How crazy is it really at the end of December?

[SaraJayne]

Was this during the week between Christmas and New Year?
Or before Christmas?

Those pics are "normal" for the week between Christmas and New Year's. Now do you understand why people say it's crazy and insane?

 

[saskdw]

It was helpful reading your explanation for week of Xmas. I have tried to find all posts on week before. We will be there 20th checking out Dec. 24th. Are the crowd levels a little less than actual Xmas week?? We will be out of there right before Xmas. We were just there Halloween week so we don't need to see everything... just our fav's in the morning. We have always pulled the kids out of school. This will be the first time we are going during high crowd levels. I just subscribed to touringplans.

If it's not swimming weather, what do most people do in afternoon (when avoiding parks?) Tour resorts??

thanks
d

Sorry, I just saw this question now!

Generally from Dec 14th-19th the crowds are quite pleasant, especially if you go to the recommended "slow" park. We use EasyWDW as a guideline for that. The crowds slowly start to roll in starting around the 20th. However from the 20th-24th when you are going if you hit the slow park and get there early the crowds are quite manageable. Even Christmas day is ok if you go to AK or DHS. The chaos starts on the 26th!

As far as non park time, it depends on what your family enjoys. We've been lucky weather wise. Dec 2008 saw near record breaking temps most days we were there and 2011 was almost as hot. Highs were 75-88 most days, so lots of pool time and Blizzard Beach. We enjoy mini-golf, there are 4 courses on WDW property to choose from. We do some DTD and Boardwalk time. We did tour some resorts last trip. We went to the "Dine-in" theater at DTD, that was pretty cool!

 

[Moms]

Well come hell or high water we will be there from the 27th through the 2nd ... the trip is bought and paid for and the airfare is non-refundable! We are Disney vets with no expectations of being able to do much of anything but BE THERE ... and that's okay! We do have ADR's and will be staying at the Boardwalk. Will plan to get to the parks early in the morning and if things get too crazy we will head back to the resort and do some touring of the bars around Crescent Lake! No worries!

 

[Shir Kahn]

Well come hell or high water we will be there from the 27th through the 2nd ... the trip is bought and paid for and the airfare is non-refundable! We are Disney vets with no expectations of being able to do much of anything but BE THERE ... and that's okay! We do have ADR's and will be staying at the Boardwalk. Will plan to get to the parks early in the morning and if things get too crazy we will head back to the resort and do some touring of the bars around Crescent Lake! No worries!

That's pretty much how to describe us too. We're Disney vets enough to get in the rides we really want and completely happy to just be in the parks. There's still a lot to do without even going on a single ride! We have 6 ADR's, at almost all the places we wanted to eat at! The exception being Le Cellier, no cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread for us! Oh well, we'll live I suppose.

 

[Moms]

That's pretty much how to describe us too. We're Disney vets enough to get in the rides we really want and completely happy to just be in the parks. There's still a lot to do without even going on a single ride! We have 6 ADR's, at almost all the places we wanted to eat at! The exception being Le Cellier, no cheddar cheese soup and pretzel bread for us! Oh well, we'll live I suppose.

So sorry! We have ADR's at LeCellier for Lunch on the 29th (for the CP package). It will be our first meal at LeCellier and it will be the last of the Epcot Restaurants for us to try. Wish you could join us ... I'll have a cup of cheddar cheese soup for you!

 

[saskdw]

Well come hell or high water we will be there from the 27th through the 2nd ... the trip is bought and paid for and the airfare is non-refundable! We are Disney vets with no expectations of being able to do much of anything but BE THERE ... and that's okay! We do have ADR's and will be staying at the Boardwalk. Will plan to get to the parks early in the morning and if things get too crazy we will head back to the resort and do some touring of the bars around Crescent Lake! No worries!

If you go with those expectations you will have a great time. I don't like the crowds, but there no more magical time to be at WDW. I just enjoy being there those last few days.

 

[Shir Kahn]

If you go with those expectations you will have a great time. I don't like the crowds, but there no more magical time to be at WDW. I just enjoy being there those last few days.

I'm pretty sure DW and I could do an entire trip without going on a single ride, we just love everything about the parks, the hotels and basically just all around the World!

 

[Vemnox]

I'll never forget Christmas 2006 working at Soarin'. The line was posted at 240 minutes and went up and out of The Land, through the center of Future World West, and began just around the entrance of the West Innoventions tunnel.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

Just wanted to say that those pics are amazing! We've considered going over Christmas in the past and while we've seen lots of general crowd pics those were intense.

I'm glad to see though that the people on here that are planning to go are doing so with the proper knowledge ahead of time. I agree that it'll still be a great trip with advance planning.

Can you imagine what people that have never been/don't know what they're in for would think walking into those crowds??

