Disney

"You can't get much quirkier than South of the Border, a glorified fireworks stand on the South Carolina-North Carolina border that grew into a motel, restaurants and shops. You can't miss the signs for it; in fact you'll be sick of them by the time you get there. Even if you don't stop, it's something to see as you drive by the giant sombrero.

As far as accommodations, book something NOW. Christmas week is Disney's busiest, and room rates are their priciest. Another good tips site is http://www.wdwinfo.com/.

As far as beating the crowds, the one recommendation I have involves staying at a Disney resort. Every day, one of the parks has "extra magic hours", which lets guests of the Disney resorts enter the park an hour early or stay three hours late. The Magic Kingdom does one better -- it has a morning extra magic hour just for people with little kids (5 and under) that opens up Fantasyland an hour before the rest of the park opens for general admission (again, for Disney resort guests only). This lets you ride all the most popular Fantasyland rides like "It's a Small World" and "Peter Pan's Adventure" with practically no lines. For reasons I could never figure out, "Peter Pan's Adventure" always seems to have an 80 minute line during peak hours.

Even if you stay elsewhere and can't take advantage of the extra magic hours, get to the parks as early as possible. Crowds are always worst in the afternoons, so instead try to make it back to the hotel in the afternoon so your toddler can take a nap and either mommy or daddy (take turns!) can get some pool time if the weather is nice. Also, you'll probably want to eat at off times if your toddler's schedule will allow it (like lunch at 11 AM)."