Orlando - Disneyworld @ Christmas advice

My wife & I are wanting to take the kids to Disneyworld for Christmas next year. They will be 7 & 5. We are going to be booking soon, so that we can get 25000 mile tickets (at least for them & I may buy one for me depending on price). We would also like to get one of the budget Disney hotels, like All Star Sports. I need advice & didn't know where else to turn but here.

I need advice on the Christmas Day parade. My wife wants to go & I am concerned that it won't be worth the hassle. Do you need tickets? Do you have to wait in line all day? This is a biggie, as I want to leave on the afternoon of the 25th or morning of 26th, so the kids can have Christmas at home. The wife wants to leave on the 24th, so that we can make the parade.

Any other advice? We have been there once before during spring break & feel pretty comfortable about most things, but didn't know if there was anything specific to Christmastime that we needed to know. Thanks in advance!

I hate to burst your bubble, but the Disney Christmas parade, as seen on TV on Christmas morning, actually occurs about a month prior to Christmas day.

Apart from that, I would strongly recommend that you consider visiting the Disneyworld parks at some other time. The crowds are so large at Christmas time that it's not uncommon for individual parks to be periodically "closed" during the day to additional visitors; this happened to friends last year and they were, to say the least, not pleased. Those lucky enough to get into the park were treated to two or three hours' wait in line for any rides.

My wife & I are wanting to take the kids to Disneyworld for Christmas next year. They will be 7 & 5. We are going to be booking soon, so that we can get 25000 mile tickets (at least for them & I may buy one for me depending on price). We would also like to get one of the budget Disney hotels, like All Star Sports. I need advice & didn't know where else to turn but here.Good luck... I wouldn't go near the place with a ten foot pole. Do yourself & your family a favor, go the few weeks before Christmas and, during the week, you'll have the place to yourselves. This is not the time to take your young children unless they like standing on line for a few hours to get on a ride.

I need advice on the Christmas Day parade. My wife wants to go & I am concerned that it won't be worth the hassle. Do you need tickets? Do you have to wait in line all day? This is a biggie, as I want to leave on the afternoon of the 25th or morning of 26th, so the kids can have Christmas at home. The wife wants to leave on the 24th, so that we can make the parade.The parade is filming 2-3 weeks before Christmas and is not announced in advance. You have to be there to find out about it or the entire world would show up for it. :) If you leave after Christmas, you and a few hundred thousand people will be there to enjoy the parks.

Any other advice? We have been there once before during spring break & feel pretty comfortable about most things, but didn't know if there was anything specific to Christmastime that we needed to know. Thanks in advance!Yes, think long and hard about going at that time. Spring break is crowded, but Christmas is insane. IMHO, you will be throwing away your money. And that money is absolute top dollar. There is no other more expensive week in Disney than Christmas week.

I go down all the time, and decided to go for New Years last year and got to see first hand just how crowded it it. The parks close and the surrounding roads are jammed. It's difficult to get anywhere in a reasonable amount of time. The budget hotels are the farthest from all the parks, and if you plan on using their buses, well, their buses get stuck in traffic too. I knew this in advance and paid for a deluxe hotel on the monorail so I could get around easily. We select hotels based upon what we want to do and how crowded we expect it to be.

Also keep in mind that all those lovely Disney travel channel specials are filmed during the week in early December. The newest - Samantha Brown's trip - had to be filmed on a Wed during the first week of December. There were no people around her at all - no matter which park she was in.

Disney is special at Christmas. Lots of people make trips just to see the decorations. They do it after thanksgiving and before Christmas.

The FT of Disney is www.disboards.com (don't bother using their recommended travel agencies - they're nothing special). If you're looking to save some money and get some tips, there www.mousesavers.com, and for planning information www.allears.net.

Just to give a little perspective to what SOA and Mary are saying, I love amusement parks. Big or small, it just doesn't matter, I love the atmosphere, the rides, all of it. And I also really like college football. I've had the pleasure of making it to some college bowl games (like the Capital One bowl game held on New Years Day.) I made the mistake of trying to combine a bowl trip and a Disney trip once. Never again. We made it in to Epcot, but only because all the other parks had already reached their max numbers and Epcot reached their max just after we got in. Even the fast pass lines were long and Disney ran out of giving those out within 2 hours of the morning. :eek: Even the daily parade was a horribly crowded.

I will never again go to Disney around Christmas/NY. Never. It just isn't worth it. Now I might try Universal if I'm staying onsite there as their room keys are treated like a fast pass, but Disney is a much better experience during other times of the year.

I hate to pile on and burst you rbubble, but you should seriously consider visiting a week or two before Christmas instead.

I will be a voice of dissent here and say that if you're comfortable with spring break crowds you can handle Christmas. The weather this time of year is generally fantastic (sunny and in the 70s). As long as you're not going to go into 'commando mode' and try to do everything in one trip from park open to close you can have a wonderful time.

