How to survive (and enjoy) the holidays at Disney World - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

ResalesDVC · 02-13-2019, 02:41 PM

I know its only February but if you're like me, you're already planning your holiday trips! Plus, booking windows are open at your home resort

The week before Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest week of the year at Walt Disney World. The parks will be filled with throngs of people and Magic Kingdom will likely fill to capacity and close to more guests at several points during the week. But if you visit during this week you can still have a fantastic time – but you will need to switch up your tactics. Here are ten tricks for actually enjoying yourself during the holidays at Disney World: https://www.resalesdvc.com/how-to-su...-disney-world/

Have any tips or tricks to ad?

tomandrobin · 02-13-2019, 02:50 PM

I mostly agree on the tips, however I think the fast pass strategy is off.

For Christmas/NYE week, I recommend taking advantage of morning EMH....be there at rope drop and save your fastpasses for the evening.

This is what we do every year, including this year. For example, we went to MK on EMH day. We rode Buzz, Space Mountain (2x), Pooh, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder RR, Splash Mountain and Pirates all by 9am.

TexasChick · 02-13-2019, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomandrobin

I mostly agree on the tips, however I think the fast pass strategy is off.

For Christmas/NYE week, I recommend taking advantage of morning EMH....be there at rope drop and save your fastpasses for the evening.

This is what we do every year, including this year. For example, we went to MK on EMH day. We rode Buzz, Space Mountain (2x), Pooh, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder RR, Splash Mountain and Pirates all by 9am.

Huh??? I’ve never gotten in more than 3 rides during MK EMH and that includes when we go during off peak times. Space Mtn is always 30+ minutes from the moment we walk over there. Peter Pan is also already long before we even get over there. We usually ride Buzz and Haunted Mansion because they’re the only ones with 20 min or less of wait time. How did you do this?!? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

DisneyTravelers · 02-13-2019, 02:58 PM

Good advice. We just did our first NYE trip. MK has EMH on Dec 30 util 2 am so we arrived at the park about 9 pm to catch the fireworks show. We had some FPs and by about midnight the crowds really thinned out. We stayed till 2am [well...some of our group did] and had a blast....very manageable lines if you can be a night owl.

We really adjusted our expectations and didnt plan lots of park time on Dec 30 or 31 or Jan 1.

I did note that on Jan 1 the crowds at Epcot were pretty low till about noon...

We had a great time and I wont hesitate to go back in this time frame. With a kid in college and other one with a busy marching band and theater schedule, we now have to travel in busier times when they can both get away....

tomandrobin · 02-13-2019, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasChick

Huh??? I’ve never gotten in more than 3 rides during MK EMH and that includes when we go during off peak times. Space Mtn is always 30+ minutes from the moment we walk over there. Peter Pan is also already long before we even get over there. We usually ride Buzz and Haunted Mansion because they’re the only ones with 20 min or less of wait time. How did you do this?!? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Ok....next time you are in WDW and I am there, tag along.

Are there for rope drop and the hub?

Got to MK by 6:40am, enter park and make way to hub. Hit space mtn first, always just a walk on. Then its buzz, because everyone bypasses it. (had planned on seven dwarfs, but the wait was already 60 min) pooh is a 5 min, peter pan was 10-5 min wait. Then had to wait for the rope drop at 8am to access Liberty, so its the second rope drop which means HH is a walk on, then its off to BTMRR which is a 10 min wait, splash mountain was a walk on and pirates is nearly a walk on.

sawickipedia · 02-13-2019, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomandrobin

Ok....next time you are in WDW and I am there, tag along.

Are there for rope drop and the hub?

Got to MK by 6:40am, enter park and make way to hub. Hit space mtn first, always just a walk on. Then its buzz, because everyone bypasses it. (had planned on seven dwarfs, but the wait was already 60 min) pooh is a 5 min, peter pan was 10-5 min wait. Then had to wait for the rope drop at 8am to access Liberty, so its the second rope drop which means HH is a walk on, then its off to BTMRR which is a 10 min wait, splash mountain was a walk on and pirates is nearly a walk on.

Tom you are clearly a pro's pro! #tipofthehat

As the kids enter high school I think we'll have to transition to T-Day week from October (sadness) so these type of plans become important to remember

TexasChick · 02-13-2019, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomandrobin

Ok....next time you are in WDW and I am there, tag along.

Are there for rope drop and the hub?

