When it comes to the Disney World holidays season, we’re sharing tips for making the most of the jolliest time of the year.
Every family that loves Walt Disney World has daydreams of visiting at “that time of year”. Is this finally YOUR year? Or are you already planning for next year (or beyond!). Any way you slice the fruitcake, Dad’s Guide is here with tips to make your special season the most magical!
Disney World Holidays
The transformation of Disney World from Halloween to Holidays happens so fast it’ll make your head spin, and by the time Thanksgiving is past it is long complete, opening up what may be the ideal window for celebrating the Holidays while avoiding the crowds. I know, we’ve all harbored secret dreams of Disney Magic in Christmas week, but a LOT of other folks share those dreams, and the crowds can get pretty intense. Having an early December Christmas Preview can make things so much easier, and it’s a great time to jump-start your Jingle Bells by attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Know When to Avoid Ticketed Events
This one is easy to remember. If you don’t have a ticket to special events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom or Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you might rather be anywhere else when they are happening. Park guests without tickets to the event will be moved along earlier than you might like, making the special holiday parades and fireworks exclusive to party guests, cutting your park day short in the process. If your day at Disney MUST end in fireworks, look ahead and plan to be wherever the party isn’t.
Skip the Park Hopping
I am a deeply committed Park Hopper, and in the summer months, when the park hours are longer, I love nothing better than a day with two full park visits, broken up by a short swim at the resort. But if you have fully committed to living the Holidays at Disney World dream, you are going to want to spend as little time in transit as possible. Remember, you are about to spend the day elbow to elbow with thousands of your new best friends, all sharing a lovely Christmas together, and also sharing ferries, busses and monorails, to say nothing of admission gates. And in Christmas week it is just possible that the parks may reach capacity, and you do NOT want that to happen with you on the wrong side of the gates. Pick a park and stay put.
On the other hand, I hope you asked Santa to wake you up absurdly early because this is the time when rope droppers win vacation and save Christmas. Arrive an hour early for rope drop. Even earlier if you are a guest in a Disney resort. It will make all the difference to your day!
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
If you have held out until Christmas week, then the ticketed event parties are over at last, and the glory and majesty that is Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade has transformed from a party exclusive that you cannot see to something that happens twice a day for everybody. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that everybody is going to try, and see it more or less at the same time. I wish I could tell you that there is a secret hack beyond arriving early and being patient to secure a good spot. Remember, Santa Claus is still watching you. Be kind.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
If the wait for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade almost threatened your spot on the nice list, there are some options for Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks that you might appreciate, and they involve one of my very favorite places, Disney’s Contemporary Resort!
Photo by Laurie Sapp
The Contemporary is home to the California Grill, where diners enjoy excellent views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, including the sound. If you are unable to obtain a booking that coincides with the fireworks, just show your same-day receipt to the cast member at the restaurant check-in, and you will be allowed to re-enter the restaurant and watch from the rooftop observation deck.
There is also an observation deck off the fourth-floor lobby of the Contemporary that is open to the public. The view is not as perfect as the view from the roof, but the sound is piped in, and it is a lovely, sneaky way to get your Nighttime Spectacular on!
Once Upon a Christmastime
Disney World at Christmas is a treasure trove of magical delights that can’t be found at any other time of year. There’s a holiday overlay at the Jungle Cruise (rechristened “Jingle Cruise” for the season) with a whole new crop of Dad jokes, all given a festive turn. While we’re decking the halls of our favorite boat rides, over at EPCOT, Living With The Land takes on a seasonal look. And on the subject of seasonal looks, pop over to Blizzard Beach for a meet and greet with Santa in beach wear that just might be your favorite pic with the big guy EVER…
Photo by Laurie Sapp
You see where I’m going with this, don’t you? There’s so much magic that you can’t possibly do it all. So don’t try! Talk about your plans with your family and see what everyone thinks the most important items on their wish list are, and do your best to get to them. Hopefully, these tips can help you make the most of the holidays at Disney World, but remember, the real Christmas magic is that all of you are together and sharing a holiday adventure that you’ll remember forever. Because there really is no place like “home” for the holidays!
Happy Holidays, everybody!
