that it is going to be crowded. I know that most of you would rather stick a hot needle in your eye... but we are going

The "we" is my 50 something husband, and two daughters ages 14 and 18 and myself.

We are leaving out of DFW on December 27 - Jan. 2.

Staying at the Loews portofino bay hotel ~

It is a company deal for my husband - Capital One Bowl - they are hosting it. We get to tag along and really have only one cocktail event that we must be at.

I have not be to D-world since I was about 7 or 8 years old. LONG time ago - the girls have never been. We lived by D-land till a year ago so no need to have the expense.

Questions:

Any tips for the craziness??? What parks when? How many days at each?

My daughter is a Harry Potter freak so that is a must at Universal ~

We will not have a rental car... the rates are sky high and the company is providing transportation to and from the airport. I assume that the Loews will have some sort of shuttle to D-world.

Bring it!

There's a company called MEARS Transportation in Orlando which provides transfers to and from Disney. We used them several years ago when we stayed at The Portofino Bay and would highly recommend them. Makes getting around sooo much easier!

I'm assuming that The Portofino Bay still offers complimentary fast passes to Universal, which are an enormous help in avoiding the huge entrance lines. I would recommend getting to the parks as soon as they open, then breaking for lunch. We found that the heaviest crowds were late morning- mid afternoon. We'd often return to the hotel, then go back for more in the evenings.

We haven't visited Disney since our kids were little, but Universal is wonderful. And I can't say enough good things about The Portofino Bay!! Have fun!

One of the things to consider is the early sunset time during the winter months. Check online to see which parks have early opening times for which days to get the most out of your visit.

Weadles - thank you - great tips! My husband and I stayed at the Porifino last year for the same company event - we did not go into any of the parks that time - I will take advantage of the fast pass - they do still offer it. I LOVED the Portifino Bay - it was lovely.

Bowspirt = thank you! We get one hour early to the Harry Potter place since we are at a Universal property but no such luck at D-world - so we will have to be there early.

A final tip: If the MUMMY ride is still there, DO NOT agree to ride in the first car if that's what you're offered! I'm still getting over that ride years later!

Definitely take a day each for Animal Kingdom as well as Epcot. Both have so much to offer.

It's gonna be crowded

Portofino will give you a break to get in the WW of HP early. Take advantage of it. It's your only hope. I was there in Jan and thought things wouldn't be crowded because schools were back in session in the US. The place was packed with Europeans.

Mears Transportation is good but a cab would be faster and probably not much more for three of you. We were staying near Disney and called for a cab to Universal. Ditto for coming back. Used Mears for trans to and from the airport - but wished I'd taken a cab due to wait and the shuttle stopping at other hotels/resorts.

LOVED Epcot. Liked Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is a must.

the Portofino too. I used to schedule meetings there when no one was visiting parks. Liked the restaurants there too. Bice was a company favorite from West Palm meetings. Mama Della's is just comfortable and had great mussels.

Nearby - My favorite Thai restaurant that used to be nearby is no more. LOVED Cafe Tu Tu Tango on International (not far) for a fun dinner. Your girls will love it.

Get to the parks at opening time. The best time of the day is the first few hours. Use the Disney fastpasses. You can't use them before your "return time" but you can use them any time after that. Collect them during the first part of the day and use them later on when the lines get crazy.

The Universal Front of the line pass makes all the difference during busy times like Christmas.

I enjoyed HP best at about 8:00PM. The lines were shorter and it seemed more "authentic" at night.

With 4 of you, the shuttles might be more expensive than a cab. They are easy to get and you can request a minivan for the same money as a sedan.

Plan you Disney days now and see if you can still get reservations for table service dining. Google Disney dining reservations. The WDW Site is really helpful.

All of the Disney parks are worth a day.

I looked at the Mears site and it did seem that the cost could add up for 4 people. I will look at it more closely and compare.

I looked at the disney dining and think I may pass - I am not sure where we will be when and we may just eat on the go in the parks - and save the more expensive meals for sitting down in Universal. It is a bit hookey but we ate at Emirls last year and I was pleasantly surprised at the service and the meal. May take the girls back there this year.

Sounds like opening time it the over all best time. I am looking forward to HP as well!

Starrs thanks for the dining tips and yes, will go in an hour early to WW of HP!

We changed our trip around.

We arrive 4 days prior to the event with my husband, we were staying at the Portofino the entire time to avoid moving and we had a great rate for those days due to the group rate being extended, BUT when I dug further in to figuring out transportation things got a little shaky.

Rental car is very high that time of the year, even if I rented directly from the Hertz counter at the Portofino for only a few days - the rate, plus parking, plus gas, was high.

We are now staying at a moderate DW hotel - which I confess I am nervous about - camping to me is the Court yard ;-) It is pricey due to the high season so it is all I could swing and stay within budget. Coranado Springs Hotel. Will use DW transportation and take advantage of the extra hours at the parks -

Switch over to the Portofino for 3 nights and enjoy it and the area there. Hope our girls have a great time!

You say you ate at Emeril's last time and liked it. Was it Emeril's at City Walk or Emeril's Chop Tchoup at the Royal Pacific Resort? If you haven't tried Chop Tchoup, I highly recommend it.

Coronado Springs is fine, remember all Disney properties are well maintained. I remember only a food court type of restaurant there, so plan accordingly. Disney transport can be a little slower at the outlying facilities.

Our favorite Disney restaurant is BOMA at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Are you going to Mickeys Very Merry Christmas?

We ate at the one at the city walk.

I will see if I can get reservations at the BOMA Cheryl. I read that the transportation is a bit of drag at the outlying hotels - I just could not swing the closer parks - it was over 1,000.00 more.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas will be over by the time we get there from what I can see? I am happy the parks will still be in their Christmas glory though