Christmas Week Questions

[LunarParkGirl]

Hi kids!

I don't post much here, mostly I just soak up the info but I have a few specific questions thanks to an exciting idea via my mum...

Our family are old hands at park attendance and Disney nuts--I did the wdwcp back in 02-03 so I've gotten to make "the Magic" for guests, too! (And worked during the Holiday Season)

My mum, da, and brother came to visit me during December of 02. They had so much fun and my dad fell in LOVE with the parks at Christmas! He always wanted to go back...

...sadly he would never get the chance. He passed away very suddenly in April of 2008.

We've made a trip back since then, to remember our favorite Disney "cheerleader" and it was bittersweet especially for my mom.

HOWEVER, my mom, in a spirit of "do things now because who knows how many tomorrows we have!", has decided that she, my brother, and I should spend Christmas at WDW!

We're staying at ASMo from Dec 23-27. We're spending Christmas Eve at MK and Christmas Day at Epcot--we already have ADRS set, including ones for the Candlelight Dining experience (Christmas Dinner at Rose and Crowne!)

So finally I get to the questions part (finally, right? )

We know we'll have lines to contend with, but mostly we're going to take in the ambiance and enjoy what we can. However, I don't want us to be completely foolish, so I turn to more experienced hands at Christmas-Week attendance (keep in mind, I worked in a single location for holidays so my knowledge isn't broad-stretching)

--What time do buses start running on Christmas Eve/Morning? We are early risers so have no problem catching them early if need be!

--What's the earliest that the food courts at the value resorts open for breakfast? Should we maybe just bring a little more in-room food and do breakfast -that- way? (We always bring snacks for after-park-unwind-time)

--Do any other families bring lights and such to decorate their big value resort window, or would be we the Griswalds if we decided to do that?

and finally:

--The Candlelight Dining experience--we have our ADR's for R and C at 5pm and our showtime is at 815. I know that we get seating WITH these ADRs but we want a good view (My mom loves EJO!) how early should we que for good seats?

Hope I haven't been TOO long winded.

I appreciate any advice/help! My mom has not been this excited about anything since Da passed...I want her to have an absolute blast and make new memories

N

 

[ThinkTink721]

Sorry to hear about your Dad.

Glad that you are getting to visit WDW again during your favorite time of the year. :xmas:
I have never visited during Dec., but I have read a lot of information about visiting during the holidays.

I believe the buses begin running a few hours before the parks open (just check w/ the front desk of your resort when you arrive & they can tell you for sure).

I am not sure about the food courts, but it is probably pretty early (again, check w/ the front desk when you arrive or call them beforehand & they can tell you).

I know that you can decorate your room...I have read about this...I am not sure about the extent of the lights (you may want to ask your resort).

For the Candlelight Processional, I would say to arrive a couple of hours prior to the start of the show...I have heard that this is very popular.

Hope this helps some! :wave:

 

[erstwo]

Hey There!

I too am so sorry about your dad.

The busses start running around 5:30 or 6:00 am. There may not be 4 busses waiting to go to each park at 6:00 in the morning, but there will be at least one bus coming by your resort every 20 to 30 minutes until about 7:30, when they'll start running at full speed - every 20 minutes a bus for each park/ destination. If you're worried about an early bus, stop by the front desk and tell them where you're headed. They'll make sure a bus comes 'round!

The food court is open pretty early. I know that Pop's was open by 6:30 when we were there a few weeks ago. I'd bet it's 6 am, but will defer to someone who knows for sure!

Loads of people bring their own decoration for their windows. And not just during the holiday season. I saw people with their windows decorated for Halloween when we were at Pop a few weeks ago. The best decor I've seen though was at All Star Music in December 2008. There were 3 rooms in a row (must have been a group?) with lit up wreaths in the shape of a Mickey Mouse head. Too cute! I guess they just attached 2 small wreath "ears" to a bigger wreath, and then wrapped it in lights? Not 100% sure, but we loved it!

Last time we went at Christmas, we just brought some of those jello-like window cling things that spelled out "Happy Holidays" because we flew down and they were nice and flat and fit into the suitcase perfectly.

I hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[LunarParkGirl]

Thanks guys!

I have this little one foot christmas tree with battery powered fiber optic lights--and it's in a boot! It was red, like santa's boot, but I painted it brown so it looks like WALL-Es . I want to put that in the window as it's small and maybe a string of lights--thought i'd be fun!

Also good to know about early bus runnin! I would much rather get to MK and wait around for rope-drops there than think "we have time!" and arrive at 9 to a packed out park!

Keep the info comin!

N

 

[Graham9]

We did WDW Christmas a coupe of years ago.

Yes - people do put lights in their windows. We stayed at PORFQ and it looked amazing.

If you are going to do parks on Christmas day, get their EARLY, use Magic Hours because at about 10:30, it will be PACKED OUT to the max!!!

The biggest disappointment was the Christmas Day in Magic Kingdom "The most wonderful time of the year" is basically just another day in the park (beside the heaving crowds). Me and the wife had our Santa Mickey Hats and going round saying "Merry Christmas" to everyone......the attitude of everyone being "Bah, Humbug!" :brick:

 

[LunarParkGirl]

Christmas Day in EPCOT

We're spending Christmas in EPCOT We have ADRs for Rose and Crowne that include the Candlelight Dining package.

I actually WORKED at EPCOT on Christmas Day at the American Adventure back in 2002 and while there were a few grumpy gils, I honestly saw a LOT of happy people!

My first name is "Noel"--so they saw my nametag and I got TONS of "HEY!, is it your BIRTHDAY??"

We know it'll be packed. We know lines will be long. But we really don't. care.

Reiterating the two questions we haven't seemed to get specifics on:
Those of you who've done the Candlelight Dining Plan--even with the reserved seating, how early did ya'll que to get into the AmGuard Theatre?

Do you think we should catch food court breakfast? Or do in-room brekky and opt for an earlier start?

:xmas: A little over two months to go!

N