Christmas

jmcdougall

jmcdougall

Member
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
 
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gooftroop5

gooftroop5

Well-Known Member
We just went this past Christmas from 12/22-12/29 and thoroughly enjoyed it. We have gone many times, but never over Christmas until this past Christmas. I did not find the crowds unbearable, but we stayed away from the parks on 12/25 and always during the busy afternoon hours. Take advantage of EMHs and don't expect to do everything. Spend the afternoons resort hopping and enjoying all the beautiful decorations. I feel that many of the guests during Christmas week are "vacationers" and "newbies" so they don't come prepared. They tend to tour from 10am - 6pm and do not typically have a plan. ;)

Be prepared and you should be fine.
 
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coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
jmcdougall said:
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
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Definetly NOT the worst week to go. Like you, we have been there many times, this past christmas was our first time then. It was fantastic. If you can get your group up and out early, the crowds are very easy to manage. we got to the parks for opening, then would head back to the resort or for lunch each day as the crowds grew. we were able to do what we wanted that week. (we were there from dec 21-28) I think this past february during mardi gras was a lot worse. Trust me, the world is awesome for christmas. we hope to be there again this year!!!
 
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danpam1024

danpam1024

Well-Known Member
Went on Christmas Day once- NEVER AGAIN!!!!! Worse than that was the day they filmed the MVMCP for TV-OMG! It is the most beautiful time of year though, and if you could be ANYWHERE, there's really no place better. The Chocolate carousel at the BWI is amazing :)
 
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KitchenKabaret

KitchenKabaret

New Member
I went with my son from December 31 through January 4 this past year. It was fun and we go to WDW pretty regularly, so we were there to enjoy the decorations and the atmosphere, as much as anything else. There were lines everywhere and the crowds really are significant. But, with proper planning, you can still do what you want. And what memories you'll make!
 
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pixiesteno

pixiesteno

Well-Known Member
I would suggest that she speak with him on this because depending on where he has been deployed to he may not be comfortable with being in crowds the size that you would encounter during the week of Christmas to New Years. If he has been in a combat zone I would have a real concern for him being comfortable in such massive crowds. Also, there are fireworks that are shot off at the end of the castle forecourt show several times a day at the MK that he would want to be aware of when they are going to happen. We are a military family also with my dad, DH, and our DS all having experienced combat situations. None of them like large crowds. My dad, when he was alive, refused to go to WDW because of crowd levels. We were planning a trip during slow season when he passed away. Our son did two tours in Iraq in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 and he has not been to WDW yet due to several reasons but crowd levels is a major factor for him. I would suggest if he is going to be home before the week of Christmas that you consider the week or two before Christmas. Everything will be decorated by the crowds still manageable. Things will get insane crowd-wise by Friday, Dec 20th. I would also suggest getting the trip booked so that you have more choices on where to stay.
 
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gooftroop5

gooftroop5

Well-Known Member
I almost forgot.....the one thing that we weren't prepared for was the COLD! We are from Illinois so are use to snow, snow, snow in the winter and hot, hot, hot in the summer. Christmas week this past year at Disney was really cold! It got into the 40s and even 30s at night. It was very strange being at Disney and not sweating. ;) We love morning and evening EMHs so we had to layer like crazy. Take some warm clothes! I even took a blanket for my kiddo in the stroller.

Good luck! Have fun! Enjoy this special time together.
 
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Disvillain63

Disvillain63

Well-Known Member
We went one time and though it was extremely crowded and very, very cold (record setting lows in the 10s and 20s), I would not have missed the experience. I don't know that I will ever plan to be there on Christmas Day again, but the magic of it for one time...priceless. Enjoy the family time and make a mental list of your must-dos...do them early and enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors.
 
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