BDL
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2010
I believe the taping dates are 11/30-12/2. This was a much watched for date in the planning threads. Some for attending, some for avoiding.
Everything you need to know about WDW Christmas- Tips & Secrets
- Thread starter DisneyChristian
- Start date
I believe the taping dates are 11/30-12/2. This was a much watched for date in the planning threads. Some for attending, some for avoiding.
Snoopygirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2005
Thanks...I was hoping to avoid it! LOL 
hollygolitely93
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2011
Can anyone describe DTD during the holidays? I read the official Disney marketing description...about carolers, acts, Santa, decorations, etc...but looking for some "real" perspective! Thanks!
kdzbear
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2006
Santa has his own little nook or a little open cabin type setting where kids can go in and meet him. There is a photopass photographer there. There are poinsettias and reindeers that light up. The shop windows are all decorated for Christmas. I did not see carolers, but they might have specific times.
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
Crowded
I don't think we ever spent much time at DTD during the Christmas season as the crush of people is a tad more overwhelming there. We opted to spend more time at EPCOT with their different Santas strolling about and the other parks.
TK
Grandmouse
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2004
bump
Mummy2Sydney
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2010
We are staying at Port Orleans Dec 17th - 27th and this thread has me a bit nervous.....any tips to navigate arounds crowds well?
WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2009
We were there December 16-22 last year and the crowds were never bad, we usually go in mid to late June and it wasn't any more crowded than our summer trips, so the first half of your trip should be okay, we've never been later than that so can't really help with the second half of your stay.
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
Many of our trips have encompased that days you are staying. The BEST way we've found to combat the crowds is to take advantage of early entry. Do all the high profile rides early in the day and leave the afternoon for shows/rides with larger loading capacity.
For example at DHS, ride Toy Story like mad things first off (you'll see my family there if you do
) then over to the RRC and TOT. Spend the afternoon at the shows (Indy, Lights, Action, Little Mermaid. The Muppets) and rides that move quickly like the Great Movie Ride.We also have enjoyed paying a bit extra for dinner/show combos. Especially the Rose and Crown/Illuminations package.
I could give hints for the other parks too if it would be helpful. My DH says I map out our day like a military campaign. I'm taking that as a compliment!
I have a few TRs in my signature if you'd like to see how we navigate our day at WDW.
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
Hi,
I did have a request for TK's battle plan for WDW during the holiday week in December/January. Here is goes in a nutshell. Of course counter measures may be required for unexpected events. The majority of our Disney Park vacations have been during Christmas break. I find planning is the key to a great vacation.
All plans - enter park as soon as possible in the morning taking advantage of Early Entry/Magic Morning. By about noon we've done all the 'biggies' we wanted to. We also always plan a TS meal mid-day as a nice break from the crowds. Pehaps not as necessary when the crowds aren't as impressive.
Sarge's typical battle plan:
This is the plan for our upcoming trip. I have the reservation numbers listed. I'll print this out at about 60% on card stock and have it in my handy back pack.
EPCOT - Tip: Plan a dinner/illuminations dining reservation for the evening.
Enter park, send your most brisk walker with all tickets to 'The Land' and get FastPass (FP) for Soarin'. Have them meet the rest of the party back at Test Track - ride. If the time is available to get another FP (check the bottom of your current FP), get a FP for Mission Space. Sometimes we wait in the S/B line and ride MS. (Not my DH though as motion rides and his body don't have a mutually enjoyable relationship).
Back over to 'The Land' to ride Soarin'. Ride the cute Nemo ride if you'd like. Have a snack and then enjoy Captain EO if you would like. If not and it's time that you can enter the World Showcase - do so. We like to start at the end by Mexico and work our way around to Canada. If you want to ride the ride in Norway - do it early. This plan has us at Morocco right about lunch time for our favorite CS meal - Schwarma Platter - DELISH.
Afternoon is when we ride the golf ball ride and explore in the front area. The name escapes me. Spaceship Earth perhaps? We enjoy the other ride in Land - Living with the Land I believe.
