for rides, beware that almost all sit-down restaurants will be booked so if you want any of those book them as soon as they become available in June...and the counter service restaurants will be 3-4 times longer in lines -- that burger will taste pretty awful after a 30 minute wait in line. And don't expect to relax much back at the resort because the pools will be absolutely packed with folks who had the same idea you did - to stay at the resort and relax. But you wont. I so completely do not recommend a holiday week visit to WDW. You've been warned.

 

[luv]

It is so ungodly crowded. Don't plan to ride very much. Plan for loooong lines for everything - rides, water, restrooms, paying for anything you might buy.

I'd honestly advise a different week, especially if this will be somewhat of an expense.

But if she has her little heart set on Christmas and only Christmas will do, use a good plan!! Touringplans.com should really pay me, considering how much I advise people to plunk down the $12 for a subscription to that site, lol, but this is probably your very best bet to do as much as possible Christmas week.

Good luck!!

 

[jmcdougall]

It is so ungodly crowded. Don't plan to ride very much. Plan for loooong lines for everything - rides, water, restrooms, paying for anything you might buy.

I'd honestly advise a different week, especially if this will be somewhat of an expense.

But if she has her little heart set on Christmas and only Christmas will do, use a good plan!! Touringplans.com should really pay me, considering how much I advise people to plunk down the $12 for a subscription to that site, lol, but this is probably your very best bet to do as much as possible Christmas week.

Good luck!!

she thinks that after their dad being gone for a year (ages 7,4,3) that being in disney for Christmas as a family would be so magical. We have been many times (not at Christmas) and know this will be a challenge. And thank you rob45....we are very proud of him. we'll see what happens.....

 

[rufio]

she thinks that after their dad being gone for a year (ages 7,4,3) that being in disney for Christmas as a family would be so magical. We have been many times (not at Christmas) and know this will be a challenge. And thank you rob45....we are very proud of him. we'll see what happens.....

Could you go in early December and just have an early Christmas? My family has Christmas at random times because my Merchant Marine husband usually works from Thanksgiving through New Year's in the middle of the Pacific ocean. We've done Christmas in November and in January! It's not the day, but the family that counts.

 

[luv]

she thinks that after their dad being gone for a year (ages 7,4,3) that being in disney for Christmas as a family would be so magical. We have been many times (not at Christmas) and know this will be a challenge. And thank you rob45....we are very proud of him. we'll see what happens.....

I wish you all the luck in the world!! You all will need it!

Just so you are prepared...It's packed! Like so packed you can't see the buildings around you and have trouble moving packed. You will envy sardines.

Touringplans.com. Seriously. Spend the $12.00

I hope all have a good time!!!

 

[jmcdougall]

I wish you all the luck in the world!! You all will need it!

Just so you are prepared...It's packed! Like so packed you can't see the buildings around you and have trouble moving packed. You will envy sardines.

Touringplans.com. Seriously. Spend the $12.00

I hope all have a good time!!!

I

I wish you all the luck in the world!! You all will need it!

Just so you are prepared...It's packed! Like so packed you can't see the buildings around you and have trouble moving packed. You will envy sardines.

Touringplans.com. Seriously. Spend the $12.00

I hope all have a good time!!!

I am a member of touringplans.com. thanks luv. and vitani88... I agree, the day doesn't matter, it's being together. We may be able to alter our days depending on when he comes home. Right now she is so totally focused on him being home right before Christmas and she and the kids miss him so much. (and rightly so....he is awesome). I'm sure everything will work out. I thank everyone for their input.