Definitely stay on property. The value resorts may be a bit tight for a family of four but it's certainly doable, and the buses will still get you into the parks if/when they do the first phase of the capacity closing.

That being said, I agree with everyone else if you can make early December work do that instead.

Thanks for the replies. I would love to come before Christmas, but my wife is a school teacher, so that isn't an option. We have to vacation when she (& kids all across the country) are not in school. I wouldn't mind pulling my own kids out for a few days, but my wife can't take that time off.

I am kind of relieved that the Christmas Day parade is not an option as I didn't want to mess with it. If we end up going, we will definitely stay at one of the value resorts. We stayed at All Star Movies before & were very satisfied with it.

I might be able to get her to take a day or two around Thanksgiving break & go that week. How are the crowds then? When are the decorations put up?

A lot of the WDW christmas decorations go up in early november. The Osborne (not Ozzy) Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios start going up in late july, and get turned on in mid-november. (It takes a little while to put up over 5 million christmas lights)

Crowds during Thanksgiving are usually a little bit lighter than during Christmas, but not so much that it'd make a noticeable impact.

Thanksgiving weekend is extremely busy, but the days leading up to it and after it are not quite as bad. IIRC, Mon, Tues & Wed before were pretty light. If you can get there the weekend before, that may be your best bet. Mon & Tues after will also have fewer crowds, but it still will be crowded.

The hotels and parks are fully decorated on Thanksgiving and the holiday fesitivities start at that time.

If you can't go because of your wife's schedule, this may be your best bet.

Despite dire predictions of peril, if Christmas is your only option, then go. Just be aware that you WILL deal with lots of crowds, and you WILL need to book any special shows and meals as soon as possible. Don't be surprised if many things are already booked.

I would definitely stay on site during this season - if you are a guest they are a little more lenient on letting you in when parks hit capacity. Try and plan on getting into something other than Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day. And don't even think about trying to do everything - I would focus on more of the smaller rides. But Christmas at Disney really is something special, and it is worth the aggravating crowds.

It's been my experience that very early Christmas Day while people are still in church have the most manageable crowds of the week, so the earlier in the week you can get down the better.

The dining reservations are taken 180 days in advance so if you are diligent about making them right at opening you should still be able to get into most places.

Advance planning will really be the key to make this a good trip.

Despite dire predictions of peril, if Christmas is your only option, then go. Just be aware that you WILL deal with lots of crowds, and you WILL need to book any special shows and meals as soon as possible. Don't be surprised if many things are already booked.

I would definitely stay on site during this season - if you are a guest they are a little more lenient on letting you in when parks hit capacity. Try and plan on getting into something other than Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day. And don't even think about trying to do everything - I would focus on more of the smaller rides. But Christmas at Disney really is something special, and it is worth the aggravating crowds.

+1

And the only thing I'd add is to go in with an overall attitude of relaxation. Take your time, realize you won't see every attraction, even plan to spend a couple of days at the resort pools. Try entertainment options other than the theme parks like DisneyQuest and miniature golf. Hit the spa, rent a boat... there are a million things to do at WDW in addition to the theme parks themselves.

+1

And the only thing I'd add is to go in with an overall attitude of relaxation. Take your time, realize you won't see every attraction, even plan to spend a couple of days at the resort pools. Try entertainment options other than the theme parks like DisneyQuest and miniature golf. Hit the spa, rent a boat... there are a million things to do at WDW in addition to the theme parks themselves.
True, but with a 7 & 5 year old, well, they're going to want to be in the parks, and the MK at that.

I still say it's a huge waste of money, and going at Thanksgiving, or right after, will save a bundle on the room rate alone. Plus, each year they have offered special packages with extras either on dining or the tickets to entice people to come before the holidays.

I have to agree. The children will get really cranky from not being able to get into anything without hours in line. At that age, it will be a waste of time and money. And the weather can be down right miserable. My sister and her family did this about ten years ago and swore that it was the worst vacation they ever took. Don't get me wrong, I love WDW, but lines for everything is just not fun. Figure out another time and I do think you will save time, money, tempers and marital harmony. ;)

Thanks again for the great information here. My wife was definitely disappointed with the news, but it is much better to find out ahead of time. One of her students is at WDW this week with their family. She will talk to their parents when they get back & come up with her final opinion. I am guessing that we may end up next Christmas in Hawaii & then go to Orlando right when school gets out in mid-May. We were really looking forward to seeing the parks when decorated for the holidays, but it definitely isn't worth it if all you do is stand in lines.

