Visiting over Christmas-post travel tips

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2007
Visiting over Christmas-post travel tips
5
Sat, 09-01-2007 - 12:27pm

My family is going to Disney World Dec 25th-31st. We are SO excited. I have bought a travel tips book and searched the net, but I wonder if you all might be able to share some tips. I am most wondering how the weather will be and what to pack for clothing? I am new here and looking forward to learning some good travel tips! Thanks in advance.

Jenn
DH
DS-7years old

 

Avatar for laurieh88
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 09-03-2007 - 3:06pm

Hi there. Congratulations on your upcoming trip! :)

I have not been to WDW the week after Christmas, but I've read quite a bit about it through the years.

It seems that most everyone agrees that the most important thing is to realize it will be INCREDIBLY crowded, so it's important to pick out 2 or 3 attractions in the park that are "must sees" for your family. Otherwise, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season, and figure anything else you get to do ride-wise is a bonus.

We usually travel to WDW the second week of December, and I love the holiday decorations. If you have an off day (or half day) from the parks, don't forget about Downtown Disney. It's a neat place to stroll around during the holidays, too. Don't miss the lights and "snow" at MGM. SO cool! Even just a trip around to the resorts to check out decorations, especially those on the monorail line, is a great idea. The Grand Floridian is amazing all decked out.

As for the weather and clothing.....we've had some Decembers where it was in the 90s every day....and some where it was in the 40s and 50s. It's a toss up! Your best bet is to check things just before you leave and pack accordingly. Bring some hats and gloves, just in case. Layers are always good. We like to rent a locker in the parks for when we shed our outer layers. Ponchos are never a bad idea to pack, just in case.

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 12.5 years old
Julianne and Leah, 11 years old
Audrey, 3.5 years old

Disney World trips in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
Upcoming September-October 2007 trip!!!

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2004
Mon, 09-03-2007 - 5:39pm

Jenn,

I just wanted to second what the other pp said - the weather in Orlando at that time of the year is very unpredictable. I would wait until a few days before to check the weather forecast and then plan for layering. Even if you are used to colder weather, very few of us are used to spending a 50 degree day outside all ALL day long.

Ruth in FL


Pyzam Family Sticker Toy

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2004
Tue, 09-04-2007 - 10:24pm

Congratuations! Disney is always decorated so beautiful at Christmastime. We have been twice to Disney at Christmas week and it is so unbelievably crowded. Like the other posts mentioned, plan out what you want to see before you get there so you can fastpass it. Also, if you don't care about the parades, that is the perfect time for the rides. But, it will still be busy. Also, make sure you have reservations to eat, they fill up quick.

The weather is definitely unpredictable in Dec. in FL. One year we came and it was 70s the first part of the week and 50s by the end. Bring lots of warm clothes. It doesn't sound that bad for some but standing outside for 6 hours in 50+ weather is cold (esp. at night). We had one Christmas morning where it poured! And I mean poured. (They don't do the parade in the rain!) We found out the hard way.

Also, you can usually find "Santa" in each park as well as the WDW resorts. We stayed at the Boardwalk one year and it was so thrilling for the girls to see Santa on Christmas Eve!

It is an amazing place! Good luck!
Colleen

Haley - 8
Madelyn - 5 1/2
Ella - 2 1/2

Colleen

mommy of 3 little girls

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Avatar for mom3girls2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2000
Fri, 09-07-2007 - 11:33pm

Hi, Jenn, nice to "meet" you. We're going from 12/22 - 12/29! First time (mostly). Not the first visit to central FL for that week, though. We usually take that week to visit my in-laws near Tampa, and I agree with the other posters, the weather is quite changeable!

We decided not to do the water park; even if it's warm and sunny, it's usually breezy and you feel cold when you exit a pool! And somewhere I read a tip, to pack a change of clothing in a 2-gall. zip-top bag (1 per person) for after those water-rides in the other parks!

Maybe we'll meet in line somewhere LOL.
---
TTFN,
Max

In peace,
Max       

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2005
Sun, 09-09-2007 - 10:27pm
Hi there! If I had been on this board earlier, honestly I would have said run for the hills and do not go to Disney at Christmas as it will be miserably crowded. If you go frequently and don't need to do EVERYTHING and ride EVERYTHING then it may be a bit better. I'm sure the decorations are wonderful, but holidays usually make for very irritable guests (I worked at Magic Kingdom and holidays were a nightmare) BUT!!!!!!!!! If you are prepared, you can still have a great time. I would highly recommend NOT going to the Magic Kingdom on the 25th. It will be a nightmare. I would go on another day and it might not be too crowded. Use the heck out of those fast passes. They are gold! Try to get to the parks nice and early and go to the back and work your way up. The parades are cool, but they are a great time to hit rides that had huge lines before. Make reservations for eating BEFORE you get there. Don't be disappointed if you don't see everything. Be prepared for the masses and just take in the neat things Disney has made for Christmas time!
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