FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

What tips and suggestions would you give guests heading to the parks this holiday season?

Image: Disney

Kristen Tutas: Have a plan! Prioritize your must-do rides and experiences and get them in as early in the day as possible. Use FastPass for the afternoon when standby lines are much longer. The “hub” in Magic Kingdom is a great place to lie down for an afternoon nap.

Melissa Mullett: Just keep calm and carry on. The parks can get a bit overwhelming during the holidays. I would recommend booking your FastPass + reservations prior to arrival and to have a schedule in place but to be flexible. There is a lot to see and do, so I find that having a basic outline of what we are hoping to do each day really helps navigate the trip and reduces the dreaded “what do you want to do today?”  “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” conversation.

Scott Ferraioli: If you're able to go earlier in the month, the crowds will be much lower.  If you're coming closer to Christmas, make sure you arrive early as many of the parks will reach capacity and not allow you into the park until people start leaving.  Definitely make sure you select your three fast passes in advance (pick them in the morning so you can add them one at a time after you use them), expect it to be crowded and try to just go with the flow.  You might not be able to get on a ton of rides but make sure you enjoy the music, decorations, and atmosphere of being in the parks. 

Nick Cotton: The weather, decorations and overall atmosphere during the holiday season at Disney World are amazing, so take it all in and enjoy!  A word of caution, though, to anyone traveling to Disney World the week between Christmas and New Years - that is the single busiest week of the year at Disney, so do set expectations appropriately.  And if you are traveling during that week, be sure to get to the parks early in the day as the Industrial Engineers will be performing demand management, meaning that once a park’s attendance reaches a certain capacity they will stop letting new guests in.  I’m speaking from experience as a former Industrial Engineer at Disney). Despite the heavier crowds that week, the experience of being at Disney during the holidays still makes it worth it, so don’t let the crowds deter you from enjoying the Happiest Place of Earth during such a festive time of year. 

Paul Little: We like to visit early in the Christmas season. The crowds will be more manageable than they will be nearer to Christmas. Also, I'd suggest doing a split visit to the parks, especially the Magic Kingdom. Arrive at the park in time for Rope Drop with a mission to see and ride as much as possible before leaving the park around lunch. You would then return to the park in time for the parade and fireworks. This will allow for a more leisurely time (once you are clear of the exiting crowds) afterward, where your focus would be to absorb the atmosphere. If you stay until close, you can enjoy your favorite attractions again or catch those that you missed earlier in the day.

As we head into the New Year, what are your expectations for Disney Vacation Club participants, both renters and owners?

Image: Disney

Nick Cotton: There will be a lot of excitement for DVC owners in 2017 as the growth of DVC continues with Copper Creek and perhaps the announcement of another resort in the coming year.  DVC owners will have additional reasons to return in 2017 as Disney World will be growing with the long awaited opening of “Pandora – The World of Avatar” coming in the summer of 2017.

Melissa Mullett: I honestly don’t have any expectations with regards to renters and owners this coming year. We at David’s Vacation Club Rentals just want to continue to deliver top-notch service to all of our renters and owners going into 2017.

Scott Ferraioli: Disney Vacation Club has just announced that they're extending the DVC Lounge in EPCOT for at least another year, which is great news for current owners.  They've also added a new behind the scenes tour of Soarin’, so I'm hoping DVC keeps adding some more great options for owners.

Paul Little: I see DVC rentals, both private and via broker, continuing to grow. At this time, guest demand is outpacing the amount of points that DVC members are able or willing to offer, so additional guest planning and flexibility may be required. 

As the expansion of the Disney Springs winds down, I foresee Saratoga Springs Resort and to a lesser extent, Old Key West becoming more desirable resorts. Hopefully, this should open up more availability at the other DVC resorts.

Kristen Tutas: There was a lot of uncertainty this year with DVC implementing more resale policy changes, tragedies in Orlando, and of course the presidential election. Now that the dust has settled, I expect 2017 to be a strong year for DVC. With the opening of a new DVC property at Wilderness Lodge along with new experiences coming to the theme parks, families will get back to doing what they love…vacationing at Disney. 

 
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Add new comment

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...