[QUOTE=Feliceesq;8975135]I have to agree. The children will get really cranky from not being able to get into anything without hours in line. At that age, it will be a waste of time and money. And the weather can be down right miserable. QUOTE]

I agree with all of the posts but take one exception - the weather in December is the ONE thing that Disney at Christmas has in its favor. In the ten years we've lived in Orlando, I can only think of one where the weather has been less than ideal. My husband is usually playing golf in shorts, much to the envy of his two brothers who live in Colorado. In any event, it will be much nicer than the weather is in most of the places that Americans will be coming from!

Orlando is crowded during all break times for the precise reasons our OP wants to be there - it's when the kids can come. Surely your wife gets a few days of vacation during the year and there's no problem taking five and seven year olds out of school. Come the Friday before Tgiving and leave on Tuesday or Wednesday and you'lll all have a great time.

Thanks again for the great information here. My wife was definitely disappointed with the news, but it is much better to find out ahead of time. One of her students is at WDW this week with their family. She will talk to their parents when they get back & come up with her final opinion. I am guessing that we may end up next Christmas in Hawaii & then go to Orlando right when school gets out in mid-May. We were really looking forward to seeing the parks when decorated for the holidays, but it definitely isn't worth it if all you do is stand in lines.
If you really want to see Disney all done up for the holidays, why don't you just take a weekend and do it?

We flew down on a Friday night and home on Sunday night and got to see all the beautiful decorations early in December.

Your kids might be so impressed they won't notice not being on the rides.

Going in May is one of the best times of the year. October is the other.

If you really want to see Disney all done up for the holidays, why don't you just take a weekend and do it?



I guess I have a hard time ponying up the cash or miles for 4 plane tickets only to stay a couple days. Plus the price to get in the parks isn't much different for a couple days versus an entire week.

I think I would rather go for a week in May and miss out on the decorations that go for 2 or 3 days in December.

Keep an eye out for fare sales for early December. They quite plentiful, particularly for the early part of the month. I think I got my tickets in August for that time for around $130 per person.

As for the ticket costs, well, I think you're wrong about that. The difference between a 5 day or a 7 day ticket isn't much, but for 2 days of admission it's considerably less expensive.

The trick is when you go for a week is to buy a longer ticket with park hopping and no expiration. That will allow you to return for a weekend and not have to worry about the cost of tickets. This is where there isn't much of a money difference in the tickets. Look at the package cost on disneyworld.com. If you buy a 7 night package but a 10 day ticket it isn't all that much different. The reverse is not true.

We went to Sea World this past Friday, December 28th. They closed the park to new visitors at 2pm, as they reached capacity.
Same thing happens to most of the parks during the holiday season.

By the way, have you considered Disneyland in California instead? If Christmas decorations are a main attraction for you that's the superlative park especially with the Haunted Mansion Holiday and Small World Holiday transformations.

By the way, have you considered Disneyland in California instead? If Christmas decorations are a main attraction for you that's the superlative park especially with the Haunted Mansion Holiday and Small World Holiday transformations.

I guess I had never heard that before. I will definitely check that out. Thanks for the tip.

Except that they do those same holiday overlays in Florida, too. Disneyland is great, but can't hold a candle to the immense splendor of Disney World.

Except that they do those same holiday overlays in Florida, too. Disneyland is great, but can't hold a candle to the immense splendor of Disney World.

Walt Disney World does plenty of holiday decorations including the excellent Osbornes, but Disneyland is the only US park that does the attraction transformations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haunted_Mansion_Holiday
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Small_World#Holiday_season

Walt Disney World does plenty of holiday decorations including the excellent Osbornes, but Disneyland is the only US park that does the attraction transformations.

I stand corrected--thank you! I must have been remembering a trip to TDL. The only problem with visiting so many Disney parks so often is that to some extent things do start to blend together...

To the OP: Listen to these folks.

Christmas Week is incredibly crowded. Think about walking in the most immense crowd of your life, like leaving a big football game that went down to the wire. It's like that everywhere, all day, all over the parks at The World.

And hotel prices are at a peak.

I've been to WDW all different times of year and my favorite were the week before Thanksgiving (like 8 days before) and roughly December 2-10. Weather is great, crowds low, hotel prices cheap, Osborne lights and decorations are up.

Go before or after a holiday, and you'll miss a lot of people.

Summer (even late May) is pretty crowded, too, with the extra disadvantage that the heat/humidity will turn you and your kids into a puddle if you don't watch it. Once in mid-May I thought I was going to faint from the heat. But Star Wars Weekends (usually mid-May to mid-June) are great if your kids are into that, as is my son.

Top WDW sites I like to to follow, as mentioned above:

www.allearsnet.com
www.disboards.com
www.mousesavers.com

and a couple more

www.passporter.com
www.tourguidemike.com

Do a lot of research beforehand and you will save a ton of money and time. Don't assume that all-inclusive WDW packages are a good deal.

Annual passes may pay for themselves with the Disney hotel discounts you can get, depending on length of stay and which hotel and what time of year.

