Hello Cartier!
The holidays are
the most wonderful time of the year. And at the
Walt Disney World Resort, they are also one of the most popular. Over the years, friends wanting to visit have expressed to me the idea that they think everyone else will feel
that there’s no place like home for the holidays. But in fact, everyone wants to go to Disney!
First, let me say that it is entirely possible to have a completely magical vacation over
the Christmas holiday! But I would pack your patience and reasonable expectations that many others will be doing the same. The scene in "Toy Story" where Buzz is inside the claw machine with all of those little green aliens comes to mind… or maybe "101 Dalmatians?" Be prepared to enjoy Christmas with all your fellow Disney fans, plus a few more.
To make the most of your visit, I have a few suggestions. First, be sure you have your
Disney Park Pass Reservations set now. Please don’t wait to solidify your plans. Some parks are already limited for that week.
Next, if you’d like to dine at any table service locations, book
Advanced Dining Reservations now. While the most popular locations are likely already booked, there are typically other options available, many of them hidden gems. Don’t be afraid to try somewhere new! And with crowds likely to be larger than you are used to in the summer, having a planned escape to sit down and enjoy a meal will be a nice break from hustle and bustle of the parks.
Then, make a plan to arrive early. If you’ll be staying at a
Disney Resort Collection Hotel, you’ll receive early entry to every park 30 minutes before posted opening time. I would plan to arrive at least an hour before the scheduled opening to give you time to get through security and into the park so that you’ll be ready to head to your top attraction first thing. If you will be staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resort, check out the
Extended Evening Hours for extra time to enjoy the parks.
I would also highly recommend you consider purchasing Genie+ for your trip.
Disney’s Genie+ service will allow you to select entrance to the Lightning Lane to select attractions, one at a time, throughout the day. Even using it for just 2 to 3 attractions during the day may save you considerable time.
I hope these ideas will be helpful, Cartier! Pack those Mickey Ears and a mini table-top tree for your room, and have a
holly jolly Christmas visit to the Walt Disney World Resort!
- Kate