Need some BTDT Disney advice

[Anonymous]

We are going to Disney World at Christmas this year for two days in the parks ahead of Christmas (Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom) with our 4 and 8 year old children. I have heard it is really busy at Christmas but wondering how bad it will be just ahead of th holiday and weekend...we'll probably do the parks on Friday and Saturday Dec 21 and 22...

Also wondering if anyone has stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter resort. It sounds like the nicest of the "moderate" priced resorts... Last time we went we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge but that was off season with one child...we can't afford to stay there at Christmas so looking to try something else...

Any other tips for special things to see and do at that time of year would be appreciated. We are only staying a couple days because then we will do Christmas with the in-laws.

[Anonymous]

We went last thanksgiving but the Xmas decor and events had already started - It was really special and beautiful (and we're Jewish!). I thought Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was worth the money. There are neat holiday things in Epcot - candlelighting - and Hollywood Studios - electric light displays - but I dont recall anything in AK except the general holiday decorations. A lot of hotels have cool holiday decor. Get the "official" WDW guide - it has great tips and itineraries, lists special holiday things to do, etc. Also download the WDW lines app - awesome awesome awesome, gives you real time line waits so you can adjust your plans as you go based on the lines at the rides. Last there is a website (I forget the name but it is listed in the "official guide") which ranks crowd levels at each park every day of the year - so you will see how busy your days will be, and can plan which day to go to MK vs AK based on those crowd levels. Can't help on the hotel but the official guide gives detailed hotel descriptions and recommendations.

[Anonymous]

PP here - sorry, the guide book I meant is called the Unofficial Guide to WDW (not the Official Guide to WDW). The book is sold on Amazon and in B&N!

[Anonymous]

Check out http://disboards.com/ - They are full of tons of disney information.

[Freeman]

We've stayed at Port Orleans a couple of times and enjoyed it, so I think you'll be fine there. We've actually stayed at all of the moderate-priced resorts at Disney, and we didn't find there to be a big difference between most of them other than themes. As for the holiday, I've never been during Christmas, but I have been on other holidays. My guess would be that it won't be too crowded, since the big crowds will be during the actual holiday, not the week before. If you check out some of the Disney message boards, you'll probably find more definitive answers.

[Anonymous]

Friday will probably be the lighter day as for crowds with Sat. being more crowded. But because it is really before the holiday week starts, it should be doable. I agree with the previous posters who recommended www.disboards.com and checking out the Unofficial Guide. The resorts and general area will be very pretty with decorations. Oh the one thing I will recommend is to make sure you are making any restaurant reservations asap.

[Anonymous]

Actually, those days are supposed to be really busy according to the crown calendars - Fri a 9 and Sat a 10. So if there's any way you could go earlier in the week, you will be better off. Check out easywdw.com for crowd predictions, and as others have mentioned, hit up disboards.com.

[ThatSmileyFaceGuy]

The light show at Hollywood Studios is certanly worth it if you can manage it

[Anonymous]

I used to go to Disney every year at that time of year, and yes, the lines are long, but they are manageable. Frankly I think the lines are long at all times of year so it wasn't that big of a deal. I have stayed at Port Orleans and I didn't think it was that great. Honestly I think the value resorts are no worse off than the moderate ones.. if I can't stay at one of the really nice ones, I just go to the value ones- spend the money elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

These are really good tips...thanks. I'm already taking my oldest out of school for two days so really can't go any earlier...will look into those other resources though.

[Anonymous]

We were at Disney over spring break -- supposedly it was one of the busiest weeks ever at DW. My best advice: take advantage of the early AM extra magic hours. The parks don't start getting crowded until almost noon. We'd do whatever rides we wanted to do in the am, go back & enjoy the hotel pools in the afternoon, & return to the parks when they were packed for the parades, fireworks, etc.

[Anonymous]

Friday and saturday will be very busy. Some schools let out a week before Christmas. Lots of travelers from Canada and Europe will be there during that time. I've been there during that time, and the lines were so long (1.5 or more on popular rides). One upside though is you won't have to wait in line under a sweltering sun.

[Anonymous]

there are now apps that you can use - and you can create a custom tour based on historical crowd levels. I would recommmend using these given the time that you will be there.

I have also done Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and you need to think about has this impacts your visit. If you are not going to do the party, you need to be aware that the park closes early to accomodate the event.

[Anonymous]

Go to parks early, use fast past, and just enjoy yourself.

We stayed at POFQ and it was nice. No issues at all. And, you can take a boat to Downtown Disney.

[Anonymous]

If its busy combine planning out fast passes (Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, Pirates etc) with attractions that accommodate more people but are only popular with the younger kid crowd. The Tiki Room, Mickey's Movie, Country Bear Jamboree shows are good. My kids also love the People Mover in tomorrow land which to anyone over 8 years is the lamest ride in the world. With only a few days I would only do Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. The light show is fantastic.