Got to MK by 6:40am, enter park and make way to hub. Hit space mtn first, always just a walk on. Then its buzz, because everyone bypasses it. (had planned on seven dwarfs, but the wait was already 60 min) pooh is a 5 min, peter pan was 10-5 min wait. Then had to wait for the rope drop at 8am to access Liberty, so its the second rope drop which means HH is a walk on, then its off to BTMRR which is a 10 min wait, splash mountain was a walk on and pirates is nearly a walk on.

We usually show up exactly when EMH start. We’re almost never early for EMH by more than 5 minutes at WDW because we battle the hour time difference. If we’re ever there at the same time, I’m definitely going to take you up on it and follow your lead!

Now when we go to DL, we’re always early.

And thanks ResalesDVC for this article. It’s very helpful. I’m sure I’ll be sending it to friends and family.

tomandrobin · 02-13-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sawickipedia

Tom you are clearly a pro's pro! #tipofthehat

As the kids enter high school I think we'll have to transition to T-Day week from October (sadness) so these type of plans become important to remember

Perhaps.....I remember when the kids were in high school. That is when we started doing more trips without the kids. The were busy.....school work, boy friend/girl friend, work and other "social" commitments of a 16-18 year old.

Funny thing....We hit all the Holidays, but have never done Thanksgiving at WDW.

tomandrobin · 02-13-2019, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasChick

We usually show up exactly when EMH start. We’re almost never early for EMH by more than 5 minutes at WDW because we battle the hour time difference. If we’re ever there at the same time, I’m definitely going to take you up on it and follow your lead!

I am always amazed at EMH rope drop how many people veer off and stop at Starbucks. You are wasting time people!!!!

DBridge · 02-13-2019, 03:44 PM

Speaking of holiday, anyone done a water park on 4th of July? Crazy?

I know all the parks will be crazy, but any sense in water park that day?

02-13-2019, 02:41 PM	#1
ResalesDVC TRUSTED BOARD SPONSOR!! Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 113	How to survive (and enjoy) the holidays at Disney World I know its only February but if you're like me, you're already planning your holiday trips! Plus, booking windows are open at your home resort The week before Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest week of the year at Walt Disney World. The parks will be filled with throngs of people and Magic Kingdom will likely fill to capacity and close to more guests at several points during the week. But if you visit during this week you can still have a fantastic time – but you will need to switch up your tactics. Here are ten tricks for actually enjoying yourself during the holidays at Disney World: https://www.resalesdvc.com/how-to-su...-disney-world/ Have any tips or tricks to ad? __________________ ResalesDVC - The Tutas Family Garden Views Realty, Inc. Kinn Tutas, Lic. Real Estate Broker Kristen Tutas, Lic. Broker Associate Rachel Thompson, Lic. Broker Associate Meet Our Entire Team

02-13-2019, 02:50 PM	#2
tomandrobin DVC Board Guide Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 34,070	I mostly agree on the tips, however I think the fast pass strategy is off. For Christmas/NYE week, I recommend taking advantage of morning EMH....be there at rope drop and save your fastpasses for the evening. This is what we do every year, including this year. For example, we went to MK on EMH day. We rode Buzz, Space Mountain (2x), Pooh, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder RR, Splash Mountain and Pirates all by 9am. __________________ Love, Faith and Pixie dust!

02-13-2019, 02:58 PM	#4
DisneyTravelers Grand Villa Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 2,248	Good advice. We just did our first NYE trip. MK has EMH on Dec 30 util 2 am so we arrived at the park about 9 pm to catch the fireworks show. We had some FPs and by about midnight the crowds really thinned out. We stayed till 2am [well...some of our group did] and had a blast....very manageable lines if you can be a night owl. We really adjusted our expectations and didnt plan lots of park time on Dec 30 or 31 or Jan 1. I did note that on Jan 1 the crowds at Epcot were pretty low till about noon... We had a great time and I wont hesitate to go back in this time frame. With a kid in college and other one with a busy marching band and theater schedule, we now have to travel in busier times when they can both get away.... __________________ Trip Report: "Dole Whips, Disney Trips & Memories To never Forget: http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=137109 Trip Report: The Tale of Two Trips - The Princesses & The Dudes Take On NYE http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=134143 Spring Break Trip Report / How To Beat The Crowds & Still Have FUN! http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=64670 First Time Cruiser Trip Report http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=87522 Me DH DS22 DD16

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02-13-2019, 03:44 PM	#10
DBridge One Bedroom Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 218	Speaking of holiday, anyone done a water park on 4th of July? Crazy? I know all the parks will be crazy, but any sense in water park that day?