christmas eve and new years eve

[Disfan]

We're wondering what to expect on christmas eve and new years eve around disney. Is there anything special and if so where is it?

Should I even ask how the crowds are?

[Britchick]

when we were staying at the Poly santa visited the resort

[Grammiepo]

NYE was packed!!! you might just as well plan to stay up all night, cause everyone else does and the noise goes on forever.

[Tink]

It is a VERY crowded time. The entire week of Christmas through NYE will see the largest crowds ever at WDW.

There are loads of special things to do, some only on NYE, others during the entire Christmas season.

The parks can close to guests when capacity is reached, so keep that in mind. If you truly want to be at a given park on any day during that holiday week, be sure to get there just prior to gate opening, or you run the real risk of not being able to get in.

Have a clear plan of what you want to do. Keep in mind the lines will be wicked long for anything (sometimes even the bathrooms) so use Fast Pass as much as possible. Be ready to just soak up the atmosphere and people watch, as that may be the only activity that you can get in!

It's a beautiful time to be there though. WDW at Christmas is incomparable.

[Wendy]

It's a beautiful time to be there though. WDW at Christmas is incomparable.

Oh Tink, I really really hope so, the thought of Christmas without my Dad breaks my heart, I'm hoping that the Disney magic will help

[Isafari]

Oh Tink, I really really hope so, the thought of Christmas without my Dad breaks my heart, I'm hoping that the Disney magic will help

We were both feeling the loss of a parent last Christmas Wendy and, I know being at WDW helped me I wasn't boucing off the walls, but I was ok....better than I would have been at home. Anyway, we will probably end up crying on Christmas Eve!!! Wishes!!!! Always gets me going

[Tink]

I have to say this, and I hope it doesn't make things more sad.

For us, Christmas does push hard on the loss of the one we have loved. For us it becomes very important to mark the loss by going to the Shrine (very specific for us) and having some sort of commemorative thing done, usually one of the lovely candles.

We've learned to acknowledge the crushing loss, not try to push it away or hope it doesn't happen. It will. Always. For us, incorporating our sadness at the loss into the over arching joy of Christmas works.

I hope that made sense? Or at least some sense.

[Wendy]

I hope that made sense? Or at least some sense.

You always make sense

[Slowhand]

You always make sense

...and seeing as you are talking in a religious vein then you could say that Tink is talking "incense".

Seriously though, I`m sure that those who are no longer with you will be looking down on you when you are there, happy to see that you are thinking of them, while at the same time having a well earned break.

[Wendy]

...and seeing as you are talking in a religious vein then you could say that Tink is talking "incense".

Seriously though, I`m sure that those who are no longer with you will be looking down on you when you are there, happy to see that you are thinking of them, while at the same time having a well earned break.

thanks Terry, it's thoughts like that which keep me going, that Dad is always with me ::