BEST EPCOT MEMORY - We did the Segway Tour (have to be 16 or older) on New Years Day. Well worth the memory.
Evening - Enjoy a leisurely dinner and then view Illuminations.
We find EPCOT feels less crowded than other parks. Probably because it's so big.
Animal Kingdom
Enter the gate and hot foot it back to Expedition Everest. (We head counter clockwise around by the Nemo Show) Again - send the fleet of foot ahead with all tickets to get a FP. Ride EE from the S/B line until the line gets to be more than 20 minutes. At this point you are probably due for another FP.
Head to Africa and get a FP for the Safari. We usually plan breakfast at Tusker House for around 10. Nothing better than a delishous buffet and then ride the safari using our FPs. Back to EE to use that FP.
Not to miss is the show "Flights of Wonder" bird show. It is my DH's absolute favorite. We usually see it at least twice. Check the slip with show times. Other shows at AK - The Lion King - enjoyable although we've seen it a lot so we don't take it in any more and Finding Nemo - a very cool black light and huge puppet musical.
After Flights of Wonder we usually go over to Dinosaur and see "It's tough to be a bug" and wander back to Flights of Wonder again. We enjoy the parade at AK too.
Magic Kingdom -
Enter the park - feet like wings back to Tomorrowland. Ride Space Mountain until the line becomes > 20 minutes (or until your folks leave you to do other things). DH doesn't do motion rides so he rides Buzz Lightyear until our sons are done with Star Tours. I usually go over to Fantasyland and ride my favorites over there.
If you have young children, head right to Fantasyland and then go to Tomorrowland.
After having fun at FL and TL then head around the back of FL and ride Haunted Mansion. If it's a favorite like it is for us, get a FP for a bit later. Next, off to ride Big Thunder Mountain RR and/or Splash Mountain (another good one for a FP). Pirates is in there too.
By this time you've ridden all the biggies you want to ride and now after a bit of a snack/lunch/breakfast you can enjoy at your leisure all the great things MK has to offer. The Hall of Presidents, the BEST 3-D show next to the Muppets - Mickey's Philharmagic, shopping.
I began my tour plans using "The Unofficial Guide to WDW". Best $ I ever spent on a touring book.
Hope this helps with your planning and if not, you get a look at my plan for December.
TK
I did have a request for TK's battle plan for WDW during the holiday week in December/January. Here is goes in a nutshell. Of course counter measures may be required for unexpected events.
The majority of our Disney Park vacations have been during Christmas break. I find planning is the key to a great vacation.All plans - enter park as soon as possible in the morning taking advantage of Early Entry/Magic Morning. By about noon we've done all the 'biggies' we wanted to. We also always plan a TS meal mid-day as a nice break from the crowds. Pehaps not as necessary when the crowds aren't as impressive.
Sarge's typical battle plan:
This is the plan for our upcoming trip. I have the reservation numbers listed. I'll print this out at about 60% on card stock and have it in my handy back pack.
EPCOT - Tip: Plan a dinner/illuminations dining reservation for the evening.
Enter park, send your most brisk walker with all tickets to 'The Land' and get FastPass (FP) for Soarin'. Have them meet the rest of the party back at Test Track - ride. If the time is available to get another FP (check the bottom of your current FP), get a FP for Mission Space. Sometimes we wait in the S/B line and ride MS. (Not my DH though as motion rides and his body don't have a mutually enjoyable relationship).
Back over to 'The Land' to ride Soarin'. Ride the cute Nemo ride if you'd like. Have a snack and then enjoy Captain EO if you would like. If not and it's time that you can enter the World Showcase - do so. We like to start at the end by Mexico and work our way around to Canada. If you want to ride the ride in Norway - do it early. This plan has us at Morocco right about lunch time for our favorite CS meal - Schwarma Platter - DELISH.
Afternoon is when we ride the golf ball ride and explore in the front area. The name escapes me. Spaceship Earth perhaps? We enjoy the other ride in Land - Living with the Land I believe.
BEST EPCOT MEMORY - We did the Segway Tour (have to be 16 or older) on New Years Day. Well worth the memory.
