Category — 6. The Christmas Season at Walt Disney World

THE TRAINS OF WALT DISNEY’S IMAGINATION

There are two traditional railroads at Walt Disney World.

They are the Wildlife Express Train at the Animal Kingdom, and the Walt Disney World Railroad at the Magic Kingdom.

In my Comprehensive Guide to Rides, I rate these as “skippable” for typical older kids and adults.

This is true even over the holidays, and even though the two toys that have dominated the imaginations of boys over the past century are trains and toy soldiers.

There are many reasons why both these parks have railroads, why the monorail serves as Epcot’s railroad, and why railroad tracks are buried in the paving of Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

These reasons range from simple transportation to support of the theming.

But with the launch of the Red Car Trolley at Disney California Adventure in 2012, every domestic Disney theme park will have a train, or the footprints of a train.

As skippable as these rides may be…Disney World was born from Disneyland, and Disneyland, as far as I am concerned, was born from the Christmas-present Lionel train layout that Walt Disney set up in a room adjoining his office in 1948, big enough to fill half of a two car garage.

TRAINS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF WALT DISNEY WORLD [Read more →]

THE CROWDS ARE COMING…

The busiest weeks of the year at Walt Disney World begin today. Later next week, likely more than 70,000 people will visit the Magic Kingdom on an average day, with totals perhaps well above that, possibly leading to park closures.

The hourly ride capacity at the Magic Kingdom is on the order of 40,000 people, implying average waits of 90-120 minutes for the most popular rides.

Bathroom waits may seem as long…as may waits for food, even if you take advantage of the off peak food discount and eat early or late.

But G. K. Chesterton once said “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered.”

If you are going in the next two weeks…welcome to your adventure!

HOW TO COPE WITH THE MASSIVE DISNEY WORLD CROWDS

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This offer was for 2010–if I hear about a similar 2011 offer, I’ll post about it and link to it from here!

SAVE 30% ON COUNTER SERVICE MEALS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

If you will be at Walt Disney World between December 19th 201 and January 1st 2011, you can save 30% on counter service meals.

To get these savings, get coupons from the Disney Parks blog– see this for how–and dine before noon or between 3 and 4.30p.

Note that not all counter service establishment are participating—see the link for which are.

The Disney park blog also notes that coupons will be available at Walt Disney World in the Times Guides and at the bottom of certain receipts.

GETTING A WALT DISNEY WORLD DISCOUNT DURING THE CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR’S PERIOD

The stretch of time around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays is by far the most expensive period to be at Walt Disney World.

Resort prices are higher than they are at any other period in the year, and these days are blocked out from Disney’s deals and discounts.

However, my friends at Destinations in Florida have let me know that they can get you a discount even during this period, of $50-$200, depending on your package. [Read more →]

MADE YOUR PLANS FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT TO DISNEY WORLD YET?

This site recommends that first time family visitors arrive at Walt Disney World the Saturday a week after Thanksgiving—in 2010, that’s December 4th.

It also recommends that your Walt Disney World plans be firm more than 180 days in advance, because with that timing you can reserve the best—and most quick to book solid—Disney dining venues.

Well, 180 days before December 4 is tomorrow…so have you made your plans for your first trip to Disney World yet?

WHY IS THAT WEEK THE TARGET DATE?

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OVERVIEW

This page outlines December 2010 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, weather, operating hours, deals and discounts, adds a few other notes, and ends with week by week summaries.

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