what is disney at christmas like?

Question

has anyone been to Disney WOrld in orlando around christmas? is it worth the trip for the decorations and has anyone heard of the "extra ticket" that has something to do with extra hours at Disney?

thanks for all the answers everyone. i think i've pretty much decided to do it around the first 2 weeks of december. i've been to MK before and arent going to be so focused on al the rides this time i'm mainly going to see the decorations and anything "holiday-ish". any advice on "must see's" while i'm there?

Answer 1

If you are trying to save money, then I would say that going during another time of the year would be just as nice. Since Christmas is holiday season (of course it would depend on when you are actually wanting to go) If you are able to spend a little extra, I think it is definitely worth seeing. If you go during the actual "holiday" season, which is at peak prices you will pay more, not be able to get a discount and have higher crowds. Otherwise, you may be able to get a discount, as well as lower rates and lower crowds. Again, depending on when you actually go, the crowds may be a little higher than other times of the year, so that is another thing to consider.

During Christmas they have really big, beautiful trees in all the resorts. Many years at Christmas when I didn't feel like going to the parks, I just went to all the resorts looking at all the trees and decorations. You get to explore the resort, see what they all have decorated, maybe eat at a restaurant, etc. So that is really nice. The deluxe resorts are my favorite during the holidays with the huge trees in the lobby. Boardwalk has had a gingerbread boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club does the chocolate/gingerbread carousel and Grand Floridian does the giant gingerbread house. Really amazing to see all they do.

Every where you go you are going to find little surprises, Magic Kingdom has the Christmas Parade, EPCOT has the Candlelight Processional and Christmas around the World, MGM has the Osborne Festival of Lights and Animal Kingdom decorates in an African theme. So there really is a lot to see, this is just the tip of the iceburg. You aren't going to find many places that can decorate better than Disney at Christmas time.

There are a lot of special events that go on in Disney during Christmas. You can go many years before you see most of what they have to offer, so don't worry about not having enough to do.

Now, as for the ticket.... Onsite guests do have the benefit of extra magic hours which gives you a little more time in the park. However, what I think you are talking about is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Basically you pay for a seperate ticket into Magic Kingdom for that day. If you choose, you don't have to go earlier in the day to avoid paying for admission twice. You get to go into the park in the evening and they allow a limited number of guests in to enjoy all the activities and rides that are opened. They have special events and with fewer people you have shorter wait times. It is a lot of fun and the kids (as well as the adults) always have a great time.

I've been to Disney for Christmas the past several years and love it every time, it is a great place to spend the holiday. I agree with the other answer that the weather is great as well. It stays pretty warm in the day, but at night and in the mornings, it can be a little chilly, so a jacket isn't a bad idea, especially if you will be around the water. If you are wanting to swim and can't handle colder weather, you may want to consider going another time.


I've included a link to a website with lots of info on Disney at Christmas time. It covers pretty much everything they have going on, all the links run down the side.


Feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions!


Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The lights are beautiful and the parks are decorated elaborately as only Disney could do. The Osborne lights are worth seeing, too. The only drawback to this time of the year is park crowding. It used to be that the first two weeks of December was a good time to go but not anymore. It is VERY crowded now and the lines are long. If you plan on going anyway just expect to take things slow and not to see or do everything. Make certain you take advantage of the fastpass for those must see/must do attractions. The parks do have the extra magic hours for resort guests only. It is well worth staying at their resort for that alone. Enjoy your trip regardless of when you decide to visit; it's always enjoyable regardless of the season.

Answer 3

I love Disney cruises too! I've never actually been on them on Christmas, but I've been in November, beginning of December, the week before Christmas, and the New Year's cruise, I'm sure the Christmas cruise will be amazing! The decorations and everything were up every time we went (besides November) and it's just beautiful! Castaway Cay is even more gorgeous! The characters are in their holiday outfits, and when you get on the ship and on Castaway cay they serve hot chocolate and cookies!:) Sorry I' not much help because I've never gone over Christmas but I'm pretty sure the Disney website can help! It's probably under Packages or Special Deals or something!;) You're going to have so much fun!:)

Answer 4

We went to Disney Epcot Center just after Thanksgiving a few years ago. While there was a huge decorated tree and some Christmas stuff when you walked in, the only real decorations were in the "World" section. Each little street area (country) was decorated in its own traditional way. It was very dark and kind of hard to enjoy (after the sun went down). It was lovely weather though.

Usually the extra hours come in to play when you stay at one of the Disney Resorts. I've never heard it called an extra ticket though.

Enjoy and say hello to Mickey for me!

Answer 5

It's been a few years since I've been there, but we are in the process of planning another trip. For a few years my inlaws got my hubby, kids, and I tickets to go to Epcot with them on Boxing Day. (Day after Christmas) The crowds weren't too bad and we still got to enjoy all the holiday decorations. Disney at anytime is a magical place, decorated for the holidays, it's just amazing.

Answer 6

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas is the extra ticket you're referring to. My family has gone for the last two years. It's limited to a certain number of people, so it's less crowded, which makes the lines for the rides very short. There are different areas in the park where you can get hot cocoa and healthy snacks like apples and sugar cookies. Main Street has 'snow' and there are a couple of different times for the parades. It's all Christmas themed. My family enjoys this time and we were able to do everything we wanted before the park closed. I highly recommend this to you. The only thing you have to imagine is the cold weather. Do bring jackets because it does start to get chilly this time of year.

Answer 7

We got Married at Christmas Time & had Our Honeymoon at Disney World.
It is Definately Beautiful at Christmas there.
The Osbourne Christmas Lights are AWESOME!!I don't know if they still give you the 3-D glasses to look at the lights but if they do make sure you get a pair.Looking at the lights with them on you see Angels Dancing in the Lights.We have some & still to this day use them at Christmas Time.Everyone is Amazed to see the Angels.
If you don't like the Crowds don't go at that time of Year.VERY VERY Crowded.
A good time to go is around February.I have been there at that time & the line waiting was much better.
Enjoy Your Trip & Tell Mickey I said Hi!!

Answer 8

I went during the christmas holidays. It's very beautiful! The parks are so decorated with Disney Christmas magic! It's gonna be crowded but you gotta see it!