Hi Michelle,
Your first trip to Walt Disney World? How exciting! Your whole family must be thrilled.
Walt Disney World is simply gorgeous during the holiday season. All the parks and resorts are decked out in their holiday finest. In addition to visiting the four main Disney theme parks (Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), plan to spend some time visiting the deluxe resorts along the monorail. You won't believe the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort! If you get the chance to visit Disney's Wilderness Lodge, do so! The tree in the lobby there is a jaw-dropping beauty!
Since you will be staying off-property during your vacation, I suggest you visit theme parks on days when they are NOT offering Extra Magic Hours. The parks tend to be a bit more crowded on those days so choose an alternate park instead. (The park calendars with hours of operation, including Extra Magic Hours, will be released next month).
If you dream of spending New Year's Eve in a particular park, go to that park in the morning and stay there throughout the day. Because the theme parks occasionally reach capacity at that time of year, it is possible that guests will be turned away at the gates if they try to enter in the afternoon or later.
Finally, call (407) WDW-DINE 180 days in advance of your vacation to book reservations at any table service restaurants you'd like to try during your stay. You want to be sure to plan at least one
character dining experience so that your boys can spend some one-on-one time with the Disney characters.
Feel free to ask additional questions to the Moms Panel as you make your exciting plans!
Jill