anyone been to disney world in december?

Question

specifically on the 23rd, 24th, & 25th?
what should I expect?

Answer 1

I have heard that it is very crowded at that time. Christmas is one of the peak times of year there. This past Dec. I went the second week of Dec. It was fantastic. All the decorations for the holidays were up, we attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (which was totally awesome!

If you go expecting the crowds (which are there almost always-lol) you will have a fantastic time!

Set aside some time to go and "visit" the different resorts. They all are decorated beautifully. You can take any of the WDW transportation- each of the parks have busses that go to each resort, and you can take the monorail from Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. These resorts are absolutely gorgeous any time of year, but the Christmas season is spectacular.

Also, DO NOT MISS the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights and Disney/MGM park. That alone was worth every penny of my trip!!!

Answer 2

Yes. I've both worked there during that time and played there. Expect heavy crowds. The holidays are the 2nd busiest time next to the summer. So be sure to take advantage of fast pass tickets and check the calendar schedule at http://www.disneyworld.com to see when Extra Magic Hour days are. Each park opens an hour early specifically for Disney resort guests each day. If you are staying at a Disney Resort, take advantage of this extra hour time. If you'll be staying off property, avoid those days. Example, if December 24th is extra magic hours for the Magic Kingdom, visit the MK on another day.
Be sure to purchase tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It happens at the MK on select nights from late November until December 30th. Tickets are only $36 for adults and you get to play at the MK for a full 8 hours with very limited crowds, 2 fireworks shows, a special holiday parade, free cocoa and cookies, and a lot more. It is by far the best (and cheapest) way to spend a day at the Magic Kingdom.
Pack for cooler weather. Bring pants and a jacket or sweatshirt for the evenings.
If you would like help planning for your next trip or if you would just like to read up on some fun tips and ideas that are updated monthly, visit my Disney Vacation Services My space page, at:

http://www.myspace.com/disneymickeyvacation

Or visit our Blog page at:

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

Have a great time!

Answer 3

We got there on the 26th and it was great, all decorated for Christmas, plus the place is open until about midnight, so you have plenty of time to see everything. If you will be there for New Years that is great, Tinkerbell flies from the castle to change the year, there were fireworks the parks were open until 2am, but you still had at least an hour to walkout ferries etc ran until at least 3. I think about the 2nd or 3rd of Jan they go back to early hours of closing at about 8 or 9 pm.

Answer 4

My Family and I go December 23rd through the 26th every other year. It is always crowded but always a great time. Mickeys Christmas party ended on the 22nd this year so don't expect to be able to attend it so close to Christmas. They usually have schedules of special events about 6 months in advance.
We always stay at the Polynesian so that we are close to the action. Be sure to go around to some of the other Disney Hotels to see their chrismas displays. The lifesize Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian is fantastic. You can buy gingerbread men and gingerbread houses but the cookies weren't that great and wow are they expensive. Oh and the Chocolate Carosel at the Beach Club is always a hit. The best way to check it out is to walk over from the International Gateway in Epcot.
Here are a few tips for you to make it a wonderful time.
1.Make your priority seating reservations as soon as possible. Most of the restaurants accept them 180 days from the first day of your vacation. You are aloud to start calling at 7:00 am. Start dialing at 6:58 am and keep hitting redial until you are through. You might even want to call ahead of time and write down the number sequence that you have to punch in. You can get through to a real person faster that way. For instance Cinderella’s Castle usually books up by 7:05am. Call (407) WDW-DINE and ask them the exact date that you can call.
2.If you want to do Fantasmic ask them about the Dinner and a Show option. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time between the reservation and the show. I think that they will let you have dinner around 2 and still give you priority seating at Fantasmic in the evening.
3.I always buy the park hopper pass, because I try never to stay at the Magic Kingdom after 11:30am. I get there when they open. The opening celebration is really neat. They sometimes open early for Disney Hotel Guests. Check on line for the extra magic hours. You can find them at www.Disney.com. I go directly to the rides that my kids want to ride. We may pick up a Fast Pass on the way. If you have more adults then kids then you can spread out your fast passes. (pick up more than 1 ride at a time, One adult with each child). For instance my daughter loves the Honey Pots so we go directly there sometimes at 7:00 am. We never have a line. Sometimes they even let us ride 2 or three times without getting out of our car.
4.Mickey’s Toon Town Fair usually opens later then the park. If you have small children plan to be there when it opens. You will have Minnie’s House and Mickey’s House practically to yourself. And no line to see Mickey.
5.Always plan your afternoon reservations at one of the other parks. Unless you have lunch at the Castle (try to make it early)
6.The Hoop – De – Doo and the Luau (at the Polynesian) are great evening shows. Your ticket covers an all you can eat meal at your table (not a buffet) and all you can drink Beer, Wine and soft drinks. I believe that you can call up to 2 years in advance. Call ASAP for the best table.

Have Fun!!!!

Answer 5

It's very busy, but it's so much fun to combine Christmas with Disney!! If you have kids they are going to love it. Make your reservations for lodging asap and be aware that rates are higher this time of year. There are all sorts of special Christmas activities at the parks, so plan ahead to do as many of them as you can.

Lots of people flock to Florida during the winter. It costs more to stay at The Magic Kingdom and surrounding areas during that peak season, too.

There is an unofficial Disney newsletter and website that is full of inside tips and tricks, which I subscribe to. The lady that does the newsletter is so thorough you are going to really love it. Go check out: http://www.allearsnet.com/

Expect to have a blast!! We are going, see you there!!

Answer 6

It is one of the busiest times to go to Walt Disney World! There will be quite a few crowds especially on christmas, but it will still be magical. Watch out for employees or "cast members" that wear blue vests, as they are part of the year of a million dreams and give out prizes! Also, for additional information, check out www.disboards.com. They are real disney freaks just like me and give great advice. Hope you have a magical trip!

Answer 7

omg its magical even more than it is during normal season. Everything is decorated for christmas adn after the fireworks at the magic kingdom they make it snow.