Christmas Crowds....Am I going to be miserable?

kydisneymom

Mouseketeer
Joined
Aug 7, 2009
For Christmas, my wonderful husband gave me a trip to Disney next Christmas (which is my dream). We usually go in October, which we still may, but am I going to be miserable at Christmas with all the crowds? I've ALWAYS wanted to see all the decorations and do the MVMCP, so is it worth it?
 
Depends on the dates of your trip. We just went 11/30 -12/8 and the crowds weren't bad at all. We had a wonderful trip!
 
We were at MK yesterday and the posts on this board were scaring me! It was busy but not unmanageable. Have a good plan and get there early. We did everything we wanted to and didn't have huge waits. Our longest wait was 35 minutes for Buzz Lightyear at the end of the day.
 
For Christmas, my wonderful husband gave me a trip to Disney next Christmas (which is my dream). We usually go in October, which we still may, but am I going to be miserable at Christmas with all the crowds? I've ALWAYS wanted to see all the decorations and do the MVMCP, so is it worth it?

I 2nd the pp - we went 11/27 - 12/7 and it was wonderful. I would *never* go at christmas although a lot of people don't seem to mind the crowds (obviously). Why don't you try to go earlier in Dec. and you would enjoy it much more - all the decorations are up.
 


We have been the week after Christmas and found it fine. You will need to go to the parks early, plan you days, and expect lots of people. Its such a wonderful time of year, to be at Disney is perfect.
 
I've read that the weeks before Christmas are great. Also, if you arrive early you can get a lot of stuff done!
 


roost0524 said:
We have been the week after Christmas and found it fine. You will need to go to the parks early, plan you days, and expect lots of people. Its such a wonderful time of year, to be at Disney is perfect.

When you went the week after did you get to see the Christmas parade (like the one they do Christmas Day or during MVMCP?)
 
kydisneymom said:
Our trip would be the December19-26. We could adjust some, but not a lot sooner.

We are looking at going that week or the next. I know the crowds will be heavy both weeks I just don't know how I'd feel about not having Christmas at home. We have been Thanksgiving and the second week of December and all of the Christmas decor and entertainment was amazing. The things I miss most each year are the Osbourne lights and hearing Malakiliki Muka (sp?) being sung at Ohana's.

BTW I have to tease- your DD's shirt in your profile pic would be much prettier if it was red ;0) We live in Louisville and are a house divided (I guess you know what side I'm on, lol.) Good game today.
 
When you went the week after did you get to see the Christmas parade (like the one they do Christmas Day or during MVMCP?)

No, we didn't. We were there Dec 29th through Jan 2nd in 2011, and we did see MSEP one night. Mid day in the MK was pretty crazy so we tried to avoid it.
 
Utilize rope drop and morning EMH and you will be just fine. We discovered that people like to sleep in on vacation. We were the family leaving the parks at noon (having ridden everything we wanted) when the masses were cramming in. We came back in the evening for dinner. At MK, the crowds left after the fireworks and the park was open until 1 am! Early EMH was at 7 am and it was still dark outside. We got some amazing pictures during these hours. I highly recommend Christmas time at WDW for anyone who doesn't like to sleep in. :thumbsup2:santa: Honestly, our longest wait the entire week was 25 minutes for Enchanted Tales with Belle.
 
We somewhat had the same trip last Christmas. Try to get as much done park-wise the first weekdays you are there. Crowds will start to build with the weekend leading up to Christmas. I would recommend rope drop the days leading up to Christmas and plan to be out of the parks by lunch time, spending your afternoons resort hopping to see those decorations (especially the ones on the monorail and the Wilderness Lodge). Bake in time one evening to go over to the Boardwalk to see their decorations as well and the carolers.
The best advice I heard for doing WDW at Christmas was this - pack your patience. Go in with the understanding that you likely will not accomplish everything you would normally do the same way you would normally do it. You will be so caught up in the Christmas spirit and all the decor that you'll be fine.
Have fun!
 
Depends on when you are looking at...Since you mention wanting to do the MVMCP, then you would need to go before Christmas week( this year the last party was 12/21).In any event, the Crowds start building around Dec 20th or so and continue to build till Christmas.From Christmas week-Early Jan , the crowds are very very large, but doable .The biggest pieces of advice I can give..PACK your PATIENCE...There will be people...Lots of them everywhere and waits will be long.Not just waits for attractions, but longer travel/walking times ,bathroom breaks and waits for meals.Get to the parks for ROPE drop.You can accomplish more in those first few hours than you can once the crowds start rolling in.MANAGE EXPECTATIONS.I know more people that do little planning, roll into WDW expecting to see and do it all that week and they leave disappointed.
 
For Christmas, my wonderful husband gave me a trip to Disney next Christmas (which is my dream). We usually go in October, which we still may, but am I going to be miserable at Christmas with all the crowds? I've ALWAYS wanted to see all the decorations and do the MVMCP, so is it worth it?

Op-reading your questiion prompts me to say a few things
1-you have a DH who obviously cares about you

2- it is your dream to be here at Christmas...

given those 2 facts alone how can you be miserable ?
 
I've been here since the 22nd and wouldn't come again at this time even if someone gave me a free vacation.
 
This is our second time to be here for Christmas week and new years. I love the decorations the atmosphere Heck even the crowds are ok...what I can't stand is the rudeness of other people. I have never seen it so bad! People cutting in front of our stroller or dad's scooter and then getting mad at us for hitting them! Hello!!! You cut in front of me!! So therefore I hope your ankle hurts! It's been absolutely horrible with rude people. :(
 
We went similar dates in 2011 and I'm happy to share what works: Starting Dec. 22-23, the crowds will begin massing, so concentrate on doing the parks heavy 19th-22nd. Get ADRs to the Terrace Dessert Party as the way to enjoy the MK fireworks and evening parade but not on a night you'd have to pay extra for MVMCP. Don't even think you can walk into any TS without an ADR and all CS will be busy. If you absolutely want to see Fantasmic and/or the CP in EPCOT, get the dining package with guaranteed seating. After the 22nd, consider spending morning and afternoon time at the resort and head out to an early evening ADR at a deluxe resort, then head to the park with evening magic hours and stay until close. It is so nice to relax a bit around the pool rather than fight the crowds every day! Finally, extend your ADR reach to the deluxe resorts. Seeing Wilderness & AKL Lodges and Grand Floridian in full holiday decor was awesome:thumbsup2and we were able to meander around and enjoy all the music (carollers at WL), watch the animals being fed at AKL, and the gingerbread house and orchestra at the GF!!!! You can manage Christmas at WDW, but your plan needs to be tighter than an off-season trip. That said, we will never go after December 15th again--it was just too crowded and our enjoyment level the last couple days was diminshed. We find early December to be our fave holiday time now::yes::
 
I have to say that my husband is amazing and he is just as addicted to Disney as I am:) We have been 5 years in a row so we are familiar with the "lay of the land" so to speak. We are also the crazy planners who aren't afraid to get there at rope drop and have our strategic ADRs planned. So, I am thankful for the advice, I just wanted to know realistically what I should be expecting.

This hopefully will be the vacation of a lifetime and different from the fall trips we have taken in the past. We'll be at Disney...it's all good!
 
You'll love it! Remember, attitude is everything;) Yes, it is crowded but you are at the most magical place on Earth with your family. Soak in the sights and sounds, enjoy your vacation, and most of all....relax. Go early and after lunch when things get nuts, enjoy your hotel and rest up, then head back at night when everything is illuminated. Have fun!
 

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