Also consider renting a room from a Disney Vacation Club (their timeshare) owner. You can save a lot and stay in a bigger room in a superior facility (with full kitchen, jacuzzi, washer/dryer for a 1-BR or bigger). Poke around at www.disneyvacationclub.com.

Trust me - you have never, never seen Christmas like they do at Disney. And it's not just Magic Kingdom, it's all the parks, and the hotels as well. It doesn't always mesh with the traditional Currier and Ives image, this is Florida after all, but each place is special.

Park hoppers with the non-expire option is a good idea. Perhaps you work it the other way, though - do Disney end of May for most of the rides and such (but be warned, as soon as school is out it is crowded) and then go back for a weekend around Christmas for the decorations.

But also, realize that that is a peak week, but usually on Christmas Eve and Day, New Years eve and Day, and perhaps that intervening weekend are absolutely maxed out. And the Magic Kingdom is the one that is the worst. If you make your plans for shows and dining way ahead of time, you can manage to be in the less popular parks peak days.

Once you have your heart set on Disney at Christmas, you will only end up being depressed if you don't see it. So simply plan on things being crowded and taking extra time.

BTW - do not think you are going to spend every continuous hour in the parks with kids at that age. Trust me - they will get over it so much quicker than you wish they would.

One of my wife's students went there last week & just go back. My wife talked to her mother & the mother told her that the longest line they waited in was 45 minutes & some were around 30 & no wait for the carousel. She said the it was definitely worth those type of waits to see the decorations & experience Disney at Christmas. My wife is convined now that we need to go & I am leaning that way. I will talk to the parent myself when I get home next week to get a little more information. I will mention some of the concerns I heard here & make sure my wife is involved in the conversation. If the lady answers the questions to my wife's satisfaction, we will be going next year during the week after Christmas. If we do that, I will make sure to book soon & grab dining reservations (for at least most of the days - I don't want to be commited to a schedule for every day)

Does this child's mother like your wife? I was there 13-17th and the lines were often more than 45 minutes. For the popular rides some were in excess of 90 minutes.

If we do that, I will make sure to book soon & grab dining reservations (for at least most of the days - I don't want to be commited to a schedule for every day)

With a few exceptions there is no penalty to no-show a reservation and unless you plan on fast-fooding it I would have one for every day.

One of my wife's students went there last week & just go back. My wife talked to her mother & the mother told her that the longest line they waited in was 45 minutes & some were around 30 & no wait for the carousel. She said the it was definitely worth those type of waits to see the decorations & experience Disney at Christmas.
The woman is lying. Or something drastically changed from last year to this year (when I was there) - which is not likely.

OR, she took advantage of "extra magic hours" and was in the MK at 1 or 2am.

The waits she describes are for normal busy weekends. If you look at disboards.com, you can see the crowd & wait reports for the parks.

Mary2e is right as usual.

Even during relatively slow times the wait ("Standby") for Soarin' or Space Mountain or Test Track or Dumbo can be a couple hours. And Fastpasses for the whole day might be gone way before noon.

Some less popular attractions like Stitch's Great Escape or huge ones like Mickey's Philharmagic or the Muppet Show might have waits that short Christmas Week.

Perhaps your acquaintance was referring to Fastpass numbers, or single standby lines, or she got on rides first thing in the morning, or extremely late.

One more data point here:

I just returned from an Orlando trip and spent Dec 30th in EPCOT and Disney Studios and Dec 31st in the Magic Kingdom.

I have been to WDW 10+ times at different times during the year and this was easily the worst in terms of crowds.

We were able to see some attractions with zero or very little wait (Imagination and Finding Nemo) early in the morning of the 30th, but by 10 am the park was very full. They closed off fast passes for Soarin' for the day as we were coming off the ride at noon. Top attractions like Test Track, Soarin', and Rockin' Roller Coaster all had wait times of 90+ minutes.

The 31st in the Magic Kingdom was worse. We waited in line for 60 minutes for Pirates of the Caribbean from 10 to 11 (I've never waited more than 15 minutes for this ride before). Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain were both 60+ minute waits before noon. The main rides in Fantasyland (Pooh, Peter Pan, Small World, Philharmagic) were 60-150 minutes at 2pm. Other less popular attractions were not as bad (walked in with no wait to Hall of Presidents and Tiki Room), but most kids don't enjoy these.

Some other things to consider which add to the "misery":

1. 20+ minute wait lines at all women's restrooms
2. no same-day availability at sit-down restaurants (only reservations)
3. 30+ minute lines at counter service restaurants

Also, it was a bit too cold for our standard park strategy of going back to the hotel in the mid-day to go to the pool (not to mention it rained on and off all day on the 31st).

In summary: if you go you'll probably survive and possibly have an OK experience, but if you have a choice choose ANY other time.

Thank you for your review and experience.