[Ariel2006]

Hi!

We are planning a surprise trip to Disney for our 7 year old son and I have some questions!

First of all this is his Christmas from us and I would like to have a fun, creative way to tell him. I don't want to just blurt it out, I want it to be something that he will remember!

Second of all, we will be there 12/23-12/28. My husband was a little hesitant on those dates but I got a better rate than going a week later. We have Christmas with both sides of the family before we go. We are also having our own family Christmas before too. I am taking "Santa" presents with us and even bought Mickey wrapping paper. Do you think he will have any regrets of not being at home on Christmas Day?? The day is normally just spent with the three of us home together and maybe a movie in the afternoon.

Finally, have any of you ever done the Christmas Day parade at MK?? I have always wanted to do that specific parade! We will only be in the parks for 2 days and I don't want to waste any time there! I want to be able to take in as much as possible. I have no idea what the crowd levels are on Christmas Day and I don't know if we should try it or not.

Any input would be very much appreciated!!

Thanks!
Lisa

Going to Disney Christmas 2006

[Maria]

I think a scavenger hunt would be a great way to tell your DS

WELCOME to MouseBuzz!!!!

[Goofy Daddy]

Having regrets??? If the day is usually as you say (mellow time with the 3 of you followed by an afternoon movie) a trip to WDW sounds like an upgrade on the normal experience so what would be regrettible?

I have never been to either park on Christmas day but other DL fanatic friends of mine have been to DLR on that day several times and they always say "we still had fun, but it was so crowded!" One even decribed it as "a mad house" on Christmas day because of all the people. I have heard that WDW can be similar but others on MouseBuzz can probably address that better than I.

[chris5568]

Ok the parade that you see on TV is not taped on Christmas day. Last year it was the end of Nov. beginning of Dec. I can't remember what the date was though. The parks will be very crowded so keep that in mind. Make PS's for Christmas day well in advance I'm not sure if they have started excepting them yet, since I have't been on in awhile. Take decorations and decorate your resort room. We always did, I love walking around the resort and looking at the decorations that everyone has in the windows. We have been the last 5 years at christmas time so if you have any ?'s let me know.

[chastmastr]

I have an idea! What about a call from Mickey? It's like $2.50 -- you put in what the occasion is, which character you want, who you are ("your mom/dad/aunt/uncle/etc. told me you like Christmas"), etc. It even says "see you real soon!" so you might use that as a sort of hint leading up to it.

Disney's Enchanted Call

You can have Pocahontas wish your child Happy Thanksgiving, or for that matter any of the Disney princesses, Mickey, Pooh or Tigger and so on too.

The Mickey script for Christmas, mentioning mother (you can have father, friend, etc.):

Hiya pal, it's me - Mickey!

I'm just calling to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Your mom told me it's your favorite holiday!
Aw, that's swell! It's one of my favorites, too!

Do you have a special Christmas tradition? 'Cause I sure do and it's happenin' tonight. The gang's coming over to decorate the tree. Everybody's bringin' a homemade ornament, and Pluto's gonna put the star on top of the tree. Gosh, I gotta run. Goofy's comin' early to help me get the lights and tinsel ready.

Have a terrific holiday, pal! And I'll see ya real soon!

Another possibility might be to get a Pal Mickey, though a more expensive proposition and you may be slowly driven mad by the time you get there by his chipper, piping voice, but that's not absolutely certain, so it may be worth it.

