Thousands of people plan a wonderful Christmas Vacation to "The Most Magical Place On Earth". What could be better than giant Christmas trees, special holiday treats, and taking cute pictures with Santa Mickey? Well, Christmas Day at The Magic Kingdom might not be so magical if you don't know what to expect. I've been to Disney on Christmas and here is how I survived it.
1. Don't expect there to be no lines.
Disney World is a massive tourist destination any time of the year. I think a lot of people expect the crowds to be pretty light during the holidays since most people tend to take this opportunity to spend time with family. However, this is the complete opposite. Tons of people use Disney as their gift to their family. The crowds will be heavy, so much that it gets a little tough to walk. But trust me, it's great experience. Mentally prepare yourself and you'll still enjoy the day.
2. It's okay to go to Disney and not ride anything.
I might be saying this because I'm an Annual Passholder, so I'm used to going to the parks and not riding anything at all. But honestly, sometimes this is a great option. There are so many things to see and do in the parks that you won't even miss the rides. Granted, you can still book that FastPass+ for Space Mountain. But remember that there are other things to do. Take time to walk around all of the amazing shops. Play Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, it's a great (and free) way to get the whole family to explore the park. There is also A Pirate's Adventures which has you traveling along Adventureland on missions to discover some great treasure! And of course, there are some great opportunities for photos and character meet and greets.
3. Don't be disappointed if things don't go as planned.
When I was at Disney World for Christmas a few years ago, my family had great reservations for Christmas dinner at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. We were all thrilled to go, since reservations at Disney get snatched up pretty quickly. But, when we arrived we weren't too thrilled about our food options. So, we ventured on a short walk over to the Magic Kingdom and ate delicious hot dogs and fries from Casey's Corner. Sure, it's not the traditional Christmas dinner but it is one of my favorite Christmas memories. And I got to spend my meal looking at that beautiful castle. How could you not love that?
4. Remember that you're at The Most Magical Place On Earth.
This one stands for any day of the year. There are thousands of people in a crowded place. Things might go wrong. But please don't let it ruin your vacation, or anyone else's for that matter. I have seen so many unhappy faces or complaining people at the parks because it's "too hot", "too crowded", or people just don't get what they want. Disney is great company and they will do whatever is in their power to make sure guests have magical moments. Yes, people in the parks might be less than pleasant sometimes, but try not to let it ruin your day. And remember to treat Cast Members with respect. They are busy working during the holidays to make sure your vacation is great. Disney World really is The Most Magical Place On Earth if you give it the chance to be.
Have a Magical Holiday Season!