 

[JLS]

We were there last year from 12/23-12/30. Obviously it is VERY crowded. But it is important to understand that the MK absorbs crowds very very well, it can fit a lot of people and there are a ton of attractions to spread out the crowds. Even on the most crowded days if you get there really early, use FP carefully, and ride most things as soon as you can in the day and leave the rest of the day for just enjoying the atmosphere and seeing the parades and all of the holiday shows in front of the castle, you will still enjoy yourself. Make sure you have a dining reservation of some sort to avoid waiting in a 30 minute Counter Service line.

It is also important to realize that the worst part for crowds is Hollywood Studios. Small park with WAY too few attractions to absorb the crazy crowds. If you must do the Studios, I would plan to hop to Epcot after lunch and just spend the rest of the day enjoying the World Showcase.

Think about things you can enjoy in the parks that don't require standing in long lines. Examples are just walking around the World Showcase (which can absorb a lot of people), enjoying Conservation Station at the AK or just enjoying the animal walk-thrus, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House and the shows at the MK, etc.

Holiday time at WDW is all in your attitude. Go in just being happy to be there and being happy to share the holidays there, and then you will have a great time. Get there at park opening, use FP and make dining reservations. You will have fun, don't worry about it.

 

[buzz1fan]

Is it expected to be crowded jan 3-5? I know many kids around here are back at school then.
Thanks!!!!

 

[kandb]

I don't understand when people say to go to experience it. Experience what? Mobs of people everywhere, long lines for rides, restaurants, transportation etc. Is disney that much different between Christmas and NYE? If people want to see the decorations, they can go in Nov. or early Dec. Just don't understand when people say the "experience" is something to see. The "experience" sounds miserable to me.

 

[Wendimn]

I don't understand when people say to go to experience it. Experience what? Mobs of people everywhere, long lines for rides, restaurants, transportation etc. Is disney that much different between Christmas and NYE? If people want to see the decorations, they can go in Nov. or early Dec. Just don't understand when people say the "experience" is something to see. The "experience" sounds miserable to me.

I think the experience is being in WDW at Christmas..it doesn't sound at all miserable to me...

 

[mom2rtk]

Is it expected to be crowded jan 3-5? I know many kids around here are back at school then.
Thanks!!!!

Many schools around the country are out through that entire week, so I do expect that week to still be very busy. I was really surprised at how many districts are out through the following Monday.

 

[kandb]

I also see people say, they just go to the parks and some even don't ride the rides. I would have a problem spending almost $300 for a pass for the week and not be able to barely get on any rides. I seriously think disney should discount tickets for this week because people are paying soooo much money and aren't even able to barely ride the rides. I know people go voluntarily but it just doesn't seem fare to charge those prices when people are getting "so much less" of their dollar.

 

[Wendimn]

I also see people say, they just go to the parks and some even don't ride the rides. I would have a problem spending almost $300 for a pass for the week and not be able to barely get on any rides. I seriously think disney should discount tickets for this week because people are paying soooo much money and aren't even able to barely ride the rides. I know people go voluntarily but it just doesn't seem fare to charge those prices when people are getting "so much less" of their dollar.

Who is barely riding any rides?? I will be there during the busiest time of year and plan to ride everything we want to ride.

 

[Wendimn]

Is it expected to be crowded jan 3-5? I know many kids around here are back at school then.
Thanks!!!!

I think it will be crowded but not as bad. I know my kids are back in school then.

 

[shalom]

I don't understand when people say to go to experience it. Experience what?

Experience the energy, is my guess. One person's "so much noise and crowds it gives me a headache" is another person's version of "exciting and fun." It's a ton of stimulation, combined with the energy of a crowd, and some people are really into that.

Others may not enjoy the experience as much, but still like to be able to say they've done it -- saying you've done WDW in Christmas season when the park was closed is the theme park version of saying you've survived Everest.

 

[JUJU814]

Just an update to this thread: We booked yesterday, checking in Dec 28th and out on Jan 4th! No matter how crowded it is, we're going to have fun!

I just booked these same exact dates yesterday. I'm a little nervous reading this thread, but I KNEW when I booked it was the craziest time of year. I'm working hard mentally to psyche myself up to "enjoy the experience and not stress".

Of course, I make it a personal challenge to get good ADRs etc but I have to realize the early bird gets the worm and just suck it up and have fun with my family.

I suppose an Ativan a day might help too?

 

[Wendimn]

I just booked these same exact dates yesterday. I'm a little nervous reading this thread, but I KNEW when I booked it was the craziest time of year. I'm working hard mentally to psyche myself up to "enjoy the experience and not stress".

Of course, I make it a personal challenge to get good ADRs etc but I have to realize the early bird gets the worm and just suck it up and have fun with my family.

I suppose an Ativan a day might help too?

We will be there Dec 20th-30th. These threads make me nervous too but many others have told me that as long as you have a plan and show up early..it is fine.