David

[chastmastr]

(There are something like a billion possibilities for the enchanted call. It's kind of like one from column A, one from column B, one from column C, so you can have POCAHONTAS call your child for THANKSGIVING and hope they enjoy CELEBRATING WITH THEIR FAMILY, or TIGGER call your child to WISH THEM GOOD NIGHT and hope they enjoy dreaming about PLAYING WITH THEIR FRIENDS, or have CINDERELLA call about their being a FLOWER GIRL IN A WEDDING and encourage them because they are FEELING ANXIOUS ABOUT BEING IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE ("Hello. I'm Cinderella. It's wonderful to get to talk with you. You see, I know you're going to be a flower girl in a wedding very soon. You must be so excited. And perhaps a little scared, too? But don't worry, even I get scared sometimes. Remember, it's all right to be nervous, when you're going to be in front of an audience. Just try to be brave. My Fairy Godmother taught me if you truly believe in them, your dreams really can come true. After all, a dream is a wish your heart makes. Goodbye.") or Mulan wish them a happy birthday (any age up to ten, or no specified age. "Mushu told me you were turning eight" etc.) or... (A shame they don't have this specifically aimed at adults -- "Hi there! This is Hades, y'know, god of death and the underworld, and I hear you're turning the big four-oh,* so I thought I'd call..." -- but one can send the call to anyone so I've had Mickey call the cub from time to time before.))

David
* This is me, next year

[Goofy Daddy]

Originally Posted by chastmastr

[/I"Hi there! This is Hades, y'know, god of death and the underworld, and I hear you're turning the big four-oh,* so I thought I'd call..."

Oh yes, that would be so great!

[dznycropper]

That is TOOO funny!! Maybe you should find someone to suggest it to?

[MissDisney]

BEWARE::: We had the genius plan of surprising our kids the night before the trip, since the taxi was coming for us at 5 a.m. Well, HUGE mistake!!! NONE of us got any sleep that night, because the kids wanted to chat about the trip... and chat about the trip... and chat about the trip. All. Night. Long.

It is darling now, but at the time, well...

[leslieh]

Originally Posted by chastmastr

I have an idea! What about a call from Mickey? It's like $2.50 -- you put in what the occasion is, which character you want, who you are ("your mom/dad/aunt/uncle/etc. told me you like Christmas"), etc. It even says "see you real soon!" so you might use that as a sort of hint leading up to it.

Disney's Enchanted Call


David

I really love David's idea... I think that would be so wonderful!!!

We go every year for Christmas. Yes, it is extremely crowded, but the way to have the best day is to get there as early as you can. Even earlier than you think you should The MK has been known to stop admitting drive-in guests when the crowd levels are extreme. I think that resort guests taking the bus are admitted, but I could be wrong. Since you only have two park days, be sure that you arrive at the parks before they open, as they fill up quickly!

By the way, welcome to our wonderful MB family!

[tinkerbelle24]

I l ove Davids idea as well. Also give clues around the house. I wanted to go for christmas but my DH wanted to wait till the kids are older and there isnt a "Santa" involved anymore.
Good Luck and have a blast!

Also Welcome to MB!!!

[Ariel2006]

Thank you to everyone for the input!! David...I love your idea!! I think I am definatly going to check in to that phone call!! Maybe I can coordinate that with a scanvenger hunt as well! Thanks for the welcome as well!!
Lisa

[FireAngel]

Um.... Xmas day at WDW is the busiest day of the year.. Good luck!

[Erin]

Wow! Congrats on your upcoming trip!!

2 days in the parks at the BUSIEST time of the year means a few things for you!

- You're going to have an incredible time!! What a neat way to celebrate!
- YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN of what you'd like to see. YOu simply will NOT have time to wander once you get in there.
- If you plan on eating a sit down dinner, you need to make your reservation now. There is a number we can give you to call (800) if you need it.
- If you plan on eating Counter Service/Fast food in the park - plan on eating during 'off' times. (earlier or later than the normal lunch/dinner rush)


The parade isn't FILMED on Christmas Day, but I bet it still runs. THere is a link to park hours on our front page, and you should be able to see the time of the parade on that link.

Please don't hesititate to ask if you have more questions. A quick, whirlwind trip at a busy time can be exhilerating, but you MUST have a plan - or you could end up with a bad taste for Disney in your mouth, and that would be terrible!

[Franco54]

Don't worry about the crowds,
Just have fun!