Make reservations early. Disney World features 32 official hotels, and there are numerous others in the Orlando area, but they fill up quickly. Once you know how many days you want to spend at the park, it pays to reserve your rooms and airline flights as quickly as possible.
Check Disney World's official web page to look for specific Christmastime events taking place during your visit. The Magic Kingdom park hosts a special event called Mickey's Christmas Party on certain holiday nights, which requires its own ticket to enter. Other parks host parades and candlelight processions, while certain rides (notably the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom) get a holiday makeover. Prioritize which events you want to see, and plan your schedule accordingly.
Purchase Magic Your Way tickets if you intend on being there for longer than one day. These tickets allow you to visit one of Disney World's four theme parks each day, and cost considerably less than simply purchasing a new ticket each day. Holiday crowds become quite fierce, and you can spare yourself a lot of grief if you use multi-day tickets to take your time at the parks.
Plan dining options ahead of time. While Disney World has numerous kiosks and walk-up food counters, their sit-down restaurants often offer special holiday fare during the Christmas season. As with hotels, that means big crowds; if you want to have a holiday meal at the park, pick your restaurant beforehand and make reservations before your trip.
Plan to arrive early each day. The parks typically open at 9 a.m. during the holidays, and if you arrive early, you can get on a number of rides before things get too crowded. Look for perennially popular rides and those with a holiday theme (such as the Haunted Mansion), and then concern yourself with other rides in the park. Also, Disney sometimes closes the park entrances down if the crowds get too big, which is common at Christmas. Getting there early ensures that you won't be locked out.
Look for back-up plans for each day. Flexibility is key during the holidays, especially if you find the crowds overwhelming. Be ready to swap days around and check out another park if the one you're visiting is packed to the gills. You might also consider visiting some of the alternate attractions at Disney World, such as the Downtown Disney shopping center, when things get busy.
