Planning trip 18-24th
Will staying at CBR and have park plans 18-23rd. Sunday we don’t fly out until 515pm
So Sunday (fly out day)
My original thought was homecoming brunch and shopping in disney springs as we do not have plans to go there earlier in the trip. You know last day of trip = shopping (probably like everyone else at disney) What I’m coming to realize is that Sundays seem to be particularly crowded at disney springs and on top of that, this would be the Sunday of the unofficial start to holiday shopping season.
Should we skip Disney springs and have brunch and hang out at resort/ resort hop instead?
I don’t like the feeling of just sitting around and waiting for our flight all day. But I also don’t want to contend with huge crowds at the end of a long theme park week when my feet will probably also be a bit tired. I also hate the fear of missing out and want to curb my instinct to overplan and put too much into our trip
Current plan (We are west coasters not likely to rope drop)
16th fly in
17th Universal stay Royal Pacific for Unlimited express passes
18th universal transfer to CBR
19th MK (party day leave by 6p) Dinner at Epcot 830ish
20th AK
21st HS
22nd Epcot
23rd Epcot until after lunch rest CBR then to MK for some headliners and fireworks
24th ? fly home 515pm
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I usually book a brunch somewhere for the day we fly out and then hang by the pool the rest of the day.
For me, getting to Disney Springs from anywhere seems like such a time suck. And it’s always crowded. Since you are at CBR you could do Topolinos or Trattoria al Forno or somewhere along the skyliner.
If the gingerbread house at Grand Floridian is open by then, you could also have brunch at one of the monorail resorts and see the gingerbread house and tree (both of which are amazing).
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IME - You won’t see large crowds for Thanksgiving until Tues. or Wed.
I’d go ahead a make a reservation where you want to dine. Then if you are tired or not up to going at the end of the trip cancel it the night before.
I agree that the resorts have great dinning option and you may want to check out those as well.
You can save time by taking an Uber to where you want to go.
Have fun!
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Yes
The crowds will be less at the resorts
Christmas decorations will be in hotels
Use the monorail to hit up the MK resorts
Even eat a different course at each resort
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There is so much to do at WDW that time of year! If I’m at WDW that time of year, I do as much of the holiday stuff as possible.
If you really want to go to brunch at Homecomin’ and shop at DS, why not? I go to DS at least once every trip. It may be busy but I rarely find it wall to wall of people. The only exception was June 2024 for the drone show. Crowds are manageable. I would say it’s less crowded than most park days. Uber is a great option, especially if you have a reservation before the buses start running to DS. There is shopping there, eating around DS, and the Christmas Tree Trail. Here’s information about last year’s Christmas Tree Trail: https://wdwnt.com/2023/11/photos-2023-disney-springs-christmas-tree-stroll-with-new-wish-disney-treasure-and-dvc-trees/. I took my friend to see the Christmas Tree Trail and she absolutely loved it! 
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