Evening - Enjoy a leisurely dinner and then view Illuminations.
We find EPCOT feels less crowded than other parks. Probably because it's so big.
Animal Kingdom
Enter the gate and hot foot it back to Expedition Everest. (We head counter clockwise around by the Nemo Show) Again - send the fleet of foot ahead with all tickets to get a FP. Ride EE from the S/B line until the line gets to be more than 20 minutes. At this point you are probably due for another FP.
Head to Africa and get a FP for the Safari. We usually plan breakfast at Tusker House for around 10. Nothing better than a delishous buffet and then ride the safari using our FPs. Back to EE to use that FP.
Not to miss is the show "Flights of Wonder" bird show. It is my DH's absolute favorite. We usually see it at least twice. Check the slip with show times. Other shows at AK - The Lion King - enjoyable although we've seen it a lot so we don't take it in any more and Finding Nemo - a very cool black light and huge puppet musical.
After Flights of Wonder we usually go over to Dinosaur and see "It's tough to be a bug" and wander back to Flights of Wonder again. We enjoy the parade at AK too.
Magic Kingdom -
Enter the park - feet like wings back to Tomorrowland. Ride Space Mountain until the line becomes > 20 minutes (or until your folks leave you to do other things). DH doesn't do motion rides so he rides Buzz Lightyear until our sons are done with Star Tours. I usually go over to Fantasyland and ride my favorites over there.
If you have young children, head right to Fantasyland and then go to Tomorrowland.
After having fun at FL and TL then head around the back of FL and ride Haunted Mansion. If it's a favorite like it is for us, get a FP for a bit later. Next, off to ride Big Thunder Mountain RR and/or Splash Mountain (another good one for a FP). Pirates is in there too.
By this time you've ridden all the biggies you want to ride and now after a bit of a snack/lunch/breakfast you can enjoy at your leisure all the great things MK has to offer. The Hall of Presidents, the BEST 3-D show next to the Muppets - Mickey's Philharmagic, shopping.
I began my tour plans using "The Unofficial Guide to WDW". Best $ I ever spent on a touring book.
Hope this helps with your planning and if not, you get a look at my plan for December.
TK
We go every year from 12/27 to 1/2 and we have a wonderful time--with 2 kids in tow! Take a deep breath and don't listen to everyone's nightmare stories--I wouldn't trade this time!!
You need to just have the right expectations--you MUST make every rope drop--this just isn't the time of year for those who want to sleep in. This means that you will be waiting for a bus in the DARK and will get to MK when it is still dark out!!! But there is nothing more magical than your child saying "Mommy, the sun came up while we were on Splash!"
There are pros and cons to every time of year--we don't have to worry about timing around Fantasmic or Wishes or the Electrical Parade--they are almost every night--if not 2x a night!! We don't have to worry about any ride refurbishments or restaurant closings. The decorations are wonderful and there is no after Christmas blues!!!
We explain to our kids that we can do everything, but we need to do it in the order we say so that we don't have to wait on lines--this works.
Have a great trip--just get up early and you'll be fine!!
You need to just have the right expectations--you MUST make every rope drop--this just isn't the time of year for those who want to sleep in. This means that you will be waiting for a bus in the DARK and will get to MK when it is still dark out!!! But there is nothing more magical than your child saying "Mommy, the sun came up while we were on Splash!"
There are pros and cons to every time of year--we don't have to worry about timing around Fantasmic or Wishes or the Electrical Parade--they are almost every night--if not 2x a night!! We don't have to worry about any ride refurbishments or restaurant closings. The decorations are wonderful and there is no after Christmas blues!!!
We explain to our kids that we can do everything, but we need to do it in the order we say so that we don't have to wait on lines--this works.
Have a great trip--just get up early and you'll be fine!!
IllinoisMommy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2011
thanks for all the recent tips! we will be there 12/23 to 12/31. can't wait!!
