First time in WDW over the holidays, what should I plan for,

Chernabog · Post by **Chernabog** » May Fri 16, 2008 8:57 am

A Grand Gathering group of 11 or 12 will be going to WDW in early December. I have been many times but never over the holidays. Any specific hints or advice is welcome. Thanks!!

bbowen13 · Post by **bbowen13** » May Fri 16, 2008 9:24 am

I would strongly suggest that you go to Mickey's very Merry Christmas Party one night. This requires an additional cost but is well worth it. You will need to buy these tickets in advance. The nights that the parks close early I would take advantage of going around the different resorts to see the decorations. My wife and I have visited the park during the holidays 3 times now and it is one of my favorite times to be in the park.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » May Fri 16, 2008 9:33 am

plan for crowds.

Sleeping Beauty 5 · Post by **Sleeping Beauty 5** » May Fri 16, 2008 12:45 pm

bbowen13 wrote:I would strongly suggest that you go to Mickey's very Merry Christmas Party one night.

I would also recommend doing the Very Merry Christmas Party one night. It's a lot of fun, free cookies and cocoa, fun Christmas shows, and smaller lines. And if you are interested in a different experience, plan on going to O'hana's on a night when the Very Merry Christmas party is also going on. My husband and I went last year and did the Very Merry Xmas Party on a Thursday night but we actually saw Wishes on a Monday night from across the lake which was awesome! At O'hana's they pump in the music that you would hear on Main Street and it's a really good food too!

kcarts · Post by **kcarts** » May Fri 16, 2008 1:25 pm

plan for crowds.

Actually from my experience of trips in early Dec., it is the least busy time of the year. The actual weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas are extremely busy. The weeks between the two are quite light in numbers.

MouseMan · Post by **MouseMan** » May Fri 16, 2008 1:41 pm

kcarts is right. Early December will be ok for crowds. If you want to see crowds go in late December. We went once between Christmas and New Years and three times during that week they closed the MK to guests by early afternoon! The must do at Christmas time is the Candlelight Processional in Epcot!

WVParkfan · Post by **WVParkfan** » May Mon 19, 2008 7:43 am

We've only been once over the Holidays. It was a special 1 day trip to all 4 parks to see the decorations. We were there between Christmas and New Years, so it was very crowded, but you should be OK in early December.

The Christmas parade at the MK was the highlight of the trip. But Epcot was the most-beautifuly decorated park. Seeing the different Santas in each country was really neat. The Osborne lights at the Studios was really nice, but I wouldn't make a special trip just to see them if you are short on time (like we were). The AK wasn't really decorated much (there was a beautiful tree at the entrance, but that was about it).

I would recommend visiting some of the resorts to see the decorations. I hear they are amazing!

bbowen13 · Post by **bbowen13** » May Mon 19, 2008 9:56 am

A couple other things I forgot. Like WVParkfan stated if you get a chance stop and listen to some of the different "Santas" @ EPCOT they give a brief history of that country's Santa and the traditions that they have. The fireworks at EPCOT are very good as they add a little more for the holidays and the Osborne lights @ Disney Studios is also pretty cool. Be sure to visit the Grand Floridian while you are there. The life size gingerbread house is pretty cool as well. There you can buy gingerbread houses or just watch as they make one.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » May Mon 19, 2008 10:05 am

Disney at Christmas, nothing can beat that!!! If you're going in early Dec. you should be o.k. with the crowds, my DH and I were there for our honeymoon in early Dec. of '06 and the crowds were not bad at all!!!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a MUST! It's well worth the cost of the extra tickets. The decorations and fireworks are fantastic!!! They also serve you cookies and hot chocolate and make sure you notice the "snow" on Main St!!!!

Also, check out the deluxe resorts, they tend to go all out with decorations. You can also view MVMCP fireworks from the beach of the Poly, that's always one of our favorites!

And don't miss the Osborne Family lights at Disney Studios, you'll want your video camera for that one!

I hope you have a MAGICAL vacation!!!

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » May Mon 19, 2008 2:27 pm

All Ears Net has a good list and description of the events going on during Christmas.

My absolutely don't miss events are:
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Magic Kingdom
The Candlelight Processional - Epcot
Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights - Studios.

bbowen13 wrote:I would strongly suggest that you go to Mickey's very Merry Christmas Party one night. This requires an additional cost but is well worth it. You will need to buy these tickets in advance.

Definitely go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party if you can. But, I somewhat disagree about buying the tickets in advance. If a particular night is so popular that it is going to sell out before I get to Florida, it will be way too crowded for me to enjoy it.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » May Mon 19, 2008 3:44 pm

NOT TO MISS:
DHS: Osborne Family Spectcale of DANCING Lights (we skipped this the first time we went during the holidays and it's now my favorite part)

epcot: Candlelight Procession (America Gardens Theater)

MK: Hoilday Wishes (For some reason it gives me that nostalgic Christmas feeling)

if you're into parades, Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas Parade is at its best in the evening on Main Street

JimB · Post by **JimB** » May Mon 19, 2008 10:58 pm

Don't forget to experience the "snow" on Main Street and Cinderella's castle adorned with "ice"in the Magic Kingdom and the Lights Of Winter at Epcot. As far as the Christmas Party being crowded, the Friday and Saturday night parties are the most crowded. Try to stick with Monday through Thursday. Just don't forget that some nights do sell out weeks before, and trying to get tickets close to the date may be a problem especially when you're trying to get a dozen or so. I think there is a separate help group at Disney World for Magical Gatherings. I have a schedule for the Very Merry Christmas parties that are scheduled for November and December so far. Post here if you want a copy.

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » May Tue 20, 2008 4:56 am

I'll jump in and add that you should book CP alongside the dinner package offered, especially if you're on the dining plan. If you have the chance to resort hop the Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Yacht Club and Grand Floridian are especially magical at Christmas.

Chernabog · Post by **Chernabog** » May Tue 20, 2008 9:59 am

JimB wrote:Don't forget to experience the "snow" on Main Street and Cinderella's castle adorned with "ice"in the Magic Kingdom and the Lights Of Winter at Epcot. As far as the Christmas Party being crowded, the Friday and Saturday night parties are the most crowded. Try to stick with Monday through Thursday. Just don't forget that some nights do sell out weeks before, and trying to get tickets close to the date may be a problem especially when you're trying to get a dozen or so. I think there is a separate help group at Disney World for Magical Gatherings. I have a schedule for the Very Merry Christmas parties that are scheduled for November and December so far. Post here if you want a copy.

Please post the schedule, thanks!

bbowen13 · Post by **bbowen13** » May Tue 20, 2008 10:45 am

Here's the up coming schedule.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/pa ... lEventPage