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Walt Disney World Holidays – The Key to Planning Magical Mealtime on Your Disney Christmas Vacation
December 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Are you planning a visit during the Walt Disney World holidays? A Disney vacation during the Christmas season can be especially magical, filled with fun, festivity, and good food as well. This article will focus on what you should know about meals at Disney World during this time of year, and some strategies for the best way to plan a Disney vacation to make the most of your time and dining budget.
First of all, when making your dining plans….and if you are going between Christmas and New Year’s you MUST make dining plans….you need to realize that you will be at Walt Disney World during the busiest time of the year. While this does not mean that you can’t have a wonderful vacation, what it does mean is that you have to plan ahead, because you will be visiting with many, many, many other people.
So the first tip is to make your dining plans in advance, and if you plan to have any table service meals, make your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) before you leave for Disney World. More importantly, if you are visiting during Christmas week, make them now.
Let’s talk about ADRs. Disney provides folks with the ability to make Advanced Dining Reservations far in advance, currently’0 days in advance. So people have been making ADRs for Christmas week for months. This means that the most popular restaurants and times fill quickly, especially for the big days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. Can you just walk up and get a table during this week? Perhaps…but don’t hold your breath. Don’t take the chance, make your ADRs now if you want table service meals.
What if you can’t get ADRs for any of the restaurants you want? Consider some of the lovely and lesser-known restaurants at the hotels: many are wonderful, and it is a great way to see some of the fantastic Holiday decorations at the resorts. They are a little off-the-beaten path, but it can be nice sometimes, during all the hustle and bustle, to have a little peace and quiet.
Another good strategy, especially if you can’t get decent ADR times, is to consider eating meals at “off” times. Try having your main, table service meal for lunch instead of dinner. Eat early: lunch at 11, dinner at 5…or late: lunch at 2, dinner at 8. You may be able to get table service seating this way, and for counter service meals, the crowds tend to be a little lighter during these times.
Think also about the benefits of eating some meals in your room, especially if you have access to a kitchen. Having breakfast in the room is one of the easiest ways to save time and money. And believe it or not, many folks who have a full kitchen like to do their entire holiday meal in their room, turkey and all. This is a wonderful way to create some special memories…to say nothing of saving money as well.
What is the best way to plan a Disney vacation when it comes to meals during the Walt Disney World holidays? A little planning will pay off with a wonderful vacation that has an extra dose of holiday magic and provide a trip filled with special holiday memories.
Nancy Bobby has been visiting Disney World (and doing it frugally) for over a decade, and has experienced 11 (and counting) family vacations to Walt Disney World. To discover how to plan an affordable Disney family vacation, and to receive a free Disney vacation planning bonus, visit www.theaffordablemouse.com.
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