Great Plan! I do have to point out one small thing though :
"Magic Kingdom -
Enter the park - feet like wings back to Tomorrowland. Ride Star Tours and/or Space Mountain until the line becomes > 20 minutes (or until your folks leave you to do other things). DH doesn't do motion rides so he rides Buzz Lightyear until our sons are done with Star Tours. I usually go over to Fantasyland and ride my favorites over there. "
"Star Tours" is in Hollywood Studios, not Magic Kingdom. Other than that, This sounds like a fantastic plan for someone who is really focused.
DW and I are Fla Premium passholders on our 5th year and visit as much as possible during the holidays , Since we are lucky enough to live in the Tampa area, its easier for us to make a quick day trip on a whim than it is for pretty much anyone on vacation, so I have little to add in the way of "do these things in this order" since we usually slip in, hit a few rides and then slip out and head home, or head out and enjoy the hotels and DTD ambiance. That said, I do highly suggest osborne lights and Illuminations, and be careful in DTD, you can easily spend hours in World of Disney and the Christmas Store especially during the holidays.
For all of you coming to visit during the holidays, have a WONDERFUL time and enjoy your time at the House of Mouse!
Dan
"Magic Kingdom -
Enter the park - feet like wings back to Tomorrowland. Ride Star Tours and/or Space Mountain until the line becomes > 20 minutes (or until your folks leave you to do other things). DH doesn't do motion rides so he rides Buzz Lightyear until our sons are done with Star Tours. I usually go over to Fantasyland and ride my favorites over there. "
"Star Tours" is in Hollywood Studios, not Magic Kingdom. Other than that, This sounds like a fantastic plan for someone who is really focused.
DW and I are Fla Premium passholders on our 5th year and visit as much as possible during the holidays , Since we are lucky enough to live in the Tampa area, its easier for us to make a quick day trip on a whim than it is for pretty much anyone on vacation, so I have little to add in the way of "do these things in this order" since we usually slip in, hit a few rides and then slip out and head home, or head out and enjoy the hotels and DTD ambiance. That said, I do highly suggest osborne lights and Illuminations, and be careful in DTD, you can easily spend hours in World of Disney and the Christmas Store especially during the holidays.
For all of you coming to visit during the holidays, have a WONDERFUL time and enjoy your time at the House of Mouse!
Dan
smileymomof3
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2012
hollygolitely93 said:
Can anyone tell me where to find Santa at DTD? We are planning to hit the world of Disney store, t-Rex and Santa but I don't know where to find him. Thanks!
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
Thanks Dan,
WHOOPS - color me embarrassed. Last Christmas we were at Disneyland where Star Tours and Buzz are right across from each other. I'll go edit my previous post.
As for DTD I avoid that like the plague during the holiday season. The mass of humanity, the crush of people on the bus....makes me shutter just thinking about it.
TK
No need to be embarrassed. I'm actually envious, as I've never been to the land on the west coast, and I am sure that the Disney Parks in FL are a completely different experience. Again, I enjoyed looking at your plan , its obvious that you spend a lot of time to maximizing your visit with us on the East coast, and see all that the WDW parks have to offer. If DW and I didnt live where we do, I'm sure we would do the same, and in the event we ever decide to join D23 and actually head out for one of the events out west, I will definitely look you up for a trip plan
Enjoy your upcoming trip! Dan
anonymousegirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 14, 2008
No need to be embarrassed. I'm actually envious, as I've never been to the land on the west coast, and I am sure that the Disney Parks in FL are a completely different experience. Again, I enjoyed looking at your plan , its obvious that you spend a lot of time to maximizing your visit with us on the East coast, and see all that the WDW parks have to offer. If DW and I didnt live where we do, I'm sure we would do the same, and in the event we ever decide to join D23 and actually head out for one of the events out west, I will definitely look you up for a trip plan
Dan
I get confused all the time between the DL and MK. I live about 6 hours from DL by car so I go down every couple of months. I manage to get to MK 2 or 3times a year. I was in MK in September and kept heading to the bathrooms near the Carnation Cafe on Main Street-- until I remembered there is no Carnation Cafe and the bathrooms are between City Hall and the Fire Station!
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